Two regional township mayors are looking back at their time in office as they wrap up their final terms at the helm of their communities. On Thursday, North Dumfries Mayor Sue Foxton announced she won’t be seeking re-election this October. Her announcement comes shortly after Woolwich Mayor Sandy Shantz said she will also be stepping down. “I do think it’s the right time,” Foxton told CTV News in an interview Friday. “It’s a selfish reason. I want to be with my husband. I’m not sure he wants to be with me, but I want to be with my husband. It’s time.” Both women were elected to their positions in 2014, serving three terms across 12 years. Foxton’s time in politics began in 1997. After serving 14 years as a councillor for North Dumfries Ward 1, she took the leap and ran for mayor. But as soon as she came into office, she quickly faced financial hardship. “When I first became mayor, all our accounts were wiped out and we had a huge deficit and I had to freeze everything right away,” Foxton recalled. “Then I had to go to the press, and like I said, I can’t tell a lie. I’m a terrible liar. So I had to tell the truth and I took a lot of backlash for that.” Foxton and her team were able to balance the books and the township bounced back. But now, Foxton said she’s ready to pass the torch. “Just my age and seeing the next generation come up. And they’ll handle it quite well,” she said. Shantz shared a similar sentiment with CTV News. “I’m getting kind of tired and I think the position really needs fresh energy and fresh eyes,” she said. When Shantz was elected, she became Woolwich’s first female mayor. “That wasn’t something that was really on my radar or that I really think about or talked about a lot,” she said. “But there were a few times where I noticed that difference,” Shantz added, referring to times where she was the only woman in a room full of male councillors, staff, and counterparts. Looking back on her 12-year tenure, Shantz said she learned a lot about politics and there are things she would’ve done differently. “Arthur Street in Elmira is a mess,” Shantz said. “And what I would have done differently is I would have pushed to have the paving done, even though we didn’t have a comprehensive plan for the downtown.” Both Shantz and Foxton thanked their communities for the support they’ve received over the years. “People have been so very supportive throughout difficult times,” said Shantz. “I want to thank them because they are so amazing,” added Foxton. “You can’t imagine how blessed I really am.” And while both mayors said they’re looking forward to what’s next, they also offer advice to the community and those to come. “When you don’t get the vote you wanted and you’re so upset, you have to let it go,” Foxton said in a message to first-year politicians. “I think you need to look at how the candidates make decisions, how they process, what their values are,” Shantz said in her message to voters. “I think those are the important things that you want to see in your politicians.” Municipal elections are set for Oct. 26. Nominations are open from now until Aug. 21.
