Archive

Fractious four-year Town council term ends on conciliatory note

October 1, 2018   ·   0 Comments

By Mike Pickford

While it has been, at best, a tumultuous four-year period for Orangeville’s current guard, members of council paid their respects to one another Monday night in what was something of an emotional end to the term.

With the exception of outgoing Councillor Scott Wilson and Mayor Jeremy Williams, who was absent, each member took a couple of minutes to thank their colleagues, members of staff and the community for everything over the past four years.

With more than 60 years of collective service to the town under their belts, councillors Wilson, Sylvia Bradley, Gail Campbell and Deputy Mayor Warren Maycock are walking away from the local political arena, providing an opportunity for some fresh blood to instill new ideas at town hall.

In a heartfelt speech, Ms. Campbell, who was first elected in 1997, said she was proud to have participated in the growth of this community over the past 21 years.

“There are so many things I want to say, but I’d be here tomorrow if I tried to get through them all,” Ms. Campbell stated. “What I would like people to know, is that whenever I have travelled through the province and seen the condition of infrastructure and schools and the attitude of people, our beautiful Orangeville has outshone them all.”

She added, “I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to represent the community as one of your councillors.”

Ms. Campbell is one of four candidates bidding for a seat as a trustee with the Upper Grand District School Board in October’s election.

Elected in the 2006 municipal election, Ms. Bradley has served as the environmental voice on council. Stepping aside to focus on family life, she thanked those in the community who have put their trust in her over the past three terms, stating simply “I hope I delivered”.

“When I look around the town, I see so many projects that have been completed in recent years and I’m proud to say I was here and helped, in part, to do that,” Ms. Bradley said. “The development of the Orangeville Sustainability Action Team, our urban forestry and community garden projects, the installation of bike lanes, our new waste management policy and a first municipal sustainability plan – there’s lots to be fond of.”

In closing, Ms. Bradley offered her best wishes to Orangeville’s next council and implored voters to do their research ahead of the Oct. 22 vote.

“I truly hope the voters of Orangeville bring in the very best, most skilled, proactive and smart people to continue important work for the town. It’s vital that we have a good council to move us forward,” Ms. Bradley concluded.

In truth, this was a day Mr. Maycock, the town’s long-serving deputy mayor, had been looking forward to. Growing increasingly disillusioned with the atmosphere in council chambers this term, he kept his words short and sweet – praising staff while, like others before him, taking the opportunity to thank the community for placing their trust and faith in him for so many years.

“It has been an honour and a privilege to represent the town for these many years. I’m forever grateful to have had the opportunity to serve,” Mr. Maycock said.

Two of the three incumbents seeking re-election also said their piece on Monday. Nick Garisto, who was racked up more than a decade of council experience in two separate stints since 1994, noted that while this current council hadn’t always gotten along, they had pulled together during times of need and pushed several key projects over the line.

“I know it has been quite a ride in the last four years, but I’m one of those guys who likes to thank each and every member of council for their contribution to the town,” said the deputy mayor candidate in the upcoming election. “To those not running, you did contribute to the town. I would also like to thank staff, too. Sometimes we can get under their skin, but they are always there to help us out. You guys have done a great job.”

Don Kidd is seeking a second term as councillor. Elected back in 2014, Mr. Kidd is the only incumbent running for one of the five councillor seats.

“This is my first term on council, I have really enjoyed it and I’ve enjoyed working with all the other councillors and staff,” Mr. Kidd said. “At the end of the day, everyone here wanted to work for the town and its residents. I look forward to hopefully returning, working with staff and members of the public for four more years.”

Readers Comments (0)