County produces video tribute to Dave Nelson
“He gave up so much of his life to make sure that this was a better community.” DAVE SMITH PETERBOROUGH-KAWARTHA MPP
Peterborough County has produced a video in memory of longtime Otonabee- South Monaghan reeve Dave Nelson.
The 43-minute video is hosted by Peterborough County Warden J. Murray Jones and was filmed while he was at Mr. Nelson’s funeral procession on Sept. 4 at Lang Pioneer Village.
The video, posted on the county’s YouTube page, features several interviews of current and past county politicians, along with interviews of county staff and other individuals who worked closely with Mr. Nelson over the years.
Laurie Siblock, museum manager, said the museum was honoured when Mr. Nelson’s family contacted them to let them know they wanted Lang Pioneer Village to be a part of the tractor parade in honour of David Nelson, who Siblock said has meant so much to the village and has done so much for the village.
According to Siblock, the procession around the museum was led by a Sawyer-Massey steam engine. “Dave was instrumental in helping to get the support and the funds to restore that incredible piece of equipment,” she said.
Tim Belch, the North Monaghan Ward councillor of Cavan Monaghan Township, said Mr. Nelson was somebody that you could count on and go to for advice. “I really appreciated that,” he said.
Mary Smith, former mayor of Selwyn Township, said Mr. Nelson always wanted to do the right thing for the people. “What I remember most about Dave was his commitment to people,” she said. “We’re so lucky that Dave committed all those years to our communities and to Lang Pioneer Village.”
Mary Spence, the county’s human resources director, said Mr. Nelson was the reason she got employed at the county.
“Without him, I wouldn’t have found out about the job posting for an HR co-ordinator back in 2003, and that led me to my position now,” she said.
Rodger Bonneau, mayor of Asphodel-Norwood, said when he was deputy mayor, he would have been lost without Mr. Nelson’s insight and wisdom. “Dave, you will be missed,” he said.
Former Asphodel-Norwood Township reeve Doug Pearcy said he worked on council with Mr. Nelson for 21 years.
“I never met a man who was prouder and more loyal to his community, and I’m not talking only politics,” he said.
Ron Windover, deputy mayor of Trent Lakes, said Mr. Nelson did a lot of volunteer work in the region, not as a politician, but as a resident.
Peter borough County wouldn’t be what it is today if it wasn’t for Mr. Nelson, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith said. “He gave up so much of his life to make sure that this was a better community,” Smith said.