Warden Thurber Retires

Municipality of Digby Warden Jim Thurber retired Tuesday, less than two months short of reaching his 10th year as Warden and halfway through his current four-year term.

A by-election will be held in October to find a new councillor for the district that encompasses Long and Brier islands and part of Digby Neck. Deputy Warden Jimmy MacAlpine will fill the position of Warden. The Warden is chosen by fellow councilors.

Regular municipal elections are scheduled for October, 2012.

In an interview Monday, Thurber said his life was pretty uncertain because of family health issues heading into the 2010 municipal election. He said then that if he wasn’t going to continue through the whole term, he would decide early enough voters in his district could see how his replacement performed before the 2012 election.

“In the last part of July, I decided that I wanted to pursue other interests,” he said. “The way the process works, I have to vacate my seat in order for the election process to take place.”

Politics originally appealed to him because he had an interest in community and trying to improve it. Thurber entered municipal politics 12 years ago and became Warden two years later.

“I’ve enjoyed my work. I feel honored to be able to represent the people of my area and to represent the municipality in the more broad issues,” said Thurber. “I hope for the most part people feel that I’ve done a fair job. I’ve tried my best and I feel good in that.”

Somewhat surprised by Thurber’s announcement, Deputy Warden MacAlpine said he feels comfortable taking over because he filled in for Thurber for two months last summer and has been in politics for the past 10 years.

“You wouldn’t get a better fellow,” he said about Thurber. “He’s been a super person to work with and we’re going to miss him.”

MacAlpine highlighted how important Thurber has been to the municipality regarding such issues as the Digby-Saint John ferry and getting the message of its importance out to other politicians.

“I’m going to miss him a lot. I depended on Jim because he’s been in it for so long and he was pretty fair and open-minded,” said Digby Mayor Ben Cleveland. “He was a great guy and worked really hard.”

Thurber said he will miss being involved in the different issues.

“I will miss the camaraderie of the rest of council and the staff of the municipality who’ve made it so much easier for me to be able to do the business for the municipality over the past 12 years.”

Now that he has retired he plans to “look after some things I’ve neglected over the last few years and then we’ll see from that point on whether it’s a retirement or a career change.”

Thurber has operated an inshore lobster, hand line and long line business since the early 1980s.

• Story by Leanne DeLong
• The Digby County Courier
• 26 Aug 2010