by Jonathan van Bilsen
I first met Janna Guido, Deputy Mayor and Councillor for Ward 2, Scugog Township, at the Scugog Library, in Port Perry, prior to her first election campaign in 2014.
I recall asking her how someone with flaming red hair has an Italian name. It was through marriage, but Janna did confirm she spent many holidays in Italy. Mainly, because of the family ties, and of course the weather.
Janna has been with her current employer for twenty-five years, and I asked her if being in politics was something she had always aspired to. “Absolutely not,” was the immediate response.
My next question was, how did she enter the political arena? “It all came about at the Sunderland Music Festival,” Janna explained. “A group of us parents were sitting around, watching their children perform, and the conversation came around to improvements in our community, which should be made by members of the local council.”
Her desire to grow Scugog, to become the best community ever, led her to have conversations with her husband and father-in-law, who by the way, have had a business in Port Perry for 40 years.
The idea of running for public office was also a great way for Janna to show her two children the importance of giving back to the community. The big concern, Janna and her husband had which was not unlike the concerns of many young families, was, how do we make our children want to stay in our community, after they graduate from school?
In her day job, Janna works for a large technology company, in the process and efficiency side. I was surprised to learn her studies were in social work, in gerontology which is the assistance of older people and their families, to meet the challenges of an aging society.
Her present job came about from summer work experience, while finishing school, and she enjoyed it so much she never left. Fortunately, in her position, she is able to work from home which allows her to dedicate the necessary time to her duties as a Councillor.
“I think it is important for municipalities to attract people from all age groups, interest groups, and backgrounds. That allows an entire community to be well represented,” Janna explained.
Once she entered politics, it became evident to her, how many projects need to be completed. She will continue to stay with municipal politics for as long as she feels she can be effective.
Municipal politics is not for everyone. Many people are unable to fulfill the requirements because of family and work, and of course, a need to be thick skinned. It is certainly not for everybody, but something Janna Guido has been able to find the balance successfully.
Janna was born in Winnipeg, and at the age of five, her family moved to Mississauga, where she lived until her move to Scugog, nearly thirty years ago.
The censure in her role is, at times, difficult to deal with, but as Janna explained, “Every job or task you undertake comes with criticism and you take it personally. That is just human nature. This position with our Township, however, is one of the most rewarding roles I have ever had.”
I asked her what some of the challenging comments she had received were. “It was mostly geared to my age, compared to other Councillors, and the fact I did not have a political background.”
Janna took the approach of, “If you want to do something bad enough, you will figure out a way of doing it.”
I found her points very valid, as the age of Councillors in any community determines the vision brought to the table. It is, therefore, very important to reiterate the idea of having people from all age groups represent the masses.
Typically, many people enter the political arena with the intent of fixing every problem in existence. It does not take long to realize the complexities of making things happen. There is no instant political solution and you simply cannot do everything at once.
“The job of Council is to look at the entire community and not just for today,” Janna explained. ‘We need to project five years and ten years down the road.”
There is an old proverb from Benjamin Franklin which states, ‘if you want something done, give it to a busy person to do’. As unfair as that seems, that is certainly the case with Janna Guido.
Six years ago, while at a hockey game, in which her son was playing, someone approached her about joining the North Durham Minor Hockey Association board. “I already have two jobs, so I thought, why not?” It turned out to help her understand another, very important aspect of the community.
A few years ago, the association amalgamated with its Uxbridge counterpart, which created new challenges. When the president resigned, around that time, no one stepped up to the plate, so Janna threw her hat in the ring and took on the task.
I asked her what some of the things are which she has learned in the various elements of her public career. “I learned, a long time ago, the way you deliver the message is almost as important as the message itself,” she paused, “I take the severity of a situation into consideration, along with the emotions of the person or people I am addressing.”
Janna’s latest role, as Deputy Mayor, has added several elements to her schedule. She steps in when the Mayor is unavailable, be it at council meetings, township functions or community events.
I asked Janna what the future held and would she take on additional or different challenges, if they arose. Her answer was a simple, “I never say never.”
It was a pleasure talking with, Councillor and Deputy Mayor, Janna Guido. Her enthusiasm is contagious and learning the challenges people in public office face was interesting. Our interview resulted in her being a guest on my talk show which airs October 20th, on Rogers TV, or my YouTube channel, on The Jonathan van Bilsen Show.
Jonathan van Bilsen is a television host, award winning photographer, published author, columnist and keynote speaker. His show, ‘The Jonathan van Bilsen Show’, on RogersTV, the Standard Website or YouTube, features many of the people included in this column.
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