Summer Johnson sees representing the town of Marion as a full-time job. Last November, she was elected town supervisor, and in January assumed the responsibilities. Unlike most other elected leaders though in communities across rural, Upstate New York — Johnson did something unique: She quit her full-time job.
“I’m glad I made that decision to give it 100% of my time and full-time attention, just due to the fact that it’s been a little neglected over the years,” Johnson said during a recent appearance on Inside the FLX. She was in-studio talking about goals, the complexities of running a small municipality, and balancing the need for growth with the desire to maintain its rural character.
Across the region there’s a collective desire to make rural communities more desirable. Especially in terms of attracting more people and economic development. But developing local housing strategies or economic development plans are hardly things that can be done in a spare few hours. At least not when the state itself is facing an exodus of population and legitimate questions about how to sustain tax bases long-term.
Johnson said being elected by residents of Marion to serve as town supervisor wasn’t a subsidy or side hustle. “I felt called to action,” she recalled of the moment running for town supervisor was solidified in her mind. “So, I decided in that process I would quit my full-time job in marketing and communications to take this on.”
Despite the world being more connected than it ever has been in history — Johnson says the job of supervisor, to do it the way she envisions — requires a lot more than office hours. “Really, I’m a mobile person,” she explained. “The attention I’m giving Marion is being out there in the community, talking to people, shopping at Wayne County stores, talking to people who are out supporting local businesses, and answering their questions.”
As it turns out — a background in marketing and communications…
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