Friday 19 February 2016

Campaign for Mayor well underway: Thank you all for the overwhelming positive encouragement.

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.