A week into the pre-campaign period of this campaign, and all is going very well. It has been great to walk around the City and get good wishes from so many people… 

Yes, many are friends and people I have worked with, but many are people I hardly know or have never met. Most mention they have been reading my blog, saw me speak at an event, or saw me in their local newspaper, and want to let me know they support me.

They commonly say “congratulations!”, for which I thank them for, then remind them that congratulations are what you offer someone after they cross a finish line, where I am currently at the start line hurriedly pinning the race number on my jersey.

And I am recognizing there is a real race ahead, and a lot of work.  I had many volunteers come out of the woodwork right off the bat, and they helped me run out of my First Run doorhangers (if you got one – collector’s item!) to support the launch. I am already working on “Phase 2” printed materials to support my August door-knocking plan.

Meanwhile, the news in New Westminster keeps on giving us things to talk about. I would say the top 3 topics people have wanted to discuss this week are the TransLink decision on truck routes, the ambitious Whitecaps plan for Queens Park, and the Mayoral race – will Wayne or won’t Wayne? I have opinions on two of these.

I’m spending the long weekend in New Westminster, doing the busy work of the campaign preparation, meeting with people, and hoping to get some long-neglected garden work done. Happy BC Day! 

The Record also has a great story about the launch. I will always wear the “rabble rouser” label proudly. 

(and a nod to New Westminster’s own Daniel Fortin for the great photograph!)

The link:

New Westminster “rabble-rouser” and citizen of the year Patrick Johnstone seeks seat on council

 

The New Westminster News Leader was the first to break the news, and wrote a nice article about the upcoming campaign.

“Blogger, Citizen of Year to run for New Westminster council”

 

New Westminster’s 2013 Citizen of the Year Patrick Johnstone to run for City Council

New Westminster, BC – Patrick Johnstone has announced he is running for a seat on New Westminster City Council in the upcoming November election.

“I love New Westminster, and have always believed in working to build your community,” he said. “I think I have the skills to be an effective Councillor, to keep the City moving forward, and will bring new ideas and a strong voice to the Council table.”

Johnstone chose to make his announcement early so he can spend the summer listening to voters from the many different neighbourhoods in the city, and learn more about their concerns.

“I have been blogging and leading conversations about issues for years. I‘m not afraid to express my opinion, but a Councillor needs to listen first. That’s my goal for the summer: knocking on doors, attending events, and listening to people who will challenge my own ideas about what New Westminster wants and needs.”

The announcement might be early, but it’s not surprising. For the last couple of months, people have been asking if he was intending to run. With encouragement from the New West community, and from his supportive partner, Johnstone decided to take the plunge. “I think the timing is right for me to take my community volunteering in this new direction.”

Johnstone is a director of the New Westminster Environmental Partners, the Royal City Curling Club and the Brow of the Hill Residents Association, and he volunteers in various other capacities in the City. He has also been a noted presence in local social media, active on Twitter as @NWimby and writing a locally-focussed blog “New Westminster – In My Back Yard”.

“I am a communicator, and want to continue to communicating  first as a candidate and ultimately, as a Councillor. People tell me they feel separated from decision-making in government. I want to help create stronger channels of communication, so residents are heard at the Council table, and residents better understand how and why Council makes decisions.”

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