Oro-Medonte’s Hughes not seeking county warden’s post

Oro-Medonte Mayor Harry Hughes will not seek to become Simcoe County’s next warden.

As deputy warden the past four years, Hughes was the leading contender for the top job.

“I really thought I was going to do it until I really sat down and said, ‘What are you doing?” Hughes, 70, said Tuesday.

The retired school principal said he isn’t interested in two full-time jobs.

“The warden’s job is a full-time job. The mayor’s job is a full-time job. I didn’t work my career and then retire so I could work two full-time jobs,” Hughes said.

He informed the county’s mayors and deputy mayors of his intention two weeks ago, so they could make alternate plans.

“I let them know… to give them lots of time to know how the field was going to shape up,” Hughes said. “I knew that there were some people thinking of running for warden too anyway.”

Hughes wants to focus on Oro-Medonte and spend time with his two grandchildren.

“They like to see me at their events and I like to be there,” he said.

Losing his position as Oro-Medonte mayor is also a concern. In recent history, wardens have not been re-elected to their mayoral position.

“I really enjoy what I do,” Hughes said.

Hughes sees county council moving toward two-year terms for warden and deputy warden as opposed to four.

“It’s such a big job. And whether you do it or not, people would perceive you were neglecting your own municipality and putting the county first,” Hughes said.

Hughes will not run for deputy warden either.

“I think whoever is deputy warden should be prepared to take the warden’s job,” he said.

The County of Simcoe’s inaugural council meeting is Dec. 9 at 1 p.m. The next warden and deputy warden will be selected that day.