For many city residents, their first introduction to Cliff Barwick would have been at Arthur Voaden Secondary School, where the long-time mayor and alderman ruled over the classroom.
That certainly was the case for former mayor and MPP, Steve Peters.
“I took a couple of classes with him over the years,” recalled Peters this week after the news of Barwick’s passing.
Barwick was born and raised in Fort Erie and moved to St. Thomas after completing teacher’s college.
“He was a really good educator. He challenged students to think a little differently. It’s been interesting reading some of the Facebook posts of former students and how he inspired them or instilled in them certain career paths.
“And, you know, perhaps even indirectly, I think one of my other recollections of Cliff was that Arthur Voaden always did a mock parliament every year.
“We utilized our library, and it was one of the highlights of the year. And Clifford always acted as the Speaker of the Legislature for that.
“I remember I participated in a couple of them, and I saw Cliff as someone who was certainly very keenly interested in politics.
“And, he was prepared to share with others what he knew.”
Peters’ next serious encounter with Barwick occurred in 1988.
“I was first elected to city council, and Cliff was a member of council. He was the chairman of the Finance Committee. He was a long-time chairman. In those days when the city had a committee system, the highest-ranking vote-getter was the Chairman of Finance.
“When Cliff Barwick ran for council, Cliff Barwick always topped the polls.”
Ironically, three years later, in 1991, Peters defeated Barwick and Janet Golding to become the head of council, the youngest mayor at the time in Canada.
Many people may not know, or have forgotten, that Barwick sought the Liberal nomination for the riding in the early 1990s.
A fond recollection for Peters was watching Barwick stand up in the council chamber – as was the fashion at the time – to address fellow members.
“I can see Cliff standing up, and he’d take his glasses off, and he would put his glasses back on, or he’d hang his glasses sort of at the end of his nose, looking down. And he was a great orator.”
A scenario that sparks many personal memories for this writer.
Ald. Barwick would push back his chair as he stood up, fiddle with his glasses and whatever was in front of him, turn and glance in my direction at the media table, and launch into a masterful tutorial of oratorical magnificence.
If Barwick carefully adjusted his tie while glancing in your direction, it was a cue that this would escalate into a four-alarm blaze, and so be prepared to take notes.
What usually followed was the sight of a fellow alderman looking around to see if the comments were directed at them and whether they were complimentary in nature.
“He had respect for the office. And when he was mayor, he had respect for the wearing of the mayor’s chain. He never wavered from that. It was an honour and a privilege to serve.”
And then there’s the street-naming story, as Peters reminded.
“We had a tradition in St. Thomas of naming streets after mayors. They’ve gotten away from that now. It’s been a long time. I think Janet Golding is probably the last mayor that we recognized.
“So Cliff always used to joke, he’d say, I’ve already got a street named after me. It’s called Barwick Street.”
A reference to the street and bridge that cross the CN Rail tracks.
Peters continued, “And the thing was, we were never able to figure out the origin of the name.
“Barwick Street appears way back in the 1870s in St. Thomas, and who that Barwick was, we don’t know, but Cliff always said you’re not ever going to have to worry about naming a street after me because I got one.”
Cliff Barwick knew and understood politics, added Dave Warden, who sat on council for a dozen years.
“He had respect for the office. And when he was mayor, he had respect for the wearing of the mayor’s chain.”
Warden continued, “He never wavered from that. It was an honour and a privilege to serve.”
Barwick was not immune to controversy, and Warden was a player in what became known as The Barwick Four.
Turn the calendar back to April, 2013, and Ald. Sam Yusuf had departed for greener pastures.
Up until that time, you had had a deadlocked council wrestling with where to locate a new police headquarters.
Yusuf, along with Jeff Kohler, Mark Cosens, and Lori Baldwin-Sands, supported the renovation of the existing headquarters on St. Catharine Street (see photo above).
Mayor Heather Jackson and aldermen Gord Campbell, Tom Johnston and Warden were in favour of a move to the present location on CASO Crossing.
Not unlike 10 years previous, with a series of 4-4 votes on determining a location for the city’s new twin-pad arena.
So, with the departure of Yusuf, the latter four were quickly able to push through a motion to fill the vacant seat by returning Barwick to the council chamber.
Closed meeting investigator John Maddox determined that there were no secret meetings or illegal shenanigans employed by the Barwick 4.
A much more serious situation transpired during the 2010 municipal vote and involved the former Sutherland Press building, downtown on Talbot Street.
That campaign was one of the blackest in recent memory.
The Sutherland Press building had cast more than a shadow across Talbot Street . . . the moribund edifice projected a pall over the October 2010 mayoral race and ultimately proved a game-breaker in the final days of Cliff Barwick’s campaign.
Days before the trek to the polls, building owner David McGee dropped a bombshell — he was suing the City of St. Thomas, Barwick, St. Thomas police and other defendants for $3 million for punitive damages and aggravated damages as well as “mental distress, economic interference and, specifically, loss of income” for what the claim states was “unnecessary demolition” in July, 2008.
McGee insisted the move was not political — even though he hired a well-known local Liberal strategist and employed an automated phone dialer to leave voice mail messages for city residents.
Seven months after he lost the election to Heather Jackson, Barwick remained adamant: “In my mind, it was a smear campaign.”
Speaking to City Scope, Barwick asserted, “When I was mayor, I never saw a business plan (for the building). There was nothing ever submitted that I saw that would confirm there was any real or sincere desire to carry through with any renovations or any project.
“The timing (of the lawsuit) was very interesting, and that is the clue to the whole thing. It had nothing to do with any vision. It had nothing to do with any plans he (McGee) had. He ran into a mayor and a council that was not going to give in and give him cash flow for his situation.”
