The city’s mayor said the global challenges of 2020 brought out the best in Saint Johners.
Don Darling says the community is full of kind, hard-working and resilient people.
“I think what we saw this year was the best of Saint John again,” Darling said. “We wish we hadn’t had 2020, it certainly was very challenging, but yet we still got quite a lot accomplished, and I think Saint John is stronger in 2021 because of the work we did.”
Darling says council’s last year was marked by challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but also successes including the passing of a budget which should see the city achieve financial sustainability moving forward.
That was accomplished through restructuring and cuts made after the city manager unveiled the long-term financial sustainability plan, which took aim at the city’s $10 million deficit.
“I’m very proud of what we got accomplished in 2020,” the mayor said. “It was challenging, and I’m sure when we all look back on 2020 we’ll say that’s the year that we grew and we realized how strong and resilient we are. I hope that we’ll look back on 2020 as the year that has shaped Saint John to be a better place.”
Darling said the election of Blaine Higgs’ majority government should also mean big changes for the city in 2021. Higgs promised during this fall’s campaign that he would push through municipal reform if the PCs earned a majority, a subject Darling has long rallied for as the city’s mayor.
“What the premier and local ministers have told us is that 2021 is the year of municipal reforms,” Darling said. “We’re no longer having to plead and make the case that these changes are necessary.”
2021 also promises to be an important year for the city due to the upcoming municipal elections, which were previously delayed due to COVID-19.
Darling announced he would not reoffer prior to the election pushback, but he does plan to play an active role in the process. His aim is to support candidates with ‘the right skillsets’ to prepare to run this spring and improve voter turnout.
“We have a huge problem in that 60 per cent of voters didn’t even vote in the last municipal election,” said Darling.
The mayor said the decision not to reoffer was extremely difficult, and he plans to continue working until his last day in the mayor’s office.
“It’s been an honour – not always easy, I’ve been straight about that – but it’s been an honour to be the mayor of this community. I love this community, it’s an amazing region full of potential.”
