Mike Genge
Mike Genge says his candidacy for a trustee’s position is a natural progression in giving to the community and expressing his faith.
“My church family really was like a second family to me growing up,” he said. “I believe that studying religion at school not only strengthens your faith but it makes you a more rounded person.”
A partner at Hub Creative, Genge has served as a volunteer with the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance and its foundation, as well as the Chatham Kent Hospice and the Chatham-Kent Women’s Centre.
“My children went to St. Mike’s in Ridgetown and later went to The Pines,” he said. “Studying world religion in high school helps provide a better balance in understanding all religions. “
He said his role as trustee will be to ensure relevant curriculum and values continue to be at the core of education.
“Education is the basis for everything which follows. It can give you a great start in life and we owe it to our children to see that they receive it.”
Anita Labadie
Anita Labadie believes her combination of experience and enthusiasm provides voters with a strong candidate as she seeks re-election as a trustee.
Labadie, a trustee since 1991, said she has seen a lot of changes during her tenure.
“I say that you can’t know where you’re going if you don’t know where you’ve been,” she said.
Labadie said she is proud that Ward 6 has a thriving French immersion school, calling it an example of how a board should respond to the needs of the community.
“I work hard at being accessible and open,” she said. “It gives me a great deal of satisfaction when someone comes to me with questions concerning how a particular issue should be dealt with and I can point them in the right direction.”
Labadie said remaining vigilant in terms of protecting students’ right to a Catholic education is always a priority.
She said the board must continue to ensure that all those who want access to Catholic education are aware of the rights and opportunities.
Dan Simpson
First-time candidate Dan Simpson says the right to faith-based religion is important to him.
“I’ve seen first-hand how the element of faith in education can be such a powerful tool,” he said.
The novelist, freelance writer and Queen’s University graduate who also works part-time in a law office, said education is important to everyone but particularly so to those who may be least fortunate in society.
“A strong education can serve a person in so many ways beyond the classroom,” he said. “It remains perhaps one of the strongest influences in a person’s life.”
As someone who can represent the community’s views to senior education officials, he believes the role of trustee is key.
“Education doesn’t take place in a vacuum,” he said. “It takes the support of the entire community.”
