Belleville Mayor Neil Ellis takes off the Chain of Office at the end of the his final Council meeting.
Belleville Mayor Neil Ellis wore the ceremonial Chain of Office for a final time, at Monday’s Council meeting.
Ellis was defeated by Paul Fleming for the top job by 740 votes in the October municipal election. The 64-year-old has served as Belleville’s mayor for three-terms, and was a two-time Liberal MP for the Bay of Quinte.
Councillors Sean Kelly, Garnet Thompson, and Barb-Enright Miller, who will serve on the next term of council, rose to share their thoughts on Ellis’ leadership.
“When I look at the progress we have made and the opportunities ahead of us, I see the lasting influence of someone who believes deeply in this community and its potential. Today, I also want to recognize the difference you have made to the people sitting around this table. You gave us room to grow. You trusted us with responsibilities, encouraged us to take ownership of our committees, and allowed us to find our voices. You wanted us to do well, and you were willing to give us the space and the credit to succeed. That generosity says so much about you. You understood that helping each of us become stronger made this council stronger, and ultimately helped us serve Belleville better,” said Councillor Barb-Enright Miller.
A very emotional Councillor Thompson, who has served with Ellis for all the three-terms, received a hug from him after he called him a great leader, and said he would missed him and “wants to stay his friend forever.”
Ellis reflected on his time in a speech, after a standing ovation from councillors and city staff.
He started off his speech by thanking his family who was in attendance, for supporting him over the last 20-years in politics.
“It’s been a little difficult to put into words what this journey has meant to me. Belleville has been my home, my community and a very important part of my life for as long a I can remember. Having the opportunity to serve the people of this city has been one of the greatest honours of my life. When I first entered municipal politics back in 2006, I never imagined all the experiences, challenges, friendships and accomplishments that would come along with it. There has been some wonderful moments, some difficult decisions, plenty of long meetings and of course a few debates that seemed like they might go on for ever. But through it all one thing has remained constant, my belief that in Belleville and the people who make this community such a special place,” said Ellis, who said that over the last four-years his council colleagues, have become his friends.
Ellis took the time to thank Belleville city staff in the room, and former Belleville Councillor and current Conservative MPP for the Bay of Quinte, Tyler Allsopp.
“Tyler, as a member of this Council you started and jumped off the boat. It made me mad but I look at what you’ve done and what you have accomplished and this Council and I are so proud of you. You represented us very well on Queen’s Park and you will continue to represent us. I am proud of you that you were able to build a relationship with Premier Doug Ford and myself. Which coming from the other side of the fence it was very well that you did that, Tyler. I am proud because that helped our community,” said Ellis to the MPP in his speech.
Ellis also gave a shoutout to Liberal MP Chris Malette, who also was a former Belleville Councillor.
“He has my old job, which I would never take back,” joked Ellis.
The new Belleville Council with Mayor-Elect Paul Fleming, will be sworn in next Monday.
