County’s mayor will not seek third term; ‘changes significant’

– Sharon Harrison photo

By Sharon Harrison
Prince Edward County mayor Steve Ferguson announced today he will not be running in October’s municipal election. Ferguson has completed two four-year terms as mayor, where he was first elected in 2018, and re-elected in 2022. Prior to that, he was councillor for South Marysburgh ward from 2014-2018.

“This decision has certainly not been made lightly, but I think it important that you hear this news directly from me,” began Ferguson, adding the decision “has been a long time coming”.

He shared the news at a small informal media event Wednesday morning at Shire Hall where he spoke to the accomplishments made, the contributions and leadership of staff, and what prompted the decision. He also spoke to the many changes and challenges the County has seen, especially since the COVID pandemic, and how life in municipal government has changed, and while not an easy job, he did highlight how gratifying and rewarding it has been.

“We live in a community unlike any other in the province, and I dare say, the country, and it remains my distinct honour and privilege to serve as the mayor of Prince Edward County. A fact I am reminded of every time I wear the chain of office, until the conclusion of our term on Nov. 14.”

Ferguson noted a great deal has been accomplished over the 12 years with council, such as the approval of construction of a new hospital, as well as a new long-term care home, supporting and approving Campfire Circle’s new facility in Bloomfield, and the approval of the County Road 1/Hwy 62 intersection roundabout.

Also, he noted securing the Queen Elizabeth school property for affordable housing and social services, implementing the municipal accommodation tax and major relief programs, and developing and adopting both the new asset management plan and the revised official plan.

He spoke to having called three states of emergency related to flooding and severe weather, and dealing with significant challenges due to the pandemic.

Of course, the most significant, and most recent accomplishment was securing necessary funding for the full reconstruction of County Road 49 – a project that began when he was a councillor.

Ferguson was quick to acknowledge that all that has been achieved isn’t just down to one person, or even the 14-member council, but also municipal staff who he said have been instrumental in achieving these results with their professionalism, leadership and expertise.

“The collective record of our achievements during this period is both considerable and commendable, and I am very proud to have contributed to these outcomes,” he shared. “However, our success has been good in large part by the leadership, commitment and collaboration of the members of council and municipal staff, not to mention the dozens of volunteers.”

As for unfinished business, he cited the water and wastewater infrastructure, so that housing can be completed. “We’ll see how that goes and I’d like to see that come to fruition.” Also, getting affordable housing built has been slow, he said, but “we will get there. Those two things are pretty important.”

As to why step aside now and not attempt another run for a third four-year term, Ferguson said as a target-oriented guy, he wanted to see numerous things reach the finish line, and he feels that many of those have been achieved.

“So, at that point, I had to make a decision as to okay, what next?”

He also spoke to how the job has changed immensely over the course of the last eight years, but certainly since COVID where he noted how some people have contributed to those difficulties with having the ability to say whatever they wanted without any repercussions, especially in the era of email, texting and social media where everything is instant. Unlike the old days of picking up the phone or writing a letter, he added.

“As elected officials, fighting back can be very difficult. There are guardrails in the behaviour as elected officials that we have to observe, and that’s quite reasonable, but some members of the public have in many ways made the job particularly challenging.”

He spoke to the how much pressure is placed on those who hold the position of mayor, and as councillors, to respond to the public timely and appropriately, also considering the volume they have to deal with, which in the mayor’s case is about 150 messages a day.

“But that said, I have loved this job, it has been a terrific job, it has ticked all the right boxes for me, and it’s intellectually stimulating, emotionally stimulating. We are getting things done, what’s not to like about it?” he shared. “It has been really rewarding, and I have worked with some great people and we have accomplished a great deal, but the job has changed, and I don’t know what’s going to happen in this election, but I think its going to be really, really, really rough.”

As for giving advice to the next mayor, Ferguson said developing relationships was important, with municipal employees, learning what they do and how they work and who they are, as well as the volunteer community. But his biggest piece of advice is, “Look forward: you can’t look back”.

