Miramichi's young councillors bring energy and change

Adam Lordon may look young, but he's the big man at MiramichiCity Hall.

At 32, he's the youngest councillor the city has ever hadand the youngest deputy mayor.

And since June, he's beenthe youngest person to assume mayoral duties, a role he stepped into when then-mayor Gerry Cormier died suddenly of aheart attack.

"At first, it was very difficult just because of the loss we were going through on a personal level," he said.

"But it's been a rewarding experience."

• Miramichi Mayor Gerry Cormier dies after heart attack
• Phoenix payroll fiasco: Miramichi acting mayor welcomes national spotlight

Juggling jobs

Lordon juggleshis growing responsibilities at city hall with his professional gig as a television directoron programs based in Toronto.

That job takes him across the countryand out of town regularly, but he says despite all the travel, his roots are down in Miramichi.

Like many other young people, Lordon moved away for a few years, but two years ago, a family incident brought him home.

"My mom was ill, so I came home to be with her and it was the best decision and the best thing I ever did," he said.

"I was able to have a few wonderful months with her before she passed away."

It ended up being good for the community too.

Snowball effect

After running to fill his mom's seat in the byelection, the nextyear's election had more young people, including another 32-year-old, Chad Duplessie.

"From my perspective, I think there was a vibrancy," he said, explaining that the sense of growth and renewal was a reason he felt inspired to run for council.

The council is the youngest in Miramichi's 21-year history, and the energy is felt on the streets.

Newbusinesses like Kathleen Smith's Mill Cove Coffee have lineups at lunchof young people who say they feel represented.

"It's refreshing, a new voice, a change in how different opinions see things," she said.

Matthew Sweezy, a life-long Miramichi resident, said heagrees.

"I've noticed a lot of the generation that was bornin the '70s and '80s are now growing up and taking on careers that are meaningful in the community and so they're making decisions that are progressing us forward with new train of thought," said Sweezy.

"It's a positive change."

Balanced perspective

Miramichi more than a 'retirement community'

8 years ago

Duration 0:25

City councillor Tony Walsh doesn't buy into the notion that Miramichi is just a retirement community.Lordon says despite the youthful makeup of the council, the change is not about age.

He believes each of the eight councillors brings different experience to the table.

"It's about bringing new ideas, and new ways of thinking." he said.

"Being open-minded and forward-looking doesn't have an age."

Coun.TaraRoss-Robinson says the younger council elected in May doesn't plan to swoop in and change everything.

She says there is a lot of respect for the older generation.

"We've watched the older generation work and volunteer for a very long time, and it's our turn," she said.

Ross-Robinson says she's not scared of the retirement community stereotype, but her fellow Coun.Tony "Bucket" Walsh a retiree says Miramichi isn't just a place for seniors.

Time for the next generation to assume the responsibility

8 years ago

Duration 0:33

City councillor Tara Ross-Robinson thinks that it's a sign of the times that Miramichi's public officials are getting younger."As far as I'm concerned, this is not a retirement city," he said.

"We're too up and going and very passionate and want to everything to happen in our city."

The council is working on projects from waterfront development, to a wellness centre, to a dog park, and recently received provincial funding for the first artificial turf in northern New Brunswick.

Lordon says the energy goes beyond the council table.

"We've had hundreds of young people engaging in these discussions," he said.

"They're invested in their community, and everybody is choosing to look forward and talk about what we can build and create as opposed to dwelling on the past."

Miramichi'scity council hasfour years in office, from the time it was elected in May.