Written By Jan Sims
MIDDLESEX CENTRE - A familiar name won’t be on the ballot in Middlesex Centre in the upcoming municipal election. Long-time local politician and mayor, Aina DeViet, is not standing for re-election.
DeViet cites several factors in her decision not to put her name on the ballot, including time to focus on other priorities and the full-time commitment she says the job requires. “I also believe periodic change is important. It has been 16 years since I first served as a Councillor, and it is time for me to make room for new community members to serve,”
DeViet was first elected to Middlesex Centre council in 2010, and served as Ward 4 Councillor for six years. In 2016, she was appointed Deputy Mayor. Two years later she was elected mayor. In 2024, DeViet served as Warden of Middlesex County. Throughout the years, DeViet has had prominent roles on a number of boards and committees.
DeViet also served as a Director with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario. In that role, she hopes to be remembered as someone who advocated for municipalities similar to Middlesex Centre. As for her legacy locally, “I hope to be remembered as someone who helped residents with their questions and concerns as well as broaden their understanding of what the scope of a municipality’s work is, how that work gets done, how changes can be made, and looked for improvement and worked with both Council members and staff effectively to manage change and to get the best possible results for our residents,” says DeViet.
Although DeViet will be stepping away from politics, she has a number of interests she’ll be pursuing in the future, including travelling and visiting friends and family in Canada and abroad. She also hopes to make time for her interests in reading, and gardening. “I have weeds in my flower beds that think they have found a permanent home, and plantings that need ‘re-organizing’–in short, I also need to catch up with the gardening bits!,” says DeViet.
DeViet has high praise for the Middlesex Centre community as she prepares to leave the political spotlight. “I hope our organizations, interest groups, and service clubs continue to work together with residents, council members, and municipal staff to sustain our strong community culture and all the benefits it brings,” says DeViet. “I’m biased, but I believe this is truly a great place to call home!” enthuses DeViet.
