President
MuniverseRO Consulting Inc.
"Whether it's preparing all of the materials for the annual budget meeting/marathon or setting up extra chairs so that residents can sit down to hear the proceedings, the clerk not only does all that (and more), but they do it with a stoical attitude that says, "welcome to local government"."
About Me:
Married for over four decades, I have six grandchildren and two great-grandkids so far. I've written a few books with two more on the way, hopefully in time for the start of the next term of council. In my present capacity, I enjoy reaching out to municipal colleagues across the province to hear about a particular issue that they have faced and understanding directly from them how they resolved it.
Why did you get involved with/pursue a career in local government?
As a law student, I took a position articling with the Region of Ottawa-Carleton - largely to silence the endless, and seemingly obsessive job offers emanating from the Deputy Regional Solicitor. I was working in the Region's legal department for less than two months when I realized that public service, not private practice, was the career that I wanted to pursue. The wide variety of challenges, both legal and procedural, eventually led me to the clerk's office where working with elected officials showed me how the "Muniverse" really operated - and I never looked back.
What is one thing members of the public would be surprised to learn about your role?
In the clerk's office, no job is too small or beneath you. Whether it's preparing all of the materials for the annual budget meeting/marathon, assisting with dozens of motions for competing members, or setting up extra chairs so that residents can sit down to hear the proceedings, the clerk not only does all that (and more), but they do it with a stoical attitude that says, "welcome to local government".
What do you enjoy most about working in local government?
Two things: the people and the speed with which the Muniverse can change. On the former point, the staff that I worked alongside for 35 years were the best I've ever known: hardworking, helpful, caring and dedicated to doing the right thing within the timeframe allotted and the resources available. And local government changes at speed of light; a waived motion passed at council may lead to a report within a couple of weeks and a bylaw shortly thereafter. No time to rest on your laurels!