The Sutherland Press building provided the backdrop for what was surely a tainted chapter in the city’s political history.
Insisting he wasn’t bitter, Barwick observed, “You judge the character of people by their actions. I’m not mentioning any names, but it certainly involved some members of the present council. And as far as I’m concerned, that speaks volumes. I can stand up and debate issues with anybody, but I’m not going to sink to that level.”
In a media release, Mayor Joe Preston noted, “Cliff Barwick dedicated decades of his life to serving St. Thomas. His leadership, experience, and unwavering commitment to this community left a lasting mark.
“On behalf of city council and residents, I extend our sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.”
We’ll close the tribute with one of our favourite Barwick quotes.
“Follow protocol, keep cool, watch what you say to the press, and everything will turn out OK.”
A TEMPORARY REPRIEVE FOR JOY DAWDY AND HER SWIMMING LESSONS
Again this summer, the sound of youngsters splashing around in the pool as they learn to swim will echo in the neighbourhood of 21 Philip Street in St. Thomas.
No doubt to the chagrin of some nearby property owners.
Last Monday (May 4), members of council approved a draft version of a temporary bylaw permitting the lessons to continue at the residence of Joy Dawdy.
The vote was not unanimous, with Councillors Jim Herbert and Joan Rymal opposed.
The latter kicked off the discussion with, “I just want to say that there’s no question that the swimming lessons provided by Miss Dawdy have been appropriate or of a good quality. It’s not the issue at all about the swimming lessons.
“It relates to the location of the business providing the swimming lessons, which is in her backyard. And St. Thomas is growing and expected to double in size in 25 years, and residential areas are becoming more dense.”
“I think the majority felt that we should support swimming lessons, and we went to bat for Miss Dawdy and created a temporary bylaw which I thought was pretty good, and I think, in my mind, everything was well said and well documented.”
She pointed out that “A temporary use bylaw applies to the property, not the owner. So, if the property is sold during the time that the temporary use bylaw is still in effect, this temporary use bylaw would transfer to the new owner, who could then operate the same business in that backyard.
“And the transfer of the temporary use bylaw also allows for extensions to be requested under the Planning Act. Extension requests cannot be prevented, but they can be refused by council when submitted.
“So it’s a concern when we’re looking at the temporary use bylaw.”
Coun. Herbert added, “I think the majority (of council members) felt that we should support swimming lessons, and we went to bat for Miss Dawdy and created a temporary bylaw which I thought was pretty good, and I think, in my mind, everything was well said and well documented.
“Then the planning department posted in our agenda that they’ve changed some of their things. They want a second instructor. They want longer times; they are not sure about parking over at Central Elgin, whether it’s legal or not.”
So, the goalposts have been moved, cautioned Herbert.
Which led Coun. Gary Clarke to admit there was some confusion as to what provisions are contained in the latest draft version of the temporary bylaw.
Dawdy had requested that the temporary bylaw include provisions to allow for a second instructor to teach swimming lessons who does not reside in the dwelling, and staff have not done so, as it was not included in the initial ask.
As to parking, Dawdy had indicated that all participants park their vehicles in the Central Elgin Collegiate Institute parking lot.
However, city staff advised, “No evidence has been provided demonstrating a formal parking arrangement with the school. It is unclear if this parking arrangement is legal or if it represents trespass on TVDSB (Thames Valley District School Board) property.
“Unless evidence of a formal arrangement can be provided, council should be considering implications of this proposal as if all participants are parking on the public street.”
The draft bylaw approved by council on Monday contains the following provisions:
- The bylaw would expire in two years, reflecting the additional year waiting for the submission of applications since the initial zoning notice was issued.
- The operation would be limited to swimming lessons only; leadership courses would not be permitted.
- The provision of lessons would be limited to the person who regularly resides at the residence.
- The swimming lessons would be limited to three students per lesson, down from six.
- The lessons would be limited to Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to noon.
The temporary bylaw was to be on the agenda for Monday’s (May 11) meeting for council’s consideration, but as of Friday, it was not one of the seven items listed.
WES JOHNSON WAS A POWERFUL REMINDER OF WHAT TRUE COURAGE IS
In recognition of his courage, resilience and strength, 17-year-old Wes Johnson was welcomed into the St. Thomas Police Service family as an Honourary Cadet back in March of this year.
At a ceremony held on March 26 at the police station, Chief Marc Roskamp observed that the St. Thomas teen embodies the core value of policing: compassion and service to others.
“Wes was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS), a serious congenital heart condition,” explained Roskamp. “He has undergone multiple surgeries and ongoing treatments throughout his life.
“Despite these challenges, Wes continues to demonstrate remarkable determination, positivity and strength, inspiring all those around him.”
During the ceremony, Roskamp stressed, “Wes, your courage and your strength and your journey have not gone unnoticed. You have faced challenges that would overwhelm many, and yet, you continue to move forward with grace and determination.”
Yesterday afternoon (May 8), we learned this brave young cadet had succumbed to his heart ailment.
The message posted on the St. Thomas Police Service Facebook page sums it up best.
“Rest easy, Wes. We’ve got it from here.”
Related post:
POINT TO PONDER
Is it possible that a gunslinger from the past may be considering a return to municipal politics?
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Mr. Barwick was my history teacher at AVSS in the 80s. I don’t recall every teacher, but i remember him, He was a great teacher and nice man. He will surely be missed by his friends and colleagues. Maybe they should name the new high school after him, I’m sure closing Voaden would have broke his heart. RIP Cliff Barwick, condolences to your family.