Most of the election signs are down, we know the results and barring post-election analysis, it’s time to get down to the business of running the city and school district.
But before we file Election 2014 under history, let’s pause for a moment and reflect. No matter your political stripe, or personal convictions, or lack thereof, it’s not easy throwing your hat in the ring for political office.
It takes tenacity, perhaps courage, usually some of your own money, definitely some of your own precious time, and shoulders broad enough to take responsibility for your actions on the campaign trail and a skin thick enough to take criticism.
It isn’t easy to stand up at an all-candidates’ meeting and speak to a roomful of voters – many of whom are there to take their best shots at you on behalf of a rival candidate. It isn’t easy door-knocking in your community. Every salesperson knows the “cold call” is the roughest ... that empty feeling in the pit of your stomach when you think the door will be slammed in your face. And, of course, the civic election is held in November, making the campaign trail a cold and often dark and wet one.
So, we salute all of those who put their names forward in this civic election.
And to those who will represent the citizens of New Westminster for the next four years, we have this to say: Don’t be strangers.
You said you would be available, you would listen and you would value citizen input. We’re expecting you to keep that promise. Several of you also said you were keenly aware of the duty of government to keep citizens informed and for city hall to be accountable and transparent. We won’t let you forget that pledge. Many also said they were running to fix the broken things in the city – transportation, ailing infrastructure. Others wanted to build a greener, more family-friendly city and get that darn new high school built. We sure hope it wasn’t just a sales pitch, because we’re taking you at your word – all of you. And, by the way, congratulations!
