Outgoing St. Marys Mayor Al Strathdee reflects on 12 years of challenges, accomplishments and community spirit

By Galen Simmons

After 12 years at the helm of St. Marys council, outgoing Mayor Al Strathdee says he is leaving office grateful for the opportunity to serve his community, proud of what council and staff have accomplished together and hopeful for the town’s future.

With his third and final term drawing to a close, Strathdee is preparing to step away from municipal politics after announcing in January he would not seek re-election in the Oct. 26 municipal election.

“As I approach the end of my time as mayor, I feel incredibly fortunate for the experiences I’ve had, the friendships I’ve made and the remarkable people I’ve met along the way,” Strathdee said. “St. Marys is a special community, and I continue to be amazed by the commitment of its residents to making our town a better place.”

Looking back, Strathdee said his proudest accomplishment is not any single project, but the collaborative approach successive councils and town staff have taken to addressing challenges while maintaining respectful political discourse.

That approach, he said, has allowed the town to modernize its infrastructure, preserve historic buildings and expand services while keeping tax increases among the lowest in the region.

Among the accomplishments he highlighted were upgrades to Milt Dunnell Field, the recreational quarries, library services and day care, the transition to Stratford Police Service, downtown reconstruction and improvements to municipal facilities.

He also pointed to the preservation and restoration of heritage landmarks, including the Green Bridge, town hall bell tower, historic water tower, McDonald House and Junction Station.

“I have had the pleasure of working with staff and councillors who have not been afraid to take risks and move our town forward,” Strathdee said.

However, his time in office has not been without frustrations.

Asked what he would have done differently, Strathdee said he wishes he had been more successful in convincing neighbouring municipalities to take a regional approach to addressing shared challenges.

He pointed to ongoing litigation between Stratford and Perth County over the cost of shared services as an example of how financial pressures have strained relationships between municipalities. Strathdee argued that increasing responsibilities downloaded from the provincial and federal governments have left municipalities competing for limited funding while struggling to pay for services never intended to be funded through property taxes.

“Mental health, addiction, social housing and increased emergency service costs are creating unbearable pressure on municipalities,” he said. “There is only one taxpayer and municipalities need a funding model that recognizes that reality.”

One piece of unfinished business Strathdee hopes future councils will pursue is the proposed Community Commons project at 14 Church St. N, which he believes could address the town’s long-term need for accessible library space, cultural facilities and municipal services while supporting downtown revitalization.

“I do wish that the Community Commons project was further along,” he said. “I think that this project is a long-term strategic initiative for the town that will prove to have saved the town a lot of money in the future.”

Looking ahead, Strathdee said the incoming council will face difficult decisions about service affordability, transportation, child care, health care, housing and continued growth.

He said protecting and expanding St. Marys’ strong industrial tax base, including developing a new industrial park, will be essential to maintaining municipal services.

Strathdee also expressed concerns about Ontario’s strong mayor powers legislation, arguing it risks undermining the collaborative approach he considers central to effective municipal government.

“I do not believe that any mayor can be successful without the support of a majority of a democratically elected council,” he said. “In our small town, working hard to gain a majority consensus is vital on any issue.”

His advice to the next mayor and council is straightforward: do their homework, ask questions, understand the issues and avoid making decisions based solely on social media.

As for Strathdee, he is looking forward to spending more time with family and friends, travelling and pursuing new adventures without the responsibilities of public office.

He leaves with particular appreciation for the community spirit he witnessed throughout his three terms, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I would like to say thank you to the people of St. Marys for your trust, your encouragement and your willingness to support me, even when I’ve taken a few risks along the way,” Strathdee said.

“Serving as your mayor has been one of the greatest honours of my life, and I will always be proud to call St. Marys home.”