Jennifer Smith

When I first put my name forward as your candidate for Ward 2 back in January, people thought I was out of my mind. No one had ever heard of a newcomer running against two incumbents simultaneously, and some even suggested that I run in another ward.

The thought never even crossed my mind.

Now more than ever, I am committed to this community. I plan to spend the next four years doing exactly what I promised to do all through my campaign - keeping people informed, pressuring Council on issues like downtown revitalization and the Bruce Street Library, and continuing to speak up and speak out for Ward 2.

This really is only the beginning.

I wanted to congratulate all our new councillors (seven of them!), but especially my fellow 'Shadow Cabinet' members - Zeeshan Hamid, Mike Cluett, and Rick Di Lorenzo who won in Wards 6, 7 and 8 respectively.  Congratulations as well to Andrew Salmons and Martin Capper who worked tremendously hard in Ward 1 and rounded out our very active group of Tweeting / Blogging / Facebooking techno-candidates. We've all come to know and respect one another through the course of the campaign, and whether we're sitting in the comfy Council chairs or those painfully uncomfortable gallery seats, we will all be making our mark on Milton over the next four years.

I want to thank my husband Adam and my son Iain, who have both put up with nine months of chaos, distraction, dinners for two, and an even shoddier standard of housekeeping than usual - all with unreserved love and support. I promise, I'll vacuum this week.

Thank you to my campaign team, especially Esther my campaign manager. I was a particularly fluorescent shade of green when I started all this, but Esther's experience, expertise, and constant encouragement transformed my enthusiastic notions and grand schemes into a formidable, professional political campaign. We make a hell of a team, and I fully expect you to come back for Round 2.

A huge thank you to my volunteers, especially Kathy, Joan and Silvester who all worked tirelessly pounding the pavement, handing out literature and knocking on doors with me. I think they were even better at singing my praises than I was.

Thank you as well to the many, many people who took lawn signs, told their friends and neighbours about me, donated time or money, or otherwise actively supported me.

Finally, thank you to the 545 Ward 2 residents who placed their faith in me by marking my name on their ballot. I am truly humbled by your support.

Stay tuned to this website, folks. There's lots more to come!