Incoming Mayor Donna Reardon says “this was an election unlike any other I’ve experienced.” In an email statement to newsysj.ca – Reardon says last night was quite a night – “surreal in many ways after 8 weeks of ambitious campaigning and 2 weeks of limbo” waiting for the results.
The newly elected Mayor says her first priority will be to meet each of the newly elected Councillors to “understand their vision for Saint John.” She says teamwork “is our path to successfully moving Saint John forward as a successful and sustainable community.”
The province’s three largest cities now have women in the Mayor’s office. Challenger Kate Rogers defeated incumbent Mayor Mike O’Brien in Fredericton while incumbent Mayor Dawn Arnold maintained her seat in Moncton. And the suburban communities are also headed by women – Brittany Merrifield in Grand Bay-Westfield – Nancy Grant in Rothesay – and Libby O’Hara in Quispamsis. Reardon says “There is a great opportunity for the diverse communities to work together, each with our uniqueness and strengths, to drive NB’s success.”
Reardon served two terms as Councillor for Ward 3 before making the leap for the Mayor’s office. She expressed thanks to the residents of Ward 3 “whom I have had the pleasure of representing for the past 9 years.”
