Stratford's new Mayor-elect, John Edwards, says he has served his apprenticeship.
After 12 years as a councillor and nine years as deputy-Mayor, Mr Edwards said he was now ready to take the reigns.
The community had exercised its democratic choice, and the results also reflected (that) the people of Stratford wanted to
continue the stability of the past nine years, Mr Edwards said.
"We have been mandated by the community who want the same or similar."
The work in council representing the community can be highly stressful, but family came first because it was always the family who supported you, Mr Edwards said.
"Noeline has backed me over the past 12 years and together we came to a decision about me standing for Mayor."
The new Mayor and Mayoress said they were a good team, and after 40-something years of marriage, the Edwards have a good understanding of what makes the other tick.
And it was Mr Edward's family who shared the victory celebratory dinner on Saturday night after the results were posted.
As deputy-Mayor Mr Edwards was half-a-step behind and now that he is out of the mayoral-shadow, "I am the sharp end of the arrow."
"I want people to tell me how they feel and then we can deal with issues honestly."
And like his predecessor Brian Jeffares who stepped down at the election, Mr Edwards has an open-door policy for the community to come and share their thoughts and ideas for Stratford.
Mr Edwards said there were real skills and expertise around the council table and he was delighted there were now two women who would bring new dimensions to the debate.
"We have standing orders, but my style is relaxed and as long as everyone around the table has input& then we will get the work done."
A good working relationship with council staff and further cementing the relationship with council CEO Michael Freeman, who Mr Edwards said was "a neat guy", were the words of a Mayor-elect who planned to continue as he started.
Mr Edwards said he was proud to have served under Brian Jeffares as deputy-Mayor: "we complemented one another."
It's a serious business leading a community but as Mr Edwards said: "I've got a good sense of humour and it's important to laugh, but far more important is to be able to laugh at yourself."
