I have run for election in Belfast 5 times. Three times I had an opponent and I hate to confess that I really like the competitive nature of a political race. It challenges you, me, to think and to put who I am and what I stand for and what I will do, what I have done. The people who vote deserve this and it’s good for everyone. This year I have no opponent. I have run with and without an opponent and I will tell you this: it’s a lot easier to run with no opponent. I do not have to write letters, campaign, make television speeches, attend candidates nights, make or put up signs, blog, etc. etc. It’s a lot of work. The common belief is that we on the city council must be doing something right if Eric Sanders and I did not attract an opponent. It is true that things are going pretty good in Belfast but they can always be better. My single greatest motivation is to improve Belfast’s economy. For all the people that we have here who are doing well we have just as many, if not more, who are not. Look at the statistics on income, hunger, poverty, etc. etc. and you will see that we are not as well off as many people seem to think we are. We have a lot of work to do. Improving the economy does not just mean rolling over for everyone or anyone who has a job to offer, or looking the other way when something that business does is hurting our town. Improving the downtown, the recreation, the waterfront, the quality of life for all of Belfast and our area is critical to improving our economy and making this not just a great place to live but a place Belfast area children will want to stay or come back to to live their lives as well. I’m glad that I do not have to kill myself working to get reelected so that instead I can focus on continuing to serve without the distraction of running. Thanks for your support. And if you do not support the work I have done, and plan on doing, I want you to know I work for everyone in Belfast. I do not just focus on people who may support me. I have lived in Belfast since 1978. I’ve seen us come up from truly hard times and I have great faith in our future. I take great pride in knowing people from all walks of life; especially people who might be intimidated by government or people of greater means. Working people, poorer people, people who grew up here raising families, working hard in the chicken, shoe, windows, potato, shoe, sewing, and other industries are the steel in our backbone. They know what it means to work hard just to get by. I know many of these fine people by first name and even those I do not know I never forget them. They may not be as comfortable making their hometown voices, ideas, dreams and community pride heard but I think of these people every day. I try to speak up for them. I do not just want to make Belfast a better place for a portion of Belfast. I want Belfast to be a model city of inclusion and thoughtful neighbors that gives everyone a place. Thank you for giving me a chance to make a difference and make Belfast a better place to live. Contact me anytime. I always look forward to speaking with you and meeting you. And yes; I am still on fire for Belfast.
