Let me begin by congratulating the Mayor and my fellow councillors on their election to Common Council. Thank you to everyone here and joining online today. This moment means a great deal to me, and I did not get here alone.
Mom, you have always been my north star. You taught me that caring about people is not optional. You showed me what it means to work hard, speak up when something is wrong, and stay grounded in who you are. So much of what brought me here began with you.
To my family, my friends, campaign manager and team, especially Warren Coombs and Alex Crawford Weaver, and every person who believed in this vision, who knocked on doors, shared encouragement, asked hard questions, and showed up , thank you. You did more than support a campaign. You reminded me what community looks like at its best.
And to my fellow councillors, those who served before us and those joining me today, thank you. Your support and allyship matter deeply to me. We are not starting from scratch. We are building on the work, care, and commitment of those who helped move this city forward, and I am grateful for that foundation.
It is also meaningful that we are being sworn in on June 1, the beginning of Pride season. Five years ago, I came out as a gay man. To stand here now, fully myself, serving the city I love, is something I do not take for granted. It speaks to the kind of community Saint John continues to become, one where more people can belong, contribute, and lead.
Because this is what I believe: cities are built by people, for people. City council should work for everyone, not just the loudest voices or the most connected, but every person who calls this place home. That kind of leadership is rooted in trust, listening, and shared purpose.
Saint John shaped me. After years working away, I chose to come home because I believe deeply in this city and in what we can build together. Ward 3 is the heart of Saint John, and Saint John is the heart of our provincial economy. When we strengthen neighbourhoods here, the impact reaches far beyond our city.
My vision is simple. I want every person in Ward 3 to feel safe, supported, and hopeful about what comes next.
That means homes people can actually afford, not as a slogan, but as a reality. It means neighbourhoods where people know their neighbours, where children can grow up with a sense of safety and belonging, and where families have the stability they need to thrive. It means opportunity too, good local jobs, real pathways for young people, and a city where everyone has a place at the table.
Here is what you can expect from me. I will listen before I speak. I will be honest about what can be done now and what will take time. And I will work to bring people together, because the strongest communities are built when residents, businesses, and community organizations pull in the same direction.
In 2008, the University of New Brunswick inducted me into the Sir Howard Douglas Honour Society. Its motto, "Non Nobis Solum: Not for Ourselves Alone" has stayed with me ever since. It is a reminder that leadership is not about status. It is about what we make possible for others, and that is the standard I will carry into this role.
The work ahead will not always be easy. But I am hopeful, because I know this city. I know its heart. I know its resilience. And I know what is possible when people come together with a shared commitment to build something better.
So let us build stronger communities and brighter futures, together, starting now.
Thank you for your trust. Let us get to work.
