​Kincardine council holds moment of silence in memory of councillor Doug Kennedy

Kincardine council began its meeting Wednesday night (Aug. 28), with some remembrances of councillor Doug Kennedy who died Aug. 15, followed by a moment of silence in his honour.

Mayor Kenneth Craig quoted Martin Luther King, Jr., saying, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.

“How did Doug demonstrate his strength? Through dignity, humility and perseverance, and the way he treated others with great respect. His family and the community will miss him.”

Deputy mayor Andrea Clarke noted Kennedy’s unwavering passion for health care and his enthusiasm about bringing new doctors and nurses to the area.

“I remember that if I was slow to get my Rock With Your Docs ticket, he’d let me know,” she joked.

“He exemplified what leadership was. He touched so many lives and we’re all the better for having known Doug. I know of no one else who could get me to come to council in a sports jersey.”

Councillor Mike Hinchberger said he never saw Kennedy grumpy. “He handled his physical challenges with grace. That council seat will be difficult to fill.”

Councillor Beth Blackwell said Kennedy was a hardworking, generous man who had the ability to get things done. “He was a visionary, he was pragmatic and he was honest without being hurtful. He loved his community and he loved his family. He meant so much to so many people.”

“Doug was that butterfly that clicked its wings and created ripples across the community,” said councillor Rory Cavanagh. “I remember when my wife (Dr. Angela Cavanagh) was a locum working here and Doug invited her to lunch. They talked about family and later, she decided we should move here and she should open her practice here. In 2022, I was thinking about running for council and Doug said, ‘Why don’t we have lunch ...?’”

Councillor Bill Stewart said that he and Kennedy were often on opposite sides of the issues at the council table. “I think we voted the same on about five occasions over the past six years when we were both on council. I respected him for his views, and he made huge contributions to this community.”

Councillor Amanda Steinhoff-Gray remembers riding with Kennedy on the way home from the ROMA Convention in Toronto.

“He handled my driving like a champ,” she joked, adding that Kennedy genuinely felt for those who achieved their goals, and for those who didn’t.

“He was warm-hearted and had a great sense of humour,” said councillor Jennifer Prenger. “He had a real drive to help people.”

Craig said there is a process for dealing with the empty seat on council. At the next council meeting, Sept. 11, the seat will be declared vacant, and the clerk will provide options for council to consider.



Wearing their sports jerseys, Kincardine council and staff gather around councillor Doug Kennedy's vacant seat at the council table, Wednesday night; from left, are councillors Mike Hinchberger, Beth Blackwell and Bill Stewart, deputy mayor Andrea Clarke, councillors Jennifer Prenger, Amanda Steinhoff-Gray and Rory Cavanagh, mayor Kenneth Craig, CAO Jillene Bellchamber-Glazier, and clerk Jennifer Lawrie