By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A bylaw to officially approve Chatham-Kent’s redrawn ward boundaries was passed by council March 3.
However, at least one C-K councillor wants to make his opposition to the changes known even though it’s a done deal.
“I know this fight’s been lost but I am going to continue to oppose it,” South Kent Coun. Anthony Ceccacci told council, adding he wanted to make sure his comments are on record.
North Kent Coun. Rhonda Jubenville, who started the ball rolling in 2024 to re-examine ward boundaries and the composition of council, said constituents will be better served under the new system.
But she acknowledged some rural residents feel left out.
“There is a lot of concern from the rural areas that because we’ve decreased, the optics are we’ve decreased councillors in the rural areas, but I think that what’s been lost in translation is that Chatham proper itself has grown, Jubenville told council, noting Chatham councillors will now be responsible for more constituents in South and North Kent.
In response to a question from Jubenville about actual numbers, CAO Michael Duben said a report will come back to council regarding numbers and how ward funding could be impacted.
Changes imposed by the bylaw come into effect prior to the next municipal election.
