The loss of a municipal councillor in Eastern Ontario is being felt here in Chatham-Kent.
Bernard Cameron, 65, who was in his second term serving the Almonte Ward in Mississipi Mills, Ont., was a former teacher at Chatham-Kent Secondary School. He died from a gunshot in his home Feb. 11.
According to published reports, a second man found at the home – also with a gunshot wound, died later in hospital.
Cameron’s daughter, Sarah, was also wounded.
Police say it was an apparent murder-suicide, as the other man was the daughter’s former common-law spouse. According to the OPP, the man shot and killed Cameron, wounded his daughter, and then turned the gun on himself.
For Chatham Coun. Derek Robertson, the loss is twofold. He said the two were first elected to office the same day – Oct. 23, 2010 – and Cameron taught Robertson creative writing in the local politician’s final year of high school.
“He was intriguing. I found most English teachers to be a little out there. He was no exception, and I mean that in the most respectful way possible,” Robertson said. “Those are the kind of guys who can help shape young minds. They are so creative in the way they think.”
He described Cameron’s teaching style as very engaging.
“Their minds encourage young people to be bold in their thoughts and their sentiments and statements,” he said. “They maybe break you out of what was once a little bit of a shy shell.”
Cameron had such a big influence on Robertson that the latter asked the former to sign his yearbook.
“Best of luck, Derek, don’t lose sight of what counts.”
Robertson wishes the two had reconnected.
“I would have been intrigued to grab a beer and talk politics with a former mentor,” Robertson said.
