Why VOTE for
John Stoddard ?

Region: District 22 : Timberlea-Prospect

First and most importantly, I love what I am doing right now. There have been nights where I have only had one hour of sleep, and have not been overly tired. The reason is because of the joy I have. I love meeting people, listening to them and trying to help solve their problems. Sometimes that just means hearing what they have to say. Other times it looks like there can be no solution. There are always second, third and often more options when people work together and a win – win principle is applied. I know that I am going to make a difference. I truly believe that I am the best person for this job.

I used to be very content in my job and thought that I would retire as a labourer for the City…..then came amalgamation. I witnessed the problems first hand. As workers became bitter, I found myself becoming impassioned. I started joining committees and attending workshops for management and workers to improve the workplace. At meetings I found I could not sit by without voicing my opinion. Afterwards I received encouragement from not only my union members but also from several levels of management. I find that people want to be heard and I can be their voice. I realize that HRM is one of the greatest places on the earth to live. I am passionate about making our city the best that it can be.

I have learned from Church that I have a heart to serve, be it an usher, choir member or armour bearer to the Pastor. People have often acknowledged my joy in doing so. It would be a huge honour and privilege to represent district 22. Growth in my spiritual life has led to growth in my personal life. I am happiest when the journey leads inward. The only way to change is to get out of your comfort zone. Believe me when I say that I will never allow myself to get comfortable in Council.

I have every confidence in myself that when I have to make a difficult decision I will make it with the best interests of district 22 first and the interests of the whole municipality second. In my role as union vice president I have had to cast my vote on the executive knowing that it would swing the result of the motion. I laboured with this responsibility at first, but again it was someone who pointed out that I had the integrity to make the right decision for the people I represented. I make decisions by examining the facts and weighing the options, only then do I vote. I do not bow to pressure because I have to live with the result and myself.

I know I have leadership ability. I’ll give you two examples, two styles. When my choir wanted new music I brought to them some calypso gospel from Trinidad. There was great resistance to this “new” music and it was turned down. I accepted the decision but also introduced the music to several of the members and gave them copies. The request for new music came again and I introduced the same music. This time some of the men knew the song and the reaction was completely different. It is now one of the favourites of our congregation. In another role as chairperson of the safety committee, it was necessary to use a different style. Relations were not good between management and the union and most meetings broke down due to a lack of order. I studied the rules of chairing and when progress was stalled I forcefully reminded the group that certain rules and procedures had to be followed. All comments were directed to me and motions were made and passed. I was able to build consensus in both examples through different means. This is a skill that is vital to Municipal politics.