Addington Highlands Moving Forward

With the death of Reeve Henry Hogg still fresh in their minds, the staff and council in Addington Highlands are continuing to carry out the business of council, and are committed to making sure the final year of the current term of council is not disrupted,

Deputy Reeve Tony Fritsch is standing in for Hogg at the moment, still in the capacity of a deputy reeve serving in an acting reeve capacity.

Fritsch sits on Lennox and Addington County Council in his role as deputy reeve, with Councillor Ken Hook serving as the alternate at that council.

Council meets next week, on November 4th, but no changes to the way Council operates need to be made until the second meeting after Hogg's passing, which will take place on November 18.

At that time, the office of reeve will be declared vacant, and under the terms of the Ontario Municipal Act, Council will have some options at that time.

One of the options is to hold a by-election to elect a new reeve to serve out the term, and another would be to choose one of the 4 members of council to become the reeve, and replace that member of council, either through an appointment or a by-election.

In a phone interview with the Frontenac News this week, Tony Fritsch said that he does not believe members of council have made any decisions or talked to each other about what they would like to do on November 18..

“First, we will hear from Christine [Chief Administrative Officer/Treasurer Christine Reed] about the options,” said Fritsch. “This council has worked really well together over the last three years, and I am confident we will work out a positive arrangement to complete this term of council.”

He said it will be a big change for everyone not having Hogg at the head of the table.

“I had great respect for Henry, and for the way he led council. He never acted like an executive who was in charge of you, and he always held his position with a great sense of responsibility. He was content to let Council hash out decisions, and let everyone have their say. He did not always express his opinion on matters, except when he felt it was necessary.”

He also remembers Hogg as a “very sharp politician with an extreme depth of knowledge about the township and the county as well. You can't just replace that.”

He also said that Hogg was always concerned that the township's finances were secure.

“I don't think thrifty is the best word, but he was very careful about spending. He did not believe in 0% tax increases, but tried not to let tax increases get too high, because he knew who would have to pay those increases.”

Fritsch said he thinks Hogg was proud that the township was able to do certain things, including build a firehall, purchase the medical centre in Northbrook for the family health team, modernise the township office in Flinton and, and buy the schoolhouse in Denbigh.

“We would not have medical services in Northbrook or Denbigh if we hadn't invested in facilities,” and he was happy to have been part of making that happen,” said Fritsch.

“One thing that I've learned from being on council for a few terms, is that things happen slowly, over time. Over the years you can look back and say that we have done the right things to move the township forward. Henry was here for much longer, of course, and he knew this better than any of us.”

Another thing that characterised Henry Hogg for Fritsch, was that he did not hold grudges or lay blame. “He just moved on to the next item on the agenda, the next issue that we had to face.”

There will be a Celebration of Life for Henry hogg at Milestone Funeral Home on Satruday, November 1, from 10am to 5pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Arthritis Society of Canada would be appreciated. Online condolences and memories can be shared with the family at www.milestonefuneralhomes.com