Simcoe County council business is being put on pause this week to allow time for councillors to mourn the death of one of their own.
Oro-Medonte Township Deputy Mayor Scott Jermey died unexpectedly on Nov. 20.
Mayors and deputy-mayors from municipalities throughout Simcoe County serve on county council, as do representatives from the separated cities of Barrie and Orillia.
A future date for the originally planned Nov. 26 county council meeting, which was to include the ratification of the 2020 budget, has not yet been determined.
“The Nov. 26 session of county council has been postponed to enable our councillors to pay their respects to the family of late Coun. Scott Jermey of the Township of Oro-Medonte, who passed away suddenly last week,” Warden George Cornell said in a statement.
“We are working closely with our clerk's department to reschedule this week’s session at the earliest convenience and we will inform the public as soon as we have confirmed a preferred date for our municipal partners," Cornell added.
Jermey, a dairy farmer, served one term as Ward 5 councillor before being elected deputy mayor in 2018.
He was 55.
“We thank our residents for their understanding and we offer our heartfelt condolences to the Jermey family at this difficult time,” said Cornell.
Jermey's family provided the following statement.
“All of us are shocked by Scott’s sudden, untimely passing. He will be hugely missed by our family and township alike. The outpouring of love and support from the Oro-Medonte community has been immense, yet unsurprising. It is a testament to Scott’s steadfast presence in all our lives. He will be forever remembered as a caring brother and uncle, a dedicated farmer, and committed community leader.”
A funeral service for Jermey will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, 99 Peter St. N., in Orillia. There is limited parking at St. Andrew's, but attendees can also use the Mundell Funeral Home parking lot.
A reception will follow at ODAS Park.
The family encourages memorial donations to the Esson Presbyterian Church or Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital.
(with files from Nathan Taylor)
