Loughborough Housing administrator retires

Wilma Kenny | Jun 30, 2011

Photo: Sandra Weston

On Saturday, Loughborough Housing Corporation held a farewell event for Sandra Weston, who had been housing manager for 28 years. Sandra was hired by the housing corporation before its first building, Meadowbrook, was opened, and she helped with the initial application interviews. Geared-to-income and low market rent apartments for seniors were new in Ontario at the time, and no one was completely sure what the manager’s job would entail, other than collecting the rent. By the time Maple Ridge came on stream a few years later, bringing the total apartment units up to 55, Sandra was demonstrating a wide range of skills that included bookkeeping, handywoman, counsellor, gardener, diplomat and government liaison.

One speaker noted that Sandra even built her own office furniture (definitely not part of the job description!) She was instrumental in the development of the Eastern Ontario Housing Association, which helped develop communication between similar rural housing projects. Over the years Sandra handled countless challenges with grace, humour and competence.

Deputy Mayor Mark Tinlin brought best wishes from the Township of South Frontenac and the Province of Ontario as well.. Claude Silver and Wilma Kenny, both members of the original housing board, also spoke. On behalf of the board, President David Borrowman presented Sandra with a gift certificate to a nursery and a commemorative plaque to put in her garden with her choice of tree or shrub.