Just returned from a weekend away with UMNB - the Union of New Brunswick Municipalities.
Let me back up for a second:
One of the things I love most about New Brunswick (and there are a LOT of things) is that it is full of beautiful small places. I know in this day and age it's the city that gets all the credit but when I drive through the small villages and towns, through the woods and along the river and by the coast, I really love how human-scale the settlements of New Brunswick are. And how diverse they are. But I digress.
The UMNB is the collective voice for most, if not all, of the small towns and villages in New Brunswick. The City of Fredericton is also a member. This year at the annual conference, there were about 220 municipal reps - Councillors, Mayors and of course, Deputy Mayors.
It is really interesting to be in a room where everyone has put their name forward because they have a genuine desire to improve their local community, and to advocate on behalf of their hometown. We have a chance to discuss the major issues we face individually and collectively. Municipal politics is not glamorous or lucrative so it's nice to meet other colleagues who are working on similar issues year-round.
When I look around the room, I see a lot of folks at mid-age (heavily skewed male, of course), but also a number of younger folks and a good contingent of women overall. Female mayors are becoming pretty common, which is great considering the incoming Liberal government elected only four women (one of whom is the Deputy Mayor of Miramichi). It's fair to say that municipal politics is more diverse and representative of the general population.
I also see a group of engaged people who are keeping an eye on Provincial and Federal policy developments on behalf of their local communities. You probably don't realize that municipalities are bound by legislation to have balanced budgets over a five-year cycle. So when we see the out-of-control financial state of the province it really drives people nuts. As it should.
I guess this long and rambling post is to say that I think most municipal reps are working hard and their hearts are in the right place. Living and governing in the same town also helps keep them honest and motivated. When you know you are going to your day job with your constituents, and that you won't be able to get groceries or pick up the mail in peace if you screw up too many decisions, it's a pretty powerful motivator to "do the right thing."
I wish people realized what a good group of people are working on their behalf. And I wish that the other levels of government could take a few lessons from the municipal folks.
Also, Donald Savoie explains what I am trying to put into words in his latest column, read it here. I am about to read his book "Whatever Happened to the Music Teacher: How Government Decides and Why." Having been the music teacher for three years, I have some theories on this, but I look forward to reading it all the same.
