Deputy lord mayor not seeking second term

As Monday’s council meeting wrapped up, Coun. Clare Cameron, who is also the deputy lord mayor, said she had a personal announcement to make. Lord Mayor Betty Disero said after she had spoken, “I was worried when you told me it was a personal announcement, what it might be, and my fears were realized.” With Monday, May 2, the first day to file to run for municipal council in the October election, Cameron was letting the public know — likely a very surprised public, for those who follow council — she is not seeking a second term.

“It has been an absolute honour and privilege to represent the residents of NOTL” as your councillor and deputy lord mayor,” Cameron said. “I will leave this role with a very deep sense of gratitude to thousands of people who put their trust in me to speak up for them, for their businesses and properties, their families, their fears and hopes for the future of NOTL.”

She will finish the term feeling most proud “my contributions to the draft official plan for NOTL, supporting the community the centre expansion for the Niagara Nursery School from its very beginning, advocating for our local history and heritage,” she said and pushing for a “positive, refreshed leadership culture” in the town’s administration, and seeing the launch very soon of a completely new website to showcase and serve “this amazing community.”

She admitted to some disappointments along the way, “some of them incredibly bitter and frustrating. But such is life. Nobody runs for council because it’s going to be easy. In this chamber we are each one of nine voices that are all intended to equally matter. And I appreciate that we’ve been a council who did not always agree and mostly worked very well together.”

A lot can happen in four years, she continued — NOTL’s population has grown to more than 19,000 people, and the Niagara Nursery School’s wait list continues to grow. “That means NOTL is a living, breathing and real community. And that should be a fact to embrace and to work with, rather than to fear. Change is hard, inevitable and healthy.”

Her decision not to run again “will hopefully make space for someone new to contribute their time and energy to the quality of life in NOTL. Politics is not a game. It’s a calling, and politics shouldn’t be assumed as a career. Politics is about being in the service of people, all people, and the decisions made in this chamber need to be focused on what is good for the total community, not for any one person, a carefully counted voting block, or a very vocal and privileged few.”

Anyone who is determined enough has what it takes to do this work, she said, “and no one was perpetually written in the stars to run this place forever.”

So to anyone who has ever read an article about municipal council or a capital project passed wondered, ‘why on earth is that being done,’ she said, “or wanted to be a decision-maker in this community or even had the slightest inclination they could probably do great things from this chamber, you’re probably right, and now is your opportunity. So run. There is no perfect time to hold public office, yet it is such an important service. It requires commitment, not eternity. Run, build your team and bring your new ideas. Run. Share your visions for what NOTL can be and stick to those visions. Find your voice and use it. The town needs people like you.”

With Cameron and Disero on the dais of the council chamber, two women, deputy lord mayor and lord mayor side by side but two metres apart, Disero turned to Cameron to offer her response.

“I can remember four years ago sitting in meetings that were very, very loud, anxious meetings, and you held your calm. And you guided people through issues that would otherwise have lacked a lot of leadership,” Disero said.

“I just saw you, Clare, as a star to this town, and wholeheartedly supported and endorsed your candidacy. I knew that you would be good. And yes, we’ve had some agreements and disagreements along the way, and sometimes even the claws came out a little bit. But I still respect and admire your perfect orator skills, and your commitment and your thoughts that go into how to make this town a better place. I know you really wanted to push creating a Niagara-on-the-Lake for all people and all ages, and I think with your assistance we are on our way there. So thank you for that.”

As others also thanked her, Coun. Wendy Cheropita said she was sad to hear Cameron’s news. “I feared that you might come to this conclusion, but I will say it has been an absolute pleasure to work with you. You are inspirational. You challenge in the right way. You have made an incredible contribution to this town, and I know every time, when you come to this meeting, you come prepared, and you come with much articulation of some really important issues. I am grateful to have the opportunity to work with you,” said Cheropita.

“I liked you from the minute I met you,” she added, “before the election, and I consider you a colleague and friend, I hope that will continue. It has been an absolute pleasure, and I am so sorry it’s not going to be a continuation.”