I first met Sydney through a mutual friend.  My first impression of Sydney was that it was easy to tell that she cared. I see “care” often used as a buzzword, used only to push an agenda forward. Not Sydney.

Sydney is someone who truly cares about people and creates change by doing instead of just talking about it. She leads with empathy and backs her empathy with action.

People connect with whom they trust, like and know. Sydney is one of the few that fits into all three of those categories for me. For it’s not uncommon for me to trust someone but not like them. Or even like someone while I still don’t truly know them.

Sydney ensures all three can happen with anyone she works with. She creates an open atmosphere that allows her to know people on an individual level. It gives her the ability and time to uncover their needs, and what goals they have. It’s why Sdney is real and steadfast in her love and care for others: It’s sincere because she knows them.

Even with all that being true, I still haven’t explained one of my favorite attributes that Sydney has: her humility. I did not realize for over a year just how many amazing accomplishments she has. A person often will flaunt their titles, people they know, and goals achieved to push themselves further into whatever goal said person is looking to achieve.

What I love about Sydney is she does not flaunt the amazing things she is doing or has accomplished. Whether that’s through her incredible background in healthcare, or the one that she’s currently building in her government experiences.

These are the reasons Sydney has been exactly what Ward 2 needed. And not just because she’s empathetic or intelligent or hard working or humble. It’s because she uses them all to be an advocate. She provides a voice and a conduit for the people she serves.  Be them individuals or families or, ones who come from many different social, economical, social and cultural backgrounds and statuses. Sydney is a vital component to those having a voice and creating necessary change.

This is one of the many reasons why I encourage you to vote for  Sydney Kasner as Ward 2 City Council representative in November.

Marc Brooks

Otis, Oregon

I first met Sydney Kasner when she sat before City Council to interview for a partial term Ward 2 City Council seat. (Term was short; no special election.) It was a ZOOM meeting during the pandemic.

I was immediately struck by Sydney’s ability to connect with people; not easy with ZOOM! I knew nothing about her, yet I knew instantly that I liked this person. The reasons would soon become clear. You didn’t have to be in the same room with Sydney to sense her determination, sincerity, and energy. Her desire to be a valuable part of what happens in this city was palpable. She was AUTHENTIC. Sydney became the new Ward 2 City Councilor in Nov 2021.

Sydney works in healthcare, which brings a much-needed perspective to how we look at the needs of our citizenry. She sees people first, policy second. This is obvious in how she engages, deliberates, and votes in Council meetings.

Sydney didn’t have to scrub her Facebook page to look more mainstream for this election. She hasn’t re-invented herself. She is simply a skilled professional who takes her work seriously, always coming prepared to deal with the serious challenges that come before City Council.

Sydney and I do not always agree, but I can count on her for a fair, open discussion when there is a difference of opinion. That skill is critical to effective governance, yet it is missing in many people who are too intent on hearing their own voice. We need diverse opinions and ideas to maintain a healthy, civic minded Council. Sydney encourages and shows respect for divergent opinions. In short, Sydney is a much-needed voice for all of Lincoln City. Please join me is supporting Sydney Kasner for Ward 2 City Councilor.

Elaine Starmer, Lincoln City Ward 1 Councilor