Marney J. Simmons

MARNEY SIMMONS -- Professional Profile and Skills Possess refined customer service skills from work in municipal affairs, government relations and public engagement; Articulate, creative, diplomatic individual committed to working with colleagues to accomplish goals; Visionary, action-oriented with strong ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; Positive, dependable, disciplined, flexible, motivated; Always open to learning new skills through training. Work Experience Freelance Editor, Proofreader, Writer January 2008-present  Editing for DVL Publishing Inc., Liverpool, NS  Fine-tuned RFPs and SOAs with Town of Mulgrave  Published articles in Sierra Club Magazine and Guysborough Journal  Edited book on American art; reports; essays; funding applications  Thesis editing for Asian students at Queen’s University  Web content writer and editor for clients in Alberta, NS & USA  Research report writing; editing research projects  Proponent of plain, understandable language Coordinator, Strait Richmond Health Care Foundation-  Fundraising accounts management  Strategic planning sessions  Communications  Marketing and public relations  Working closely with Board members to manage and further the aims of the Foundation  Continuous learning Communications and Adult Learning Instructor at Nova Scotia Community College Managed lesson planning for first-year Marine students on short notice- Mayor, Town of Mulgrave- Worked closely with Town CAO to provide direction, leadership and support to Mulgrave Council First woman Mayor of Town of Mulgrave- (received 58% of vote; highest turnout in history of Town at 76.9%) Past Chair of Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities Sustainable Practices Committee Past Chair of Strait Area Mayors and Wardens Committee Past Member of RCMP Advisory Committee Received Eastern Region Solid Waste Management Community Award for town clean-up projects Active committee member of Rural & Coastal Communities Network (RCCN); meet with government, for-profit and non-profit executives from other Nova Scotia municipalities to discuss ways to promote environmental and economic sustainability through education, tourism and community and municipal engagement Outreach Coordinator in office of Maurice Smith, MLA and Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal May-Sept.2013 Land Use Planner, Cape Breton, NS - Successfully directed the creation and revision of municipal planning documents in Cape Breton and Antigonish County. Responsibilities included:  Conducting community development and regional planning sessions;  Scheduling and supervising planning advisory committee meetings to establish long-range land use planning goals and policies in communities;  Facilitating successful adoption of a 75-foot waterfront setback in Central Richmond County Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use Bylaw;  Successfully completing numerous rezoning applications;  Authoring project reports, evaluations, staff reports, public relations materials and serving public by supplying information and advice on various land use mechanisms;  Working on projects relating to heritage preservation, land and water conservation issues, storm water management, housing and indoor air quality, always with an eye on how to accommodate and adapt to climate change. Education Master of Urban & Regional Planning, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON- Thesis: “Canadian Buildings Turn Green: An Investigation of the Role of Municipalities in Implementing Green Roof Technology in Kingston (ON) and Halifax (NS) Honours BA English Literature, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON - ESL Training, Kingston, ON Conducted English-language conversational practice in Tokyo, Japan; edited Chinese students’ Masters Theses while at Queen’s University, Kingston, ON Awards   Eastern Region Solid Waste Management Community Award for town clean-up Projects Received Janet Bilton Holst Citation for outstanding contributions to well-being of fellow students at Queen’s University Interests World travel, adventure, canoeing, mountaineering, fabric arts, gardening, writing, reading, interior design, hiking, camping Lived in Italy, Japan and UK; extensive travel in Southeast Asia, Europe, Venezuela