Message to the Community from Outgoing Peel Region Chair, Frank Dale:
Thank you for the Privilege of Serving
This past November 14th marked the 30th anniversary of my first election to the position of Ward Four Councillor, City of Mississauga. Not quite so coincidently on that anniversary date, the Region of Peel honoured me with a farewell reception in recognition of the completion of my term as Chair and retirement from elected and quasi-elected office.
Since the moment earlier this year when I informed my family, friends and Council colleagues of my intention not to seek a second term as Chair, I have been asked to reflect on the more significant benchmarks of those incredible 30 years. Understandably, there are too many to inventory; however, I could not help but reference a few anecdotes when I made my final address to Council in September.
While the purpose of this message to the community is not to reflect on specific elements of my tenure, I would like to share with you the sentiment that is most ingrained. The gratification that I now enjoy from reflecting on my experiences in public life would not have been possible without the support, efforts, and participation of so many people, beginning with my family, friends, and colleagues. No one individual can attain and maintain a career in elected office without the help of many people; in that regard, among numerous others, I was and remain eternally grateful and appreciative.
Moreover, I am most grateful to the residents I had the privilege to serve these many years and who continued to honour me by returning me to City Hall. When one seeks to serve as a public servant, you do precisely that: serve the public.
At this point in my life, as I prepare to begin my next chapter, I know that while what I hope to do next will be enjoyable, it could never be as satisfying and rewarding. Consider that every day when I drive home to Mississauga’s Ward Four, where my wife Terri and I continue to live, I view some tangible evidence of something in the Ward that I had a hand in delivering. For example, I will pass by a park that families continue to enjoy, or reacquaint myself with a traffic calming measure that added an enhanced element of safety to a neighbourhood. In addition, I see examples of the growth that Mississauga and Peel Region experienced over the last thirty years and think of the collaborative efforts of Mississauga Council and Peel Region Council in guiding that growth.
All of this leads up to the message I would like to leave all of you, especially the young people of our community(s). Beyond my expression of appreciation, I would want to leave a message of hope; hope that many of you will consider devoting some of your professional life to public service and serving your friends and neighbours. Granted, while the hours are long and, like any endeavour, there indeed are frustrations, the rewards are limitless.
Growing, dynamic, diverse communities require dedicated and committed people to ensure that those same cities, towns, and regions become all that they can be; nothing happens on its own. I can assure you that should you devote some of your talents and energies to the purpose of serving others; you will get back much more than you give. I certainly did, and I have all of you to thank. I am confident that those of you that take me up on this suggestion will take a fond look back at your term(s) and feel the same way I do now.
Sincerely,
Frank Dale
Chair, Region of Peel
Note: At the time of this writing, the Incoming Chair for the 2018/2022 Term had not been determined. The next Chair will be selected by the newly configured Peel Region Council on December 6th.
