"I thank my wife Willie, and my sons and their families for their support. I could not have done this without you all helping me, and providing me with good advice and feedback on policy, and sometimes on just what shirt to wear. Campaigns are also hard on families and I want to acknowledge the faithful support.
I thank the citizens of the District of Westside for getting out and voting. It’s so appropriate that municipal elections are always only a few days after Remembrance Day – a day which commemorates those who fought to ensure we have the right to vote. So THANK YOU for voting.
I want to thank Westsiders for supporting me and placing their confidence in me. It’s a good mandate you’ve given me and I will do everything to live up to or exceed your expectations. We have many challenges ahead in our new municipality, however I am confident we will easily meet the challenges because of the assets we have – both people and physical. And for those who didn’t see their way to supporting me – I will do my best to earn your respect. And to my competitor, Peter Haslock, a sincere thank you for entering the race for Mayor, and I encourage you to stay involved in Westside issues as you’re a good candidate.
I issue my congratulations to all the successful candidates for Council. We have a great team of diverse, experienced and capable people on our new Council, who I know will continue to build on the solid progress made by the current council. I look forward to working with all of you for the next three years.
To the others who put their name forward for election, our community must heartily thank you too. The exchange of different ideas is how we make progress and build a strong community. I am sure that the new Council will take to heart the ideas discussed by all candidates during the campaign. We all learned from one another. I just want to say that anyone who puts their name forward for election deserves the respect and thanks of the public, whether you agree with the candidate or not. This is a very hard thing for candidates to do, but it is what makes our community better. Just think what would happen if no one, or only a few, would stand for election.
And in the same vein, best wishes to all the candidates and elected people standing for Mayor and Council in our neighbouring communities.
For about the past 6 months, I had really a great team of approximately 25 Westsiders from every neighbourhood helping me – again providing advice on issues, putting up signs and making arrangements for campaign activities. You stuck with me through this and we kept our eye on the goal.
Everyone helped but I must above all thank the amazing Broc Braconnier, my Official Agent, and the very wise Tom Howe, my Financial Agent. I am so fortunate to have had the support of these two gentlemen through two back-to-back campaigns.
I think all members of the current council are proud of what was accomplished during this our first and start-up year. We’ve done amazingly well. I acknowledge the role of Rosalind Neis as Mayor in leading us to many successes, and also recognize the contributions of current Councillors Ophus, Knowles, Zanon and Milsom and past Councillor Pilling, in getting us to this stage. So as we go into our second year and beyond, we move past the setting-up-the-house stage and move ahead with real projects like sewers, roads, sidewalks and trying to advance the health centre, to name a few. I look forward to doing this and I thank you all for your support."
Doug Findlater
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