I’d like to congratulate Linda Johnson on winning Suffolk’s mayoral election. She has been our first female mayor — and now, our first mayor-elect.

Congratulations also to Councilman Bennett and Vice-Mayor Milteer for winning their re-election campaigns. I stand ready to support Council members and our mayor-elect in their efforts to make decisions on behalf of all of the citizens of Suffolk.

I’d also like to extend a warm hand to each of the candidates. I’ve enjoyed getting to know each of you over the past couple of months. We are fortunate to live in a city with so many who wish to contribute.

Over the past several months, I have shared issues that I’ve observed in our city — and those issues still exist. Thus I — and I’m sure others — will continue to pose ideas and solutions that I hope you’ll consider.

But in the meantime, I warmly congratulate our winning candidates and wish them the very best in representing all of the citizens of our treasured city.