‘I’ll miss the job’: New Tecumseth Mayor Rick Milne, Coun. Fran Sainsbury say farewell at final council meeting

Veteran politicians not running for re-election

Simcoe.com
Oct. 5, 2022
Brad Pritchard

New Tecumseth Mayor Rick Milne delivered an emotional goodbye to the community during the final council meeting of the 2018-2022 term, taking some time to reflect on what it’s been like to serve residents for the past 30-plus years.

Milne, 75, who closed the Oct. 3 meeting with a brief speech, said he was filled with a strong sense of pride when thinking about all the accomplishments that have brought the town to where it is today.

“I’d like to thank the citizens of the great Town of New Tecumseth for their confidence in me to elect and re-elect me eight times over the course of my 30 years,” he said. “I cannot express to you how much that means to me. It was always my goal to leave the town a better place than when I first came into office.”

Milne launched his political career in 1984 when he was elected mayor of the former town of Alliston, and he would later become the interim mayor of the newly formed Town of New Tecumseth after amalgamation in 1991. After losing his re-election bid to former MPP George McCague, he returned to the council table as mayor for one term, from 1995 until 1997.

He returned to council in 2001 as deputy mayor, and remained in the position until he was elected mayor in 2014.

Milne said he was fortunate to have been part of countless projects over the years, but noted it was a team effort, thanking the residents, councillors both past and present, and staff.

He admitted it was difficult to not run again, but said he made the decision with his family in mind.

“I’ll miss the job, but after 30-plus years of community service, it is time to enter the next chapter of my life,” said an emotional Milne. “It was my honour and privilege to serve the residents of New Tecumseth.”

Councillors also said farewell to Ward 4 Coun. Fran Sainsbury, who is also retiring from her long career in municipal politics.

“It’s been an honour and a pleasure to serve the people of the Town of New Tecumseth, to work with this staff and with many different councils in 2010, 2014 and 2018,” she said.

Sainsbury said during the last election, she realized she would almost be 90 when the term came to an end.

“I kind of looked in the mirror and thought perhaps there’s just no way I’m going to catch up to Hazel, although I’m a taller version,” she quipped, referencing former Mississauga mayor Hazel McCallion.

Sainsbury served on municipal councils for about 27 years, starting in 1982 as a councillor for the Town of Whitchurch/Stouffville for three years, and then mayor for nine years. She would later serve as mayor of Clearview from 2003 to 2006.

Chief administrative officer Blaine Parkin thanked the pair for their years service.

While speaking to Milne, Parkin made reference to his email signature, “The Mayor That Cares.”

“I think that says it all,” he told Milne. “You truly care about the community and you’ve been wonderful towards myself, and our staff and the whole organization. And you’ve always been willing to listen, even if you didn’t want to, you still did. And we appreciate that.”

Parkin said he enjoyed his Tuesday chats with Sainsbury after council meetings, and said she is the perfect example of what a councillor should strive to be.

“You’ve always demonstrated professionalism and elegance no matter what came along,” Parkin told Sainsbury.

Milne and Sainsbury were also presented with some gifts, including ceremonial street signs with their names on them.