By David Shuman
Twila Grosse has been tackling tough issues throughout her 35 years working in business planning and budgeting at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport.
In an interview with the Cooperator, she said she brings what she learned managing problems at the airport to working with the people of the Preston riding as their next MLA.
“How do you eat an elephant?” Grosse said. “One bite at a time.”
Grosse credits her late sister with inspiring her to prepare for taking on a big new challenge after she retired.
“I remember, before my sister passed some three years ago, she said: ‘You know Twila, I think that there’s still something else for you,’” said Grosse. “She sort of laughed, but she told me to stay open because I might not know what that challenge could be.”
Grosse grew up in a large family and has lived in Cherry Brook her whole life. She says her family is built on service, with teachers, ministers, and community leaders. Her brother, Russell Grosse, is the executive director of the Black Cultural Centre. Her faith plays a major role in who she is as a person.
When she stepped forward to run for the Progressive Conservatives, there wasn’t a moment that decided it for her– her years of experience pushed her to want to serve.
She says getting a seat in the legislature would be her chance to give back after a life of being blessed. Because her community is under-represented, she wants to be a “a voice and a choice at the table.”
Grosse has knocked on doors across the riding and says that she sees a lot of differences over the urban, suburban, and rural communities that make up this riding. She feels she can be the leader to bring them together.
Preston hasn’t been represented by a Progressive Conservative since 2003, when the PC’s MLA David Hendsbee was defeated by Liberal Keith Colwell, who would go on to serve nearly 20 years in the seat.
“I just look at this as an opportunity– I know the timing is right,” said Grosse.