‘Expect accountability but demand decency’
Luke Edwards
Grant Haven Media
Norfolk County’s outgoing mayor reflects on term
As she wrapped up her final meeting as Norfolk’s mayor, it wasn’t just the major votes, budget decisions and debates that went through Amy Martin’s mind.
It was also the faces of farmers, community members, and volunteers who spoke at council or invited her to events as councillor, then mayor.
“When I think about the eight years, I don’t just think about about budgets and bylaws. I think about people, the residents who care deeply about Norfolk,” Martin said just before the Oct. 14 meeting was adjourned.
After eight years on council, four as a councillor and four as mayor, Martin is not seeking re-election. She called the experience as a municipal politician a mix of incredibly remarkable and incredibly difficult days.
“When I was first elected in 2018, I definitely didn’t fully understand what public service would ask of me or how much it would give me in return,” she said.
Martin offered up the words on the same day councillors honoured colleague Michael Columbus, who was taking part in his final meeting as a councillor after four decades in politics. Columbus had previously announced his intention to retire, though the meeting offered another chance for colleagues to wax poetic.
“Serving your community for that length of time takes courage. It takes tenacity, and a deep, deep, commitment to serving,” said Coun. Alan Duthie as he took his turn to honour Columbus.
And while Martin’s tenure lasted less than a quarter of Columbus’, she said the changes brought on by social media in her time have still been stark.
“The job has changed,” she said.
Though social media and technology have allowed for new access to the democratic process, Martin said it’s also normalized negative attacks that make being a politician - or a friend or family member of a politician, for that matter - difficult.
“A good community should be able to disagree without destroying people in the process,” she said, adding residents should “expect accountability but demand decency.” Still, she said she remained proud of the work they did and the community of Norfolk. She said important decisions about infrastructure, growth, finances and community services were made not just with the present day in mind.
“Through it all I’ve tried to always come back to one question, and that is: ‘What is the right thing to do for Norfolk, not just today, but for the Norfolk that comes after us,’” she said.
“You plant trees whose shades you may never sit underneath and I’m proud we’ve planted some pretty important trees.”
Martin also offered up her thanks to county staff, who she said play a huge role but often don’t get the recognition they deserve.
Since returning to work after giving birth, Martin said she can’t help but think about her son and the Norfolk County she wants him to grow up in.
“I want him to grow up in a Norfolk that’s ambitious without losing its character. A Norfolk where agriculture can remain part of our identity, but we don’t fear change and newcomers. Where our towns and villages will thrive and people can build lives here and infrastructure keeps pace with growth. But all of that remains in a community that still supports one another,” she said.
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