EDITOR’S NOTE: See links to Tillamook County Pioneer’s Questions for Candidates – Bay City Candidates and a link to the Bay City Candidates Forum below.
October 19, 2026
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I have been honored to represent the City of Bay City as your Mayor. This has occurred at events and meetings in the region and throughout the state, but most importantly here at home. Each month I have presided over meetings of the City Council, during which serious, and sometimes heated or passionate debates have occurred. Following public input during open meetings, sometimes over the course of several months, the City Council made decisions. Most of those decisions – like accepting a $2.5 million grant for a seismic upgrade to Fire Station 41, or accepting $200,000 in grants to build a new playground – were easily supported unanimously. Other tough decisions may not have been unanimous, but Council members acted with respect and integrity when deliberating and voting.
I have been proud to represent this community, which my husband and I have called “home” for twenty years. Last week our community was rocked by comments and mailers which arrived in our mailboxes. Since 1964 the courts have upheld the position that even hate speech is protected speech under the United States and Oregon Constitutions. But the use of profanity and hate-ridden negative messages does not reflect the community I represent!
The requirements of public process – designed to ensure transparency and public input – does not always allow for quick action. This is such a case. If we had adequate time to convene a public meeting and discuss the issues at hand, I am sure that the City Council would overwhelmingly, if not unanimously agree that we are better than this, and we cannot condone anonymous attack ads in our local elections. I hereby call on ALL citizens of Bay City to refrain from negativity, but concentrate on electing candidates who will place emphasis on a positive future for Bay City!
There are two candidates for Mayor and eight candidates for Councilor on the ballot. Please take the time to focus on the positive priorities they are sharing with you as platforms. When you see them on the street or in the store, talk to them and listen to their positive vision for the future of our city.
As always, feel free to contact me if you would like to discuss this or another issue. Or join me for Coffee with the Mayor and City Manager at 9:30 on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
Sincerely, Mayor Liane Welch
LINKS:
Bay City Candidates Forum:
