FirstService Corporation

I live in a small town that has recently begun experiencing significant growth. I found myself disagreeing with some of the zoning decisions being made and realized that if I wanted to have a voice in the process, I needed to become more engaged.

I now review agendas for zoning and commission meetings, attend meetings whenever possible, and communicate directly with town leaders to share my concerns and ideas. As a result of that involvement, I was invited to join the Mayor’s Think Tank, a group of 12 community members from diverse backgrounds who meet quarterly to discuss ways to improve our community and enhance residents’ quality of life.

My recent involvement in local government has been a real eye-opener. It has given me a much deeper appreciation for the difficult balancing act our local leaders face as they work to support growth and improve the community while keeping taxes affordable. Most importantly, I have come to realize that the decisions made at the local level often have a far greater impact on my daily life than anything happening in Washington.