e-Brief September 28, 2018
A Tribute To John Coburn Robison (1940-2018) - CAMA Honourary Life Member and Past President
 
John Coburn Robison passed away on September 26, 2018 in Fredericton, NB, after a long illness. He lived a life rooted in his love of family and community. 
 
He was born to Myrtle (Coburn) and Marshall Robison on December 19, 1940 on a farm in Harvey Station, New Brunswick. He began his career in business selling eggs and butter door-to-door as a school boy. 

John spent his professional life helping cities and people to grow. He had a deep interest in the backgrounds and stories of the people he met. He attended Mount Allison University and earned his degree in Business from the University of New Brunswick in 1966. John was Fredericton’s first City Administrator where he helped amalgamate the communities of Marysville, Nashwaaksis, Barkers Point and Devon with Fredericton. When he left Fredericton after serving there for 22 years, he continued a career of public service as the City Manager for Waterdown, Kanata, and Kawartha Lakes in Ontario. He served as Vice President of the International City Managers Association and also served as President of the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators and proudly retained an honorary membership in that association after his retirement. 

“Retirement” was something never suited to John. Once he left public administration, he began a second career as an immigration consultant. He had a deep belief in people and their ability to accomplish anything. As an immigration consultant, he helped hundreds of people start new lives in Canada.

While John left the farm, the farm never left him. He was a lifelong gardener, planting gardens everywhere he lived and sharing what he grew. He learned to play piano by ear. He could talk for hours about Harry Truman, history and politics. Lately, he worked with the Harvey Heritage Society and he was especially proud of the “John’s Corner” plaque presented to him to recognize that work.

He leaves a big hole in the lives of those left behind. He is survived by his wife, Brenda (Jones), their two children, Carolyn and Brian, and three grandchildren, Emily, Caitlin and Nyssa. He’s also survived by his two brothers, David (Anne) of Ottawa ON, and Douglas (late Norma) of Harvey Station NB, and their sister, Edith (late Charles) of Magundy, NB; a brother-in-law, Kenneth Jones (Gwen) and his beloved dog Peanut. John was a mentor to many and had lifelong friends that he valued deeply. Strong communities were important to John. 

To honour John’s memory, the family suggests supporting the Stan Cassidy Foundation or Hospice Fredericton or Mount Allison University where he loved his time spent learning. 

A service to honour John’s memory will take place at Gibson United Church, 183 Gibson Street, Fredericton, NB, close to his home in Devon, on Tuesday, October 2 at 11 am with Rev. Kelly Higgins officiating. A reception will follow at the church.   Arrangements by Flewelling Funeral Home, Nackawic, NB. 
Congratulations to CAMA Members from the Town of Devon and the Town of Whitecourt
 
The Board of Directors of the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA) is pleased to announce the 2018 recipients of the AUMA and Society of Local Government Managers (SLGM) Dedicated Team and Dedicated Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) awards. The Awards were presented as part of the Convention’s Opening Ceremonies on September 26, the first event of the AUMA Annual Convention and AMSC Trade Show held at Westerner Park in Red Deer.

The two awards are jointly administered by the AUMA and the SLGM. This year’s recipients – respectively – are the Town of Devon’s Senior Management Team, and Peter Smyl, CAO of the Town of Whitecourt.
 
  
 

“We are very impressed once again at the calibre of our award recipients,” says Barry Morishita, President of AUMA. “Whitecourt’s CAO Peter Smyl and the Town of Devon team are excellent examples of leadership, whether it is empowering your community through inter-municipal collaboration, or taking a united team approach to problem solving and sound municipal management.  They offer much to our membership and we offer our sincere congratulations on receiving these awards.”  “Congratulations to both worthy recipients, the Town of Devon Team, and Mr. Peter Smyl,” says Bob Beck, Chair of SLGM.  “They demonstrate excellence and professionalism in public service in municipal Alberta, and raise the bar for all of us.”  Dedicated CAO Award recognizes a CAO for long-term excellence and dedication to both municipal government and chief administrative management, while the Dedicated Team Award recognizes a municipal administration team for its outstanding contribution in the field of municipal administration.
FCM Green Municipal Fund Delivers Results and Builds Capacity
 


FCM’s Green Municipal Fund (GMF) 2017–2018 Annual Report shows how GMF helps cities and communities of all sizes across Canada reach their sustainability goals, enhance the quality of life of their residents, and provide cleaner air, water and land. Learn how GMF supports municipalities through funding, training, knowledge-sharing and more. Read the annual report
 
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!

 
 
  • Gerald Pinchbeck, Chief Administrative Officer, District of Houston, BC
  • Eric Sévégny, Directeur Général, Ville de Bromont, QC
  • Lucy Wiwcharuk, Director of Corporate Services, City of Airdrie, AB
  • Cheryl Zahnleiter, Deputy City Manager - Corporate Enterprise, City of Cambridge, ON
  • Kinza Trimm, Administrative Services Manager, City of Grande Prairie, AB
  • Pierre LaFlamme, Partner, Demarcom, Saint-Lambert, QC
  • Marie Andree Bastien, Partner, Demarcom, Saint-Lambert, QC
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