A former Warden and Perth County Council member has passed away.
Meredith (Mert) Schneider recently passed away after a long career in local politics. Mert served on North Perth Council for 38 years, spending 18 of those on Perth County Council. He served as Perth County Warden for 2 years beginning in 2016. Schneider was a life-long resident of the Wallace Ward in North Perth where he owned and operated a family farm, and was dedicated to the local agricultural sector, doing stints with the Palmerston Agricultural Society, the Perth County Beef Farmers and as an Advisory Councillor with the Ontario Cattlemen’s Association.
Current Perth County Warden Jim Aitcheson released a statement on the passing of Schneider. At Aitcheson's direction, flags at all Perth County facilities will remain at half mast until Schneider's funeral on June 17th.
Perth County Warden Jim Aitcheson's statement is as follows:
"It is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of former Warden and County Council Member Meredith (Mert) Schneider. Mert spent 38 years serving as a member of North Perth Council and was a member of Perth County Council for18 of those years. Mert also served 2 years as Warden of Perth County in 2016."
"Mert was a lifelong resident of North Perth in the Wallace Ward where he owned and operated a family farm. Mert demonstrated a strong commitment to the agricultural sector by serving on the Palmerston Agricultural Society, the Perth County Beef Farmers and as an Advisory Councilor with the Ontario Cattlemen’s Association."
"On behalf of County Council and Staff I want to offer my sincere condolences to his wife Nancy, his children and his family and friends. In honour of his life and public service to our region, flags will remain lowered at all County facilities until his funeral on June 17, 2021."
Current North Perth Mayor Todd Kasenberg made the following remarks at the June 14th council meeting:
"It is with sorrow that I announce to our community the death of Meredith “Mert” Schneider. Mert died on Sunday, June 13, 2021."
"Mert was born and raised in Wallace Township and was a self-employed farmer on lands in Wallace for 55 years. He began his career in municipal politics in 1980, when I was in Grade 10. He believed firmly in political progression – and served as Deputy Reeve of Wallace Township from 1985 to 1987, then Reeve from 1988-1997. Upon the amalgamation that created North Perth, he stepped up to serve as Councillor, and did so from 1998 to 2018."
"Mert was given a special award for longstanding service in municipal government by Ontario in 2006… and he got another 12 years after that. Truly, he served one of the longest stints in municipal politics that I have ever heard of."
"During his service as an elected official, Mert served in a variety of committees, including the North Perth Planning Advisory Committee, Municipal Drainage Committee, North Perth Court of Revision, Bluewater Recycling Association, and the Wallace Recreation Committee. Mert also served as a representative of North Perth on Perth County Council, and as Warden of Perth County in 2016."
"Mert Schneider found time to be involved in a number of community causes, including membership in the Perth County Cattlemen Association, the Palmerston Agricultural Society, and the Former Wallace Optimist Club."
"I did not serve alongside Mert and knew him only extremely casually. Several Councillors at this table knew him far better than me. I know that he had a passion for North Perth and that he enjoyed his service with and for North Perth, and missed it the last few years. I will remember him being called into service to drive the Warden of Perth County in a local parade, and his wide smile when I greeted him as he undertook that simple service for his long-time friend, Walter McKenzie. He had a commitment to support the traditions and dignity of our political offices."
"On behalf of Council, I express sympathies to his wife Nancy, his children Angela, Jason, Paul and Darrell, and to his 9 grandchildren."
"I call now for a moment of reflection and of gratitude for a life well lived and well served, Meredith “Mert” Schneider. In honour of his life and public service to our municipality, flags will remain lowered at all Municipal facilities until his funeral on June 17, 2021."
