Harwood, Patterson say goodbye to council

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This article was published 16/10/2018 (2790 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Councillors Jeff Harwood and Lonnie Patterson bid a fond farewell to their council colleagues Monday night as both prepare to step down from their respective roles ahead of next week’s municipal election.

Harwood, an 18-year veteran on council, and Patterson, a rookie councillor who was first elected four years ago, addressed mayor and council for the final time, thanking city staff and fellow council members, while pointing to some of their most memorable moments as elected officials.

“I leave with mixed emotions,” Harwood said. “I won’t miss the regular meetings, the information sessions … or budget meetings, but I will miss the people whom I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know along the way.”

First elected in 1986, Harwood served as the councillor for Rosser ward until 1992 before winning the University ward race in 2006.

He announced in May that he would not seek re-election. Altogether, he has served with five mayors, four city managers and three city clerks.

“To the residents of the University ward, thank you for your compliments and support over the last 12 years. It’s been an honour, a privilege and a pleasure to have served as your ward councillor,” he said.

“To my family and friends, thank you for your support, encouragement and advice. Even though at times you’ve wondered why would anyone want to do this job, the answer to that question is to serve the city in the hope that what we would do would help Brandon progress and be a great place to work, to play and to raise a family.”

Among his top memories include the flood of 2011, the arrival of WestJet in 2013 and the creation of two housing complexes together with the Western Manitoba Seniors Non-Profit Housing Co-op.

While praising the lack of controversy in his last term on council, Harwood pointed to other “hotly contested” races in the past, including the 2006 municipal election, in which three of the city’s six mayoral candidates faced past criminal charges — the story made national headlines and earned a spot in the Oct. 30, 2006, edition of Maclean’s magazine.

“While our philosophy and opinions may differ, thank you for your passion and your dedication,” Harwood told his fellow councillors. “All the best to you, whatever the future holds in store.”

This year’s election will see eight out of 10 wards up for grabs, including University ward, which will have a new councillor in either Shaun Cameron and Karen Peto.

“To the successful candidates, enjoy your position, learn lots, lean on your fellow councillors and administration for advice, and embrace the experience with all its ups and downs over the next four years,” Harwood said.

Patterson, a former policy and issue manager in the provincial government, won the South Centre ward race in 2014 with nearly 60 per cent of the vote.

Despite her relative lack of experience, Patterson said she appreciated the understanding she got and thanked the residents of South Centre for putting their trust in her.

Patterson plans to run for the NDP nomination in the provincial constituency of Brandon East.

“It really was this last four years on council that helped me to make that decision, which seems odd, but I learned over the last four years that I’d like to do this full time and I’ve also learned that a lot of my passions do lie within the provincial jurisdiction,” she said.

Patterson pointed to a review of the accommodation tax program, efforts to increase civic engagement in elections, support for housing through the Brandon Neighbourhood Renewal Corp. and increased support and attention to community centres as some of her highlights on council, along with new sidewalks in her ward and a better appreciation for those who struggle with mobility issues.

She also thanked Mayor Rick Chrest for his leadership in making everyone feel comfortable about putting issues forward, as well as her family, friends and city staff for their support.

Like Harwood, Patterson noted that while councillors shared differing opinions, the debates were always respectful and opened her mind to new perspectives.

“I am going to miss this, and who knows? Maybe I’ll come and make a presentation or a delegation just so that you don’t forget about me.”

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