Departing county councillors say goodbyes
Peterborough County councillors collectively representing more than 150 years of experience in municipal politics provided parting words during Wednesday’s final regular meeting of the 2014-18 council.
Ron Gerow (33 years), Terry Low (20), Bev Matthews (24),
Dave Nelson (43) and Mary Smith (20) did not seek re-election in Havelock-Belmont-Methuen, Asphodel-Norwood, Trent Lakes, Otonabee-South Monaghan and Selwyn, respectively.
The outgoing township council leaders will be replaced on county council by David Gerow, Bernadette Vanderhorst, Janet Clarkson, Bonnie Clark and Andy Mitchell.
Other new faces will include Carolyn Amyotte and Jim Whelan, who defeated Rick Woodcock for mayor and Doug Hutton for deputy mayor of North Kawartha, along with Matthew Graham from Cavan-Monaghan.
Gerow offered “heartfelt thanks” to councillors past and present for the “great privilege” of serving his community.
“It’s been a great learning experience, right up until today,” he said before offering words of wisdom to his successors. “Always remember who you are. But more importantly, always remember where you came from and who allowed you to be here.”
Nelson, who served on county council for 39 years, said he enjoyed the fellowship and camaraderie of council most.
“I don’t think I’ve ever left and saw people arguing outside of the chambers. What happens in here stays in here,” he said. “I’m going to miss it, but my wife isn’t going to miss all of these papers sitting around the house all the time.”
Smith, who served on county council for 15 years and as deputy warden for the past two years, thanked the community for the opportunity and her colleagues for their support. “There is no doubt we live in an amazing area … we are very, very fortunate.”
Matthews, who served one term, said the last four years have been very enjoyable. “There is something different about county … it’s a little less formal.”
Woodcock praised county staff for their work and called his four years on county council “bittersweet,” adding this is his third “retirement” following his careers in health care and volunteer firefighting.
“I have a note in my book tomorrow that says ‘Freedom,’” he said, urging his successors to “make a real issue” of the threat to the county and townships by looming potential increases in the board of health budget.
New Asphodel-Norwood Mayor Rodger Bonneau spoke for Low, who was not at the meeting, saying his colleague “immensely” enjoyed his time.
Douro-Dummer Mayor J. Murray Jones, who will return as warden, told outgoing councillors their contributions are not insignificant. “Just remember you were here for all the right reasons … you should stand very, very, proud. We’re sure going to miss you.”
Outgoing Warden Joe Taylor urged the new council not to be terrified of change and said he hopes his efforts met expectations before offering final words.
“We continue to be surprised by prominent politicians who lower the bar for acceptable behaviour, who encourage animosity, who believe that might makes right or that the end justifies the means,” he read from a prepared statement. “We must remember that what holds us together … is the respect for the collective. It is our right to have and boldly state our differences, while remembering that we are one community.”