If you haven't read your Daily News yet, in yesterday's Ward 4 City
Council race, I received 514 votes and Councillor Fowler received 438
votes. Daily News article is
here with other post election commentary at the blogs of
Mary Baker,
Tom Salemi, and
Bruce Menin.
I want to thank the voters of Ward 4 -- whether they voted for me
or not isn't really relevant -- for participating in the process and
helping me as a candidate learn about what's important to them. The
resounding message for me was that voters are tired of missed
opportunities. Those missed opportunities aren't the product of any
one elected official, but something we all own. In the next two years,
we need progress on municipal finance, on educational quality and value,
on the waterfront, and finally we need progress on a Senior Center.
I
want to acknowledge Councillor Fowler's service to Newburyport for many
years and in many ways. Maybe for the first time in American political
history, we have a case of a candidate (me) growing more fond of an
'opponent' (Erford) during a campaign. I especially appreciated meeting
many members of his family during the cold, wet signholding on Election
Day. And perhaps the highlight (warmlight?) of the day/evening for me
was sharing hot apple cider with Erford after 12 hours of mutual wet
misery. And thank you Bill Van Etten for running home and bringing warm
refreshments to all the signholders!
Now it's time to put out
the trash and recycling, clean the car, and rake leaves....and move
ahead on the business of the City. I'm looking forward to working with
the Mayor, the City Council, and the School Committee on the important
issues before us: municipal reform, education, development, and a
Senior Center.
Lastly and most importantly, I want to thank my
wife Susanne and daughter Anna for their support and encouragement. All
the work and effort was really about making Newburyport the best place
it can be for them and all the other families and individuals who live
here.
Ed Cameron
for updated information and commentary on current events.