As the only declared candidate for
mayor who is supported by the entire City Council of Cote Saint-Luc and former
Mayor Anthony Housefather, our new Member of Parliament, I resigned as City
Councillor for District 7 on Monday, February 8th, despite not being required to resign until I file my nomination papers for
mayor which can only be done during the nomination period which will take place
between February 26th to March 11th, 2016.
Although I would prefer to continue to
serve and provide value to my fellow councillors for as long as possible my
early resignation will allow the City to have a concurrent by-election for
District 7. By holding the by-election for the new District 7 councillor
at the same time as the by-election for mayor, the City will be spared the
expense of holding two by-elections. It will also allow our council to
move forward as soon as possible with a new member of the team serving District
7. This is the right thing to do.
I am humbled to have the support of all
of my council colleagues and have enjoyed working with each one of them,
all of whom contribute so much based on their personal passions, integrity and
intelligence.
Acting Mayor Glenn Nashen served with
dignity and excellence until December 31st. Dida Berku who took over in
January will be Acting Mayor until the by-election is complete and will
continue to provide excellent leadership. We are most fortunate to have
so many capable members on our team. I look forward to serving with each
of them and the new councillor to be elected in District 7.
When I return to council as mayor I
shall endeavour to provide the consensus style of leadership that Anthony
Housefather did so well in order to ensure that Cote Saint-Luc continues to be
one of the most desirable cities in which to live.
