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really helped, going through (the Council packet) this weekend.... XVhen I found out there was a possibility that I might be chosen to fill the seat on the Council I went back in my trash and started to see if I could find those little scraps of paper from my campaign to see if I could piece back together an acceptance speech.... I would like to thank former Councilwoman Judy Buchan for all the things she contributed to the City over the years. She contributed a lot of positive things to the community, especially in regard to her work to eliminate substandard housing, and replace it with housing that is clean and affordable and safe. I want to let everyone here tonight know that I intend to see that that work is continued. I want to thank everyone who helped me on the campaign. I'm not going to go through the whole lists, there are too many to do here tonight. Everybody who stuffed envelopes, made phone calls, knocked on doors, as you can see your vote does make a difference, and it was because of all your hard work that I am here tonight.... Your positive outlook and belief in the future of our City sustained me throughout the campaign. I would also like to thank the San Jose Mercury, the San Mateo County Times and the Redwood City Almanac, not only for endorsing me during the last campaign, but also for their fair, accurate and responsible coverage throughout the campaign." Council Member Bain thanked everyone who helped him in his election campaign, and singled out three people for special thanks: Jackie Powell, his first campaign manager, treasurer, and graphic artist; his father, who was in the audience, who did a lot of leg work during the campaign, and instilled in Ian an interest in government and community service; and "finally, last but not least.., the woman I love, Nancy Pratt. Nancy and I are getting married on May 2 and she was a tremendous support to me throughout the campaign and for years and years. She is an absolutely wonderful person, and I am very, very proud to have her in my life." Council Member Bain, said, "Redwood City is bursting at the seams with potential. In the next few years you will see several positive changes including beautification of our major thoroughfares, and you will see a new invigorating life and energy in our downtown. I strongly believe that. These changes will take imagination and leadership, and I intend to be a driving force behind that positive change. There are some in our community, however, including some politicians, who believe that the way to power is to divide and conquer. These forces have attempted to drive a wedge between different segments of our community, between Redwood Shores and other Neighborhoods, between the Latino community and other communities, between the working class and management, between Democrats and Republicans. I sit here tonight as a strong symbol that that effort is failing. And that this community is united in many goals and belongs to each of us. Only through working together can we achieve what we all truly want for this City: clean streets, safe neighborhoods, good schools, and a strong business climate. I talked about these issues and many others during our campaign. I talked about traffic safety, revitalizing the downtown, working with the School Board to improve education, and diverting our City's youth away from gangs, crime and drugs. I made only one promise, to be accountable and accessible to the people I represent, all the people of