The Finals

Well, it has been a good run. Truly. 

This is my final column in the Fernie Fix. I have very much appreciated the editor for providing this platform and I hope I have, in return, provided some insights into what it is to be a local elected representative, both the job and as a human being in the role. I have learned a great deal over these last almost-four years. 

I used to think with no small amount of embarrassment about my performance at the 2022 all-candidates forum. In retrospect, at the time I had been out of a public-speaking role for some years and just didn’t have the vocabulary to speak authoritatively to many of the issues. I don’t cringe quite as much now that I’ve been in the role and have learned the words and processes and have recognized that the crux, even then, was a desire to make things better. I’ve shared before that I rode my rusty old bike home after the election results and thought with a certain smugness: “I’m the mayor of this town”! And with a certain terror: “I’m the mayor of this town!” 

Heavy is the head. 

I won’t detail all I have learned about local government, I think (hope!) I have done that reasonably consistently in this column. I haven’t typically written about the nuts and bolts, more the general concepts and how you really need to apply your thinking skills to take it all in and connect the right things together in your decision making and how you must learn to keep your head in the occasional storm of pushback. 

I have learned things about people. 

Or, perhaps, just had certain previously understood truths honed to a fine edge, one that can cut you if you’re not careful. 

This is especially true of people who have changed their behaviour towards me, angry presumably at my decisions at the council table. This is really unfortunate. Attack the issue not the individual.  

If I had one piece of advice for the electorate in this town (province, country, world) it’s don’t rely on social media to tell you what is going on. Social media can be the worst, actively malevolent funhouse mirror distorting everything it reflects. Make time to sit in a council meeting or, time being precious, watch the recordings. Watch with a critical eye. Understand what is being said. Are you seeing truth in the people you elected, the behaviour you expected? Or are you seeing a performance for who is in the room or for those being loudest about the issue? If there is a gap between those two things, you are right to be disappointed and to call it out. 

If you have kept on top of council, you will be less likely to let people alter the narrative, revise the story so that is not the true story of how a councillor performed. I believe in objective truth, particularly about who people are and what they did. If you’ve been watching, or catching up, they won’t be able to tell you they did otherwise.   

It has also been reaffirmed for me that people can be amazing, caring, and kind. Not internet-slogan kind, genuinely kind in ways that make a difference in your real life. They go out of their way to give you positive and supportive feedback. It’s like a hug from the entire community and helps you put your shoulder back to the wheel and try a little harder.