Hometown CAO takes over in Stuartburn

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This article was published 16/07/2024 (293 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A familiar face has taken the top job at the RM of Stuartburn office. Shevchenko School alumni Brittany Fisher is the new chief administrative officer.

Fisher takes over for Lucie Maynard, who has moved on to become the general manager for the RPGA (Rhineland, Plum Coulee, Gretna, Altona) Planning District. Fisher first applied for the CAO job the same time as Maynard 11 years ago. Then Maynard got the job, and Fisher became assistant CAO two weeks after Maynard was hired.

Reeve Michelle Gawronsky said that experience and Fisher’s hometown connections made her the right choice for the job. The reeve added that with four out of the five on council serving their first term, it helped having someone like Fisher in the position.

“Having a CAO that shares the history and the knowledge of what she’s got is a huge asset to both the community and to council. She helps us look good and makes sure we have all grounded information before we make decisions, because some of the decisions are tough ones.

“When you want to get re-elected, you want to make everybody happy. Sometimes you just can’t, and figuring out a way to let people know why they can’t have what they want or why there’s certain laws in place,” said Gawronsky.

Fisher said that being from the area helped people be more comfortable in coming to her with issues, and helped her know how to approach each individual in their own unique way.

“I’m able to tell people things they may not want to hear or may not be the answer they were looking for, but we’re able to work it out together,” said Fisher, who has experience with Revenue Canada and training in accounting and administration.

“And knowing maybe the history of the situation a little bit better, you might be able to provide better background on certain things: knowing the history of taxes in the area, knowing the history of certain drainage in the area, different groups etcetera in the area. You might be able to provide more personalized information to them to give them an answer they might be more comfortable with.”

That personal touch is helpful in serving a rural community. But sometimes, things can get too personal coming back the other way. That can be especially true when two women have the most powerful positions in local government.

Reeve Gawronsky described a man unsatisfied with answers around drainage concerns who swore at her and told her, “that’s the reason you don’t elect a woman for a reeve, you don’t know nothing about this job.”

“I said I thank you for this opinion and I take it you will be on the ballot running against me for the next election,” said Gawronsky, who said she had experience dealing with sexism in her former job as a union boss.

The CAO also applies patience when dealing with the intolerable.

“Sometimes, but I think it’s the same thing. You just, you know, water off a duck’s back,” said Fisher.

“People say what they want to say, but you control your reaction… You let people vent, you give them your calm reaction, the facts, whatever it may be. And it seems it’s OK.”

That is put on top of all the actual RM business that needs to be done as a new administrative assistant is to come in next month. There is zoning for new developments that the province requires, bylaws like animal control, getting grants and finding a new pumper truck for the fire department, lagoon expansion, work on Provincial Road 201, replacing the Prawda School Road bridge with neighbouring Emerson-Franklin, making budgets, and the day-to-day operations.

“It’s a bit of a surprise even coming in as the reeve… to watch and see the amount of work that it actually takes for an RM. And I think the challenges are greater in many ways because of the funding. We don’t have the same tax base that some of our neighbouring RMs enjoy, so you’re dealing with contractors rather than your own employees,” said Gawronsky, who added the contractors they deal with are great but have their own busy schedules.

Having so much on her plate is a big reason Fisher wanted to come back home: to be with her extended family and find peace while pursuing the career she wanted.

“I love the quiet. I love being able to go outside and enjoy the front garden; I love the flowers. I love the tranquility of it, being able to step away from a potentially stressful or hectic day and just be in your own head,” said Fisher.