“Prince Edward County has changed, it has changed significantly since about 2015, if not earlier, and we have a terrific reputation, and we have developed great relationships with upper levels of government and we are recognized by both levels of government as an aggressive municipality, and that I am very proud of as well,” he reflected.

He added he hopes the new mayor will be progressive, noting how there are still a lot of issues that need to be addressed, such as housing, infrastructure, tourism management, protection of agricultural assets and heritage assets, among them.

“It’s going to be interesting next term, particularly given the news that came out of some of the regionalization the province is considering,” he said. “I think now is the time… I have accomplished about as much as I can, and I am happy and very proud of what I’ve done and, it’s off to other things.”

He explained briefly that there has been recent news that the province is considering proposing changes to municipal structuring from 2030, effectively the regionalization of five or six areas of the province to consider how they can downsize municipal governments.

“It sounds to me like we are going to consolidate large areas of the province, consolidate municipalities and there will be a regional chair,” he revealed. “I think that’s something that is on the table and is something I’ve worried about, and we’ve talked about this for a long time.”

He said, depending on what the province decides to do, the municipality doesn’t yet know what shape it is going to be in from 2030 onward.

“The next council is going to have to be cognizant of the influences of the province and what they may want municipalities to do. They are going to have to dig in deep and protect certainly what we have built over decades. Essentially, in the County it may be a challenge,” shared Ferguson. “There is a possibility that provincial government may elect to move us to that, and the next council is going to have to pay a lot of attention.”

As for what’s next for Ferguson, retirement is not on the cards.

“Oh, I don’t know, but it’s not going to be retiring for me and doing gardening,” he quipped. “I’ve worked since I was 12 years old as a student and I’ve got to keep the loaf alive, and that’s a very big thing for me, but this chapter is coming to an end.”

He also mentioned how the work has become “very addictive”, where he hinted that while he currently doesn’t know what the future will hold, he will likely still be involved in some minor capacity to provide advice, etc.

“But it will not be hanging up the skates and moving away.”

“It has been an honour and a privilege to be the mayor of Prince Edward County, and has been all the more meaningful by the strong working relationships I’ve build over the past eight years, in addition to the four years prior during my time as councillor.”

A photographic look at a few highlights of the mayor’s terms, below:

Members of provincial parliament, Prince Edward County staff and council at the Prince Edward County Roads Department for the announcement of provincial funding for the rehabilitation of County Road 49. – Sharon Harrison photo

Mayor Steve Ferguson and local OPP detachment commander Staff Sgt. John Hatch shared their ideas for safety improvements (round-a-bout) at the intersection of Hwy 62 and County Rd. 1

Posing in front of progress on the new hospital, are Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation and Auxiliary members, along with members of the county Family Health Team, MPP Tyler Allsopp builders Sullivan & Son Limited and Mayor Steve Ferguson.

Speakers at the official announcement of Monarch Reserve included SSJI President and South Marysburgh councillor John Hirsch, County Mayor Steve Ferguson, MPP Todd Smith, NCC’s Mark Stabb and Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks David Piccini, with Max. – Sue Capon photo

John Jordan, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Long-Term Care, was joined by Bay of Quinte MPP Tyler Allsopp, Mayor Steve Ferguson and Dione Mills, H.J. McFarland’s Acting Director of Long-Term Care, at the ground breaking ceremony for the County’s new long term care home. – Sue Capon photo

Noting COVID-19 has forced everybody to make sacrifices, with local businesses particularly hard hit, Mayor Steve Ferguson admires signs that sprung up on plywood hiding renovations at County Canteen. Artist Nella Casson and friend Emily Sanders started the postings to the wall and hope others will be inspired to leave a message of hope. “Sometimes magic just comes out of nowhere to lift spirits a bit during this oppressive time,” said Ferguson. – Mark Kerr photo

Prince Edward County Mayor Robert Quaiff and his wife Susan congratulate Mayor-elect Steve Ferguson and his partner Mary Malone following the 2018 election win. – Sue Capon photo