Gordon Armstrong will be setting down the gavel this fall after 15 years after 15 years as mayor of Rainy River.
“I’m not running [in November], I’m retiring,” said Mayor Armstrong. “I’ve loved it [but] it’s the time now to try something different . . . to get some new blood in there.
“It’s time to do what Gord wants to do,” he stressed.
With a fall election only five months away, all municipal leaders–and councillors–will have to decide whether or not to run again.
But with the downloading of services that used to be administered provincially, and the continuing amalgamation saga across the district, the job of reeves/mayors has changed considerably.
“The first nine years were a piece of cake compared to the last six,” Mayor Armstrong admitted. “You could always come up with a solution yourself but now it’s so confusing you have to get a lawyer from Philadelphia.
“There’s been more good people retiring over the last few years because it’s been so difficult,” he remarked.
Emo Reeve Brian Reid also will be stepping aside this fall.
“It’ll never be an easy job [and] all the changes haven’t make it any easier,” he said.
“Sometimes things move pretty slow, you can’t just haul off and do things at the drop of a hat,” he explained. “It takes a lot of time and I’ve done it twice and definitely have no desire to do it again.”
Most recently, Emo has been talking amalgamation with La Vallee and Alberton.
With Fort Frances Mayor Glenn Witherspoon saying he’s still thinking about whether to seek a fourth term in November, Atikokan Mayor Dennis Brown is about the only leader running again for certain.
“I enjoy everything about the job. It’s the highest honour a person could have representing their community,” he said.
Mayor Brown said a priority in the upcoming term will be job creation. “We’re pursuing some industry for Atikokan, we really need more jobs,” he stressed.
Like Mayor Witherspoon here, La Vallee Reeve Cecil Wilson also is waiting for the summer to pass before making his decision. Celebrating his 78th birthday in September, he has played with the idea of retiring.
“I haven’t really made up my mind yet, I’ll see what the fall brings,” said Reeve Wilson. “I’m at the age where I should be retiring but I don’t want to see everything we’ve accomplished go down the tubes.
“I’m more concerned in keeping what we’ve got and looking after it.
“I think I’ve still got all my marbles,” he laughed
Alberton Reeve Judy Koski also said she will wait before deciding what she’ll do this fall.
Morley Reeve Gary Gamsby, La Vallee Reeve Ken McKinnon, and Dawson Reeve Peter Hodge could not be reached for comment.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
