After a political career that spanned more than 20 years, the mayor of Collingwood is preparing to hand off the town reins and walk off into the sunset.
We sat down with Mayor Sandra Cooper who, after many years of being involved in municipal politics in Collingwood, has decided to step away from the spotlight and not run again in the upcoming election.
Q: You’ve led a long political career here. Would you be able to recap it, for people who are relatively new to the area?
A: I was first elected to serve the people of Collingwood as councillor in 1997. I did two terms as a councillor, back then they were three-year terms. I was so interested and I thought it was important to give back, being born and raised here. I thought then I would step up and try for deputy mayor. I was successful for two terms as deputy mayor. Then, from there... it was partly timing and partly because it’s important to have family support. So with the support of my family and the support of the community, I thought I’d take a run at the mayor’s position. There had never been a woman mayor of Collingwood, ever, since 1858.
You never know until you try something.
It’s been two terms as mayor. It’s been an honour to serve our community.
Q: What were you doing leading up to your decision to run for council back then, and what made you decide to throw your hat in the ring?
A: Several years before, I had been approached about considering running for council. At that time, we had small children and I was involved in their school lives and activities and I didn’t have the time that I felt was required for the job. So, I took a pass on it. But when the time was right, I did step up.
I did work in retail and strongly focused on customer service. I think that is very important to the residents of Collingwood... customer service is very important.
The love the community and the various ways I volunteered with the community that I thought, with some guidance at the start, I could step up and serve our community.
Q: You were the first female mayor of Collingwood. During your time as mayor, or even as councillor, have you ever had to deal with any issues due to your gender?
A: One of my favourite committees, most even today but a little less, are male dominated in presence. One of my first committee meetings I attended, it was all male. I was excited, I was newly elected. So, I went into this committee and sat down and the board room was full.
The chair said, “OK gentlemen, we’ll get started.”
So, I raised my hand and said, “Should I leave right now and come back when you gentleman are finished?”
He said, “No, no, no, you’re included!”
I think I got the message across. I never felt pushed out, always included. There’s a balance there of your personal and public life as mayor, and as a woman. I don’t know. We share job tasks at home too so that’s not anything of a challenge.
There have been times where, when I drive to places where there’s a security gate and I have my husband with me, or a man with me, and I’ll say, “Mayor of Collingwood and I have an invitation.”
(There have been times where) they’ll look to the man that’s with me (assuming he’s the mayor).
I have had to say, “No, it’s me.” (laughs)
Q: In your opinion, have things changed for women in politics? For better, or for worse?
A: Yes. They have improved. (Collingwood) not ever having a woman mayor before, I think shows confidence of the community in having a woman at the top as a leader. I think that has proven a change.
My dad was a councillor in Collingwood in the early 1960s (John Bonwick). He would probably have been one of those that had their little cigar and their ash tray, having a council meeting discussing the needs of today and the needs of the future. More relaxed, in an all-male environment. Today, it’s much more stringent, but encouraging for women to step up.
Q: What are some of the goals you have back when you started in 1997, that you’ve managed to see through in your time?
A: The committee I referred to earlier that was my favourite, was the Harbourlands Committee.
It wasn’t necessarily like today though with the Waterfront Master Plan... it was the Harbour Master Plan.
Ten years earlier, we had closed the Collingwood Shipyards. It was heavy industrial use, to recreational use, environmental, remedial action plan to clean up the harbour. We were the first on the Great Lakes to do that. So, looking at where it is today... the Harbourlands Committee with the harbour lands, the Walk of History, and the shipbuilders, keeping the history alive. That was certainly near and dear to me. To see it today, I’m very proud to be a part of that. To expand on that, now we have the complete Waterfront Master Plan and we are moving forward with that. That’s been something that, back in the day, I would like to have seen expanded out and I wasn’t sure if I would ever see that, but I hoped I would and that I would be a part of it.
Q: Do you have any political regrets?
A: Time commitment. As I said, it’s a fine balance. I did wait until my children were adults (to run for office), however there might have been times when I missed out on some things because I had to attend an event or a council meeting. I think there’s not much of anything that I regret.
Q: What made you decide to not run again?
A: That wasn’t an easy decision to make. I discussed it with my husband. Whatever decision I make, he’s supportive. I had it in the back of my mind when I would be attending meetings or events. It wasn’t an easy decision to make, because I love the job. Thinking long and hard on that, and thinking I can spend more time with my family. I had my father at the time, when I was thinking about it. He was a very strong supporter of mine. He said, if you have a dream, reach out for it and try. (Editor’s note: Bonwick died in April 2018)
I wanted to be able to spend some time with my parents. My mom is 86 and she loves to golf. I golf, like, twice a year in tournaments and I’m not very good. I think my mother could give me a few tips and it’s something we could enjoy together. I’m very close with my extended family, as well as my immediate family. I have aunts and uncles that I’m very close with.
My dad came from nine children, in Collingwood, and not all of them have moved away. Everyday, I’m speaking with one of them. So now, I’ll be able to spend more time with each of them.
Q: What is the thing you’ve accomplished while on council that you’re most proud of?
A: Harbourlands.
My work with the county as well, serving there for 15 years. Georgian Village in Penetanguishene, meeting the demands of our seniors. With long-term care and just an affordable place to live. I’m proud to be part of that. I believe it’s the only one in Ontario advertised as having French-language there.
Another is, meeting those housing needs with the 10-year housing strategy. We’re meeting that in Collingwood.
Another is, the (county) LINX buses. Looking at the greater good, for Simcoe County.
I’ve been pleased to be a part of these things and see them come through.
Q: What will you miss about being the mayor?
A: I’ll miss the staff. I’ll miss the day-to-day connections with people. I’m a sociable person anyway, so I'll still be going to the farmers’ market and I’ll still be going down to the waterfront. I’ll miss more of the face-to-face with people. I’m still hoping to somehow be a part of the process with the hospital. It’s unfortunate that there’s been a stall there. I’m hoping I contributed something for the future of our hospital. I know it’s a provincial matter, but certainly it’s important to Collingwood, the residents and visitors.
My husband and I were both born there and so were our children. Anytime we visit the hospital we can see how important it is to the community and the investment of others to the community to know there’s a hospital there.
Q: Now that you’ll have more free time, what are your plans?
A: I might learn to golf. (laughs) Ski and bike a little more. Accept invitations. I have a sibling who lives north of cottage county. It’s quite a drive away. He extends invitations for us to visit, but it’s far enough away that I can’t make a commitment. In the future, I will be able to do that. Spending more time with family, my grandchildren. I’ll be volunteering somewhere. There are some great networking areas that need more volunteers, but I just haven’t been able to get there to decide, because there are so many. They’re all great. It’s in my mind to consider.
Q: Is there anything else you want people in Collingwood to know about you?
A: Did I talk about my proudest moment as mayor?
When I first became mayor, we had the inaugural event. There was a snowstorm. The roads were cleared, but there was a miscommunication.
A local service club (no longer running) always presented the new mayor with the chain of office. (Someone from the club) called and said, “I’m sorry, but we can’t be there.”
So the inaugural was happening, and the legion hall was full, but there was no one to present the chain of office.
I suggested my dad.
That was a very proud moment for me. Both times, he ended up serving me with the chain of office.
He thought I should wear it almost everywhere, all the time.
He would say, “You’re the only one in Collingwood that can wear that. So, you should.”
I did wear it as his funeral for that very reason.
