The legacy of the 18-year political career of retiring Newmarket Mayor Tony Van Bynen is being acknowledged with a permanent art installation and naming of a square at Riverwalk Commons.
The Newmarket Community Living Room will be a concrete sculpture in the newly named Van Bynen Square, Newmarket Mayor-elect John Taylor announced at the mayor’s farewell tribute last night at the Old Town Hall.
The public artwork will be a lasting legacy and fitting tribute to Van Bynen’s “significant achievements that changed a town”, Taylor said, including the revitalization of Newmarket’s Main Street and development of Riverwalk Commons as a community gathering place.
The tribute also acknowledges Van Bynen’s fondness for referring to Newmarket’s downtown as the living room of the community, and his monthly Mayor in the Square to which he welcomed the community to drop by throughout his 12 years as mayor.
The sculpture, which will be located alongside the story pod, will include bronze castings of the mayor’s well-known leather cap hanging from a coat rack, his dual cellphones and a book of jokes, Taylor said.
“I’m really overwhelmed,” Van Bynen said from the stage following the announcement, before thanking guests and organizers for a “thoughtful, creative and touching” farewell.
The farewell tribute event, co-organized and emceed by friends David McLennan, Ian Proudfoot and Jackie Playter, saw the retiring mayor receive a multitude of best wishes and accolades — and a bit of a roast — from speakers that included York Regional Chair Wayne Emerson, Town of Newmarket CAO Bob Shelton, wife Roxanne Van Bynen, daughters Christine Glenn and Michelle Nye, son-in-law Jeff Nye, former Newmarket Chamber of Commerce president and chair Barb Bartlett, and incoming mayor John Taylor.
“He served with passion and dedication,” said Taylor. “He has delivered calm and consistent leadership.”
“He made the job look far, far easier than it is,” he added.
Heartfelt tributes — and roasts — were also given on video by citizens and Town of Newmarket employees, as well as York Regional Police Chief Eric Jolliffe and Fire Chief Ian Laing.
The mayor received much ribbing for his “bad” and “corny” jokes and puns, and for his fondness for taking selfies posted on his active social media accounts.
The farewell event included a special 10 Minute Play performance directed by Michael Halfin, founder of the annual Newmarket National 10 Minute Play Festival.
Featured, too, were musical performances by Canadian tenor Christopher Dallo, who credits his participation in Celebration of the Arts in Newmarket for the launch of his career, and the Pickering College Senior Jazz Band. Renditions of Get Back and Here Comes the Sun were included for the Van Bynens, avid fans of the Beatles.
McLennan paid tribute to the mayor’s “fundamental decency and integrity” and unwavering commitment to doing “the right thing” for the people of Newmarket, thoughts that were echoed repeatedly by speakers throughout the evening.
Other achievements acknowledged included Van Bynen’s significant role in establishing Belinda’s Place, the region’s first transitional and emergency shelter for homeless women in Newmarket, and his strong commitment to building a sustainable future and vibrant economy for Newmarket with the launch of Envi, the community-owned broadband network.
Van Bynen ended the evening by expressing his appreciation and thanks to friends, colleagues, advisors and employees for their contributions to making Newmarket “the best place to live”, as well as thanking residents for choosing to make Newmarket their home.
********
The wording for the plaque accompanying The Newmarket Community Living Room:
The living room of every home serves a vital role – a place where family and friends connect, socialize, relax, laugh and create lasting memories.
A vibrant Main Street and welcoming downtown core serve as the living room of the community. Mayor Tony Van Bynen firmly believed this and over almost two decades of public service he championed this vision through promoting strategic investments and carefully planned place making which resulted in downtown Newmarket being revitalized as the heart of our community.
Welcome to Van Bynen Square, inspired by Mayor Van Bynen’s engagement through “Mayor in the Square”, serving as the home of Newmarket’s Community Living Room. This permanent art installation provides a welcoming place where residents can connect and create lasting memories while paying tribute to the legacy of “Mayor in the Square” where residents connected with the Mayor in an accessible and casual place, engaging in meaningful conversation or debate. This space is here for you to enjoy as you engage in conversation with family and friends or even to forge new friendships.
The Community Living Room, celebrates the collaboration of Council, building owners and merchants of downtown Newmarket, and residents toward the common goal of a vibrant downtown for generations to come.
Councillor – 2000 to 2003
Regional Councillor – 2003 to 2006
Mayor – 2006 to 2018
