Prince Edward County Mayor Steve Ferguson / File Photo.
Prince Edward County Mayor Steve Ferguson took his time to shine the spotlight on each councillor and key staff members, at Tuesday’s Council meeting.
The meeting marked the final one of the current Council term. The new Council takes over as of November 16th, led by councillor turned first-time mayor Ernie Margetson.
Ferguson did not seek re-election. First serving as a councillor for South Marysburgh, and later the mayor for eight years.
He highlighted in his speech that he is proud that Council tackled big items, including the new Picton Hospital, getting the new H.J. McFarland long-term care building going, the Queen Elizabeth School affordable housing venture, the reconstruction of County Road 49, and pushes ahead with a roundabout for Highway 62/County Road 1.
“The partnership between elected officials and professional staff is one of municipal government’s greatest strengths. The strongest council staff relationships I have seen, rest on trust, mutual respect, open communications, and a shared commitment to our residents. With those foundations, challenges are easier to navigate, differences of opinion lead to productive discussions, and the community benefits from better decisions,” said Ferguson.
He wrapped up his message by wishing Margetson and the new Council, and municipal staff all the best.
“Through trials and triumphs, conversations and disagreements, successes and disappointments… I speak personally that my life has been enriched in ways that you will never realize. We faced it all together, and I can’t thank members of Council and our staff enough,” concluded Ferguson.
