Many Thanks for your support!
The recent municipal election results were a surprise, with incumbents dislodged by new and energetic voices coming to Victoria Council.
It was a pleasure to serve over the last three years and I am happy to have had my vote totals go up. Just got overtaken by some hard workers and a desire in the community for some change. Lots of other issues at play, but for now, best wishes to the new council and congrats to our re-elected Mayor. He’s a great team player and I hope he can bring new disparate voices onside to focus on key issues like housing and homelessness, planning for a more future oriented transit system, and tackling our infrastructure deficit head on.
There are lots of other issues locally and regionally that will figure in council’s work and I’m disappointed not to be at the table to carry on the work I started on sustainable transportation, on protecting greenspace, on growing jobs and our economy, and being privileged to make that team effort on our highest priorities.
Thanks very much to those in the community who entrusted me with your vote and to those very hard working colleagues who helped make this campaign a real team effort. While the “ team” may have grated on some, it’s important that we continue to work towards compromise and consensus building and I still think trying to bring a focused collegial group back together on council was the right approach. New councillors will have to find a way to work together and shed some of their independence to ensure priorities that everyone can agree upon will move forward.
We have so much to be thankful for in Victoria and much to be proud of in our work and I guess I’ll always have the bug. With only days gone by and my office still not cleaned out for the new council, I’m ready to play a new role keeping an eye on what’s happening the municipal scene.
I’m planning to make my website the new home for a “municipal watch” concept and comment, respectfully but pointedly, on where our city and other municipalities in the region are going. I’m looking for other voices and hope you will come back to visit. Let’s keep working towards a more equitable, inclusive, sustainable and prosperous Victoria.