Mary Smith

Former Mayor of the Township of Selwyn

Mary's Story :

It has been a privilege and honour to have served as an elected official for the past twenty one years.  I have met so many amazing people and learned so much about our community.

I grew up on a family dairy farm in what is now the City of Kawartha Lakes, so I have always felt familiar with the agricultural aspects of our community.

My husband Al and I have lived in Lakefield since 1976 and raised our three children here.  Over those years I became increasingly involved in the community as a volunteer.

In 1997 I was acclaimed to the position of Deputy Reeve on the Village of Lakefield Council and became a member of Peterborough County Council at that time.

In 2001 the Village of Lakefield amalgamated with the Township of Smith-Ennismore and a new era began.  I was elected Lakefield Ward Councillor (2000),  Deputy Reeve (2006) and then Mayor (2010).

Over those years I have served on the Peterborough Lakefield Police Services Board, the Peterborough Public Health Board and the Trent Conservation Coalition – Drinking Water Source Protection Committee.

I have been a member of the provincial Municipal Property Assessment Corporation board, on behalf of all municipalities, since 2012.

In December 2016, I was thrilled to be appointed as the Deputy Warden for the County for this past two year term.

I couldn’t have done any of this without the support of my family, particularly my husband Al.

I always say you cannot learn governance in a book or in a classroom.  You learn by doing it !

That is why I feel it is time to retire and encourage younger people to be involved in municipal government.

When asked how I will fill my time in retirement I say I’ll be swimming, cycling, hiking, canoeing, cross-country skiing, travelling and just having fun !