Adam Prudhomme
Beaver Staff
On Monday, Loyalist Township council said a formal good-bye to three members of council including the last remaining link to the original group that sat at the horseshoe.
Duncan Ashley, the last reeve of Amherst Island and the only person to represent the community at Loyalist, participated in his final public meeting after 25 years of public service. He and Mayor Bill Lowry elected not to run again this fall. Bath councillor Ed Daniliunas was not re-elected after two terms.
Ashley would receive tributes from former colleagues and current councillors.
Alex Scott, who sat on the last Amherst Island council was Ashley, spoke about how he led the fight to restore funding for the ferry and how he oversaw the amalgamation of the island into the new township.
“While we may not have agreed with every position he took, Councillor Ashley tried his best to make the township a better place for the benefit of both islanders and mainlanders,” he said.
Alluding to recent tribulations associated with an industrial wind project on the island, Scott said he thought Ashley probably didn’t realize how divisive and stressful his last term would become, but added he never wavered in his commitment to that community.
“Just like his first term, he stood his ground for what he thought was right and in the best interests of the residents of the island and, most importantly, the township as a whole.”
Diane Pearce, the township’s first chief administrative officer, who had also previously worked for Amherst Island, called Monday the “end of an era,” adding Ashley served the community “faithfully, wisely, and with great insight.”
Pearce said none of the other present councillors had the first-hand knowledge of the challenging negotiations that took place during negotiation, which put Ashley in a unique position.
“That knowledge of history, how we got to where we are, has always been Duncan’s forte. That history will be lost after tonight’s meeting,” she said. “In spite of — or partially because of — his fiery spirit, I’ve always known Duncan as an honestly dedicated advocate for what was right in the community, not just Amherst Island, but his Loyalist Township community. He will be missed.”
Mayor-elect Ric Bresee remarked on Ashley’s longevity. He said though they’re the same age, the veteran showed him the ropes years ago when they sat side-by-side in the Odessa chambers.
“You taught me how to do this,” he said. “Duncan, you have left an indelible mark on the township. You will forever be on the wall as the last reeve of Amherst Island and you are part of the history of Loyalist Township. I can’t say enough to say thank you. All I can say is, ‘Brother, I’m going to miss ya.”
Lowry also spoke of how Ashley was able to calm him down and offer perspective as a new councillor.
Ashley said he always found the council chambers to be a “really warm place” and he was leaving with positive memories, even though some tough nights and tough decisions. He really appreciated the way councillors and staff were able to work together. In his years, Ashley said council had a low average of recorded votes.
“The best of times — that was mostly what it was — was us sitting around trying to figure out what the best decision was and building consensus.”
Not bad for the product of a merger he described as “an experiment.”
Ashley said he also looks back fondly at getting the funding back for the ferry — a cause Loyalist always backed him on — and seeing where the island has gone since amalgamation and upper levels of government’s willingness to support that connecting link.
“Now the amount of money blows my mind. We went from not being able to get a penny to millions and millions of dollars coming to try to make Amherst Island a sustainable community within this township. There’s no way we get to there if we’re still Amherst Island Township.”
Ashley said he loved the affirmation in politics that people believed in him.
“Even when people are angry and even when it’s tough, the best part is someone believes in you,” he said. “You can’t get that a lot of places.” The person who made him realize that was his wife Becky, whom he thanked.
“We have to go through things, but your spouse, the one who loves you the most has to watch you go through them. At the end of these 25 years, I thank God for my wife.”
Lowry joined council not long after amalgamation when he was appointed to a seat in Ernestown from a field of three or four people. The one-time Hydro One employee quickly found his bearings by keeping himself out of hot water and listening to his father’s advice that because has two ears and one mouth, he should listen more than talk.
He credited staff for their loyalty, dedication, and professionalism, which he saw firsthand as his responsibilities increased as mayor. He also said he took great pride in chief administrative officers telling him what great staff Loyalist has. He’s ready to move on from the role with no regrets.
“I’ve enjoyed my ride with the ups and downs over the years. I’m really looking forward to the next chapter and trying to understand what the heck retirement means.”
Bresee had kind words for his predecessor.
“Bill, you’ve been a mentor, you’ve been a trainer, and a good friend. You and I have been through hell and back with this council and personally. Again, I don’t know how to thank you. I will miss you, this council will miss you, but I want you to know and all of you to know you are more than pictures on that wall. You are a permanent part of Loyalist Township and you will always be in my thoughts while I’m sitting here.
Daniliunas said he enjoyed his time on council, calling it an “educational and very worthwhile experience.” He said he found council “very congenial, very collegial, always trying to do the right thing for the community.”
Bresee said the two-term councillor provided wisdom and knowledge and his background in engineering and business was helpful to the governance of the township.
“The part you have added to these deliberations has been very worthwhile.”