Being deputy mayor is an opportunity for councillors to step into the top seat for a short time and gain new experiences.
For Coun. Michele Charles Gustafson, it was an experience to learn and connect more with her new role as councillor.
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“I had a real unique opportunity to step into things that I might not have been able to experience,” she said. “Which is really awesome and has helped me deepen my connection to the community, but also to the councillor role.”
Charles Gustafson’s calendar filled up quickly as summer rolled in.
“I was able to cut the ribbon at the 50th anniversary of the Lloydminster Learning Council, but also the 50th anniversary of the Border City Farmers Market,” she said. “Both of them are very important to keeping residents connected to each other and celebrating our rural routes, but also places for people to call home.”
Her time as deputy mayor has been highlighted by a citizenship ceremony, something she says is very personal to her.
“I was at the citizenship ceremony on behalf of the city since we put that event on and it’s sponsored by Catholic Social Services,” said Charles
Gustafson.
“I absolutely love a citizenship ceremony, mostly because it reminds me of when I took my own citizenship.
“It’s just a personal passion for me,” she said, noting her own experience obtaining her citizenship. “I had done that exact same citizenship walk when I was a youth and how important and inspiring it is to become a new Canadian.”
It wasn’t just local events that kept her busy as she travelled for a number of different conventions in her time as councillor.
“I was able to go to a couple of different conferences over the time,” Charles Gustafson said, having attended the mid-size city mayor’s caucus, Alberta municipalities spring caucus, the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM).
Getting to attend these different events and conventions has given her a broader perspective on the work she’s doing.
“I really think it’s important, especially to me, but I also think for the respect for the position, to understand the perspective from the table all the way up,” she said, describing it as a scale seeing it from zero feet, 10,000 feet, 20,000 feet and up.
“At FCM in Ottawa, I was able to see the 50,000 feet. Oh, this is how our municipal life ties into federal life and you can see the challenges with that.”
Her schedule may be busy, but her own expertise helps her manage her time effectively.
“In what I do as a personal development, coach I actually teach people, mostly women, to balance their life and their priorities,” said Charles Gustafson.
“So, I am practising what I preach.”
When it comes to the community, she believes people have been engaged in the work the new council is doing.
“There’s been lots of conversations around issues that we’ve had around the table, very respectful conversations,” she said. “I’m really inspired to know that we can have good quality discussions about issues and respectful conversations about issues.
“We’re talking to people and people are talking.”
Getting people engaged in council work has been something Charles Gustafson is passionate about, encouraging people to tune in weekly.
“I always encourage people to watch the live stream of council meetings,” she said. “I always share with them, put it on like a podcast, stick it on the side of your desk. You’re taking your Monday afternoon and you’re listening along.”
She says the city has good systems for transparency related to the work they do if individuals are paying attention and connecting.
If residents do have concerns, she says it’s important to connect and share what they are.
“I’ve had residents reach out to me,” said Charles Gustafson. “You can find it (her email) on the city website. Share what their concerns are.”
She has taken her new role as councillor in a way to help anyone understand the discussions and items around the council table.
“It is my aim to help people understand the complicated stuff. I think that’s part of the gifts that I bring to the table,” said Charles Gustafson.
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