Calling it quits

Mayor Robert Quaiff decides not to seek re-election this fall

An emotional Robert Quaiff held a press conference this past Monday morning to announce that he will not be seeking re-election in the upcoming run for mayor. Quaiff will however return to the mayor’s chair and complete his term after his third place finish in the Provincial election held last week. PC candidate Todd Smith won the election with 48 per cent of the vote, followed by Joanne Belanger of the NDP party with 31.8 per cent and Quaiff pulling in only 14.8 per cent of the popular vote. Quaiff’s performance was no doubt hampered by his leader Kathleen Wynne’s decision to throw in the towel and admit defeat mere days before the election took place. It’s a move that people are still scratching their heads about, and one that most definitely sealed the fate of Quaiff and many other Liberal candidates around the province. The Liberal party, as it stands after this election, do not even have enough seats to keep their official party status. It is a stunning defeat, and one that forces the Liberals back to the drawing boards in Ontario.

In the press conference, Quaiff stated that he and his team had worked incredibly hard over the past couple of months and that he was exhausted. He took the weekend to reflect on everything that he had done, and all that he accomplished, and decided that it was in his best interest to step back and let those interested individuals come forward and put their names through. Quaiff had to take moment and collect himself emotionally before he spoke of his reasons for not continuing on.

Mayor Robert Quaiff and his wife Susan outside Shire Hall on Monday morning.

“I think it’s time I enjoyed my seven grandbabies and my wife. She’s the one that stood by me through this whole thing. She’s the one that gave me encouragement and was always by my side. I love Prince Edward County. That’s the bottom line. I only want what’s best for the County and I think right now with the wave of blue that came across this province last week, I certainly want to see a new mayor come in and build a relationship with the PC party,” says Quaiff.

Quaiff mentioned that he spoke to Todd Smith and congratulated him on his victory. He also complimented Smith, saying that he will represent this municipality to the best of his abilities, and that he hopes Smith will end up with a cabinet position. But he also stated that he thought a new mayor could make a better relationship with Smith at this time and get what’s best for Prince Edward County. When asked about his best moments as mayor, Quaiff brought up the reconstruction of Picton Main Street, County Road 3, the development of the framework committee and the County Road 49 engineering study, which is now waiting for funding. Quaiff also spoke of the 1,800 new builds during his tenure, and the hope that the County will still get its hospital.

Quaiff has had public service career spanning two decades. He started on County council in 2000 and served until 2003. He came back for another council seat in 2007, ran again in 2010 as councillor and then ran to become mayor.

Last year, Quaiff was voted by his peers to become Chair of the Eastern Ontario Mayors Caucus and was also co-chair of the Eastern Ontario Leadership Council.

Robert and his wife, Susan, have been married for 41 years, and although he will fulfill all duties and obligations as mayor for the remainder of his term, Susan is looking forward to having him home and said this with a smile to end the press conference.

“I feel great about his decision and I think it’s time he took a little rest. I have aging parents that live in the community as well, and I still work full time. So, he’s got lots to do. I hope the new government will continue to be positive and look at care because I really felt like the Liberal platform was looking at care for people on the ground, which is important to us, so I wish them all the luck.”