Scott McFadden

The Man Behind The Mayor

by Karen Irvine Editor

“I’m really impressed with those around me, everything we have built together.”

You know him as the Mayor of Cavan Monaghan, but how well do you actually know him? I had the chance to sit down with Scott McFadden in an honest, refreshing discussion.

Mayor McFadden’s ancestry goes way back in Cavan-Monaghan. “My great great grandparents settled back in early 1800’s on Larmer Line and Zion Line.”

In 1984, Scott’s parents built on a one-acre lot severed from Zion Line and it was where he grew up. He went to South Monaghan School and then on the Crestwood High School. On the other side of the family, Scott’s dad ‘s ancestors settled in Lakefield in the 1800’s.

Scott went to Queen’s University for Electrical Engineering. After graduating, he worked building the billing system for the 407 Highway in Ottawa. “It was the first highway in the world for being completely autonomous license plate billing. I really enjoyed it, but with the workload, it led to burnout.” After that project was complete in the late 90’s, he moved to Durham, New Hampshire in the US where he says the lifestyle better suited his young family - two of Scott’s children were born in the US. “I attribute that part of my life as living in adult daycare,” he laughs. “It was a really fun environment, and they were very supportive of family.”

Scott and his family came back to Canada in 2003. Scott and his family came back to Canada in 2003. Before going to the States, he started a business with his brothers doing web design and putting newspapers online starting with Peterborough This Week. Their web design business morphed into real estate websites across Canada. It was a true family business, including having his mom work there. He no longer owns it, but sold to family members.

Does Scott run his office here in the same fun environment as the New Hampshire office? “At the township office, it’s more difficult because I didn’t have the support for it - they didn’t understand the concept. My political career from 2010 - 2014 left me asking ‘do I really want to do this?’, because I didn’t enjoy it. It was a really rough four years at the Municipality. It was demoralizing, and that was reflective in the staff and how they felt about their work. But we’ve changed it around and it’s come a long way. People enjoy their jobs, there’s not much turnover because people are happy. It’s been really productive since 2016."

Why run for council? Scott felt it was important to focus on recreation and youth. He ran for Deputy Reeve and won in 2010. He was also coaching minor hockey for his son’s team and was on the Millbrook minor hockey Executive. His focus was on a new community centre and arena, but couldn’t get enough support during that first four years. The Council of 2014 supported it, and in March 2018 voted it in. A year and a half later, the community centre was built.

Scott included members of the community in the design and planning. To get their input, he rented buses and invited residents to look at other arenas in Ontario. The developer for the subdivision behind the Community Centre contributed the land (10 acres), so there is room to easily expand to a second pad. Keeping the ice cold is designed to heat the building, the roof is built so solar can be adapted and there is lots of natural lighting throughout.

Unfortunately, you won’t see Scott McFadden on the ballot next election. “I’m really impressed with those around me, everything we have built together. The only scary part is walking away and hoping it can transition to another council that will respect it and carry on. At the end of the day, it comes down to (not just here, I mean no disrespect) a lack of respect and understanding of what’s truly involved for a municipal politician to be effective. It’s very limiting on the individuals that can do it, especially in rural municipalities, because there is low pay. I love the position of Mayor, but I’m paid $46,000 a year. At County Council, we are dealing with a one hundred million dollar budget and my annual salary is $14,000. Quite frankly, it should be a full time job.”

All the CAO’s make $120,000 to $130,000. All of the Directors at the county are all mid-hundred thousands. Those that have a business or law degree aren’t going to give up their career to get $14,000 to make hundred million dollar decisions.”

At the end of his term, what is Scott’s plan? “I don’t have one. (laughs) And actually that’s good. I’ve declared early that I’m leaving, so I can explore what’s out there for me. I can guarantee it won’t be a clock-in clock-out 9-5 job (he laughs), it will be something leading edge. It’s exciting and freaks me out at the same time.”

Scott tells it like it is, and is a true leader instead of just saying what people want to hear. Wherever Scott lands, we wish him the best. It will be fun to see what’s next for him. He will be missed!