Sandra Stanway – Chronicle writer
Frank Fazio is the latest intern to be working for the City of Brooks and in just a couple of weeks of joining the city’s structure, he’s already reconsidering his future as a bank employee.
Fazio graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Waterloo in Ontario. He took economics with an interest in finance but he said, “With each passing day it seems that my interest is a little bit everywhere.”
He added that he’s into a Hall of Fame project for the City’s Centennial 2010.
“Just researching and doing historical information is fascinating on its own and learning about the community, the pioneers. I definitely think my plans have changed a little bit, but my plans are still there in economics.”
The Alberta Municipal Internship Program was introduced in 2002 to help municipalities in the future.
“A big part of my job will be learning about what’s going on and getting first hand experience in each department and giving input on a time to time basis, and just helping with projects,” he said.
Fazio will spend four more weeks in the administrative department, then over the remainder of the year as an intern, he’ll move to protective services, public works, governance and parks and recreation.
Like Brooks’ other two interns, Travais Anderson and Dan Quinn, Fazio hopes that he will find a spot on the city’s permanent payroll eventually.
“They both now have great positions. The first intern, Travais Anderson is now doing the tangible assets project and Dan Quinn has just become the economic development officer. I would love to learn as much as I can from them, in order to, perhaps stay on with the city. I’ve only been here two-and-a-half weeks, but I love it here. It’s so close to everything,” Fazio said.
The 24-year-old arrived to Brooks from Milton, ON, a town 40 kilometres west of Toronto. Compared to his hometown, Fazio sees similarities in Brooks.
“If you relate it to Milton- Milton is small and out of the way, when you come to Ontario. Brooks is small compared to Calgary and Edmonton, and it’s a little bit removed. In relative terms, it’s the same. I welcome the change to come to Brooks.”
The first year, five communities entered the pilot project. Today 15 communities are involved in the year long program.