Wallaceburg Coun. Jeff Wesley has reaffirmed he’s not going to be running in the 2018 election in Chatham-Kent.
“With the nomination period for the 2018 Municipal Election set to open on May 1 and run until July 27th I want to take time to tell the fantastic people of Wallaceburg, North Kent and Chatham-Kent that I will not be a candidate in the election,” Wesley said in a email on Wednesday.
Wesley had told the Sydenham Current back in August he would not be seeking re-election.
“This has not been an easy decision as my love for all things Wallaceburg and area runs deep but with the complete support of my family it is time,” Wesley said on Wednesday.
“After the close of nominations on July 27th I will have more to say about the past and the future going forward.”
Wesley has been at the forefront of many issues impacting the Wallaceburg community over the years.
“Whether the issue was our hospital, our water supply, our pool, our walking bridge or many others I always tried to listen to what our community wanted and never shied away from taking on the toughest issues our community faced,” Wesley said.
“All of that was possible only because of the support of my family and the support of our community for every challenge we undertook together. I came back on Council in 2010 to battle for the survival of our hospital and with the full support of the community our hospital is on a solid footing and looking to the future.”
Wesley added: “Thank you Wallaceburg… it has been a great 25 years and I was and continue to be a proud member of the Wallaceburg and area community.”
Fellow Wallaceburg Councillor, Carmen McGregor praised Wesley on social media on Wednesday evening.
“If I am fortunate enough to be returned to my seat for another term I’m going to miss Jeff,” McGregor said on Facebook.
“He has been great to work with while supporting our community. He has taught me a great deal throughout this term. I aim to bring as much to the position as he has over the years.”
Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP Monte McNaughton also praised Wesley on social media.
“On behalf of Wallaceburg, and our entire province, I want to personally thank my friend Jeff Wesley for his 25 years of community service,” McNaughton posted on Twitter.
“Jeff has always been a fighter for Wallaceburg and area. I am proud to have worked side by side with him, and our community, for many years to save our Sydenham Hospital. I wish him all the best as he finishes his term on council. Thank you, Jeff!”
Prior to amalgamation, Wesley was Wallaceburg’s mayor from 1991-1997.
The then served on Chatham-Kent COuncil from 1997-200, and from 2010 to the current term of council.
– Photo credit: Tami Eagen
