Regional Councillor Clark Somerville announced his intention to file to run for FCM's third Vice President

For Immediate Release

February 6, 2013

Today, at Regional Council, Halton Hills Regional Councillor Clark Somerville announced his intention to file to run for third Vice President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM). He received unanimous support from Regional Council. Councillor Somerville has served as a Board member for FCM for 5 years and is one of 11 elected to serve Ontario. He has served on the rural forum, and committees dealing with Infrastructure, Finance, Social Economic Development  and Intergovernmental relations.

“Clark has been instrumental in advocating for Halton and for the much needed funding for our projects,” commented Regional Chair Gary Carr.  “It’s because of the advocacy efforts of Clark and Regional Council that we have been successful in receiving funding for infrastructure and housing projects across Halton.”

“Clark has the advantage of a balanced perspective on both rural and urban issues,” said Rick Bonnette, Mayor of Halton Hills. “If elected, this will give a stronger voice to FCM about the needs of Canadian communities.”

“After careful consideration and consultation with my colleagues across Canada, I have decided to file my papers to run for third Vice President of FCM,” said Regional Councillor Clark Somerville.  “I am humbled by the support shown by Regional Council, and am looking forward to this opportunity to better represent Halton and advocate for our community’s needs.”

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) is the national voice of Canada’s municipalities, speaking for almost 2000 cities and communities representing 90 per cent of Canada’s population. Its national Board is comprised of municipal leaders from across Canada, and meets quarterly to set policy priorities.  The election will take place at the FCM annual conference in June 2013.

The Regional Municipality of Halton serves more than 500,000 residents in the City of Burlington, the Town of Halton Hills, the Town of Milton, and the Town of Oakville. Halton Region is committed to meeting the needs of its residents through the delivery of cost-effective, quality programs and services, including water and wastewater; Regional roads and planning; emergency medical services; waste management; public health; social assistance/Ontario Works; children’s and seniors’ services; social/non-profit housing; heritage programs; emergency management and economic development. For more information, dial 311 or visit Halton Region’s website at www.halton.ca.

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Media Contact:

Mabel Watt

Senior Strategic Advisor

Office of the Regional Chair

905-825-6050

mabel.watt@halton.ca

A man who served his community...

The upcoming new term of Council will mark the end of an era in Halton. For the first time in many years. Our Council chambers will not have the sage advice and the learned wisdom of Fred Oliver.
Fred has withdrawn from the election race and announced his retirement. Fred has dedicated his life to public service. He was appointed Police Chief of the former Trafalgar Township in 1948. He also served as Chief of Oakville Police. After the amalgamation of the Police services under Halton Region, he served as its Deputy Chief until 1980.
He switched in 1980 and ran successfully for Oakville and Halton Council. He served until 1994 and returned in the 2000 election. Do the math; he has given over 60 years to public service to this community.
Fred remains the longest serving Police Chief in Ontario’s history and has been honoured for that by the Ontario Police College. Halton Regional Police have recently honoured him with the Community Room at the new Oakville station being named in his honour.

Fred had originally filed to run as a local Councillor in Oakville for this election. He wanted to see the Councillor who had served with him as a local rep run for the seat. He was one who believed in succession planning. In May of this year a illness caused Fred to lose his voice. It has not returned. Knowing the importance of communication to a Councillor he withdrew on Thursday.

I have sat beside Fred at Regional Council for 7 years. He has always been one to offer his thoughts and opinions. He always has had a straight forward practical common sense way of looking at things. He was one to remind us that sometimes our decisions can affect things that other services like Police have to work with.

He also had a social heart and knew we needed to invest in our community. Fred always had a passion for children and making sure they had the services they needed. A she would say “It is an investment in our future not a cost.” He had a booming voice that made you sit up and listen.

Fred was never one to speak on each item, but when he rose to speak you knew it was because he felt strong about what was being discussed.

I wish Fred and Irma well in his second retirement. I know he will be watching and if he does not agree with what I had done or said, I will get a call!

Fred, thanks for caring about Halton and for helping to build the great Region we have today. You have left a legacy to be proud of.