Darling Offers Advice To Prospective Candidates

Saint John’s outgoing mayor offered a little advice for those considering a run this spring.

Speaking in Saint John Council Chamber, Don Darling addressed a few members of the media and a live stream on social media where he encouraged candidates to come forward.

Darling said the city has seen great progress since 2016 but there is a lot more “focused and vital work to do”.

Meeting Saint John’s champions was a highlight but, Darling became emotional when speaking of the impact being mayor had on his family.

“At the other end, the personal attacks. My son has been physically attacked. It’s a job of big of highs and lows,” Darling said.

Darling says Saint Johners need a council that is equipped to take the opportunities this council has created and run with them.

He said “kicking the can down the road is not leadership” nothing this council did not do that and he urged the next council not to let that happen.

Mayor Don Darling has called on Saint Johners to step forward as candidates for the municipal elections. He spoke of his experience after adding his name to the ballot in early 2016. pic.twitter.com/xPlMWUnHTG

— Tamara Steele (@tamarasteele1) February 3, 2021

On social media, Darling said it’s challenging because it allows for abusive behaviour which he and others have experienced.

“Other elected officials are not on social media at all. That’s not me. I wanted to understand the pulse of the community and that’s what it’s given me. The good has outweighed the bad,” Darling said.

He said politics may not be for him citing the “nonsense and minutiae” and be restricted from speaking freely adding he looks forward to being a citizen who is no longer handcuffed.

Darling was asked who shouldn’t be running this spring.

“If you can’t take the scrutiny, if you are not outcomes-focused, if one of those tweets is going to break you,” Darling said.

Darling announced he would not be reoffering for the 2020 municipal vote on March 11th and days later the election was postponed for a year.

He said despite being asked, he won’t be endorsing any municipal candidates.