Advertise on podcast: Cross Border Interviews

On the shores of Alberta’s lakes, the view may be peaceful. But governing a summer village can be anything but simple. Behind the scenery are real decisions about public spending, development, infrastructure, and the expectations residents have of the people they elect. So tonight, we’re asking a straightforward question: what does effective leadership look like in a community where every decision can hit close to home? Our guest is Mike Bruni, Mayor of the Summer Village of Sunbreaker Cove. We’ll discuss the issues confronting the village, the priorities driving council’s decisions, and the challenges of preserving a community’s appeal while planning for its future. And perhaps most importantly, we’ll explore how the mayor defines accountability to the people he serves. I'm Christopher Brown. This is Cross Border Interviews. ------ Learn More About Today's Community: https://www.sylvansummervillages.ca/sunbreaker-cove.html ------ Listen To The Show:  Apple: https://apple.co/3XwwXIv Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cross-border-interviews Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/crossborderinterviewswithchrisbrown ------ Follow Us On Social Media:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crossborderpodcast/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@crossborderpodcast  Blusky: https://bsky.app/profile/crossbordernetwork.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrossBorderInterviews/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crossborderinterviews/  Website: https://www.crossborderinterviews.ca/ Cross Border Interview is Part of the Cross Border Network © 2026

Life in a summer village can look idyllic from the outside. But behind the waterfront views and the quiet streets is a municipal government responsible for making decisions that affect property owners, public services, and the long-term future of the community. And in a place like the Summer Village of Horseshoe Bay, those decisions come down to leadership, priorities, and accountability. Today, on Cross Border Interviews, we speak with Mayor Dave Amyotte of the Summer Village of Horseshoe Bay. What does it take to lead a small municipality with its own unique challenges? Where does the village stand on the issues that matter most to its residents? And are the decisions being made today preparing Horseshoe Bay for tomorrow? We’ll put those questions to the mayor and get his perspective on the opportunities, the challenges, and the responsibilities that come with the job. I'm Christopher Brown. This is Cross Border Interviews. ------ Learn More About Today's Community: https://svhorseshoebay.com/ ------ Listen To The Show:  Apple: https://apple.co/3XwwXIv Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cross-border-interviews Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/crossborderinterviewswithchrisbrown ------ Follow Us On Social Media:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crossborderpodcast/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@crossborderpodcast  Blusky: https://bsky.app/profile/crossbordernetwork.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrossBorderInterviews/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crossborderinterviews/  Website: https://www.crossborderinterviews.ca/ Cross Border Interview is Part of the Cross Border Network © 2026

A community’s future is often shaped not by one big decision, but by a series of smaller ones — decisions about how money is spent, how concerns are addressed, and whose voices are heard when the stakes are high. For Alberta’s summer villages, those decisions can be especially complex. Seasonal populations, changing expectations, and the responsibility of protecting a community’s character all place unique demands on local leadership. Today on Cross Border Interviews, we sit down with Sandi Benford, Mayor of the Summer Village of South View. We’ll explore the priorities facing her council, the challenges of governing a small lakeside community, and the decisions that could shape South View’s future. What is working? What needs attention? And how does the mayor measure success for the people she serves? I'm Christopher Brown. This is Cross Border Interviews.------ Learn More About Today's Community: http://www.summervillageofsouthview.com/ ------ Listen To The Show:  Apple: https://apple.co/3XwwXIv Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cross-border-interviews Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/crossborderinterviewswithchrisbrown ------ Follow Us On Social Media:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crossborderpodcast/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@crossborderpodcast  Blusky: https://bsky.app/profile/crossbordernetwork.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrossBorderInterviews/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crossborderinterviews/  Website: https://www.crossborderinterviews.ca/ Cross Border Interview is Part of the Cross Border Network © 2026

In Alberta’s lakeside communities, the challenges of local government can be anything but small. Decisions about development, municipal spending, infrastructure, and the preservation of a community’s character can shape its future for generations. Today on Cross Border Interviews, we sit down with Kathy Dion, Mayor of the Summer Village of Val Quentin. What are the key issues facing the village? How does council balance the needs of residents with the pressures of growth and rising costs? And what direction is Val Quentin heading under its current leadership? We’ll look beyond the title, examine the issues, and ask the questions that matter to the people who call this community home. I'm Christopher Brown. This is Cross Border Interviews. ------ Learn More About Today's Community: https://valquentin.ca/ ------ Listen To The Show:  Apple: https://apple.co/3XwwXIv Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cross-border-interviews Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/crossborderinterviewswithchrisbrown ------ Follow Us On Social Media:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crossborderpodcast/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@crossborderpodcast  Blusky: https://bsky.app/profile/crossbordernetwork.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrossBorderInterviews/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crossborderinterviews/  Website: https://www.crossborderinterviews.ca/ Cross Border Interview is Part of the Cross Border Network © 2026

