The following is the introduction by Mayoral Candidate Jeff James at the all-candidates meeting held on August 31st hosted by the Southampton Residents’ Association in Southampton (Saugeen Shores)
“What it means to me to be your Mayor.
I don’t want to pretend to represent you. I believe the proper job of the Mayor is to serve the will of the people for the greater good of the greatest number of people. Whatever opinion you have on an issue remember that those issues will change and be different years from now.
It’s the type of qualities for mayor that I am hoping to convince you of. I believe you should look for someone that serves the public and it doesn’t matter much what I might think. If I don’t like an idea, but it is the will of the people, then I need to build on that idea, put people together and get the job done. I don’t want to put myself in a position to be emotionally attached to one side or another of an issue.
You should look to representatives in your Council or ward that you strongly agree with because that’s important work. In a mayor, I think we want to look for the objectivity, the inclusivity of all the stakeholders and making people feel they are all part of an end decision that involved them.
My job is to serve your will and to get that job done timely, properly and finish the job.”
