The Tree Cutting By-Law (First Draft)

After months of searching, I've finally found a copy of the Seguin Tree Cutting by-law as originally written, the first draft.

This is the proposed Seguin legislation that caused a near riot of public protest. It's safe to say that in the absence of the civic revolt, the by-law (shown below) would have passed as is. This is the most commonly referred to incident by Ward 1 voters during my campaign.

I cannot express the amount of on-going anger and distrust directed at Seguin council as a result of this document.

I won't comment on the content of the proposed by-law, but I feel that it was such a defining document and moment in the history of Seguin Township that it needs to be available on the Internet for all to consider and understand.

It is presented below in page order ('click' on image for larger view).

page 1

page 2

page 3

page 4

page 5

page 6

page 7

page 8

page 9

The final version which council passed is available on the Seguin township website here.

Foley's First Reeve

I'm doing some homework on Ward 1, reading the excellent "You, Me and Foley" by Bertha Clare. Copies of this history are available at Seguin Pioneer Church.

Thought it might be interesting to contrast my campaign portraits (following post) with a portrait of Thomas McGown, the first Reeve of Foley.


The first nomination meeting of Foley's administration was held on December 18th, 1874.

Here's a quote from By-law 20 enacted in 1874:

The Municipal Corporation of the Township of Foley hereby enact and declare that the prayer of Stephen B. Richmond and others be granted for a road from the eleventh concession to the Parry Sound road running down lot 143, Concession A, and be hereby enacted.