Thank you. There’s more to do.

Before I talk about the next four years, I want to thank my fellow councillors and our City staff. We’ve had a productive term. A lot of people have put a lot of work into that, and they deserve the credit.

Being mayor has been a learning experience. I’ve had to ask questions, listen carefully and sometimes rethink my first answer. I’m grateful to the people who have helped me do this job better.

We haven’t always agreed around the council table. We weren’t going to. But I respect the time and care my colleagues have put into Campbell River. And to our staff, including the people whose work most of us never see: thank you for keeping things running and helping us get things done.

I feel good about the direction our city is going. That doesn’t mean I think everyone is doing fine. If you’re worried about the bills, about safety, or whether your kids will be able to build a life here, I’m not going to tell you those worries have gone away.

I want Campbell River to be a place where a young person can get a start, where a day’s work pays for a decent life, and where growing older doesn’t mean leaving the people you know. That’s the direction I want to keep working toward. I’m asking for your support to keep at it.

In the coming days, I’ll announce the council candidates I’m endorsing and tell you why. The people around that table matter.

Thank you for the chance to do this job. I’d like to keep working for you.