Norman says she is interested in the job because of her affinity to be a leader. It is something she says has come naturally to her in life through the guiding movement and 4-H when she was younger and later as a teacher and councillor.
"A mayor leads council in leadership decisions. I feel my leadership skills are strong, and I can be objective on situations"
Norman has served for 12 years as councillor, and she says Mayor John Leefe has taught her a lot about leading council during their time working together.
As for why she likes municipal politics, she says it is because they are non-partisan.
Norman says it is early to talk about specific platforms, however there are a few issues she would like to tackle.
She wants people to really embrace Queens Place, and to do that it needs to offer a variety of structured and unstructured activities for everyone. Part of that would involve offering more outdoor and free activities.
"I believe it is a huge asset for us, and we should be looking at all aspects of it to engage the users," she says.
Another major challenge is how to bring the rural economy back up from its slump.
"I look at the richness of the natural attributes that we have, but how can we tap them without destroying them," she says.
As for manufacturing, she says the days of big production in North America is pretty much gone overseas to China. What is taking its place though is small scale manufacturing such as Ironworks Distillary in Lunenburg County and small businesses like the videographers of Picture House based out of Greenfield.
"We really need to support the small entrepreneur and business person," she says.
The third major goal she has is to make council more accessible to the public, staring by moving council sessions to the evenings. Council has been in the mornings since 1996, carried over from the Municipality of the District of Queens. She says that creates barriers for people with an interest.
"It's difficult to be a councillor the way this structure works. You have to be retired, unemployed, self-employed or have a very giving employer."
Outside of council, Norman is very involved with the Friends of Port Mouton Bay, acting as the facilitator/chairperson of the meetings. She has also worked with the West Queens First Responders to get them back on track, as well as help revitalize the West Queens Recreation Centre.
