The Decision Makers: Mayor Blake McCutcheon (Part 2)

In the second part of our interview with Mayor McCutcheon, we pick up the conversation about the challenges of being a mayor.  Listen to Part 1 here.

When asked what the most difficult part of serving as mayor is, McCutcheon brings back the similarities to running a business: you want to please all the people, and you can’t always do that. You do what you believe is in the best interest of the community, but there will always be people who think you’ve made a mistake. He says he’s learned to take that in stride, but some of the criticism hits harder at the town administration, who are the ones who have been putting in all the time and energy to accomplish the council’s goals.

In general, McCutcheon feels that this particular council is more conciliatory than contentious. Opposing opinions are valued and respected, but it never comes to blows, so to speak, either in public meetings or private discussions. He says that people might enjoy seeing the drama of that, but it’s not necessary to the decision-making process.

“I think what I’ve learned is what you think you’re going to accomplish may not be what you’re going to accomplish,” he says. “I think that’s something you need to remember going in, is that you will change your perception of your role once you get in there.”

In terms of newcomer participation in municipal politics and the challenges posed by the fact that a large percentage of the adult population is not yet able to vote, McCutcheon talks about the principle of a generational turn.

“They started here in ‘09, or ‘11 was probably when most individuals started coming so we’re ten years in. So in the next ten years the turn’s going to occur. I really believe that.” He says the council has discussed that issue in the past and would love to see someone from the Filipino or newcomer community run for Council.

To highlight the transition from a town that was largely seen as a retirement community to one that is growing through immigration and young families, McCutcheon indicates that the schools in town are now an estimated 60 to 70 percent students of Filipino origin.

With a year left in this four-year term, McCutcheon feels it’s important to close on that finish line with the same focus and energy that they started with. His long-term vision for the town includes a lot of projects that have seen their start but haven’t yet come to fruition, including a new hospital, a trade school, and more investment in industry and infrastructure.

“If you have this burning desire to run for politics,” says McCutcheon, “then it’s not that difficult. All you have to do is say, ‘Okay, I’ve made a decision that I want to be part of the solution.’”