Welcome to the mayor’s office, Mayor Wheeler. You took some heat late in the campaign for proposing changes that were within your power to make as a City Council member and council president. But now, as mayor, you’ll set an agenda and work with the council to see that agenda through.

We want you to succeed as mayor; it’s to the city’s benefit that you do so. So expect the public, and us, to hold you accountable for the goals that you were elected to accomplish:

Supporting business development by accelerating the phase-out of the Business & Occupation Tax and streamlining the permitting process.

Developing an energy conservation plan for city-owned buildings.

Ensuring parks are adequately funded, maintained and accessible to all.

Continuing to partner with the Bremerton Housing Authority to ensure housing assistance is a priority.

Developing strategies to increase housing affordability through zoning and streamlined permitting.

Working with Kitsap Transit to improve public transit in Bremerton.

Investing more in public safety, parks, streets and infrastructure as the economy improves and city revenues increase.

We also expect you to continue the fight to keep hospital beds in Bremerton as CHI Franciscan closes Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton in favor of an expanded, single medical center in Silverdale.

A message to Bremerton residents: The mayor and City Council make decisions on your behalf. Make sure your views are known. The City Council meets at 5 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday of each month. Meetings are open to the public. And the City Council is accepting applications for appointment to Wheeler’s District 4 council position. Deadline is Jan. 5. Go to City Hall or https://tinyurl.com/y9wg8dh8 for an application.

The Central Kitsap Reporter editorial board consists of Regional Publisher Terry Ward, General Manager Donna Etchey, Managing Editor Richard Walker and Editor Bob Smith.