POLITICAL PONDERING
McDermott looks ahead
Will he or won’t he? Long-serving Essex Mayor Ron McDermott has hinted that he may not run for another term but admits only that he is considering retirement from public office. McDermott suggested Wednesday during a county council meeting that he may not seek re-election this year when he commented that he would have lots of time to volunteer if Windsor and Essex County were successful in securing an agreement with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario to host its annual convention between 2021 and 2024.
“I just made the comment that seeing as I won’t be around at that time (on county council) I would like to vote (that the county agree to a submission) because it’s good for our area,” McDermott said. “I’m going to have all kinds of free time on my hands, so I’ll be one of the volunteers.”
At 80 years old, McDermott, who has served four terms as mayor since his election in 2003, attends his municipal office almost every day, where he prepares for meetings, reads through reports, signs papers and meets with staff and residents.
“I come here all the time. I don’t spend the whole day here. I’m in and out,” he said. “I like going over (reports) the day of the meeting or the day before so it’s fresh in my mind.”
McDermott said he’s talked to his five children and some fellow council members about the possibility of retiring and he admits he’s feeling some pressure from his family to step out of public life. “I’ve dropped hints that it doesn’t look like I’m running. I’m pretty sure I’m not running … but I think it’s way too early to drop the bomb.” McDermott serves on several boards and committees, including the Essex Windsor Solid Waste Authority, Union Water board and the Essex Windsor Housing Authority. Four years ago during the municipal election, when McDermott faced several opponents, he said a lot of people told him he was too old for the job.
“I said how do you know? I’m 20 years older than all of you, how do you know. You have no idea what I feel like.
“If I talk to anybody about being too old, I’d talk to someone that’s older than me,” he reasoned. Blessed with a lifetime free from health issues, McDermott said he’s mentally and physically fit for the job but if he does decide to retire, he vows to stay busy with volunteer work.
“You’ve got to stay active,” said the grandfather of 12 and greatgrandfather of eight boys and “one on the way.”
“Thank the good Lord that I’ve been healthy all my life. I know a lot of people that are 70 who have had poor health and I mean you’d think they were 95. I feel sorry for those people.”
A widower, he said family is his No. 1 priority.
Asked when he may make an announcement about his retirement, he jokingly responded, “You know, they ’ll know its official when it’s the last day for putting your name forward and mine isn’t there.”