Thank You, Lizzie — and Silverdale

I honestly thought I’d be less nervous this time.

I wasn’t.

Election night is strange when your own name is on the screen. You tell everyone you’re fine, drink far too much coffee, pretend to listen to three conversations at once, and check the numbers every thirty seconds while trying very hard not to look like you’re checking the numbers every thirty seconds.

So yes — I’m incredibly grateful to have been re-elected as Mayor of Silverdale.

Thank you to my team, who somehow put up with me for another campaign. Thank you to my family for the late dinners, cancelled plans, phone calls from parking lots and the occasional reminder that there are subjects in the world other than city government.

And thank you to everyone in Silverdale who voted — whether that vote was for me or not. Getting to serve this town remains an enormous privilege.

But I should probably acknowledge the most important contribution to the campaign.

My six-year-old granddaughter Lizzie made me the drawing below.

That is apparently me standing in front of an American flag. I have been informed that the large object beside me is City Hall, not a refrigerator, and that my hands are “for waving at everybody.”

I asked why I have seven fingers on one hand.

She said, “Because you’re the mayor.”

Fair enough.

Lizzie, it’s going on my office wall.

Thank you, Silverdale. I’m very happy I get to stay a little longer.