Amazing, surreal, honored. Three of the many emotions I felt tonight in the process of being selected to fill the vacant Ward 1 seat on the City Council.

Thank you to the Council for your confidence. And thank you to the voters and residents for your support in last fall’s election - Although we came up just short at the time, your strong support in the last election cycle (highest among all unseated candidates) was a major factor in tonight’s result. Please accept my heartfelt thanks! :)

During my closing statement, I shared my vision for the role of a Councilmember - One who:

  1. Exercises good financial stewardship of the monies entrusted to the City by its residents
  2. Thinks to the future on how to lay a foundation on which residents can build true community
  3. Promotes a spirit of unity and collaboration
  4. Serves as a personal connection residents can reach out to for answers and to know that their voice is heard

I now take it as my task to live these out on behalf of you and our City. And I want to encourage us all to continue building our friendships, churches, neighborhood organizations, small businesses, hobby clubs, civic organizations, and more — Each one of the small moments shared between people is truly what makes Laurel great!

And happy 4th of July! :)

(Photo credit: City of Laurel)