io November 29, 2024 Stratford Times Friends and political colleagues remember Perth South Mayor Jim Aitcheson GALEN SIMMONS Regional Editor Fond memories and words of remem- brance about his no-nonsense, practical ap- proach to municipal politics are pouring in following the recent passing of Perth South Mayor and former Perth County warden Jim Aitcheson. According to his obituary posted to the W.G. Young Funeral Home website, Aitcheson passed away on Nov. 21 after a brief battle with cancer. He had been on leave from his duties as Perth South may- or and Perth County councillor since early October. “I had the pleasure of working with Jim as a fellow member of county council and had the fortunate opportunity to work alongside him as deputy warden during his time as warden of Perth County,” said Perth County Warden Rhonda Ehgoetz in a press release from the county announcing Aitcheson’s passing. “It has been an honour to work alongside him and his voice and presence will be greatly missed around the council table.” Other members of county council who served alongside Aitcheson said they will miss his presence and leadership around the county council table, and reminisced about his passion for local politics and his ability to tell a story that illustrated any point he was trying to make. “He was protective of our rural farm- lands,” said West Perth Mayor and county councillor Walter McKenzie, who worked closely with Aitcheson when McKenzie was warden and Aitcheson was deputy warden. “He was a straight shooter and you never had to guess what he was think- ing. He would get a twinkle in his eye and a smile would appear on his face, and you knew that there was going to be one of Jim’s one-liner statements about to be heard.” North Perth Mayor Todd Kasenberg, who also worked closely with Aitcheson as a fel- low member of county council, described Aitcheson as “passionately fair, stalwart in what was important and possessing a rare mix of humour, wisdom and kindness.” “As warden, he oversaw with grace and skill some rather difficult times during the pandemic. It may be in that service that (PERTH ean PHOTO) Perth South Mayor and former P< ty warden Jim Aitcheson died Nov. 24 after a brief battle with cancer. we owe him our biggest gratitude. He was part curmudgeon and part storyteller, and I enjoyed every minute of our public and be- hind-the-scenes work together. A call with Jim was always a treat because he called it straight and was very reassuring. You knew where he stood and why he stood there.” Aitcheson was first elected as councillor for the Downie Ward in the Township of Perth South in 2006. He served as Down- ie Ward councillor until 2022 when he was elected mayor of the Township of Perth outh. Aitcheson spent a total of 13 years serv- ing on Perth County council. He was elect- ed warden of Perth County for three years spanning from 2019-2022. In his time as warden, he led the county through the un- precedented COVID-19 pandemic. Aitches- on was a tireless advocate for rural life and served on many committees of council. “Jim was never afraid to speak his mind,” Perth South acting Mayor Sue Orr said. “He was very good at asking the hard questions and, at times, had to make hard decisions. His decision making was based on facts and good, long-term business sense not only for Perth South but also for Perth County. Jim would always pick up the phone to talk and to listen. He was an advocate for respon- sible farmhouse severances, mental-health issues, Woodland Towers, Spruce Lodge Long Term Care and, most important- ly, he genuinely cared about them all. He also cared about the farming community, best land-use practices, the Optimist Club and, most importantly, his family. He was fiercely proud of his wife, Lori, and of all his children, especially their work ethics.” Aitcheson also worked closely with his counterparts in neighbouring Stratford and St. Marys on issues of importance like paramedic services, long-term care, pub- lic-health services and regional transit. “I appreciated his style of leadership, which was very direct, however (he was) always able to see the total picture,” said Stratford Mayor Martin Ritsma, who at- tended high school with Aitcheson at what was then Stratford Northwestern Second- ary School (now Stratford District Second- ary School). “His love of agriculture and his passion for farming and the preservation of our valuable farmland certainly resonated with me. ... I know that Mayor Aitcheson’s work wil ‘continue to bear fruits well into the futur “T was oninate to work closely with Jim during the pandemic during his time as warden,” said St. Marys Mayor Al Strath- dee. “He offered a very cooperative and strong public front during a difficult time. I was grateful for his leadership in strong support of public-health measures. Jim was also a very dedicated member of the St. Marys and Area Mobility Service. His advocacy for seniors and those in need of medical transportation will be missed. Never one to shy away from a good laugh, it was always fun to be around