Wait! We're Just Getting Started!

Euphoric is the word I would describe the state of our city a week ago. I was downtown the day after elections and I couldn't help but notice the glowing faces and upbeat mood I encountered from others everywhere I went. The air was electric and my steps couldn't have been lighter.

One week later, we are all coming down from the high that notable victories are known for, but one thing we must not do is return to business as usual– of course, old habits die hard.

For the majority of us, it's important to remember we've been conditioned to stand back and let the politicians do their job, while we take our spot on the sidelines to kick up our feet and complain. It's easy, it's comfortable and it's what everyone else does, but this time around it won't work.

We've asked for council members that will open their doors to us and now we've got them... a lot of them. We need to show up. Just as our new council will be seeking to answer the question "How can we work together to make our city and her citizens thrive?" we, as citizens, need to collectively seek to answer "How can we work together to make our city, each other and her council thrive?" In enters the art of respectful and supportive language, the wisdom of seeking to understand opposing views and the knowledge from asking questions and doing our homework. It's important to know what is going on in our city, the issues we face as a community and the impactful decisions that need to be made. Let our council to know we're in this together.

If we all make a commitment to be even a little bit more engaged with City Hall, I have a feeling it will transform our city. It could very well make London a model community for other cities to follow. Isn't that an experiment worth conducting?

Here's your first opportunity to engage with your new City Council in a casual and fun setting: http://bit.ly/1tXFlMV I hope to see you there!