In small communities, the decisions made at the council table can have consequences that reach far beyond it. From municipal spending and development to preserving the character of the community, local leadership often means balancing competing interests with limited resources. Today on Cross Border Interviews, we speak with Bernie Poulin, Mayor of the Summer Village of Silver Sands. What are the biggest challenges facing this lakeside community? How does council balance the interests of residents and property owners? And what is the vision for Silver Sands in the years ahead? We’ll ask the questions, examine the issues, and hear directly from the mayor about the decisions shaping this community. I'm Christopher Brown. This is Cross Border Interviews.------ Learn More About Today's Community: http://www.summervillageofsilversands.com/ ------ Listen To The Show:  Apple: https://apple.co/3XwwXIv Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cross-border-interviews Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/crossborderinterviewswithchrisbrown ------ Follow Us On Social Media:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crossborderpodcast/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@crossborderpodcast  Blusky: https://bsky.app/profile/crossbordernetwork.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrossBorderInterviews/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crossborderinterviews/  Website: https://www.crossborderinterviews.ca/ Cross Border Interview is Part of the Cross Border Network © 2026

In small communities, local government can have a big impact. Decisions about taxes, development, public services, and the future of the community touch the lives of everyone who calls it home. Today on Cross Border Interviews, we turn our attention to the Summer Village of Sunset Point and Deputy Mayor Gwen Jones. What are the challenges facing this lakeside community? What are residents expecting from their elected leaders? And how does municipal council balance competing interests while protecting the character of the village? We’ll discuss these questions and more in a conversation about leadership, accountability, and the future of Sunset Point. I'm Christopher Brown. This is Cross Border Interviews. ------ Learn More About Today's Community: https://sunsetpoint.ca/ ------ Listen To The Show:  Apple: https://apple.co/3XwwXIv Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cross-border-interviews Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/crossborderinterviewswithchrisbrown ------ Follow Us On Social Media:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crossborderpodcast/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@crossborderpodcast  Blusky: https://bsky.app/profile/crossbordernetwork.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrossBorderInterviews/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crossborderinterviews/  Website: https://www.crossborderinterviews.ca/ Cross Border Interview is Part of the Cross Border Network © 2026

For the people who live in Seguin Township, the meaning of local government can be found in the everyday details of community life. It's in the roads and services residents depend on, the decisions around development, and the effort to maintain the character of a community while preparing for what comes next. Today on Cross Border Interviews, we sit down with Township of Seguin Mayor Ann MacDiarmid. Our conversation was filmed at the 2026 Fall District of Parry Sound Municipal Association, where we talked about leadership, the challenges facing Seguin Township, and the opportunities that could shape its future. What does it mean to lead a community with both deep roots and a changing future? We put that question to Mayor MacDiarmid. I'm Christopher Brown, and this is Cross Border Interviews. ------ Learn More About Today's Community: https://www.seguin.ca/ ------ Listen To The Show:  Apple: https://apple.co/3XwwXIv Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cross-border-interviews Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/crossborderinterviewswithchrisbrown ------ Follow Us On Social Media:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crossborderpodcast/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@crossborderpodcast  Blusky: https://bsky.app/profile/crossbordernetwork.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrossBorderInterviews/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crossborderinterviews/  Website: https://www.crossborderinterviews.ca/ Cross Border Interview is Part of the Cross Border Network © 2026

What does it take to lead a rural community through a changing Ontario? For municipalities like the Township of Armour, leadership means dealing with the fundamentals — roads, infrastructure, local services, economic development — while also thinking about what the community will need years from now. Today on Cross Border Interviews, we sit down with Township of Armour Mayor Rod Ward. Our conversation was filmed at the 2026 Fall District of Parry Sound Municipal Association, where we discussed the realities of municipal leadership, the issues facing Armour Township, and the priorities that are shaping its future. It's a conversation about rural Ontario, the responsibilities of local government, and what it means to serve the people who call a community home. I'm Christopher Brown, and this is Cross Border Interviews. ------ Learn More About Today's Community: https://www.armourtownship.ca/ ------ Listen To The Show:  Apple: https://apple.co/3XwwXIv Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cross-border-interviews Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/crossborderinterviewswithchrisbrown ------ Follow Us On Social Media:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crossborderpodcast/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@crossborderpodcast  Blusky: https://bsky.app/profile/crossbordernetwork.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrossBorderInterviews/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crossborderinterviews/  Website: https://www.crossborderinterviews.ca/ Cross Border Interview is Part of the Cross Border Network © 2026

