Joe Fratesi announces retirement

Dear Mayor Provenzano and Members of City Council,

It is with very mixed emotions that I give you notice of my intent to retire from the Corporation on April 30, 2015. Many of you will know that this is something that has weighed heavily on my mind over the last year. Therefore, this decision is not an easy one for me to make. However, I am completely comfortable that this is the right decision for me to make at this time.

My years with the municipality have often been somewhat colourful and I have thoroughly enjoyed a most rewarding career, starting late in 1976 when I was first elected as a Ward 6 Alderman. I served in that role for three successive terms until 1982, when I unsuccessfully first ran for Mayor.

In 1985, I was elected to the Office of Mayor and was returned in several subsequent elections, including several where I was fortunate enough to win every poll in every ward of the City. I am very proud that I was the longest serving Mayor in our City’s history.

In 1996, I gave up my seat as Mayor and also gave up a very busy law practice to take an appointment as the City’s Chief Administrative Officer. While not everyone at the time was supportive of my appointment, I hope that the last 19 years of serving our community in this capacity have somewhat convinced, at least some of those folks, that I may indeed have been “The Best Man for the Job”! I am equally proud that I also have been the longest serving Chief Administrative Officer in our City’s history.

Over my 35 years of service, I have had the privilege of serving alongside many great men and women, both in the political and the administrative streams. I have learned much along the way from my colleagues and hopefully I have been able to reciprocate in at least some small way. I will miss City Hall and the people who work there. The tax payers of Sault Ste. Marie are truly well served by city staff in all of our departments.

As I look back at my time with the City, there are, no doubt, some things that I might have done differently. However, I have no regrets and am very proud of what has been accomplished with the help of so many.

Though I am retiring from my position as the City’s CAO, I fully intend to remain active and have been encouraged by several recent approaches to get involved and help out in areas where my knowledge and experience may be useful. I don’t know whether it will be in law, in teaching, in administration or whether it might simply be in gardening. I will take the next several months to consider my options and to figure out what kind of “retirement” will be best for me, my wife Judy and my family.

Thanks to all of you, as well as to those who have served before you, for the honour and the privilege that has been afforded to me over the years. May God bless you all as you continue your work to keep Sault Ste. Marie a wonderful place!

Sincerely,

Joseph M. Fratesi
Chief Administrative Officer