Campaign Drop Out
It certainly has been an interesting couple of months; I have had the pleasure of meeting with many of the wonderful people in Haldimand County. The reasons I am deciding to leave the race are many; personally once I got out there “kissing babies and shaking handsâ€, I realized that the people change where they are but not whom they are. I came here from the city and still think very much a city slicker. My views on the economy therefore are skewed. This county in its present state is a “blue collarâ€, agrarian or bedroom community and as such requires support in those areas. I think public transit would be a boon to potential manufacturing plants looking to locate here, but my heart lies with more complex commercial business. I could see in people eyes and hear in their voices that they were more apprehensive of my ideas than embracing.
On a personal note I found the process to become taxing and could see the potential for it to take a toll on my relationship with my wife and 2 young children. I also have some personal health issues that I do not want exacerbated.
I want to thank everyone who supported and believed in me; even if it was simply because I was “the other guyâ€. I will never close the door to anything in the future but conditions would have to be different for me to run for any office here. If council at least puts a transit system together I will be happy and feel that my time campaigning was worthwhile.
I doubt this is the last time you will here from me, but I am now a private citizen and will go back to earning a living and keeping busy with my hands. I wish everyone the best in the future and I am happy to call many of you neighbors.
June 23rd, 2010 - 19:11
Ryan
I am a bit disappointed but I understand about putting your family and your health first.
Stay in touch.
John