It has been written that the call to public office is the highest calling a person can have and Applewood Acres has been blessed with several people who have answered that calling. The first ‘urban’ politician to hold office in rural Toronto Township may well have been Charles (Chic) Murray. John Somerset, who lives at 1001 Johnathan Drive, is Chic Murray’s son-in-law and tells the story.
By John Somerset
Chic Murray’s long political career began with an impromptu session at Wally Beaupre’s home on Duchess Drive. Wally had the neighbourhood guys in to show off his newly built recreational room. Finishing the ‘rec’ room was a task that all homeowners in the new subdivision faced, sooner or later. Among the keen admirers were Chic, Al Bradley, Ken Rowe and the proud carpenter. They discussed the finer points of constructing a comfortable room from a bare space in the basement. The discussion soon turned to politics in Toronto Township, in particular how it was that the long-established families, mostly in the rural population, controlled local government. Those in newly formed subdivisions, such as Applewood Acres, had little or no voice. As he had some free time on his hands, and as he had not yet started his own rec room project, Chic was centered out as a prospective council member for the emerging suburban population.
Five neighbours each donated ten dollars toward publicity costs for the 1957 Ward Three Council race. While Chic was soundly defeated, he was determined to run a winning campaign the following year. With a newly gained admiration for the political process, and continuing support from his neighbourhood volunteers, Chic set out to win a seat on Council. He visited and courted the very people whom he saw as influential in the course of local government. Chic pitched his case and, like the fine salesman he was, gained their respect and, more importantly, their votes. This included T.L. Kennedy, himself. Robert, Chic’s second son, remembers accompanying his father to visit Tom Kennedy on several occasions. Even as a young child, Robert could sense the closeness between the two men.
The election was a landslide. In 1958 Chic took his seat as Councillor for Ward 3 in the Township of Toronto. Thus began a municipal political career spanning eighteen years (1958-1976), including the office of Mayor of the Town of Mississauga (1972-1973).
Chic and Jo moved into their new home at 839 Duchess Drive in June 1954. They had previously lived in Etobicoke for a short time, but the Shipp house there would not work for the young Murray clan, as it had but one small bathroom located inconveniently on the first floor-hardly sufficient for a growing family of four children and a dog. Chad was the oldest at 13, followed by Susan, 11, Robert, 10, and James, just seven years old. The Applewood Acres house was larger, had more bedrooms and two ample bathrooms on separate floors. Additionally there was a near-by school for the children adjacent to a park and for the Irish setter, Clancy, to run through Applewood Acres. The Township of Toronto held great promise for the active, young family.