NORTH PERTH – Longtime North Perth councillor and former Perth County Warden Meredith (Mert) Schneider has passed away.
MERT SCHNIEDER
Schneider, 75, was one of the area’s longest-tenured municipal politicians, having served as a Wallace Township (Ward) councillor for close to four decades; he was first elected to office as a councillor in 1980. He was also a member of Perth County council for 18 years, with two spent as warden.
“When I was first elected to Wallace Council, you can imagine that I had a lot of questions,” stated North Perth councillor and former mayor Julie Behrns in an email.
“What impressed me, was his patience. Mert always took the time and energy to ensure I understood the issues. I will say Mert always had the sincerest intent to do the very best he could for the people.”
Schneider also served as deputy reeve and reeve of Wallace Township for 10 years prior to North Perth’s amalgamation in 1998. He was a dedicated farmer and passionately represented all who worked in the agricultural sector, serving on the Palmerston Agricultural Society, with the Perth County Beef Farmers, and as an advisory councilor with the Ontario Cattlemen’s Association.
Schneider passed away on June 13 at the family farm just south of Palmerston where he was born in 1946 and resided all his life. He was married to wife Nancy (Berlett) for 47 years, was the father of four children and grandfather to nine.
“On behalf of county council and staff I want to offer my sincere condolences to his wife Nancy, his children and his family and friends,” said Perth County Warden Jim Aitcheson in a release issued on Monday.
“Flags will remain lowered at county facilities until Schneider’s funeral on June 17.”