Des Newman was first elected to council in 1962. He ran for mayor in 1963 but lost to Warren Mowat by just 25 votes.

He ran for mayor again in 1965 and was successful. Newman was 34 when he assumed office. He served as mayor until 1975 when he resigned to run as the Liberal Party candidate in the 1975 Provincial election.

While in office, Mayor Newman’s accomplishments were varied. Two of them stand out for greatly affecting the future identity of the Town of Whitby, amalgamation and the Iroquois Park Sports Complex.