It is with great relief and pleasure that I can honestly say: “I no longer need to run for mayor of the City of Auburn.”

I believed I needed to run for mayor because I did not see any other candidate who understood that one holds such an office to serve the citizens as they want to be served (in spite of ourselves).

Our mayor appeared to think that he knew what was best for us without consulting our opinions. I believed the actions taken by the current power structure were taken in part because they were unwilling to humbly rethink tough decisions.

For example, when a decision was made to cede our local municipal court system to King County, a standing-room-only crowd appeared at the City Council meeting chamber to tell leaders to keep our court local. When so many of the people in this city got involved in the process, leaders needed to at least take a second look at what they were doing.

But our mayor and council stubbornly plowed ahead without creatively looking for an alternative. This kind of let-them-eat-cake leadership style prompted my belief that I could do better.

Of all the council members we currently have, only one has shown the understanding that he serves the people and not his own interests. John Partridge has consistently demonstrated that he gets it. He understands it is his job to do what the citizens want, not tell the citizens what they want. He is a true servant of the people. It is my firm belief that in November, John Partridge will be the only real choice for mayor.

Therefore, I am withdrawing my name from the Mayoral race and putting my support firmly behind John Partridge.

– Frank Lonergan