Rideau Lakes Mayor Arie Hoogenboom will not seek a third term in the October municipal election, saying the demands of an increasingly difficult council term have taken a toll on his health and family.
Hoogenboom announced his decision Monday, July 27, after serving eight years as mayor. He previously represented South Elmsley Ward as a councillor.
“Being mayor has been the best job I have ever had, and more recently the worst,” Hoogenboom said in a public statement. “I have decided it is time to put my family and health first.”
His announcement included pointed criticism of the current council and a call for voters to elect representatives with “integrity, transparency and common sense.”
“The current term clearly demonstrates the need for change,” he said.
Hoogenboom said leading the municipality through a term marked by three integrity commissioners, 31 integrity commissioner complaints, more than 300 recorded votes and provincial monitoring had been challenging.
He also criticized council’s treatment of municipal employees while praising staff and chief administrative officer Shellee Fournier.
“The current council has not made life easy for them,” he said, adding that the township has continued to attract qualified replacement employees despite considerable staff turnover.
Hoogenboom used the announcement to highlight accomplishments during his time on council, including the creation of the Rideau Lakes Lake Association Committee, seven community enhancement committees and the municipality’s Economic Development Committee.
He also pointed to expanded broadband service, a new South Elmsley fire hall, park development in several communities, road and bridge upgrades, recreation cost-sharing agreements with neighbouring municipalities and the elimination of roadside spraying.
Among the more contentious decisions he cited was his use of strong mayor powers to set aside council decisions involving the proposed Chantry municipal office retrofit and the use of township-owned land on Harry Seeley Drive.
At the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, Hoogenboom served on committees involving planning, long-term care, accessibility and recruitment of a chief administrative officer.
He listed the construction of the 192-bed George Tackaberry Family Home in Athens, transitional housing in Brockville and improved paramedic coverage in Athens and Westport among the county-level initiatives advanced during his tenure.
Hoogenboom said the next council will face several unresolved issues, including the need for a new municipal office and what he described as inadequate financial reserves.
He also called for another review of the size of Rideau Lakes council, which consists of a mayor and eight councillors.
“As I look to reduce my workload, I will continue to seek out opportunities to serve this amazing township,” he said.
Former Rideau Lakes councillor Joan Delaney is currently the only candidate to have filed for mayor. Delaney submitted her nomination papers June 25.
Running for councillor positions to this date include incumbants Sue Dunfield (Ward 1) and Marcia Maxwell (Ward 2). Today, John McCormack stated his intentions to run in Ward 2. No one has declared in Ward 3. In Ward Four there are four candidates, including Adam Ball, Clarence Donnelly, David Wickenden and John Fenik.
Nominations remain open until 2 p.m. Aug. 21. Voting will be conducted online and by telephone from Oct. 19 until voting day on Monday, Oct. 26.
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