John McDougall

Sep 25, 2014

Councillor

John McDougall – Putting experience into practice

After four years on council, John McDougall says that he is barely getting going.

“It took a time to get used to how everything works,” he said.

That being said, looking back at the issues he identified last time around, when he was running for his first term, a number of things have been accomplished, including keeping an ambulance base in Parham, and securing the future of the Verona Medical Centre.

Becoming a member of Council was a continuation of a long history of community involvement for John McDougall since he arrived in the Verona area in 1976 and became the music teacher in what is now Central and North Frontenac. He eventually became a school principal and worked at schools in Frontenac County and Kingston until his retirement in 1995.

He has taken leadership roles with the Verona Lions Club, and with his wife Ann has been involved with the Verona Festival, North Frontenac Little Theatre and Trinity United Church in Verona.

“One of my frustrations on Council has been our inability to get any new seniors’ housing in Portland or anywhere else in the township,” he said.

He is currently the council representative for South Frontenac on Frontenac County Council, and he is ready to sit at the county again if re-elected, along with the new mayor, provided that is the will of the new Council.

“There has been a completely different feel in the room at county council over the past few months and I find it refreshing. I'm not sure all the councils are in tune with this new atmosphere just yet, and I look forward to playing a role over the next term.”

As part of his county role, seniors’ housing has been an item he has been working on, and if elected and returned to the county he would continue those efforts.

Another issue that he thinks will be important for the new Council will be septic re-inspections on waterfront properties, which he supports.