Guelph votes 2006: Change is in the air... this is only the beginning

Last night I capped off the municipal election for Guelph by working an e-day hub for the Karen Farbridge campaign.

I had originally intended to limit my participation, on account of my job, and on account of the fact that I'd been holding down the NDP fort, while the rest of the Executive were working for the elections. However, when I got word that there was help needed for e-day, and considering it was on the weekend that I would be most needed, I couldn't resist. I was working mostly with my compatriots from the NDP, but there were many who helped from the Liberal and Green parties. After-hours, it was mostly an NDP campaign, and reminded me of the Federals.

My e-day task was to organize and co-ordinate a third of the city, with canvassers, scrutineers and drivers. and following a weekend. With merely a handful of hours of sleep, I attended the victoy party (which I had been referring to as a victory party from the beginning), which was possibly one of the greatest nights I've had in Guelph since I moved here.

So as for the results, it was nearly a clean sweep. Karen Farbridge, Bob Bell, Kathleen Farelly, Ian Findley, Vickey Beard, Lise Burcher, Leanne Piper, and June Hofland were amongst the victors. I would normally boast about who was ousted: Rocco Furfaro, Ray Furraro, Dan Schnurr, Kate Quarrie, Dan Moziar, and Laura Bailey; but in this case, I can't get over how excited I was to see such vibrant and progressive people put into positions at City Hall.

Moving forward, I hope to become more closely involved with the work being done at City hall; there will be an enormous task around of continuing to build the riding association, finding candidates who can bring a new voice to the progressive of Guelph, and work to include more people through outreach. Though I hope we will be able to accomplish this easier with the human energy we have seen in the past weeks and months.

I'm currently tired, but certainly not nearly as tired as some of my friends who have been at it for the whole campaign. So to them I say rest well, and get ready for the next step!