“Thank you council, and my best to you all.”
That from an emotional but composed District Chair John Klinck, capping off his last meeting of District Council after 25 years, 12 of those as chair.
Few decisions were made at the nearly three-hour meeting, with much of the time spent summarizing council accomplishments of the past term, and honouring councillors who will not return next term.
Klinck presented plaques to each outgoing member. Steve Clement and Brian Thompson were recognized for 16 years of service, Phil Harding and Paul Wiancko for 12, Paul Kelly for eight, Karin Terziano seven, and Frank Jaglowitz, John Gordon, Tim Withey and Mark Quemby four.
He thanked district staff, making special mention of the District Clerks.
“To them, I offer a tremendous thank you, and to all the employees at the District of Muskoka for that,” said Klinck. “I’ve made a point of wandering about inside these walls, and other walls within the purview of the District of Muskoka, throughout this community. And we have some exceptional folks, some committed professionals, some dedicated employees that do what needs to be done.”
That sentiment was echoed back to Klinck by District CAO Julie Stevens.
“He’s been a huge advocate for staff,” said Stevens. “Not only professionally, supporting when staff want to do things with other associations and [extend] themselves professionally, but personally. From staff, we want to say a really big thank you to John for his public service.”
Parry Sound-Muskoka MP and MPP, Scott Aitchison and Graydon Smith, appeared together on video, with the former mayors congratulating Klinck for his 28 years of service.
Klinck started as a Gravenhurst ward councillor in 1994, becoming a district councillor in 1997, Mayor of Gravenhurst from 2000 to 2010, and District Chair until 2022.