It’s not always easy being the new kid on the block, but Town of Bracebridge CAO John Sisson is jumping in with both feet to try to figure out what he’s gotten himself into by taking on the town’s top job.

Sisson has been busy since his arrival in June, and has recently been going around town investigating what makes Bracebridge tick, and what people feel is holding it back from increased success.

He has included a number of key stops on his agenda, including this newspaper.

Sisson has been looking at both the positive and negative influences in Bracebridge, and his efforts will most likely evolve into a full-blown community exercise to help figure out a badly needed direction for the municipality.

Sisson is not only trying to figure out Bracebridge, but to help create a vision for our town.

While it was sad to see longtime CAO Murray Clarke leave after 11 years in the job, a fresh outlook and Sisson’s energy and commitment could be just the ticket to jump-start Bracebridge.

It would have been easy for Sisson to just sit in the backbenches and hang out in his new office at town hall, but instead he has proven his worthiness as the right candidate for the job. He has already started facilitating some changes to ensure transparency around the council table.

While not an elected official, the CAO of a community is the person who keeps the trains running on time. Competency, a cool demeanour and a consultative approach are keys to making things tick in a job where politics frequently makes waves on the surface. Sisson appears to possess these necessary virtues.

He believes in open communication, as well as involving the community in the process, probably two of the most important things when it comes to municipal government.

His honest and genuine approach will do a lot to repair some of the perceived damage done during the last council term, and to instill the public’s trust in our elected officials and the municipal process.

All are large tasks, but Sisson has already proven he is up for the challenge.