Thread by @CameronKroetsch

Maybe this isn't obvious, so I'm going to say it for the folks in the back - as a queer neurodivergent person I have spent my entire life under a microscope. Most other Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+ people I know have. BIPOC have. If we've managed to survive, we're ready. #HamOnt

I don't need help finding the washrooms. I don't need a manual on how to run or participate in a meeting. If it's in writing, I don't need you to read it to me. I can read it just fine. Will I have some questions? You bet, and I'll ask every single one of them.

I get that we've been so used to having people step into elected office who don't have relevant or contextual experience or who are seemingly not ready for public life. Guess what? The electorate also recognized that and voted for change. So get ready.

And I'm not the only one who I think is ready, by the way. I encourage everyone to read up on the folks who are going to be sitting around the horseshoe for the first time ever. Their accomplishments, experiences, and education are impressive and shouldn't be underestimated.

Ward 4 City Councillor-Elect @tammyhwang has spent years working at City Hall. She is an economic development professional and a small business owner. She founded CoMotion. She has sat on a bunch of boards in the community. She will be fine. tammyhwang.ca/about/

Ward 10 City Councillor-Elect @jeffbeattie2014 was a former HWDSB Trustee, owns a generational family business in the community, and has relatives who have been elected officials. He has sat on a bunch of boards in the community. He will be fine. jeffbeattie.ca/about/

Ward 12 City Councillor-Elect @CraigCassar has almost 25 years of experience leading teams, was a founding member of Save Our Streams Hamilton, has helped to organize with Stop Sprawl HamOnt and has volunteered in his community (a lot). He will be fine. craigforward12.ca/about

Ward 13 City Councillor-Elect @alexwilson96 has helped others successfully run campaigns, and has worked directly with and for elected officials. They know "how the system works". They co-founded Action 13 and Save Our Streams Hamilton. They will be fine. alexforward13.com/about-alex

I am so thrilled to work with these people, to get to know the people I've never met (or know less about), and to learn from those who've been on the job. I am deeply excited for us to turn the page, as Kojo so eloquently put it. Many of us are ready to go. Can't wait!