** REMEMBERING COUNCILLOR JOHN AKER ** THE FIRST OF MY NEW SUMMER SERIES COLUMNS

** REMEMBERING COUNCILLOR JOHN AKER ** THE FIRST OF MY NEW SUMMER SERIES COLUMNS I WRITE THIS COLUMN in memory of my friend and one-time colleague, John Aker. John served his community for 33 years - on both City and Regional Councils, as well as a decade at the Ontario Municipal Board. John said his final goodbye on Thursday February 4th, 2021, at the age of 78. This is his story. One meaningful event can make a world of difference for a young man who might be trying to navigate his way into the world of politics. For 29 year old John Aker, it was the decision by a close friend not to seek re-election. That announcement would lead to John putting his own name forward for a seat on Oshawa Council. The year was 1972. When I spoke with John in summer of 2020, he enjoyed recalling his first election win, an event that would set the stage for many such victories during his career. The ‘72 election was a watershed – not only for him but for the entire council. That year saw an incredible turnover, and John described it as an “exciting time”. When I asked him to share his memories of those with whom he served, John responded without hesitation, telling me his years on council were shared with “good spirited people” who tried to do the right thing for everyone. John was born in Edmonton, and came to Oshawa with his parents at the age of two, attending St Gregory School and O’Neill Collegiate. He would eventually go off to Queens University in Kingston, obtaining a Bachelor of Commerce degree, which he said held him in good stead. It was during his university days that John was fortunate enough to gain yearly summer employment at the William Street offices of General Motors. While many of his friends from school were doing manual jobs they didn’t like, he found himself wearing a jacket and tie, doing work he always felt was interesting. Over time, he would join Schofield-Aker Insurance in 1970, a firm bought by his father Reg Aker in 1954, eventually taking over the business in 1985. We talked about how different city council was back in the 1970’s, and he reminded me that most, if not all of those on council, did the job part time, as they were already fully employed. City hall staff were the full-time career professionals who held the most influence in those days. Since then, the number of full-time councilors (the term ‘alderman’ having been abolished) has increased significantly, and as such, the influence of municipal staff has - to a degree, waned. Long term, career politicians with a lot of experience are now more common. The formation of the Region of Durham in 1974 was the first major issue John would encounter as a city alderman, and we discussed the long debates and the intricacies involved with the amalgamation of policing, and the creation of various regional departments. He was proud of his involvement in helping to bring further growth by way of the Oshawa hospital expansion, as well as the establishment of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, which he said helped transform this city from a one-industry town into a place where careers are now developed in many walks of life. Looking back, I encouraged John to recall some of the good times shared with those among his colleagues he most enjoyed working with. His first thoughts were about his friend Jim Potticary, who spent eight years as mayor. John told me everyone used to call Mayor Potticary “Gentleman Jim”, and that he’d never seen anyone enjoy a job quite as much. John did, however recall some difficult moments in his career, one of which took place a little too close to home. In 1992, a foster home for young offenders was proposed in his own neighbourhood. When residents became aware, they sent flyers door to door, and John would receive at least 65 telephone calls from concerned residents. The foster home never did receive approval, however the memory of that day remained in John’s mind, describing it to me as a daunting moment to stand in front of a group of angry residents that were also his neighbours. There were many significant issues over the years that John had to wrestle with, including Sunday shopping, the implementation of Oshawa’s first ward system, the ongoing battles with the Port Authority, downtown revitalization, and the debate over ‘transparency’ in government. John’s second stretch as a member of council (his first being 1973 to 1997) was probably the most challenging. His election in 2010 marked an incredible eight year, two-term comeback for a man who had years earlier decided to close the book on an honourable career. John showed everyone he had an important role to play as an ‘elder statesman’, bringing a voice of experience and reason to an otherwise unwieldy council. A September 2014 Article in the Globe and Mail described Oshawa Council at that time as a ‘political circus’ with elected members shouting each other down, citizens protesting and being tackled by undercover police, and a serious division among councilors. Still, John was able to stand on a solid footing and survive the melee, as the scenes that played out month after month went against his own desire to work with others to find common ground. John used to tell me with confidence that Oshawa will remain a prosperous city in the decades to come due to its geographic location between Toronto and Kingston. He said the amazing network of new highways will ensure further new development, the likes of which Oshawa has never before witnessed, and although something of the size and scope of General Motors may never be seen again, Oshawa definitely turned a corner in its pursuit of higher education that will meet the needs of generations to come. To quote my friend directly, “Whether we knew it or not, Oshawa long ago began a worthwhile transformation from a one industry town into a modern, cosmopolitan community where new opportunities exist.” John Aker gave as much as one man could to the community he truly loved.