Veteran Councillor Doug Beffort to retire at end of current term

May 3, 2018 · 0 Comments

Written By JASEN OBERMEYER

Caledon Ward 1 Councillor Doug Beffort has announced that he will not be seeking re-election for the upcoming municipal election, ending a 12 year political career.

He was first elected back in 2006, and was elected two more times to help represent Caledon. Now 75, he is looking to retire and spend more time with his family.

“I think I’ve given my bit for the Town of Caledon and I’m looking forward to retiring.”

Speaking to the Citizen, Councillor Beffort said he also believes it is time to give younger people a chance to get involved in politics. “They’ve got some energy, and they’ve got some focus.”

“It has been an honour and privilege to have served with you during this past term,” commented Ward 3 and 4 Councillor Jennifer Innis to her fellow councillor. “You are collaborative, patient and professional.”

Councillor Beffort said one of his earliest memorable moments was meeting with then Minister of Transportation Donna Cansfield at the corner of Highway 10 and Charleston Side road, then called Highway 24. He explained his push to widen that area of highway, and though it was a success, it’s starting to fill up again with traffic. “I can’t imagine what it would have been like had we left it the way it was.”

What really stuck out the most for himself he said, was working with individual residents on specific needs.

“Sometimes it was as simple as clearing out a culvert. The response from them was so positive when you helped them out. Just to know they could call somebody, and I could put them in touch with the right people.”

He said that some of his proudest accomplishment include forming the Caledon Village Association, co-ordinating the annual pond hockey tournament, and most recently, transferring $1.5 million to the roads budget for construction and rehabilitation.

Speaking about the future of Caledon, Councillor Beffort said he hopes the new council will spend time on providing services for the people who visit. “We need parking, we need tourists, we need washrooms. People are going to come.”

He also hopes that the new council “can see ahead” and create an environment in the rural area that people can enjoy, and with each new development in town, both housing and apartments, that they include seniors.