Fredericton city council isn’t the old boys club you may think it is, councillor and university student Jordan Graham says.
As the University of New Brunswick student, and former St. Thomas University student, nears the end of his council term, he’s learned at school and around the council table, including how to manage his two commitments.
Graham, at only 21, was elected in the 2008 municipal election by collecting 51 per cent of the vote in a four-way race, becoming the youngest person ever elected into council.
The Woodstock, N.B. native transferred to UNB from STU around Christmas 2006, but continued taking a few classes up the hill.
“Both schools have a lot to offer, but the economics program at UNB was more what I was looking for,” he said.
Two months after transferring, he was elected vice-president external for the UNB student union and soon had his sights set on a council position.
After the nerve-wracking vote counting on election night, Graham was ecstatic when he realized he won the job.
Managing school and politics proved difficult as he learned a new vocabulary, time-management, and prioritizing.
“In some cases I had to think about what do I need to do to get this credit versus what do I need to do to get an A,” said Graham.
“I was generally more interested in what I was doing as a councillor than what I was doing as a student.”
The 25-year-old graduates from UNB this spring and jokes he’s “undergoing the longest degree in the history of mankind.”
Graham had only good things to say about his fellow council members, who he’s served with for four years.
“It’s funny how much of a family you do become,“ he said.
The councillors embraced his youth and respected his ideas even if they didn‘t agree with them. Graham said the support from other councillors during times of controversy “spoke volumes of integrity for the people I work with.” He appreciated their effort to make him “a part of the team” and hear what he had to say.
The 2011 budget brought tension with controversial Robbie Burns statue restoration. Council said it couldn’t afford to restore the statue of the Scottish poet to the dismay of some in the community. The Irvings later stepped in to foot the bill for the upgrades.
While dealing with the controversy, Graham learned the importance of language and how to express ideas.
“No matter how right you may feel, appropriate language can help you win friends or create enemies depending on how you go about things.”
Graham admits going about the situation wrong, but remained true to himself and his values – his main goal as a politician.
“Too often I hear people talking of politicians not standing for anything anymore,” said Graham.
His advice to students thinking of running in the May municipal election is to be a partner.
In his starting year, he was sometimes aggressive, but soon learned to counter this with partnership. He worked with and reached out to others that could change things in the city.
“I wasn’t the guy going up against people, but I was the guy that was working with people,” said Graham.
“We live in an era when collaboration has never been easier to come by. We’ve got so many mediums to engage and interact with people, so there’s no excuse for not making anything a team effort.”
Graham is still considering his future options. His future plans depend on his wife and what her plans are.
“When I first ran, it was just me. Now I am married and I need to make sure whatever I do, my wife can realize her professional goals.
“We’re a team and me being tied down in Fredericton means she is too.”
