After four years on the Peterborough Board of Health, including the past last two years during the pandemic as board chair, Andy Mitchell is stepping down concurrent with his retirement from long-time public service.
The Lakefield resident joined the board in 2018 after he was elected mayor of Selwyn Township, and was appointed board chair in 2020.
“Andy stepped up to chair our board during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic response in 2020,” said medical officer of health Dr. Thomas Piggott. “His leadership through the pandemic and his support for our board, our executive, and our entire PPH team have been inspiring.”
Earlier this year, the 69-year-old Mitchell announced he would not seek re-election as Selwyn mayor and would be retiring from public life. He had previously served as deputy mayor of Selwyn Township from 2010 to 2014, and was also the Liberal MP for Parry Sound—Muskoka from 1993 to 2006, serving as a minister in the government of Jean Chrétien and a cabinet minister in the government of Paul Martin.
Before entering politics, Mitchell worked in the banking industry for 20 years, and he also served as president of the Greater Peterborough Area Economic Development Corporation (now Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development), as president of the Innovation Cluster Peterborough & the Kawarthas, and as president of three chambers of commerce.
Mitchell attended his final Peterborough Board of Health meeting on Wednesday (November 9).
“It has been an honour to serve the public for the past 30 years and to finish my career in public service working with the staff at Peterborough Public Health,” Mitchell said. “I want to thank the staff for their dedication and personal sacrifices for the health of our community.”
“Lives have been saved because of the work of public health employees. I would also like to thank my fellow board members for their advocacy for the health of our community and commitment to public service. And to the community, stay safe, be well, and in all things, be kind.”
Mitchell chaired 32 meetings of the Peterborough Board of Health during the pandemic, and also chaired many committee, working group, and internal meetings.
“Andy’s dedication to the health and well-being of our community has been unmatched, as evident by the numerous advocacy efforts,” reads a media release from Peterborough Public Health. “Most notably leading the board’s position paper on modernization of the public health system as he advocated local delivery and governance of public health.”
“Peterborough Public Health would also like to thank all out-going members of the board. We are deeply grateful for their leadership and dedication to the health of our community. A very special thank you to councillor Henry Clarke who has served as a board of health member and two-time bard chair since 2004.”
