Smithers mayor Gladys Atrill was very busy even before she arrived at the North Central Local Government Association (NCLGA) convention in Prince Rupert May 12. For the next year, she is going to be even busier now that the organization has acclaimed her as its new president.
Atrill said it is pretty typical for the first vice president to be elevated unopposed. Nevertheless, she feels honoured to take on the role, although it does come with a bit of trepidation.
"It's increased work [and] it's a very chaotic time, so in some ways, you don't really know what you're stepping into," she said.
She does have direction, though, specifically two major themes that emerged from the convention. The first is fiscal responsibility.
"I think that has to be taken seriously, and we'll go back... to hear what people said and see. Can we deliver more for less is the magic that everyone wants," she said.
The second piece is advocacy, which is what NCLGA is all about, elevating the concerns of small communities through the collective. The question is how can the organization be more effective in advancing the interests of the communities it represents.
"Do we need to have more time for resolutions?" Atrill said. "How do we hone the resolutions and then what do we do in between?"
She explained the process is bringing resolutions to the annual convention, agreeing on them and then passing them up the chain. They might write letters, have meetings with ministers, and otherwise try to call attention to an issue, but once it's out in the world, it's difficult to gauge the effectiveness of the advocacy.
"So how do we figure out what those the key directions are, and try to take quicker action on some of those resolutions?" she asked.
"I think that's going to be a challenge. It's probably the magic that everyone wants to do. But, you know, if we see a theme, then can we take that issue and instead of trying to advance 10 issues, maybe just take one or two and just say, that's it.
"That's what we're going to work on for the next [convention] and see if we can gain some traction there."
In addition to being the mayor of Smithers, Atrill is executive director of Tourism Smithers and sits on the board of directors for the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako.
She said taking on the leadership role in the regional organization is all part of her service to Smithers.
"I am deeply committed to my own community, and so I care about the health of my own community," she said.
She noted working for the betterment of the region as a whole, affords her the opportunity to ultimately help Smithers.
"I've just made a decision to use my energy this way, and so I'm committed to it, not for the rest of my life, but for a period of time to just try to work as hard as I can and see if I can advance the objectives of my community and my neighbours' in an organization like this, just to make it a better place," she concluded.
