Minus One

Wednesday, 23 April 2014 at 21:27

County Council seat for Tillsonburg Mayor John Lessif, (pictured) from Wednesday.

Oxford County Council bid farewell to outgoing Tillsonburg Mayor John Lessif Wednesday night.

WOODSTOCK -- Wednesday's edition of County Council was the last on council for departing Tillsonburg Mayor John Lessif.

Lessif spoke before the meeting last night expressing his thanks to fellow members of council for their hard work over the past three years, saying he leaves knowing each municipality is a strong partner at the county table.

"The county experience has been a very positive one for me. I've enjoyed my fellow councillors, it's been a forum that's been very respectful, we've always respected each other as individuals and we respect each other's municipalities," said Lessif following Wednesday's meeting.

Lessif addressed council early on saying he's at peace with his decision to leave public life, but adds he'll still be available if his experience on county council is needed in the future.

"I've reminded people that I might be stepping back from political life, but I'm not moving. So, I'm a resident of Oxford, a proud resident of the Town of Tillsonburg and I still think that I have something to offer in the way of working together."

As a final task on county council, Lessif was asked by Warden Don McKay to make the motion to adjourn the meeting.

Lessif says Tillsonburg contributes the second most amount of money into the county's coffers, saying the County Council member for Tillsonburg going forward has the responsibility and duty to do their best to ensure those tax dollars come back to his community.

"In my previous business career, I had the opportunity to be involved at a very high level and in business, the same as government you need to collaborate in partnership with each other. That's how things get done, that's how you move into the future."

Lessif was elected in 2010 when he unseated Stephen Molnar.

As for what he leaves the next member from Tillsonburg, Lessif is optimistic.

"Relationships are giving and taking, and certainly I've tried, and I think successfully have created an atmosphere with the town of Tillsonburg and the county to collaborate more and I hope my successor will continue on with that, because good things happen when you do it together."

Lessif is scheduled to step down as Mayor of Tillsonburg next Wednesday. Tillsonburg Town Council will meet again May 12th to officially declare the mayor's chair for the town vacant.