GuelphToday received the following letter to the editor from city councillor Mike Salisbury encouraging Guelph residents to engage with local politics.
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When people ask me if I like being a city councillor, I tell them… I love it!
I get to have a seat at the table, making important decisions on significant issues that tangibly impact the quality of people’s live, hopefully for the better.
It has been my honour to be given this responsibility by the residents of Ward 4 and it is with gratitude that I would like to announce my intention to retire from public service and pass the torch back to the community.
If you have ever considered running for local office, I strongly encourage you to do so.
Nobody is ready for this responsibility day-one, but don’t worry, the City of Guelph provides exceptional on-boarding and training, so you will be ready when the time comes.
Everybody questions if they can win an election and take on the role, including every person who has won an election and become a city councillor or mayor.
There is a reason this role is open to any person regardless of gender, education, experience, race, opinion or ability. Democracy is government of the people, by the people, for the people.
I would like to thank my colleagues. This last term was challenging in ways I could never have imagined and through it all staff and councillors worked together to not just weather the storm but simultaneously tackle difficult issues and significant long-range policies that will determine what kind of community Guelph aspires to be for decades to come. Thank you.
Finally, I would like to thank my friends, family, supporters, wherever you may be. Thank you for helping me to be the best person I could be and loving me even when I missed the mark.
Mike Salisbury
Guelph