In a small community, local leadership can feel very close to home. In Burk's Falls, decisions about infrastructure, local services, economic development, and community growth aren't just items on a council agenda — they can have a direct impact on the people who live and work here. Today on Cross Border Interviews, we sit down with Village of Burk's Falls Mayor Chris Hope. Our conversation was filmed at the 2026 Fall District of Parry Sound Municipal Association, where we discussed the realities of leading a small municipality, the issues facing Burk's Falls, and the opportunities that lie ahead. What does it take to keep a small community moving forward while preserving the character that makes it home? That's where our conversation begins. I'm Christopher Brown, and this is Cross Border Interviews. ------ Learn More About Today's Community: https://www.burksfalls.net/ ------ Listen To The Show:  Apple: https://apple.co/3XwwXIv Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cross-border-interviews Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/crossborderinterviewswithchrisbrown ------ Follow Us On Social Media:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crossborderpodcast/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@crossborderpodcast  Blusky: https://bsky.app/profile/crossbordernetwork.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrossBorderInterviews/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crossborderinterviews/  Website: https://www.crossborderinterviews.ca/ Cross Border Interview is Part of the Cross Border Network © 2026

In the Township of Perry, local government is about the practical issues that shape everyday life — maintaining infrastructure, delivering services, supporting residents, and planning for the future of a rural community. But behind those decisions are people who have chosen to serve their neighbours and take responsibility for the direction of their community. Today on Cross Border Interviews, we sit down with Township of Perry Councillor and Acting Mayor Joe Lumley. Our conversation was filmed at the 2026 Fall District of Parry Sound Municipal Association, where we discussed municipal leadership, the issues facing Perry, and the opportunities and challenges ahead. It's a conversation about rural government, community priorities, and what it means to serve at the local level. I'm Christopher Brown, and this is Cross Border Interviews. ------ Learn More About Today's Community: https://townshipofperry.ca/ ------ Listen To The Show:  Apple: https://apple.co/3XwwXIv Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cross-border-interviews Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/crossborderinterviewswithchrisbrown ------ Follow Us On Social Media:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crossborderpodcast/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@crossborderpodcast  Blusky: https://bsky.app/profile/crossbordernetwork.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrossBorderInterviews/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crossborderinterviews/  Website: https://www.crossborderinterviews.ca/ Cross Border Interview is Part of the Cross Border Network © 2026

In Ontario's Parry Sound District, few communities illustrate the relationship between local government and the landscape quite like the Township of The Archipelago. With its unique geography, waterfront communities, and rural character, governing here means navigating a different set of challenges — from infrastructure and services to development and preserving the qualities that make the township distinctive. Today on Cross Border Interviews, we sit down with Township of The Archipelago Deputy Reeve Scott Sheard. Our conversation was filmed at the 2026 Fall District of Parry Sound Municipal Association, where we discussed municipal leadership, the issues facing The Archipelago, and the priorities shaping its future. It's a conversation about community, stewardship, and what it takes to lead in one of Ontario's most distinctive municipal settings. I'm Christopher Brown, and this is Cross Border Interviews. ------ Learn More About Today's Community: https://thearchipelago.on.ca/ ------ Listen To The Show:  Apple: https://apple.co/3XwwXIv Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cross-border-interviews Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/crossborderinterviewswithchrisbrown ------ Follow Us On Social Media:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crossborderpodcast/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@crossborderpodcast  Blusky: https://bsky.app/profile/crossbordernetwork.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrossBorderInterviews/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crossborderinterviews/  Website: https://www.crossborderinterviews.ca/ Cross Border Interview is Part of the Cross Border Network © 2026

