For the second time in just over a year, St. Thomas city council will have to deal with filling a vacant seat. In this case, the result of the sudden death Sunday of councillor Mark Tinlin at the age of 79.
An individual Mayor Joe Preston referred to as “a great role model for the rest of us.”
Tinlin was born and raised in St. Thomas and graduated from the Ontario Police College north of Aylmer in 1963 and served with the London Police Service from 1962 through 1966.
He was first elected to St. Thomas council in 2014 and re-elected in 2018.
Last March, council was faced with the death of second-term councillor Linda Stevenson. Council appointed former councillor Steve Wookey to fill the vacant seat.
Preston added, “I miss Linda still and now I’ve got another to miss.”
His was a resume that included law enforcement, senior university management, the military and municipal politics. In St. Thomas, Tinlin was involved with the St. John Ambulance Society and served as past-president of the Elgin Regiment Association. Preston says, among many other things, Tinlin was recognized for his contributions on the police services board.
Fellow councillor Steve Peters says although Tinlin spent a good portion of his political career in eastern Ontario, their paths crossed on numerous occasions at conventions and other functions.
Peters noted Tinlin’s ability to keep council focussed on matters at hand.
Peters added Tinlin’s service to others is “a wonderful legacy.”
Preston noted at the next meeting of city council on Monday, Tinlin’s seat will officially be declared vacant.
