People often think that historical facts, once printed are unalterable. This is too bad, as “new” information, emerges the deeper researchers delve into a topic.
Locally for nearly a century, historians believed that Cornwall’s Aaron Horovitz was Canada’s first Jewish mayor. Recently this “fact,” was upended, after a cursory review of Alexandria’s municipal history, revealed that general store proprietor George Simon was acclaimed the Town’s mayor for 1918.Thereby, making him in most people’s minds, Canada’s first Jewish mayor. Altogether Simon occupied the mayor’s chair from 1918-22, and was acclaimed again for 1952, where he remained until 1964.
Born in Brantford, Simon came to Alexandria as a child with his family, who operated Simon’s General Store, on Main St., in Alexandria.
Simon was acclaimed Alexandria’s mayor in December 1917, to take office in January of the coming year. During his first term, the Town was ravaged by Spanish influenza, leading him, as chair of the Board of Health, to sign the notice closing schools and public places in October, 1918.
From all accounts Simon was a generous, rural “glad-hand,” Ontario Tory politician, who freely redistributed taxpayer’s money.In 1984, “Glengarry News,” correspondent Angus H. McDonell captured Simon’s free-wheeling patronage driven style, writing that when Simon made a call to “Queen’s Park…Tory rewards,” would come to Alexandria.
Regardless of his political ties, Simon was known for his charitableness throughout the Great Depression. Deeply committed to Alexandria and its people, he served as chair of the Public Utilities Commission and Parks and Recreation Committee, was a member of the Hospital Board, the Eastern Ontario Development Association, the Glengarry Conservative Association, local Masons, and the curling club.
A bachelor, after selling the family business in 1952, Simon was once again acclaimed mayor.Understanding that the Town needed industry to prosper and reduce municipal taxes, he got behind the 1955 “Carnation Company fixed assessment by-law.”At a Board of Trade public meeting, concerning the by-law, the “Glengarry News,” for January 25th, 1955, reported that Simon stated that he saw “…little hope of progress for Alexandria if voted down…we can forget about new industry.”He capped his speech by saying “If I thought this would entail any loss…I would never consider passing the by-law.”
The Town’s ratepayers agreed and the by-law passed with 534 votes for and eight against.
In 1962, Simon stood for office for the last time, pitching both his sentiments and career to the voters in an ad in “The Glengarry News,” for November, 29th.
In this fine example of mid 20th century political rhetoric, bursting with pride and bravado, Simon instructed people to vote for him saying: “I have been Mayor of Alexandria for the past 11 years. In that time, with the co-operation of the members of Council I have brought many improvements to our town such as industries, hard top roads, sewers etc., and looked after the Town in general, for the full benefit of the welfare of every citizen.”
“I am appealing to you for your vote on my past record. No one could have done more for our town, than I have done, or devoted more time to it. We have two very important projects to finalize, of which I have taken a very important part in their promotion. That is the proposed Glengarry Hospital and Sanitary Sewer Disposal…”
Simon continued:“…after all that I have done for our town, surely I am entitled to be re-elected for this last term of office.”
“I have experience, the knowledge and the time to devote to our Municipal Affairs; my opponent (Martin Clement) never sat in the Council one day.”
“Travel to the polls in any car, (candidates offered to provide voters rides to polling stations then, as they do today), but vote for George Simon – for Mayor; under our democratic system, it is a secret ballot.”
Simon was duly elected.
He suffered a stroke while walking in front of his former Main Street store and was rushed to Cornwall’s Hotel Dieu, where he died on January 31, 1964.
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