For Wellington North’s Mayor Mike Broomhead, last Monday’s final council meeting represented an end to one chapter in his long service to the local community.
For Broomhead, the meeting draws to a close a local political career spanning two decades.
Councillor Dan Yake
Though Yake is returning to council for the next term, he took the opportunity to thank the current council for its work and cooperation over the past number of years.
“It was a privilege working with you guys. I didn’t really expect you all to be leaving at the same time.”
Yake said, “We’ve worked well together. We’ve had our differences, but we’ve had our successes as well.”
To the new council and mayor, Yake said, “I’d like to welcome you to the table.”
He looked forward to working with them and anticipated a steep learning curve for all of them.
“We’ll have a good term and get a lot of things done. I’m looking forward to that.”
To Broomhead, Yake offered thanks to him and his family “for all you’ve done for this community over the past 20 plus years. You’ve worked awfully hard to make our community better.”
Council John Matusinec
Matusinec thanked all of council and its commitment.
“Like Dan said, we didn’t always agree – but we agreed to disagree. We had a strong term, got a lot accomplished and done.”
Matusinec said he is looking forward to see that continue, as he congratulated the new council.
“I don’t want to be blowing my horn, but you’ve got some big shoes to fill.” He also thanked staff over his years on council. “If you had a problem they helped you through it.”
Councillor Ross Chaulk
Chaulk said, “We all got elected together seven years ago, and one thing we said then, was that we’d be progressive. I think we were.”
“We’ve achieved a few things, there’s a few more that maybe we should have, but overall, we did the best we could. We now pass the torch to you guys, so do yourselves proud.”
Councillor Bob Mason
For Mason, it was the second time round making his comments.
He quipped that he had made them back in October, prior to the municipal election, anticipating that was going to be his final meeting.
However, it turned out two additional meetings were held following the election.
Mason congratulated the new council, and said he looked forward to keeping tabs on them.
“I may be sitting in the back corner of the council chamber.”
To Matusinec and Chaulk, Mason said it a great seven years.
“To Dan, I somewhat envy you. I think you’re going to be around to see some of the things we already have in progress – whether it is the Murphy Lands, development in Arthur, or the Sobey lands in Mount Forest.”
Mason thanked staff again for its efforts.
“To Mike, you’ve been a great mayor. I’ve become good friends with you over the years. You can walk away from this council table with your head held high, knowing that you have made Wellington North a much better place.”
Mayor Mike Broomhead
Broomhead quipped his original plan was not to say too much.
“But one thing that Ross did say is that the commitment the five of us made seven years ago when we were elected and we stayed together.”
“Ross is right, we not only said we’d be a progressive council, but an aggressive council. What we promised the public that we were going to do, we succeed in doing.”
He used his trademark phrases once more “I often say ‘Great things are happening in Wellington North’ and I’m not changing that.”
He anticipated members of the new council will not want to change that either.
“That’s what we all strive for,” he said welcoming the new council. “I’m sure you’ll do a good job. You wouldn’t have put your name in if you didn’t have the intention of doing a good job.”
He joked that at the end of the new term, Yake’s time on council will match his own at 21 years.
“It’s interesting – before the first ballot was cast, I said that no matter who was on council – the next four years will be tough on any council.” He said the grants are drying up and there are a lot of people upset – whether it was the wind turbines or hydro costs.
“But at a local municipal level there are a lot of things we don’t have any control over. I have great confidence in the five of you and think you will do an excellent job.”
He said he never really considered himself as a mayor – but more as a coach.
“Any team that is a success, you need good management and good players on the team.”
He said each councillor brought their own strengths to the council table.
“I think we’ve done well. We had a terrific council and we have a terrific staff. We’ve done what we set out to do and we should all be extremely proud of our accomplishments.”
He added that anytime one walks away from a job you’ve been on for 21 years “is not easy.”
“Say what you want to say about me, but I’ll tell you I put my heart and soul in this for 21 years. I’m walking away proud and I’m not apologizing to anybody. I feel I did my job to the utmost with a lot of support from my family.”
He added that he also appreciated the comments from council. He said it was unbelievable the number of cards, letters, phone calls, flowers that he’d received in the past month.
“I appreciate every note, email, and call.”
