Written By Cathy Burghardt-Jesson, Mayor of Lucan-Biddulph
As I prepare to leave elected office, I have found myself reflecting on what has been an incredible journey. I have been fortunate to serve on Council for four terms. The last 16 years have been about much more than attending meetings and making decisions. They have been about people—listening to residents, working with Council and staff, supporting volunteers and community organizations, celebrating local businesses, and helping shape the future of a community I am privileged to call home.
There are many accomplishments from these years that I will always be particularly proud of. The revitalization of the Lucan Biddulph Community Memorial Centre was years in the making. As many of you have heard me say over the years, our community centre and arena is a place where virtually every resident will step foot at least once during the year. We have always been proud of this facility, and with the investments we have made, we can continue to be proud of it for years to come.
Another accomplishment, also years in the making, was securing a successful grant for the expansion of our Wastewater Treatment Plant. Infrastructure projects are not always exciting, but they are essential to our future. This investment has helped ensure that our community can accommodate responsible growth while maintaining the services residents depend upon. Over the years, we have also invested in roads, water and wastewater infrastructure, emergency services, downtown beautification, recreation and other community needs. Each decision has required balancing priorities, managing limited resources and thinking not only about today, but about the community we want to leave for the next generation.
This reflection would not be complete without remembering winning Kraft Hockeyville in 2018. Who would have ever thought we would have memories of hosting the Battle of Ontario? And when the announcement was made, it felt like we blew the roof off the gym! Certainly, everything that came from winning was wonderful, but what I remember most is how our community came together. Residents, businesses, volunteers, organizations and families rallied around a common goal. It was a remarkable demonstration of the pride and spirit that exists in Lucan Biddulph.
Of course, holding elected office is not always easy. There are difficult decisions, differing opinions and moments when there is no perfect answer. Challenges arise that cannot be anticipated—the pandemic being one. We were tested, but we survived. I have learned that good leadership requires listening, patience, compromise and, above all, a willingness to keep working toward what is best for the community.
Personally, this experience has been more than I ever imagined. I have been involved in conversations, projects and at tables I never contemplated. I have also been honoured to serve the communities of Middlesex County as Warden.
When I look back, it is not the meetings or projects that I will remember most. I will remember the people—especially the residents who took the time to share an idea, raise a concern or simply say thank you. I am also deeply grateful for the opportunity to work with incredible Council colleagues who have been dedicated to doing their best for our community.
I cannot say enough about our Lucan Biddulph municipal staff. For a community our size, we are incredibly fortunate to have the people we do working for us. They are knowledgeable, committed and dedicated to serving our residents. Council may set direction and make decisions, but it is our staff who do the heavy lifting to turn those decisions into action. That work should never go unnoticed or unrecognized, and I sincerely thank them.
I leave office with tremendous pride in Lucan Biddulph and confidence in its future. To everyone who placed their trust in me over these years—thank you. Serving as Mayor has been one of the greatest privileges of my life.
