Happy Thanksgiving: Grateful for Our Community. Hopeful for Our Future.

As we gather with loved ones this Thanksgiving, I want to take a moment to reflect on the immense gratitude I feel for the opportunity to serve our community. This Thanksgiving marks my first as your City Councilman for Superward 7, and this January will mark my first full year in office. It has truly been an honor to represent you.

While this year has brought its share of uncertainty — from economic pressures to community challenges — it has also revealed something far more powerful: the unwavering strength of our families, our friendships, and our community spirit.

In every corner of Superward 7, I see neighbors stepping up for one another. I see families holding each other close, supporting one another through both joyful and challenging seasons. I see community leaders, youth, seniors, business owners, and volunteers showing up with determination and hope. These are the moments that remind me why public service matters — and why Norfolk’s heart is so strong.

Even in uncertain times, hope is alive here. It lives in our shared commitment to safer neighborhoods. It lives in our ongoing work to expand affordable housing and opportunity. It lives in our belief that every child deserves a quality education, every family deserves stability, and every community deserves to be heard.

As I approach my first full year of service this January, I am deeply thankful for the trust you have placed in me. I remain committed to listening, learning, and working tirelessly to uplift and empower the residents of Superward 7.

This Thanksgiving, I encourage us all to pause and reflect on the blessings around us — the people who support us, the communities that ground us, and the future we are building together.

May your holiday be filled with joy, warmth, and gratitude. May your homes be places of peace and connection. And may we continue to move forward with unity, strength, and purpose.

From my family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving, Norfolk.

With gratitude,

Carlos J. Clanton

Councilman, Superward 7