Cooke says that since the town’s residents make up 68 per cent of the population of the new Entity 40, that should translate to at least five representatives on an eight-person council. But she’s also concerned about representation for residents outside of the town, especially in local service districts that have had no local government since the late 60’s.

“I’m trying to figure out how to represent those people outside the town limits,” such as the residents of the Point de Bute local service district, Dorchester Village and district, and the Sackville local service district. “They don’t have the population, but I do understand that they’ve been underrepresented, and maybe not represented at all for a long time. So they do need a representative.”

Carol Cooke says she’s not sure who else will be out on Tuesday and Wednesday at noon, but she’s hoping other residents will join her in sending a message to Fredericton.

“I might be there by myself with a couple of signs, but it would be great if there’s just a few of us,” she says.

“I have to just say what everybody knows, but I think it bears repeating,” says Cooke. “Margaret Mead said, ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.’ And in these crazy times when Ukraine is meeting the big bully, I think we need to protect our democracy and advocate peacefully for what we believe in.”