The Wellington North community has lost a good friend in former mayor Mike Broomhead, says a longtime fellow councillor.
Broomhead, 65, passed away at his home on Feb. 5.
“Tonight it’s with a heavy heart that I get the opportunity to speak about a friend of this chamber, a friend of our community, and certainly a good friend of mine,” said councillor Dan Yake at the Feb. 8 meeting.
Yake first joined Broomhead on Mount Forest town council in 1994.
Broomhead was a councillor with the municipality of Wellington North and Mount Forest for 21 years. He was first elected to Mount Forest council in 1989 and sat on and chaired every committee of council over the course of his time in office.
He was elected to the inaugural Wellington North council as councillor for Ward 2. In 2003, he was elected as Wellington North’s second mayor, a position he held until 2010.
He also served on Wellington County council, the Wellington North Power board of directors and numerous supporting committees.
“He was proud to represent his community at the council table for over 21 years,” said Yake. “Mike had a funny way of doing things sometimes. He had quite a sense of humour, but he took his job, his role as councillor and mayor, very serious.”
Yake recalled that Broomhead liked to see all councillors shake hands prior to meetings.
“And then we’d sit down at the meeting and we would argue, we’d debate, we’d laugh, and we’d even yell at each other – but at the end of the night when the meeting was over, we’d get up and shake hands again.”
Yake said Broomhead had a straightforward leadership style.
“He never backed away from people who were upset or challenging. He called everybody back and he never held a grudge.”
While noting he never had the opportunity to serve with Broomhead, Mayor Andy Lennox said, “Mike always greeted me with a smile, enthusiasm and certainly his positive attitude was infectious. He will certainly be missed in our community.”
Broomhead is survived by his wife Norine, four children and five grandchildren.
A celebration of his life was planned for First Baptist Church in Mount Forest on Feb. 12 at 11am. The family has suggested any memorial donations be made to the Louise Marshall Hospital Foundation, First Baptist Church or Hospice Wellington. Online condolences may be made at www.englandfuneralhome.com.
