With uncommon wisdom and foresight, Diane began building such a community in the very shadow of the Parliament of Canada. She insisted on more and more tree-planting and roadside greening , green space, all for the health and well-being of residents, pushing back any hint of creeping urban blight. Searching out every nook and cranny, her Safety Audit assured there would be no darkened and foreboding places to steal the night away. She pressed on with the "Blue Box" program for voluntary recycling that would lessen any burden the ward might otherwise dump on its rural friends. Diane relentlessly sought more and more housing in Somerset Ward, till today we are seeing an explosion of new and welcome residents renewing and re-energizing our community. We can attribute today's burgeoning downtown residential and business communities in large part to Diane's unexcelled ability to inspire, and to coordinate diversity. Our continually improving public transit service provides reliable and environmentally responsible transportation, and Diane has been at the leading edge of its implementation for almost two decades. With an eye to culture, Diane's energetic support for diverse projects such as Cultural Festivals has given us all the best cultural life in the Region. By striving to preserve Centretown's cultural, natural, and architectural heritage, Diane has ensured that every resident can live a rich and fulfilling life, the envy of every other Canadian.

Every single visitor to Canada's Parliament Hill has walked in Somerset Ward. From 1867, every Prime Minister of Canada, and every Member of Parliament, has left foot prints in this ward - Diane's Ward - the jewel in the crown of Canada's Capital. Victoria would be pleased.

Thank you, Diane, we all love you, and we will miss you, every one of us!