Both at home and abroad, Prince George mayor Shari Green found herself having to defend her city in 2013.
Whether it was in response to bearing the title of Canada's most dangerous city through 2013 via Maclean's magazine, standing behind changes to the city's fees and charges structure or handling international interest thanks to a new baby named George, Green's role as city spokesperson was put to full use.
And while she's happy to boast about her city, Green said it "astounds" her as to why there are so many naysayers within the community.
"If it's such a terrible place, surely there must greener pastures somewhere for them. There's a lot of people who love living here and those are the people that I'm more than happy to spend my time working with to make our community better," she said. "I don't think we can afford to let this economic opportunity that's happening all around us go by. And when we continue to battle within our own home, within our own community, over what's best it doesn't serve any of us. The outside world will watch us and judge us."
Among the council decisions Green has had to defend is the group's reaffirmation of their support for a performing arts centre.
Presented with an estimated price tag of more than $40 million, of which the city would be responsible for a quarter, those in opposition have frequently decried it as a waste of money that could be better spent on existing infrastructure needs.
However, there aren't any dollars allocated for the project, Green emphasized - not by the city and not from federal or provincial partners. Where the performing arts centre currently sits is on the city's list of unfunded capital projects.
"But as it stands today, we haven't committed anything financially. So it may be seen as in the community in the eyes of some that we're out of touch, the reality is we're planning for the future," said Green.
Than future outlook is also behind a change to residents' utility bills that may be coming in 2015.
This year, work was done to lay the groundwork for a new storm water utility to collect money exclusively for managing drainage from snow and rainwater. The average household could expect to pay an average of $90 per year to reach the estimated $3.8 million in necessary annual investment.
With funding envelopes for the roads, snow removal and water and sewer systems all up to speed, storm water was the last piece of the puzzle for the city's ground level and below assets, said Green.
The additional utility bill charge - which hasn't yet been approved by council - would be have a net neutral impact on the taxpayer, the mayor said.
"So we'll take that money away from their tax bill and move it into their utility bill instead," said Green.
The core review decisions caused some consternation in the community, but the mayor said she remains steadfast that it was the right move.
"While there are a few people who might be displeased with my work, I can tell you there are a lot of people - frankly I believe, the silent majority - who are very, very happy," said Green, added she gets emails, stopped at the grocery store, patted on the back and told she's doing the right thing. "I'm absolutely undeterred in my belief that this was necessary for our city."
