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Wednesday, August 25, 2010 Orono Weekly Times - 3 Mark Hendrikx leaves legacy with elections audit manual & Santa Claus Parade Clarington has lost a strong voice, and Newcastle has lost a dedicated volunteer with the death of Mark Hendrikx. The 48-year-old self-employed Chartered Accountant, who lived and worked in Newcastle, died on August 17, following a yearlong battle with brain cancer. In Newcastle, he will perhaps be best remembered as the father of five who founded the Newcastle Santa Claus Parade, an annual event in which he remained an active participant even last Christmas. In Clarington, he will be remembered for his dogged determination in seeking an accurate audit of former mayor John Mutton's 2006 campaign expenses. A funeral service was held Tuesday morning at St. George's Anglican Church in Newcastle, where Hendrikx was warden and treasurer. The pews were full with mourners from the church, the community, the business world, and the local political scene, all paying their respects. Many members of St. George's, like Mergery Freethy of Newcastle, recalled Hendrikx's volunteer service. "Mark was a community-minded person," she said. "He cared for everybody. He was especially caring for youth. He was the foundation of the church, he was our warden. With five kids, his family was our Christmas concert. In the business community, he was very knowledgeable. He gave advice and knowledge freely." "He was a great guy, really," said Padre David Saunders, who officiated at the funeral. "He had the ability to keep people on track and above board. He was a mover and a shaker. He will be sadly missed." Newcastle's Pauline Storks praised Hendrikx's "effervesant" personality and strong leadership in the community. "He was an individual who shone forth as a leader. He did a marvellous job. We need more people like that with his personality and brilliance. He was a pillar of strength whatever board he sat on," she said. "His family should don't act on them, he did. He was a friend and a great business advisor. I had great respect for him. He amazed me. He will be missed." A number of the people who became involved in the Mutton audit saga were also in attendance, including prominent Toronto lawyer Eric Gillespie, and Toronto accountants Bernard Nayman and Ken Froeze. In 2008, Froeze did the forensic audit of Mutton's 2006 c a m p a i g n expenses for the Institute of C h a r t e r e d Accountants of Ontario, determining that the original auditor hired by Clarington Council, James Horn, had performed an improper audit as Hendrikx, and a small group that included his inlaws Cynthia and Don "Luke" Prout of Kendal, had maintained. "Mark Hendrikx was willing to take on an issue with no personal benefit and pursue it," said Froeze. "He'd go after justice, no matter the cost." Following Froeze's findings, Hendrikx still had to push for Council to undertake another, proper audit of Mutton's campaign expenses. Nayman was finally hired last year to do a second audit and found 34 apparent contraventions of the Municipal Elections Act in Mutton's campaign spending, vindicating Hendrikx and his group. Hendrikx may well leave behind even more of a legacy in the accounting world, as he used what he learned through his lengthy battle with Council to write a guide for auditors of municipal elections, according to Froeze. "The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario put together a committee to look at it," said Froeze. "It's in its first draft. Mark wrote it while we were working through the Mutton audit processes." Local politicians in attendance at the service included Clarington Mayor Jim Abernethy, Councillors Ron Hooper and Willie Woo, and MP John O'Toole. Hendrikx leaves behind his wife Martha, and children Marissa, David, Daniel, Rebecca, and Vincent. Donations always appreciated at the be v e r y proud of him, he led by example." Bill Tomlinson of Orono recalled when Hendrikx ran, unsuccessfully, for Clarington Council in 2000. "He had strong ideas and principles. We all have those ideas but 905-987-1418 C l a r i ng t o n East Food Bank ~ Happenings ~ Wednesday, August 25, 2010 - Concerts On The Lawn, Orono Library Lawn, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m., Ed Morton's Gig Brothers. Please bring a donation for the food bank and lawn chair. Thursday, August 26, 2010 - Orono Athletic Association Hockey Registration, 7-9pm. Orono Arena. Registration questions? Email: Cyndy.Bonello@gmail.com. Saturday, August 28, 2010 - Rural Roots Country Jamboree featuring Mike Pollard, Orono Arena. Open mic 1-5pm, Main stage show 6:30pm. See ad on page 5 for ticket info. Saturday, August 28, 2010 - Orono Crown Lands Trust - Annual Corn Roast & BBQ, 11 am - 3pm, Enter through the Ochonski/Station St. parking lot. Everyone Welcome. Wednesday, September 1, 2010 - Concerts On The Lawn - Last Concert BBQ, Orono Library Lawn. BBQ 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. Concert by: Jim Hayward & Willowridge. Please bring a donation for the food bank and lawn chair. Saturday, September 11, 2010 - Durham Central Fair Parade, Begins at 10:30 a.m. Register by Sept. 9 by calling 289-385-8985 or email: parade@oronofair.com. Sunday, September 12, 2010 - Orono's 1st Annual Mini Walk for Ovarian Cancer, through the Orono Crown Lands. Registration 8-9am, walk leaves at 9am. Contact: Wendy 9059238 or Lisa 905-983-5336. www.winnerswalkofhope.ca.