Candidate name: Miriam Mutton
Occupation: Landscape Architect; life-long advocate for my hometown of Cobourg
Position on council: Candidate for Cobourg Councillor
Contact information: mmutton@cogeco.ca; 905.373.0159
Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn
Campaign Website: https://miriam4council.ca/
Biography (500 words)
Raised in Cobourg, I have family here and I live in the George Street Heritage District of Cobourg. I have been a Cobourg businesswoman and community advocate for more than 32 years. Learning is a lifelong pursuit, and in 2015 I completed graduate studies in Sustainability Studies at Trent University. As a landscape architect in private practice since 1989 and a garden design specialist, I continue to research and promote solutions in tune with both built and natural environments.
Since my teenage years, I have cared deeply about and have been an active participant in this community’s quality of life. I have received volunteer service awards from the Town of Cobourg (Molly Baker Lane project) and the Province of Ontario (15 years). For almost eleven years I was a mentor to a young person as a Big Sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northumberland, and I have held leadership roles in several community organizations, including serving as President of the Northumberland Land Trust Board of Directors, and the Victoria Hall Volunteers. I also served for two terms on Town Council between 2006 and 2014, and I am currently Vice-Chair of the Town of Cobourg Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (PRAC).
Identify one hobby or guilty pleasure you do that is not related to your profession or politics:
I love home-cooked food shared with family and friends. A unique offering from my own kitchen is grape pie, made with purple Ontario concord grapes.
Please answer each question clearly and concisely in no more than 500 words.
1. Why are you running for council?
Community. I care about Cobourg, the citizens, our stories and our collective future. Municipal council can be the most important level of government for a citizen and their community since local decisions affect our everyday – where we live and learn, raise our families, or settle in our later life; where we participate as members of our community and volunteer to make our community an even better place; where we help our neighbours; where we work and play and create experiences that become part of the story of the place we call Cobourg.
2. What is the single, primary reason you are running?
Communication. From experience, I know that Town Council can and must do better on the topic of clear communication and dialogue with citizens in order to get the business of Council done in an informed manner. Council is formed of the elected representatives of the citizens, and has a duty to listen to all voices. Members of the community need to know about decisions that affect them and be able to make their viewpoints known. Why do I see better communication as important? It is about accountability to the people Council represents. Council must lead and act within their authority and responsibilities, and foster good relations with other levels of government to protect and enhance amenities and services important to the local community. This includes protection of public assets and essential services; ensuring fair and equitable access to important amenities; and, providing leadership in making Cobourg an even better community.
Citizens of Cobourg tell me they care about our town, and many want to be able to contribute to the discussion and decisions in a timely manner and to the best of their abilities. But Citizens also tell me that they feel they are not being heard by Council. One example I have been told of is when Citizens are invited to engage in public consultations, but then they do not receive follow-up on outcomes. This broken cycle discourages public participation.
Cobourg has done many things well in the past and present – it is why we are here! – and as a community we must act to ensure our future is even better.
3. What will you do to address this issue?
As a member of the next Cobourg Council I make the commitment to work on behalf of all Cobourg citizens for the full term of office. As part of my role as Town Councillor, I will revisit the public engagement tools used by Council. During the campaign, I have already heard ideas from citizens on how communication between Council and Citizens can be improved, including community forums and question and answer periods. The message is clear. Keep it simple, accessible, timely and reliable.
4. Identify one success of the previous council?
Establishing the Waterfront Nature Park for the benefit of all citizens and future generations. A great success and prime example of Citizen and Council action on behalf of the community, for both nature and people. The new park is located on the shores of Lake Ontario and the source of our drinking water. The new park is an important stopping place for migrating species, including birds, butterflies and insects. Even though the park is small, the message is mighty. Council’s decision is significant not only for the local community but also at a regional and national level. At a time when health care professionals are advocating for the importance of access to nature for the mental and physical well-being of people, urban nature parks have become even more important. In addition, the stewardship plan for the park would address sustainability, both as an environmental system and in cost-effective parkland operations. Accessibility for all ages and abilities would also be addressed, including defined paths. And as a volunteer member of Cobourg’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee who recommended this to Council, I am grateful to the dedicated and knowledgeable citizens who worked hard for many years to make this project a reality.
5. Identify one criticism of the previous council?
Meetings of the previous Council were often very long and I question why. If the scope of work has altered over the years with regard to Council responsibilities, then change may be required in both meeting format and frequency, and how information is handled. The tests for the role and conduct of Council remain:
· Accessibility – clear communication between Council and Citizens
· Advocacy – asking difficult questions and doing careful analysis
· Accountability – explore options, debate them in public, assess results and accept responsibility
6. How will you address the one issue you identified from the previous council?
Every item on a Council meeting agenda is important to someone. A review of the status quo would be prudent for a new Council, and we need to revisit the ‘tool kit’ of policies and procedures which set the framework for Council meetings and agendas, including communicating with the public. I will do my part and come to meetings prepared and lead by example. The resulting decision by Council must be communicated and the plan of action made clear.
7. Why should voters select you over others?
Commitment. I am prepared to make the commitment to a community with which I share many common values. I am a life-long learner who is always open to hearing different viewpoints. And I have practical knowledge and experience. In previous terms as your Town Councillor (2006-2014), I have proven that I come prepared for meetings, I will ask the difficult questions, I will hold people and processes accountable, I seek fairness and equitable access for all citizens, and I operate on the facts. I am open to dialogue and viewpoints from citizens and from colleagues on Council, and it’s OK if democracy is sometimes noisy and messy.
In the 2022 Municipal Election, I ask for the support of citizens who not only represent themselves, but also other citizens, such as children and youth, who may be too young to vote, or have personal challenges which are a barrier to expressing their vote.
From experience, I know the hard work it takes to make a difference. I welcome the challenge. I look forward to meeting newer members of our community and to rekindle past connections.
To learn more about my platform, visit my web site https://miriam4council.ca or contact me by email or phone.
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