MPP Wayne Arthurs Announces Retirement from PoliticsAfter nearly three decades of representing Pickering residents at both the municipal and provincial levels, a well-known public figure in the community has chosen to call it quits.

At the end of this term as MPP for Pickering-Scarborough East, Wayne Arthurs will have served 29 consecutive years as a public elected official, and has decided not to seek re-election.

"It's a big decision but it didn't come recently," Mr. Arthurs said in an interview at his constituency office.

He feels now is the best time to end his political career, quite happy with his accomplishments, leaving on his own terms, and allowing enough time for the local riding association to find a suitable candidate for the next election.

"I'm very comfortable with the decision," he said.

Mr. Arthurs was a high school physical education teacher and guidance counsellor when he was first elected to Pickering council in 1982. He remained a teacher until he was elected mayor of Pickering, serving from 1988 to 2003. He then chose to run provincially, and has been elected into the Ontario legislature every election since. He even managed to win over Scarborough residents when his Pickering-Ajax-Uxbridge riding was changed to Pickering-Scarborough East in 2003.

"It was more of a campaigning challenge going into Scarborough," he said.

As an MPP, he's served in several roles, including parliamentary assistant to the chairman of Management Board of Cabinet from 2003 to 2005 and as parliamentary assistant to the minister of finance from 2005 to September of this year. He currently serves as the parliamentary assistant to the minister of intergovernmental affairs.

He said never being appointed to a cabinet position didn't factor into his decision to leave politics and noted his positions at the provincial level have given him an opportunity to see government in a broad way, a privilege "few other members have had the honour of, cabinet or otherwise."

Political life having become almost second nature, he will miss no longer having a hand in influencing important decisions at an official level, or the simple pleasure of being recognized at various events throughout the community. But he's looking forward to the time he'll share with his wife, Susan, their four children and eight grandchildren.

"I'm looking forward to spending some time at my cottage and I'm going to spend a bit of time down south," he said.

In his time on council and as mayor, he's most proud of helping to improve the workings of City Hall. In the beginning of his time on council, "I didn't think it was responsive to the citizenry. It wasn't their place."

He feels council at the time helped Pickering improve its customer service and become more flexible internally and administratively. He pointed to former chief administrative officer Tom Quinn as an example of someone who worked his way up within the municipality.

He's also proud of his role in helping to revolutionize Pickering's waterfront.

His favourite accomplishment at the provincial level was easy to pinpoint.

"It's the hospital redevelopment," he said. "It wasn't the highest hospital redevelopment on the priority list."

But after Mr. Arthurs brought attention to the Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital, the multi-million dollar redevelopment is well on its way to completion.

As for the project he would have liked to have seen completed while in office, that would have been Seaton taking shape.

"I would have liked to see the sod turned for the official opening," he said.

Although he doesn't plan to frequent meetings at the provincial level, "I'll be watching with interest."

Even though he's leaving the party, Mr. Arthurs confirmed "my values are of a Liberal."

He thanked the residents he's worked with and gotten to know over time.

"I've been impressed over an extended period of time with the degree of respect, encouragement and support that the public gives to their elected officials municipally, provincially and federally as I've witnessed it," he said.

He's learned a lot of lessons as a public figure, and one really stood out to him.

"For me, it's to be open, candid and honest with people," he said. "In doing the job that you've been entrusted with, do it in a way that's responsible."

He'll continue to serve residents in the riding until the fall 2011 election, and although Mr. Arthurs doesn't intend to return to politics, "the cliche is never say never."

Source: Ajax-Pickering News Advertiser
Author: Kristen Calis