Smith Notes That Her Work Experience Could Be Useful

Jan 10, 2024

Before Fran Smith began her career in municipal politics, she worked for the former township of Oso, as a clerk-administrator.
She thinks bringing that perspective to her political role is an asset when managing the relationship between Council and Staff.
“I think that may be useful this year as we transition to a new Chief Administrator at Frontenac County,” she said.
In fact, while her decision to take on the role of Frontenac County Warden in 2024 was not related to hearing that the current Chief Administrator, Kelly Pender, will be leaving later this spring, the two events did happen at about the same time.
“I was not really thinking about another year as Warden, even though I was Ron’s deputy last year,” she said, “I was just going from day to day, and it was only in November that I decided that if I was going to do the job again this term, it might as well be this year.”
She had some health issues last year, and was dealing with them, while remaining busy as mayor and deputy warden, as well as being an active volunteer with the Sharbot Lake Legion Branch and Board Chair of the Local Family Health Team.
“I was feeling stronger in November and decided to put myself forward, and it was about then that we heard Kelly was planning to leave. He really has done a lot for the county over the past 10 years, but don’t tell him that because it will go to his head,” she said, “and among the things he has done is to really work with the CAOs of the townships. I think that has really raised the county’s position with the CAOs. And the staff certainly respect him and work hard. The county and the townships have a better relationship than they did when he started.”
She understands that because Frontenac County spends a lot of time dealing with both Frontenac Paramedic Services and long term care, as owner of Fairmount Home, it has less of a profile with most county residents than their own townships do.
“But I think with county planners working for three of the townships, the communal servicing initiative, and the IT service that we all use, Frontenac County has become more of a recognised asset, certainly for staff and council at the townships, even if the residents aren’t as aware of what the County does as they could be.”
She also said that with the long distance between her home, which is close to the Central and North Frontenac boundary on a back road, and the County Office in Glenburnie, she has no issue with holding meetings full, or partially, over Zoom, if the weather is a challenge.
“We proved that we can do that during the pandemic, and I have no problem doing it now.”
She also said she is confident that Susan Irwin, who is the Deputy Mayor in Central Frontenac this year, will be capable of standing in for her, if she is tied up with county business.
While she expects this to be her last year as Frontenac County Warden as she is contemplating retiring from politics after this term, she also said she finds that she thrives on remaining busy.
“The main thing is that I still enjoy the job, and I do like to keep busy. You can always find me at the Legion on Friday nights, doing dishes.”