Jim. Even in very stressful and serious situations, he had an uncanny ability to lighten the mood.” Flags at municipal buildings across Strat- ford, St. Marys, Perth County and Perth South were lowered last week in recogni- tion of Aitcheson’s passing. Perth-Wellington’s provincial and federal representatives spoke fondly of Aitches- on’s political ability and his dedication to serving the people of his township and his county. “Jim was a dedicated leader both in the community and on council,” Perth-Wel- lington MP John Nater said. “During his three terms as warden of Perth County, Jim navigated some of the most turbulent times in the county’s history and earned the respect and friendship of all who worked with him. Over 13 years in municipal gov- ernment and many decades of volunteer service, he demonstrated strong leadership through his hard work, wise words an sound judgement. No matter the challenge, he was ready to help. I will miss his no-non- sense advice and his deep commitment to those he served.” “During my time working with Jim, I knew him to be a devoted public servant al- ways having the interests of the community at heart,” Perth-Wellington MPP Matthew Rae said. “From rural broadband to com- munity infrastructure investments, it was always a pleasure working with Jim to im- prove our rural communities. Jim was also a proud husband, father and grandfather. I always appreciated his frankness and I know that he will be missed by myself and many others in Perth County and across Ontario.” Outside of politics, Aitcheson was a loy- al Downie Optimist from the day he first joined in November 1981. Aitcheson was active as the club treasurer from 1995 un- til 2010. In 2014, he received Life Member status for his distinguished service as trea- surer. According to his obituary, Aitcheson’s favourite pastime was telling anyone and everyone about his children and grandchil- dren. He wanted everyone to know how proud he was about their various accom a and how well everyone was do- 108. Aitcheson’s family thanks the dedicated staff and volunteers at the Rotary Hospice Stratford-Perth and the Perth County Para- medic Service, as well as all of his friends and family who visited to keep him up to date on everything that was happening in the community. A celebration of life will be held for Aitcheson at Downie Optimist Community Centre (3185 Perth Road 122, St. Pauls) on Wednesday, Dec. 4 from 1-4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider donat- ing to the Rotary Hospice Stratford-Perth, St. Marys and Area Mobility Service or the Downie Optimist Club through W. G. Young Funeral Home (430 Huron St., Strat- ford) or online at www. weyoungfuneral- home.com. New Starter Plus arts-and-culture program now accepting applications for 2025 training sessions ALEX H! Times oe The Stratford Perth Centre for Business is inviting businesses with a focus in arts and culture to apply for support through the Starter Plus program Applications are being accepted until Dec. 2. The accepted businesses will par- ticipate in the five-session training program running from January to February. Upon completion of the program, business own- ers will receive a grant of up to $5,000 to invest in their business. "We are looking for businesses with an arts-and-culture focus with a certain via- bility and that they have a vision for what they would do with their grant,” said Hol- ly Mortimer, business advisor at Stratford Perth Centre for Business and mentor in the Starter Plus program. “The first and last session are in-person and very much focussed on learning to net- work and talk about your businesses. I find that creative entrepreneurs really struggle with that. We have had a lot of success in the past where they talk to each other. We also take them out in the community and in- vite partners to speak with them; this is all done in a very strategic and focused way.” Throughout the course of the program, the education will be centered on tradition- al business plan building that will focus on cash flow, marketing and operational strate- gies. Mortimer says the course will provide learners the confidence to speak about their business to strangers and people they know. m will be facilitated by Mor- gan Kneider-Patterson, a previous Starter Plus program graduate who operates an ed- ucation business. “TI discovered that leading this program over the past decade, we can teach them all the very traditional basic education pieces to building a business plan,” said Mortimer. “When you get a bunch of like-minded entrepreneurs in a room who typically feel isolated, lonely and overwhelmed, they dis- cover that they have similar interests and re- alize that they as a group can grow together, and we found they form exciting partner- ships together to help each other succeed.” Upon graduating from the program and receiving the grant, successful graduates will continue to receive the si and mentorship they require from the Stratford Perth Centre for Business. To apply for the program and de; more i ion, visit ness.ca.