Douro-Dummer Township clerk/CEO to be honoured for 50 years of service
WARSAW — Douro-Dummer Township clerk/CEO Dave Clifford says he owes his longevity to those he has worked with over the past half century.
“The people have been nothing short of spectacular, really,” he said Monday at the municipal office on Water Street in Warsaw, where township council will honour his 50 years of service when it convenes Tuesday at 5 p.m.
Someone told him years ago he would look good if he surrounded himself with good people, Clifford added. “This is an example of that.”
The administrator was born and raised on the Clifford Road family farm. Township council business was already somewhat familiar to him — his father Harold was township Reeve and a council member in the 1950s.
Clifford started as clerk-treasurer, one of two employees of the former Dummer Township, on Dec. 1, 1968, shortly after finishing high school. He was 18 and had just worked a short stint in the banking business.
The administrator added to list of credentials, obtaining his accredited municipal clerk designation in 1977, his certified municipal clerk certification in 1981 and his certified municipal officer designation in 1989.
Clifford was appointed CAO after the amalgamation of the former Douro and Dummer townships on Jan. 1, 1998.
He also stayed true to his roots, continuing to farm part-time with a small beef operation on 135 acres on nearby Webster Road. “That’s our county.”
Clifford won many awards over the years, including the 2010 Prestige Award from the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario.
He was also honoured with a 1984 Bicentennial Award by the province for his time and dedication to getting the Warsaw Community Centre built.
Township Mayor J. Murray Jones called it “unprecedented” that Clifford has maintained his positive attitude and energy for a half century.
“I’ve always known him to be extremely dedicated and proud of the community he lives in,” he said, pointing out how his experience has benefitted the municipality.
The administrator routinely gets calls from colleagues from across the province for advice, the mayor added. Clifford said he is simply reciprocating input he gets from the lengthy list of contacts he has developed over the years.
“Everyone is always willing to help you out with what you’re are doing,” he said.
When he is honoured, Clifford said his message will be one of gratitude, for keeping him through the ups and downs. “It’s been tremendous.”
Looking back to when he first started, the township had an aging arena and no fire department, Clifford noted, crediting local politicians for their choices. “Things have really changed and I think they are all for the good.”
Retirement will become a reality “soon” and Clifford agreed his colleagues will be what he misses the most.
“I will really miss that part of this job.”
He also wanted to encourage more youth to consider a career in municipal politics, where opportunities exist in a long list of professions.
Clifford thanked his family, including his wife Leslie, three children and six grandchildren, pointing out how his job often meant long hours, particularly in the earlier years. “They have always been a great support for me.”