Waterloo Region Generations
A record of the people of Waterloo Region, Ontario.

Major Dave Jaworsky

Male 1864 - Yes, date unknown


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  • Name Dave Jaworsky 
    Prefix Major 
    Born 1864 
    Gender Male 
    Elected Office 2014  Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    mayor of Waterloo 
    Eby ID Number Waterloo-99377 
    Died Yes, date unknown 
    Person ID I99377  Generations
    Last Modified 6 Apr 2024 

  • Notes 
    • 'I feel I've done what I need to do'

      Departing Waterloo Mayor Dave Jaworsky delivers final state-of-the-city

      By Jeff Outhit Record Reporter

      WATERLOO - Outgoing Mayor Dave Jaworsky came to say goodbye. Kids stole the show just like he wanted.

      Thursday before almost 300 people, Jaworsky delivered his final state-of-the-city speech at a charity fundraiser held at the RIM Park recreation complex.

      He's retiring from city politics and not seeking re-election after eight years in Waterloo office.

      Jaworsky asked two girls to share his podium. Years ago when the girls were in Grade 5, they were separately declared mayors for a day.

      On those days they brought their ideas, toured the city, and rode in limousines with Jaworsky and other children in a youth outreach effort.

      "Everyone knows that children are our future," Jaworsky told the audience.

      What he likes to tell parents is "I can't change you, but I can change your kid. Your kid, well, they can change you."

      Mission accomplished.

      "This day holds a special place in my heart," Alyssa Panda, now 15, told the audience. Her mayoral idea was to instil more art in the city.

      Elspeth Forde, now 14, had the idea of making a video to promote Waterloo. It ran nine minutes.

      The girls said they were inspired by their service as one-day mayors. Being selected for the honour motivated schoolmates who went on to do their own projects.

      "I hope whoever becomes the new mayor can learn from your example," Elspeth told Jaworsky.

      Jaworsky did set an example. He affably led a drama-free council that purposefully accelerated city spending in pursuit of its goals.

      "When I was elected I said, 'You know, there's a lot of things we need to catch up on here,'" he said in an interview.

      Millions in extra spending helped council expand the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex, open a new library branch, add skateboard parks and trails, upgrade Waterloo Park, launch a climate plan, and begin to tackle a backlog of repairs to decaying roads and buildings.

      Jaworsky told the audience a small story about how council approached its job.

      Council planned and budgeted a single trail through a park. Many people wanted two trails, to better separate cyclists and pedestrians. So council spent more to build two, anticipating praise for doing the right job over complaints for doing half the job.

      "We wanted to fix things up," he said in an interview after leading the audience through his legacy. "And I think that's really why I feel I can leave now. I feel I've done what I need to do."

      Four candidates from outside council ranks are running to succeed Jaworsky as mayor in the Oct. 24 municipal election.

      "The way I look at it is after eight years, I've left the house nice and clean and tidy," he said in an interview. "This is the perfect time to pass the baton to somebody else who can take a fresh look at the house and say, 'I know what needs to be done next.'"

      Surging inflation will be a challenge, he warns.

      "It's a very a terrible hit for each and every one of us personally. But it's going to hit municipalities as well," he said.

      "'I Feel I'Ve Done What I Need To Do'". 2022. Therecord.Com. https://www.therecord.com/news/waterloo-region/2022/09/13/outgoing-mayor-dave-jaworsky-ready-to-move-on-after-leaving-waterloo-nice-and-clean-and-tidy.html.

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