Thank you, St. Catharines

Thank you for trusting me and having confidence in me and for demonstrating both of those things by re-electing me.

It is an interesting experience to put one’s name on a ballot and then put oneself through what is, really, a very long job interview.

For Regional Council in St. Catharines, I was the first on the ballot on May 9 (at 12:53pm, if you like precision), and I began campaigning within a few days (after setting up my campaign bank account, of course).

I watched with interest as 16 other candidates joined the race while I began designing and ordering campaign literature, posting to my website, and making videos. I reached out to people to contribute to my campaign with dollars and their time, because no one can do this (effectively) alone.

While juggling a full-time job, continuing to represent you at Regional Council, running a boxing club, and – of course – parenting the two most incredible teenagers on the planet, I worked on this campaign.
(Sidebar: I am also homeschooling my kids, and let me just tell you that the past several months have provided them with lots of lessons about civics; a great deal of time for experimenting with video producing and editing; and all that walking they did with me certainly counts as phys ed.)

I worked to earn your vote.

I wrote a lot of blog posts and social media content.

I answered a lot of e-mails and surveys.

I made some videos.

I walked a lot. I went through a lot of band aids for my poor feet, even with wearing proper shoes for all that walking.

The last four years were not especially easy for me. There was a lot of unnecessary unpleasantness that I was forced to deal with. When it came right down to it, though, I ran again, because I accomplished a lot in my first term and I enjoy doing the actual work of being a Regional Councillor.

I don’t anticipate that the next four years are going to be especially easy for me either. I anticipate – particularly given some of the things that happened during the campaign – that there will continue to be a lot of unnecessary unpleasantness that I will be forced to deal with.

But I will take heart in knowing that you put your trust and confidence in me and re-elected me with 1,100 more votes than I earned in 2018. I will take heart in knowing that you chose me to be one of the people to represent you; to make decisions on your behalf.

I will take heart in knowing that I came second only to Jim Bradley, which – in St. Catharines – is like coming first, right? 😉😁

From the bottom of my heart, St. Catharines, thank you.