In the Township of Carling, municipal government is closely connected to the day-to-day realities of a rural and waterfront community. From infrastructure and services to development and protecting the character of the area, local decisions can have a lasting impact on the people who live, work, and spend time here. Today on Cross Border Interviews, we sit down with Township of Carling Councillor Bruce Kelly. Our conversation was filmed at the 2026 Fall District of Parry Sound Municipal Association, where we discussed the issues facing Carling, the realities of municipal leadership, and the challenges and opportunities ahead. It's a conversation about local government, community priorities, and the future of rural Ontario. I'm Christopher Brown, and this is Cross Border Interviews. ------ Learn More About Today's Community: https://carling.ca/ ------ Listen To The Show:  Apple: https://apple.co/3XwwXIv Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cross-border-interviews Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/crossborderinterviewswithchrisbrown ------ Follow Us On Social Media:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crossborderpodcast/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@crossborderpodcast  Blusky: https://bsky.app/profile/crossbordernetwork.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrossBorderInterviews/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crossborderinterviews/  Website: https://www.crossborderinterviews.ca/ Cross Border Interview is Part of the Cross Border Network © 2026

In the Parry Sound District, municipal leadership is about more than what happens inside a council chamber. It's about the roads people depend on, the services communities rely on, and the decisions that shape the future of rural Ontario. For this episode of Cross Border Interviews, we sat down with Township of McDougall Councillor Kathy Hamer, during the 2026 Fall District of Parry Sound Municipal Association. We talked about the realities of serving a local community, the issues facing McDougall, and the challenges and opportunities that come with municipal leadership in the region. It's a conversation about community, local government, and the people behind the decisions. I'm Christopher Brown, and this is Cross Border Interviews. ------ Learn More About Today's Community: https://www.mcdougall.ca/ ------ Listen To The Show:  Apple: https://apple.co/3XwwXIv Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cross-border-interviews Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/crossborderinterviewswithchrisbrown ------ Follow Us On Social Media:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crossborderpodcast/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@crossborderpodcast  Blusky: https://bsky.app/profile/crossbordernetwork.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrossBorderInterviews/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crossborderinterviews/  Website: https://www.crossborderinterviews.ca/ Cross Border Interview is Part of the Cross Border Network © 2026

In Ontario's Parry Sound District, the realities of municipal government can be very different from those in Canada's larger urban centres. Here, communities are shaped by rural life, seasonal residents, natural resources, infrastructure needs, and the challenge of providing essential services across a large geographic area. Those issues were part of the conversation at the 2026 Fall District of Parry Sound Municipal Association, where municipal leaders came together to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the region. Today on Cross Border Interviews, we speak with Township of Carling Councillor Al Doubrough. We'll talk about the issues facing Carling, the realities of serving a rural and waterfront community, and the role local government can play in shaping the future. It's a conversation about municipal leadership, community priorities, and the people who make these decisions close to home. I'm Christopher Brown, and this is Cross Border Interviews. ------ Learn More About Today's Community: https://carling.ca/ ------ Listen To The Show:  Apple: https://apple.co/3XwwXIv Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cross-border-interviews Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/crossborderinterviewswithchrisbrown ------ Follow Us On Social Media:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crossborderpodcast/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@crossborderpodcast  Blusky: https://bsky.app/profile/crossbordernetwork.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrossBorderInterviews/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crossborderinterviews/  Website: https://www.crossborderinterviews.ca/ Cross Border Interview is Part of the Cross Border Network © 2026

In the communities of Ontario's Parry Sound District, municipal government is often about the issues closest to home — roads and infrastructure, essential services, growth, and the challenge of keeping rural communities strong. Those challenges brought municipal leaders together at the 2026 Fall District of Parry Sound Municipal Association, where local officials gathered to exchange ideas and discuss the future of the region. Today on Cross Border Interviews, we speak with Township of McMurrich/Monteith Deputy Mayor Vicky Roeder-Martin. We talk about the realities of representing a rural township, the issues facing McMurrich/Monteith, and how after four years in office the Deputy Mayor is hanging up here hat. It's a conversation about local leadership, rural Ontario, and the people behind the decisions made at the municipal table. I'm Christopher Brown , and this is Cross Border Interviews. ------ Learn More About Today's Community: https://www.mcmurrichmonteith.com/ ------ Listen To The Show:  Apple: https://apple.co/3XwwXIv Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cross-border-interviews Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/crossborderinterviewswithchrisbrown ------ Follow Us On Social Media:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crossborderpodcast/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@crossborderpodcast  Blusky: https://bsky.app/profile/crossbordernetwork.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrossBorderInterviews/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crossborderinterviews/  Website: https://www.crossborderinterviews.ca/ Cross Border Interview is Part of the Cross Border Network © 2026