Henry Hogg wins fifth term as Reeve of Addington Highlands

Jeff Green | Oct 30, 2014

The biggest news in this election in Addington Highlands came on Tuesday, after all the votes had been counted.

While it was no surprise that Henry Hogg won re-election handily, receiving 923 votes to 363 for Gerald Bray, it was what he said afterwards that is the real news.

“My planning is that I am not going to keep my election signs.” he said, signalling that this will be his last term as reeve.

His greatest concern looking forward to the next four years is policing costs.

“We are looking at an increase of almost $100,000 this year and next year again, and a smaller increase in 2017. That will stop us in our tracks from planning to move the township forward. I campaigned in Weslemkoon Lake during the election. There are dozens of water access cottages there. All those people are already paying policing costs where they live year-round, and they will be paying a large share here as well. And what kind of service are they going to get on the water?” he asked.

Although he recognises it will be an uphill battle, “We have to look at something to address, but to be honest I'm not sure what we can do. But we can't ignore it."

Another change that is coming to the township is the impending retirement of Clerk/Treasurer Jack Pauhl, who has been with Addington Highlands since amalgamation and with Denbigh township for 23 years before that.

“I've known this day was coming ever since amalgamation, and fortunately we put a succession plan in place a couple years ago. Deputy Clerk Christine Reed will be taking Jack's position for the new council. That will be a change for all of us,” Hogg said.

“There are always issues coming forward, and budgeting is difficult, as are county issues, ambulance issues, etc.” he added.

Ward 1 (Denbigh)

Tony Fritsch led all vote-getters with 373, to be returned for a second time. Kirby Thompson won the other position with 321 votes, just 19 ahead of former councilor, Eythel Grant. Alice Madigan finished fourth with 247 votes.

Ward 2 (Kaladar) saw the acclamation of incumbents Bill Cox and Helen Yanch. Because Henry Hogg lives in Ward 1, an Addington Highlands bylaw sets out that the deputy reeve, and second Lennox and Addington County Council representative, will be the councilor from ward 2 who receives the most votes. Because they were both acclaimed, Yanch and Cox are effectively tied in public support.

Seeing this possibility a couple of weeks ago, Cox proposed that a coin toss would be the best way to settle who will serve in the position under this scenario, and Council agreed.