Hirtle to stay active in community as council term ends
More quality time with family on the agenda
His time on Kings County council has come to a conclusion but he has no plans to stop working for the betterment of his community.
Reflecting on his time on council, Brian Hirtle said it would be the people - and working to address “people issues” - that he misses most. He wants to extend his personal thanks to residents.
“I think that I’ve been very fortunate that people have been kind to me in my eight years, and they’ve been very kind to me because I care about people,” Hirtle said. “If I have one strength, it’s that.”
Hirtle lives in the small community of Viewmount on the North Mountain, on a property that his family has owned for nearly a century. He worked for Michelin for 34 years, starting on the south shore before moving back to Viewmount and building a home a few years later when the company opened its Waterville plant.
Hirtle was elected to Kings County council in 2012 and re-elected in 2016. He said they were two different councils in terms of mandate and approach. During his first term, he served as deputy warden for three years.
He said they brought forward some meaningful changes, including switching to the mayoral system, and he is particularly proud council extended workers compensation benefits to volunteer firefighters in the municipality.
“That is a big accomplishment that has been asked for all my time as a fire commissioner,” Hirtle said. “We were never able to finance it but the County of Kings came forward with that mandate.”
He is proud council had another flagpole put up so the municipality could better promote diversity by flying the flags of various community organizations and causes.
Hirtle played a role in the process to establish a new municipal headquarters in Coldbrook, something that came to fruition during his second term. Although he was somewhat disappointed that certain aspects were amended during provincial review, council established a new Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use Bylaw.
Other council accomplishments during his second term that he considers significant include the municipality exploring alternative revenue streams from renewable energy; greater provision of high-speed internet and the establishment of a parental accommodations policy for elected officials.
Hirtle is also proud of the work by staff, council, and the mayor to engage citizens and help keep them informed through a transparent approach to agendas and meetings.
Although he doesn’t have everything mapped out, he plans to enjoy family life and stay active in the community now that his council responsibilities have concluded. Hirtle looks forward to spending more time with his children and grandchildren and working on the family Christmas tree lot. He has a son and two granddaughters in Calgary who he hopes to have the freedom to visit more when COVID-19 travel restrictions are relaxed.
He continues to be active with the Berwick Fire Commission, the Burlington Community Club and the Berwick Gala Days committee. Hirtle also continues to work behind the scenes with provincial and federal political associations.
Hirtle sat down recently for a Q&A session with SaltWire Network.
Q: What is your full name? A: Brian Lee Hirtle.
Q: Where were you born? A: I was born at the Berwick hospital.
Q: Where do you live today?
A: I live in Viewmount on the North Mountain.
Q: What is your favourite place in the world?
A: Viewmount on the
North Mountain.
Q: What would people be surprised to learn about you?
A: That I very much enjoy the arts.
Q: What is your greatest indulgence?
A: Sweets.
Q: What is your favourite movie or book?
A: As far as a movie goes, On Golden Pond. As far as a book goes, because it’s about my community, Two Crows Sorrow. I think Laura’s (Laura Churchill Duke’s) book would have to be one of my favourites because I grew up with the names within the book. What I compliment Laura on about the book is how much research she put in.
Q: How do you like to relax? A: There’s no place that I can relax better than looking out on the Bay of Fundy. If you want to be specific, Donnellan’s Brook. I go there, we have a wiener roast, we sit there in the vehicle or we sit on the beach and it’s a chance to listen to the waves.
Q: How would you describe your personal fashion statement?
A: My personal fashion statement, at its best, would have my wife’s input … she’s my fashion statement.
Q: What is your most treasured possession?
A: My treasured possession would be my family.
Q: What three people would you invite to your dream dinner party?
A: My three children.
Q: What is your best quality and what is your worst quality?
A: My best quality, in my opinion, is my perseverance. My worst quality would be my impatience.