Tribute to Ken Seiling will aid Hospice of Waterloo Region

WATERLOO REGION — On Oct. 22, residents across Waterloo Region will head to the voting booth for the 2018 municipal election.

But the night before election day, residents can say goodbye to one of the region’s most recognizable politicians at a farewell dinner for outgoing Regional Chair Ken Seiling.

“The evening is to pay tribute to a community builder (and) a community leader,” said Joan Fisk, chief executive of the local United Way and one of the organizers of the event, set for Oct. 21 at 5 p.m. at Bingemans.

“You’d be hard-pressed to find a leader so well accepted in the community for so long.”

Seiling, chair since 1985, announced in May that he would not seek re-election. He’s been involved in politics for more than 40 years, becoming a councillor for Woolwich Township in 1976 and elected mayor in 1978 before becoming chair.

The evening will be more than a send-off for Seiling as all money raised through ticket sales or sponsorships will be donated to Hospice of Waterloo Region.

Fisk hopes to sell about 800 tickets, and sponsorships range between $3,000 and $5,000.

Seiling says he’s humbled by the gesture and wanted to make it about more than just himself.

“It’s not normally my style, but what made it attractive to me was the ability to raise money for something that’s needed in this community,” he said.

“This community has been so good to me, so it’s also an opportunity to say thank you.”

Four candidates are running to replace Seiling: regional councillor Karen Redman, former mayor of North Dumfries Township Rob Deutschmann, former Waterloo city councillor Jan d'Ailly, and local business owner Jay Aissa, who also ran against Seiling in the 2014 election.

Tickets for the tribute are $125 and are available online at www.eventbrite.ca by searching “a tribute to Ken Seiling,” or you can contact Fisk at the United Way, 519-888-6100.