“It’s not about the word, it’s about the work.”
For Mary Giuliano, who will be running again in this year’s municipal election after serving three terms as councillor and one as mayor, running for mayor isn’t about the title itself, but what the work the title necessitates.
“It’s the work that I have really enjoyed doing the last three years and that I hope I will be given the opportunity to do for another three years,” said Giuliano.
After living in Fernie for most of her life and spending much of that time doing volunteer work for the city, Giuliano says she’s learned a lot of lessons about what it means to serve Fernie.
“I know that running the town is a team effort,” said Giuliano. “It is not the mayor, it is not council, it is a team effort between mayor and council and staff and also an effort by the people who choose to live here and to contribute.”
Looking to the future, Giuliano said that she has plans to incorporate a multi-use indoor sports facility, a new conference centre and a new college campus into the City of Fernie in order to diversify the economy and to keep Fernie’s children in the city.
“I think that’s one of the reasons why I’d like to run again,” remarked Giuliano. “If I’m given the opportunity, I intend to work towards the betterment of Fernie, not just for the present but the future.”
Giuliano said that she believes she has proven she can fulfill the role of mayor well and that she has the necessary connections to continue filling that role for years to come.
“I just feel that I have a good grasp of what it means to be mayor and what is required and what is needed,” she said.