Stumble Upon

del.icio.us

Digg

Facebook

Print

Email

speakup

Don't bother trying to call Don Estey today for tickets to Wednesday's recognition night for retiring city councillor Walter Brown.

The turkey dinner at the Marysville Heritage Centre, hosted by the Marysville Y Service Club, has been sold out for weeks and Estey's phone is still ringing with people who want to come.

Brown decided to leave municipal politics this spring after 19 years, including a stint as mayor and deputy-mayor, making him one of the city's longest serving city councillors.

Estey, the incoming president of the Marysville Y Service Club, has known Brown for 27 years.

"You could always call him. He's always approachable," Estey said. "He doesn't politically snow things over. He cuts right to the chase. He'll tell you exactly how he feels about something."

Brown takes a keen interest in Marysville's youth and Estey said he's helped a lot of the area's youngsters find jobs as they worked their way through college or university.

"He always asks how's the young fellow doing? How's the daughter? Walter is a real people person," Estey said. "He's always about town. If you see Walter, he'll sit down with you and ask how things are going."

Estey said Brown not only elevated his Marysville ward and encouraged its progress, but he's been the kind of councillor to see the big picture.

"As a lasting legacy, all Frederictonians say he has done good job and Walter has," Estey said.

Brown has earned the respect of politicians of all stripes and Estey said many of his political colleagues will share the evening. Premier Shawn Graham and soon-to-be retiring federal Liberal MP Andy Scott , Education Minister Kelly Lamrock, Mayor Brad Woodside, fellow former councillor Tommy Jellinek and Father Monte Peters will be among Brown's well-wishers this week.

Born in Marysville, Brown graduated from Fredericton High School and studied labour relations at the University of Montreal before joining NB Power's operations hydro plant division where he was the distribution task co-ordinator.

At age 19, he married Deanna his wife of almost 49 years.

Between 1970 and 1973, Brown was the union negotiator for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

Around the same time, Brown became a councillor for what was then the Town of Marysville until its 1973 amalgamation with Fredericton.

Brown took a full-time job in his father's poultry and cattle business until the family enterprise was sold in 1988.

After a stint of travelling, Brown ran for the Marysville seat on Fredericton council.

"To make a difference in Marysville, I needed two things. People and teamwork," Brown said. "If you do your homework and work hard, things will get done, but people are the key. Without people, nothing can get done."

Over the years, Brown lobbied for the creation of the Gibson Health Clinic when the community lost its family doctor. He pushed for the Highway 8 bypass to get truck traffic off Canada Street and supported the efforts of the Marysville bypass committee.

Brown worked with groups to earn the former Marysville cotton mill and surrounding area a national heritage designation.

As well, he has supported infrastructure upgrades, the construction of the Chris MacPherson recreation building and refurbishments at Royals Field.

The construction of Leo Hayes High School and developments at Two Nations Crossing have assured Marysville's continued progress, Brown said.

"Team Marysville has come a long way," Brown said.

As to the future of Fredericton, Brown's recipe for its success is to maintain its quality of life while continuing to keep pace with growth demands.

"Spend wisely and be financially responsible," Brown said. "The city needs to progress bit by bit and be a smart city with tax dollars."

Brown, the chairman of the New Brunswick Provincial Capital Commission, will continue his public service role in the community.

The father of four daughters and seven grandchildren said he's enjoying his new duty to promote and educate all New Brunswickers about their capital city.

Estey said Brown will be remembered as a man devoted to his Marysville ward and a hard-working city councillor.