Dave Aspden
Encyclopedia
David Aspden served one term as the 45th mayor
of Barrie
, Ontario
from 2006 - 2010.
Aspden defeated incumbent Mayor Robert J. Hamilton
in the 2006 municipal election
by a margin of 14,616 to 12,175 votes.
Aspden was a police officer for over 20 years and a municipal councillor for nine years, representing Ward 2 before he was elected as mayor. He has been a member of the Royal Canadian Legion
for over 28 years, received the President's Award from the Navy League of Canada
and is the secretary and treasurer for the Ontario Association of Police Services Boards.
Aspden's initial months as mayor were marked by controversy. In January 2007, while serving as chairman of the Barrie Police Services Board, Aspden "wrote a character reference for Const. Brian Byblow in January in connection with an Ontario Police Services Act disciplinary hearing, which found Byblow guilty of discreditable conduct relating to a May 2005 incident". Aspden's fellow councillors passed a motion on April 30, 2007 referring the matter to the Ontario Civilian Commission on Police Services.
Aspden's trip to China
in April 2007 attracted further controversy due to the alleged involvement of Chinese and Canadian land developers, as well as the Mayor's apparently secretive approach to the trip. After "in camera" meetings on April 23 and April 30, councillors passed a unanimous motion to request an Ontario Provincial Police
probe into the situation. Aspden, who alleged he paid his own airfare on the trip, denied any impropriety and suggested that a public inquiry
would be a more appropriate method for reviewing his conduct.
On September 8, 2010, Aspden announced his intention to seek a second term in the city of Barrie, just two days before the close of nominations.
On October 25, 2010, Jeff Lehman
was elected the new Mayor of Barrie, succeeding Aspden who only won 3.6% of the vote.
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Barrie
Barrie
Barrie may refer to:* Barrie, city in Ontario, Canada* Barrie , Canadian federal electoral district* Barrie , provincial electoral district* Barrie—Simcoe—Bradford, former Canadian electoral district...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
from 2006 - 2010.
Aspden defeated incumbent Mayor Robert J. Hamilton
Robert J. Hamilton
Robert J. Hamilton is a Canadian politician and former mayor of Barrie, Ontario.-Political career:Hamilton was elected in November, 2003 defeating incumbent Jim Perri...
in the 2006 municipal election
Ontario municipal elections, 2006
In the 2006 municipal elections in Ontario, voters in the province of Ontario, elected mayors, councillors, school board trustees and all other elected officials in all of Ontario's municipalities. These elections were regulated by the .- Date :...
by a margin of 14,616 to 12,175 votes.
Aspden was a police officer for over 20 years and a municipal councillor for nine years, representing Ward 2 before he was elected as mayor. He has been a member of the Royal Canadian Legion
Royal Canadian Legion
The Royal Canadian Legion is a non-profit Canadian ex-service organization founded in 1925, with more than 400,000 members worldwide. Membership includes people who have served as current and former military, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, provincial and municipal police, direct relatives of...
for over 28 years, received the President's Award from the Navy League of Canada
Navy League of Canada
The Navy League of Canada, is a Non-For-Profit organization founded in 1895 and incorporated in 1918. Originally formed to promote maritime issues to Canadians, the Navy League is the non-governmental partner of the Department of National Defence in delivery of the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets program...
and is the secretary and treasurer for the Ontario Association of Police Services Boards.
Aspden's initial months as mayor were marked by controversy. In January 2007, while serving as chairman of the Barrie Police Services Board, Aspden "wrote a character reference for Const. Brian Byblow in January in connection with an Ontario Police Services Act disciplinary hearing, which found Byblow guilty of discreditable conduct relating to a May 2005 incident". Aspden's fellow councillors passed a motion on April 30, 2007 referring the matter to the Ontario Civilian Commission on Police Services.
Aspden's trip to China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
in April 2007 attracted further controversy due to the alleged involvement of Chinese and Canadian land developers, as well as the Mayor's apparently secretive approach to the trip. After "in camera" meetings on April 23 and April 30, councillors passed a unanimous motion to request an Ontario Provincial Police
Ontario Provincial Police
The Ontario Provincial Police is the Provincial Police service for the province of Ontario, Canada.-Overview:The OPP is the the largest deployed police force in Ontario, and the second largest in Canada. The service is responsible for providing policing services throughout the province in areas...
probe into the situation. Aspden, who alleged he paid his own airfare on the trip, denied any impropriety and suggested that a public inquiry
Public inquiry
A Tribunal of Inquiry is an official review of events or actions ordered by a government body in Common Law countries such as the United Kingdom, Ireland or Canada. Such a public inquiry differs from a Royal Commission in that a public inquiry accepts evidence and conducts its hearings in a more...
would be a more appropriate method for reviewing his conduct.
On September 8, 2010, Aspden announced his intention to seek a second term in the city of Barrie, just two days before the close of nominations.
On October 25, 2010, Jeff Lehman
Jeffrey Robert Lehman
Jeffrey Robert Lehman is an economist and current mayor of Barrie, Ontario. The Chairman of the Finance Committee of Council, he has played a central role in many of the issues affecting the City of Barrie during the current term of Council...
was elected the new Mayor of Barrie, succeeding Aspden who only won 3.6% of the vote.