Fergy Brown
Fergy Brown | |
---|---|
York City Councillor for Ward 4 | |
In office 1969–1974 | |
Personal details | |
Born | James Fergus Brown 31 October 1923 Glasgow, Scotland |
Died | 3 April 2013 Toronto, Ontario | (aged 89)
Alma mater | University of Toronto |
Occupation | Business owner, pharmacist |
James Fergus Brown (31 October 1923 – 3 April 2013) was a politician in
Background
Brown was born in
Political career
Brown was first elected to the York Borough Council in 1969, defeating three challengers in the city's fourth ward, and was re-elected in 1972.
He campaigned for Mayor of York in
After a four-year absence, Brown returned to York Council in
Brown sought to replace
He was elected to succeed Alan Tonks as mayor of York in 1988, defeating former MPP Tony Grande by a significant margin. Brown highlighted his record of financial accountability and suggested that Grande did not have significant municipal experience to govern the city.[5] He continued to serve on Metro Council, where he supported Tonks's successful challenge against Dennis Flynn for council chair.[11]
In 1990, Brown endorsed a controversial plan to sell part of
Brown was re-elected to the mayor's office in 1991 over his old rival Philip White. He helped ensure passage of a compromise Market Value Assessment tax plan for Metro Toronto in 1992, although this plan was later overturned by the provincial government of Bob Rae.[16]
Brown was defeated in 1994 by Frances Nunziata, who had spearheaded opposition to the Fairbank sale in 1990. The campaign centred on leadership issue: Brown pointed to his tenure in office, while Nunziata argued that he did not show decisive leadership during the controversy.[17] The contest was marked by open animosity between the candidates, and Brown refused to travel to Nunziata's headquarters on election night to concede defeat.[18]
Ideologically, Brown was described as a "moderate Tory", an "old-fashioned conservative",[19] and a "very Red Tory".[3] He endorsed David Miller in his campaigns for Mayor of Toronto.[3]
Later life
Brown served on the Board of Directors of
References
- ^ Joe Fiorito, 'Legion swoops in, leaves vets without a branch", Toronto Star, 23 April 2003, B02.
- ^ "FERGUS BROWN Obituary". Legacy.com. 6–8 April 2013. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
- ^ a b c d Winsa, Patty. "Fergy Brown, former York mayor, 'very red Tory', dead at 90". Toronto Star. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
- ^ Darcy Henton, "Close race shapes up in smallest city", Toronto Star, 7 November 1988, A6.
- ^ a b "Fergy Brown a candidate for York Mayor", Toronto Star, 25 May 1988, A6.
- ^ "Davis appoints a Tory loser conservationist", Globe and Mail, 18 January 1978, P4.
- ^ "The candidates", Toronto Star, 10 November 1988, A16.
- ^ Geoffrey York, "Easy majority on first ballot", Globe and Mail, 31 August 1984, P1.
- ^ Geoffrey York, "Eggleton wins seat on police board", Globe and Mail, 26 September 1984, M1.
- ^ Alden Baker, "Eggleton retains seat on police board", 11 December 1985, A11
Sean Fine, "Transport scholar snubbed in TTC bid", Globe and Mail, 23 January 1987. - ^ Laurie Monsebraaten, "Most of them came with their minds already made up", Toronto Star, 13 December 1988, A8.
- ^ Tom Kerr, "Probe urged of parkland selloff", Toronto Star, 4 August 1990, A4.
- ^ "Avoiding conflicts", Toronto Star, 9 October 1990, A12.
- ^ Royson James, "Parkland decision in York set for today", Toronto Star, 10 July 1991, A7
Royson James, "York buries plan to sell parkland by 7-1 vote", Toronto Star, 11 July 1991, A6. - ^ Bob Brent, "Fracas erupts at York public meeting", Toronto Star, 27 September 1991, A6
"In York, depose most incumbents", Toronto Star, 8 November 1991, A24. - ^ Royson James, "New tax plan eases burden for business", Toronto Star, 24 October 1992, A1
David Lewis Stein, "3 veteran councillors cook up deal in restaurant", Toronto Star, 30 October 1992, A6. Brown and two other Progressive Conservatives helped to arrange the final deal with New Democrat Howard Moscoe. - ^ Royson James, "Brown faltering in York", Toronto Star, 31 October 1994, A6.
- ^ Royson James, "Winds of Change", Toronto Star, 15 November 1994, A1.
- ^ Jim Byers, "'Crucial' election today in Metro", Toronto Star, 14 November 1988, A1
Jim Byers, "It does not take much to get re-elected mayor in these parts", Toronto Star, 24 September 1988, B4; David Lewis Stein, "Expect a shift in power after this civic election", Toronto Star, 11 November 1988, A27.