Columbus to retire from municipal politics

Ward 3 Norfolk councillor Michael Columbus at a Wagner Memorial Teeterville Legion Branch 526 Remembrance Day service. 

Luke Edwards

Grant Haven Media

When his daughter was just learning to talk, Michael Columbus remembers getting ready one evening to head out and the toddler asking: ‘Is daddy going to another meeting?’

That daughter now has her own career, working municipally in neighbouring Haldimand County. It shows just how long Columbus’ political career has spanned. But in a few short months, the Ward 3 Norfolk councillor won’t have to trudge off to any council meetings or read any lengthy agenda packages.

Towards the end of the May 12 council-in-committee, Columbus announced his intention to leave politics following this fall’s municipal elections. Columbus has been a Norfolk councillor for 26 years, and spent 14 years before that with the previous Delhi Township council.

Columbus told his council colleagues he’d been quietly contemplating his future in politics for a while, and had begun receiving questions from the public. Initially he thought he’d make a decision later, but in the interest of fairness to others who may choose to run, he decided to announce his decision now.

“It’s time to move on,” he said, before receiving a standing ovation from those around the horseshoe, a rare occurrence in any council meeting.

“I want to thank the residents of Ward 3, Delhi-Windham, for the privilege and the pleasure of serving as their Ward 3 councillor.”

In a followup interview, Columbus said 40 years is a long time to do anything, let alone be in politics. However, he also suggested a recent rise in political nastiness at the municipal level pushed him to consider retirement.

“It’s getting really bad,” he said, adding false and negative attacks online have gotten out of hand.

Still, Columbus said he’ll look back fondly on his time in politics and will miss the job. He said he always enjoyed the meetings and working on major issues for his ward and Norfolk as a whole.

And given the long career, there were many issues. He came from a family that paid attention to local politics and Columbus recalled following his parents’ lead and taking an interest early on.

Over the years he remembers some of the big events, like the Delhi diaper fire, which spanned three days and required support from local business Vanden Bussche Irrigation to get under control.

He also remembered pushing to keep the local Delhi tobacco warehouse open, the controversy that came with the arrival of wind turbines, the recreational hub project that never materialized, and Forestry Farm Road gas wells, which still haven’t been fully resolved.

Throughout it all, Columbus said he tried to remain focused on leadership and community commitment. He recalled his motto that he used for campaign material: “Hands-on councillor who leads from the trenches, and always has his ears to the ground and eyes to the future.”

Following the surprise announcement, council colleagues took turns thanking Columbus for his service and contributions.

“Class act, what a great example you’ve set,” said Coun. Adam Veri, who chaired the May 12 meeting but has spent most the past few years sitting next to Columbus at council.

“Sitting next to you for the first three years has been helpful, lots of great insight, and I appreciate it.”

Coun. Alan Duthie, who typically sits to Columbus’ left in meetings, was equally full of praise.

“I think you’ve done an absolutely admirable job and this community and your ward is all the better for it,” he said.

Coun. Linda Vandendriessche said Columbus has been a great mentor to newer councillors and that his departure will be felt.

“It’s a better place with you here than not,” she said.

Others, like Coun. Chris Van Paassen, said they got to know Columbus outside the political sphere first. Van Paassen met Columbus through their connections in agriculture - Van Paassen’s a farmer and Columbus worked for the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs - before joining municipal politics.

“Not once have I ever questioned his knowledge, his history, the facts that he brings forward and the help he was giving us young fellas in both of those lines of work,” he said.

Columbus offered some advice for those eyeing a role on local council that could be summed up mostly with two words: integrity and communication.

“You have to have integrity right off the bat,” he said. “Go door-to-door as much as possible…(and) return calls and emails.”

Columbus will remain on as councillor until after the municipal elections set for Oct. 26.