Former La Grande city manager John O’Brien addresses termination
By Garrett Christensen on Monday, November 9th, 2026 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
LA GRANDE —
A MESSAGE TO THE LA GRANDE COMMUNITY
From John H. O’Brien
To the people of La Grande,
Over these past several days, I have been deeply moved by your extraordinary outpouring of love, prayers, encouragement, and support. Words cannot adequately express my gratitude. You have reminded me that La Grande is more than a place on a map. It is a community of people who care deeply about one another and the future they share.
I know many of you are hurting, confused, and searching for answers about my departure as City Manager. I believe you deserve to hear directly from me.
The concerns raised about my leadership included communication with the City Council, my management approach, and the pace at which we pursued opportunities to strengthen La Grande’s future. I do not dismiss those concerns, nor do I claim to have been a perfect leader. I have shortcomings. There are things I could have communicated differently, relationships I could have strengthened, and moments when I might have slowed down to ensure greater understanding.
But there is an important truth I want you to know.
The work we began was never mine alone. Our efforts to confront the City’s financial challenges, protect essential services, and pursue opportunities for a stronger future were developed collaboratively among the City Council, senior City staff, and me. We recognized the seriousness of the challenges before us, and together we began seeking solutions rather than waiting for a crisis.
My sense of urgency came from a sincere belief that the people of La Grande deserved thoughtful action, responsible stewardship, and a sustainable future. Exploring possibilities was never intended to replace the Council’s authority to make decisions.
I also want to acknowledge something personal. I believe aspects of my character, intentions, and actions have been misrepresented, and I believe I was treated unjustly. Those experiences have hurt me deeply. I will not pretend otherwise, nor do I believe that forgiveness requires us to abandon truth or accountability.
But something greater than my hurt has been working within me.
Through this experience, God has reminded me that my identity is not found in a title, a position, or the approval of others. He has reminded me that grace is not the absence of pain, forgiveness does not mean surrendering truth, and love does not require us to agree with every decision or excuse every action.
Grace is choosing not to surrender our hearts to bitterness. Hope is believing that tomorrow can be better than yesterday. Love is recognizing the worth of others, even when we disagree. And life is what happens when we refuse to allow disappointment to extinguish the good that God has placed before us.
That is what I want for La Grande.
I do not want this chapter to become a story of anger, resentment, or division. I want it to remind us of what is possible when neighbors care for neighbors, when we listen before judging, when we pursue truth with humility, and when we extend to others the grace we hope to receive ourselves.
To those who have stood so passionately beside me, thank you. Your love has meant more than you may ever know. But please, do not allow what has happened to divide the community we have worked so hard to bring together.
What we began through our town halls, roundtables, community conversations, and partnerships was never about me. It was about you, your families, your neighbors, and the future of La Grande.
That work does not have to end. And I pray that it does not.
Keep showing up. Keep asking questions. Keep caring for one another. Keep believing in what this community can become. And above all, do not lose hope.
I have not lost mine.
I continue to love La Grande and its people. If this community desires my return to leadership, and if God calls me to serve here again, I remain willing to answer that call. But I also trust that He will order my steps and lead me wherever He intends me to go. My responsibility is to remain faithful, obedient, and willing.
To the City employees, community partners, and residents who walked alongside me, thank you for allowing me the privilege of serving you. I remain grateful for what we accomplished together and hopeful for all that remains possible.
My prayer is that La Grande emerges from this season stronger, more united, and more committed to truth, compassion, and the possibilities ahead.
TOGETHER WE LISTEN. TOGETHER WE LEARN. TOGETHER WE BUILD A BETTER LA GRANDE.
Those words were never simply a slogan to me. They remain something I believe with all my heart.
May God bless each of you, and may God bless the City of La Grande.
