The town of Sackville is getting a new member for its senior management team. On November 16, 2020, Kieran Miller will begin working as the new Senior Manager of Corporate Projects.
Miller’s duties will be broad ranging, including “anything that’s not finance or engineering,” according to CAO Jamie Burke. She’ll be responsible for town communications, tourism and business development, as well as recreation.
Miller was born and raised in St. John’s, Newfoundland, and has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mount Allison University and a Masters of Planning degree from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. For the past 7 years, she’s been working as a planner for the city of Fredericton.
Erica Butler spoke to Miller by phone in Fredericton, while she waited to get her tires changed.
TRANSCRIPT:
ERICA BUTLER:
I guess you are not quite here yet, Kieran, but welcome to Sackville.
KIERAN MILLER:
Thank you so much.
EB:
So you’re going to be starting mid-November?
KM:
Yes, my first day at town hall will be November 16.
EB:
I wanted to ask you a few questions about some of your background just to help people get to know you a bit before you arrive.
KM:
Sounds good, go ahead.
EB:
One of the things that’s mentioned in your bios is that you have some experience and training in public consultation. I’ve always found that’s a real tough nut to crack. What do you think makes for good public consultation?
KM:
I was fortunate enough to do the IAP2 [International Association of Public Participation professionals] training when I worked in the private sector. And you’re exactly right, public consultation is tough to do in a meaningful way, that people really respond to and feel that their input is being taken seriously and incorporated in the process.
I think successful public consultation is when people have an understanding of exactly how their input is going to be used, and that it will inform next steps being taken.
EB:
I guess that’s where the rubber meets the road, right there, to make sure that people feel that it’s informing the next steps.
KM:
I read a really neat National Park plan, and it was written in a really interesting way. So it would have a specific public comment that had been submitted as part of the consultation process, and then it had a write up describing how that information was being used and informing the process. So it was a really clear example of showing, ‘this is what you said, this is how we implemented it.’
EB:
Now we’re relegated to Zoom meetings and online conferencing, do you think it’s going to be hard to engage people in good public consultation during COVID times?
KM:
Everything is different and more challenging during COVID, that’s for sure. I know, in my current position that I’m just wrapping up, we’ve had to move all our council and planning advisory committees online.
I think if the person is really interested and passionate about the topic, they’ll figure out a way to participate even if it’s a way that they’re not generally comfortable or used to. Whatever the topic may be, if it’s important enough to them, they will find a way to engage with it.
EB:
Now, Sackville will be heading into revising its municipal plan next year. And I imagine you will have a lot to do with that. Are you looking forward to diving into something so big
right away?
KM:
We actually just went through that process here in Fredericton. So I’ll have a lot of interesting techniques that we’ve used here that can be used during that.
EB:
What kind of issues do you foresee in moving from sort of city scale where you’ve been working in Fredericton, to small town scale?
KM:
Well, I mean, it’s different from the beginning… I’ve never had a press release written about me when I’ve gotten a new job or had, you know, radio interviews. So it’s definitely a different scale that we’ll be dealing with. I don’t think anyone in Fredericton cared too much when I was hired for the position here. But its neat to have that level of engagement already.
It’s going to be just a matter of scale. So within my current position, you know, we have different departments with you know, 10 to 20 people in them. And you’re kind of working specifically within that department. Whereas I know with the town of Sackville, it’s going to be so broad. You can’t do just one thing, you’re going to wear many hats. And I’m going to get to work on so many different portfolios. It’s a really broad range of responsibilities that’s going to fall under me, and I’m excited for the challenge that that’s going to bring. It is going to be different and I’m excited for a change of pace.
EB:
I noticed that in one of your profiles that you were involved in Fredericton’s Cycling Working Group. Are you a cyclist?
KM:
I am. I usually bike to work, six months of the year. We’re lucky here in Fredericton. We’ve got quite a good trail network, and it’s cleared really well in the winter so I tend to cycle to work until it gets too cold.
EB:
All right, well, I’ll await your reviews of cycling in Sackville. I myself am waiting to find out what it will be like to be cycling around Sackville come wintertime.
One thing I wanted to ask about… This new provincial government in New Brunswick has said that municipal reform is on their agenda. What’s your take on the issues with regard to how municipalities are running in New Brunswick? Are you looking forward to municipal reform of some sort or another?
KM:
It’s hard to say too much having not been in the position yet. But I think it’s always good to have a look at processes and make sure that they’re as efficient as possible, and that they’re delivering the service as well as it can be delivered. I think it’s always positive to have a second look at something, make sure it’s working as well as it can be.
EB:
Now, the welcome announcement from the town mentioned that you’ll be moving here with some furry companions. Can you tell us about your dogs?
KM:
Sure. I’ve got a nine year old Gordon Setter named Darby, and she is so sweet. She actually went through the therapy dog testing program. So she’s very calm and friendly. That was really fun to go through that with her. And I’ve got a just-under-two year old Wirehaired Pointing Griffon named River, who’s a real firecracker. I’m really enjoying having the two ages, they really kind of balance each other out.
EB:
Is there anything else you wanted to say to Sackville listeners before your arrival?
KM:
Yes… I actually don’t know where I’ll be living yet. It’s a very tight market. So if anyone has any leads on an apartment or a house for rent, that will take a lady and two dogs, please let me know.
EB:
All right. And listeners can get in touch with CHMA, if they have any leads that we can pass on to Kieran.
Thanks very much for your time, Kieran. We look forward to meeting you.
KM:
Thanks so much for having me. I look forward to meeting you guys. And I’ll see you in a few weeks.
