Janice Sheppard will definitely set aside some “me time,” but her retirement certainly won’t be spent sitting around.
“I’m likely going to be bored and looking for something to do,” Sheppard said with a laugh during a party in her honour last week.
Upwards of 150 colleagues, family members and friends gathered at the Marden Community Centre on Jan. 23 to celebrate her retirement as Guelph-Eramosa CAO.
“I need to give back a bit,” Sheppard said, explaining she hopes to do some volunteering now that she won’t be so busy with township business.
The Fergus resident will officially retire on Jan. 31, after 36 years of service to Guelph-Eramosa and former Guelph Township.
Sheppard started with Guelph Township in 1977 and has since worked with 13 councils and seven reeves/mayors. She played a key role in the amalgamation of 1999.
“That was a big change,” she recalls, noting there were some conflicting ideologies and cultures in Guelph and Eramosa townships, in addition to parts of Nichol and Pilkington townships – all of which came together to form the Guelph-Eramosa of today.
Mayor Chris White said Sheppard’s retirement is a bittersweet occasion for the municipality.
“It’s a loss for the township, of course,” White said, but he noted he is very pleased Sheppard has reached such an important milestone in her life.
“At the end of the day, she’s always had the best interest of the township in mind,” White added. He noted Sheppard never swayed from that goal, even if it meant butting heads with council on certain matters.
“She’s been an absolute anchor for us,” White said.
In his speech at last week’s retirement party, White told Sheppard, “We will miss your candid advice, your humour, your leadership, and your dedication to Guelph-Eramosa.”
Councillor Doug Breen took time out during a Jan. 27 public meeting in Rockwood to recognize Sheppard.
“This is her last official meeting … I want to thank Janice publicly for her years of service,” Breen said to applause from the crowd.
Sheppard said she looks forward to a Caribbean cruise this spring – a first for her – and also spending time with family.
“I’ve thought about [retirement] for a while,” she said with a smile. “I’m just at that stage that I can do it now.”
