Andrew Scott "Andy" Haydon (born 1933) is a Canadian engineer and former politician. He was reeve of Nepean Township, Ontario from 1970 to 1978 and Regional Chair of Ottawa-Carleton from 1978–1991. Haydon was the first mayor of the city of Nepean when it incorporated on November 24, 1978; Ben Franklin assumed the title six days later.[1][2]

Andrew Scott Haydon
2nd Regional Chair of Ottawa-Carleton
In office
1978–1991
Preceded byDenis Coolican
Succeeded byPeter D. Clark
33rd Reeve of Nepean Township
In office
1970–1978
Preceded byD. Aubrey Moodie
Succeeded byPosition abolished
1st Mayor of Nepean
In office
1978–1978
Preceded byPosition created
Succeeded byBen Franklin
Nepean Township Alderman
In office
1967–1970
Preceded byCouncil expanded
Succeeded byRobert Mitchell and Norman Cooksey
ConstituencyAt large
Personal details
Born1933 (age 90–91)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Spouse(s)Mary Leishman (deceased)
Sherry Franklin

Early life edit

Born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Haydon came to Ottawa, Ontario when he was six. He attended Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario where he received a degree in chemical engineering. He then worked in Cornwall, Ontario as a professional engineer. He moved to Nepean Township in 1961.

Political career edit

Haydon was elected in 1966 to the Nepean Township council, after it was expanded to five aldermen from three. In 1969, he was elected reeve of Nepean.[3] He defeated the incumbent reeve D. Aubrey Moodie in a landslide with 66% of the vote, thanks to the new subdivisions in the city unhappy with Moodie's tax increase. The Nepean Sportsplex and National Capital Equestrian Park were built during Haydon's term as reeve.

In 1978 he became the regional chair of Ottawa-Carleton, where he served for 13 years, helping to introduce Ottawa's Transitway, Ottawa City Hall (then the Regional Offices), and the Robert O. Pickard Environmental Centre. He failed however in his plans to establish a second Greenbelt in the city as well as his dreams of establishing Ottawa as a federal capital district.

After retiring from politics, he ran a bed and breakfast with his wife.[citation needed]

Attempted comeback in politics edit

In September 2006, Haydon unexpectedly announced his candidacy in the new suburban ward of Gloucester-South Nepean, 15 years after his retirement from politics.[4] He was defeated by Steve Desroches in the 2006 municipal elections.

In September 2010, Haydon announced his candidacy for mayor of Ottawa, about six weeks before the date of the election.[5] He finished fourth with 18,914 votes, or 7% of the total ballots.

Haydon has four children with his deceased wife, Mary Leishman. He is currently married to Sherry Franklin, the widow of Ben Franklin, Haydon's successor as mayor of Nepean.

Honours edit

Andrew Haydon Park on the Ottawa River and Andrew Haydon Hall, the city council chambers at Ottawa City Hall, were named after him. Carleton University offers a scholarship in his name each year to a student in an engineering program.

References edit

  1. ^ Juergensen, Melissa (September 10, 2010). "Former regional chair Andy Haydon joins race for mayor". CTV News. Ottawa, Ontario. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  2. ^ Gray, Ken (October 14, 1997). "A history of Nepean, in one man". Ottawa Citizen. Ottawa, Ontario. p. C1. Retrieved December 16, 2023 – via newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2018-03-21. Retrieved 2018-10-04.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ^ Sekeres, Matthew; Vito Pilieci (2006-09-08). "Andy Haydon makes political comeback". Ottawa Citizen. p. F1. Archived from the original on 2012-10-22.
  5. ^ "Haydon enters race for Ottawa mayor". CBC News. Ottawa, Ontario. September 10, 2010. Retrieved January 9, 2024.

External links edit