Basil Stewart
Basil Stewart is a Canadian politician who has served as the mayor of Summerside, Prince Edward Island since 1985. He also currently serves as the president of the Canadian Federation of Municipalities.[1]
Before mayorship
Before his election as mayor, Stewart was a police officer for the Summerside Police Department from 1971 to 1984, when he retired from the force.
Mayorship
After his retirement from the police force, Stewart entered municipal politics, being elected mayor of the Town of Summerside in 1985. He was re-elected in 1988 and 1991. In 1994, he became the first mayor of the now City of Summerside (Summerside formerly being a town). He was re-elected in the municipal elections held in 1997, 2000, 2003, 2006 and 2010.
In 1993, Stewart ran in a federal election as the Progressive Conservative candidate for the riding of Egmont. He was defeated by then-incumbent Liberal MP Joe McGuire, who won with a plurarity of approximately 3,700 votes.
He is accused of wasting 1.3 million of taxpayers money, the money was forwarded towards a Micheal Jackson tribute concert that never ended up happening,[2] http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/story/2011/02/08/pei-stewart-summerside-concert-denial-584.html</ref>,.[3]``On Monday, the city was to file a complaint with the United States District Court, Northern District of California, San Jose Division, for fraud, conspiracy to commit fraud, negligent misrepresentation and rescission (rescinding) of a contract against Katrina Berg Sussmeier and Starlink Productions Inc.``
Goals and objectives
Stewart has many goals and objectives to make Summerside a better to place to work, live, and raise a family. Stewart has been instrumental in drawing large tournaments and events, such as the Canadian PeeWee Baseball Championship, the Canadian Women's Softball Championship, and an exhibition NHL game to the city. He was also a major force behind the construction of the Consolidated Credit Union Place.
Committees
Stewart is not only the mayor of Summerside, but is also on many committees. He is presently the President of the Federation of the Canadian Municipalities, and a member of the Federation of Prince Edward Island Municipalities, and National Board of Directors to Sustainable Municipal Infrastructure. In the past, he was also served as Chair of Atlantic Caucus in 1998 and Chair of National Economic Development Committee from 1998-2000.
Lawsuit: Mayor and Council of Summerside versus David Griffin
Mayor Stewart and city council of Summerside filed a law suit against Deputy Police Chief David Griffin in 1997. The case is still in the courts as of October 2010 appealing the payment of interest on the damages owed to Griffin based on a judgement in March 2006 by Supreme Court Justice Wayne Cheverie who ruled in favour of Griffin in his malicious prosecution suit against the city.
Family and interests
Stewart lives in Summerside with his wife Gail Inman-Stewart. He has two children — Mary-Jane (Steve Dyer) and Major (Holly Peters). Stewart also has four granddaughters — Mya Stewart and Amber, Emma and Madison Dyer. He has 3 grandsons- Brett and Isaac Stewart, and Lincoln Dyer.
His interests include hockey, swimming, and music (he plays guitar, harmonica, fiddle, and mandolin.).
References
- ^
"Summerside mayor takes charge of Federation of Canadian Municipalities". CBC.ca. June 8, 2009. Archived from the original on 11 June 2009. Retrieved June 21, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help); Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ http://peicanada.com/view_here_jack_macandrew/columns_opinions/summerside_taxpayers_got_kayoed
- ^ http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/News/Local/2011-01-25/article-2168809/Summerside-suing-for-concert-funds/1