Andrew Haydon

Haydon was accused of empire building, of taking power from council, and of the dirtiest electoral politics that the township had ever seen. Yet his initiatives were hailed in the early 70s as the “greatest adventure in true participatory democracy in Ontario” and he was credited with putting Nepean on the map. Although opposed by Aubrey Moodie, a farmer and representative of Nepean’s rural voters, Haydon was re-elected in 1973. There was no love lost between the two men and elections at this time were little more than mudslinging matches, which was damaging to both sides.

Haydon’s stubborn refusal to compromise his election platform made him unpopular with his colleagues but guaranteed that the township would remember him. He restructured its administration, rationalized department operations, and put them on a secure financial footing. He also introduced an information system that received national attention and built recreation facilities unparalleled in the province. He was also a strong advocate of long-term planning.