In an ironic twist, veteran councillor Anne Marie Gillis chaired Sarnia council's final meeting this term Monday night.
Gillis, who was defeated in her run for mayor by incumbent Mike Bradley in the October 22 election, told the public they [council] weren't sure why the mayor was absent.
"I'm not serving in this capacity as deputy mayor or acting mayor, because that particular role is going to be part of the inauguration of the new council when they're sworn in, and according to the procedural bylaw that person will be councillor Boushy," said Gillis.
Incumbent David Boushy, who led the polls with 11,561 votes for city/county councillor, will serve for the first year of the term, followed by the councillors who received the second and third highest number of votes in the following years.
"I just want to say thank you, very much, to those who've supported me over the years," Gillis said in her closing remarks. "It's been an honour to serve you for 15 years in this capacity. I've had the privilege of travelling across the country on your behalf. I've had the privilege of advocating on your behalf at Queen's Park and also on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. I've learned so much and brought so much back."
(Left to right) Councillor Mike Kelch, Cindy Scholten, Bev MacDougall and Andy Bruziewics share parting words during last meeting of the term.
Parting words were also echoed by councillors Bev MacDougall and Andy Bruziewicz, who were not re-elected, and councillors Cindy Scholten and Mike Kelch, who didn't seek another term. Councillor Matt Mitro was absent.
"Given that this is the last meeting for many of us, I want to recognize 83 years of combined political service amongst those of us for whom this meeting is our last," said MacDougall. "I came into politics 15 years ago to advocate for the preservation of strong, liveable neighbourhoods... and I did that. I used my time in this chamber and out in Wyoming to build up our community, with new facilities and new ideas that contributed to the modernization of service delivery."
MacDougall said she'll always treasure her time holding the county's top political post.
"I used my time as the 156th warden of Lambton County, to take important conversations west to Alberta and to Toronto and Ottawa here in Ontario," she said. "But, it was time here in Sarnia and Lambton County that meant the most to me and service to the people of the community that was both an honour and a privilege for which I will always be grateful."
Brian White was the only other incumbent re-elected. He was moved up to a county seat and will be joined by Margaret Bird and Mike Stark.
Bill Dennis, Terry Burrell, Nathan Colquhoun and George Vandenberg will serve on city council.
The new council will be inaugurated December 3.