Getting to know the Mayor of Loyalist Township, This new Q&A style EMC feature will give readers a more personal look at some of the public figures in our community.
Posted Feb 16, 2012 By EMC NewsName and age:
Bill Lowry, 62
Background:
I grew up in Smiths Falls. My dad and my grandfather built a dairy in Smith Falls. I lived above the dairy, so I grew up working from the time I was 10 years old in the dairy, and when I got a license I worked on the trucks.
I decided to leave Smiths Falls to find a career rather than working in the home business and I scored a job with Douglas Aircraft in 1970. In two years working with Douglas I was on strike four times, so I wanted to find another career. I saw an ad in the paper for Ontario Hydro and applied for that...at the same time I got laid off at Douglas. One year later they both called me on the same day, Douglas wanted me to come back to work and Hydro wanted to hire me.
I started with Ontario Hydro in the generating station as a stationary engineer. I eventually worked up to second class and I moved to Napanee in 1975 to start a family, so I transferred to Lennox Generating Station. In five years Lennox went down...so I had to go to Thunder Bay.
I was lucky enough to get back here in 1985 as a customer service representative...I did that for 17 years, a total of 37 with Hydro, and I decided to retire four years ago.
I got into politics in 1999
Did you always have political aspirations?
Not at all, not one iota. I was really ignorant, as a lot of people are. I can say that because I was in the same boat as those people.
When I was on the campaign trails when I ran for Councillor and Mayor it was amazing some of the questions people ask you and some of the questions that people don't know, but I can only say that after experiencing 10 years plus of politics.
When I decided to get into politics it was a big decision between my wife and I, but it was mainly because I wanted to have something to do, I'm a workaholic, so I could not picture myself not having something to do. I have a lot of hobby interests and stuff like that but I need something to do, so I tried it for three years my first term and I loved it.
How are you enjoying your new role as Mayor?
I like the position in that I can now share some of my aspirations and changes with staff and council. I could before, but people have a different outlook on you when you're a councillor versus a Mayor.
I've enjoyed what's gone on for the last year, and I'm looking very forward to the next three.
I'm now Warden, council appointed me in December, and I'm out in the other counties. I like to sit back in my first term of anything just with my eyes and ears open, and I'm getting that we all share the same problems, but it's great to see staff and how they interface.
What are some of your favourite parts of your job?
I like to be able to represent the constituents. When people do have a problem I think it's very important that if they can't get it resolved to the best of our staff's ability and they feel they want to take it an extra yard, I feel that I should be there for support if the support be needed.
What is the least favourite part of your job?
Some people just don't take no for an answer.
Nobody likes their taxes, so sometimes people get very irate about their taxes. I've always found the whole thing is about listening.
What's family life like outside of work?
Married to wife Heather for 22 years.
I've lived in our house now for 25 years and it was a matchbox. It was a box with a basement when we bought it, and we have transformed it into our paradise. We have a lovely backyard that we have created.
We did have thoughts of moving when I retired to a new house in Amherstview, but then after we sat down and looked at all the specialties that we did at our house to make us happy, it would kill me to start over.
I keep saying there's nothing left that can be done to my house but every year I keep coming up with a major project.
What are some of your other hobbies?
Fishing I've always liked. Being born and raised on the Rideau, I fished all the time when I was a kid. Now it's a little bit more recreational fishing with my son. He's become almost semi-pro, that's how serious he is about fishing.
I just quit playing hockey last year. I just decided that I've got to realize that I'm 62 and if I fall down and get hurt it's going take a long time to get back up.
When I first got on council I started this Light Up the Season with another girl, and I got to become Santa because of my size...then people started coming to ask me and all of a sudden I had a clientele. It's really a great experience.
What are some items on your bucket list?
I've really come to believe in the last 10 years that old cliché "You're not here for a long time you're here for a good time," and "Life's too short".
I'm going to make up my mind that I am going to do something as much as I possibly can and I'm not going to be striving to have a great pot of gold at the end of my rainbow for no reason...My mother is 92 and I'm having a heck of a time trying to get her to spend money.
My wife has some places I would like to go, and I have some places I would like to go.
Is there a public figure in our community that you would like to know more about? Send your suggestions to editorial@theemc.ca
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