It will be a very different Chatham-Kent council when the elected members are sworn in following Monday night’s election results.
A new mayor takes the helm with Darrin Canniff moving over a few seats, and he will be looking out at a council with eight new faces, as well as a returning one.
Several of the campaigns in this election ran on the idea of change and taking Chatham-Kent in a new and fresh direction, and that idea seemed to resonate with the voters. They did vote for change, with several long-time councilors losing to newcomers.
The voters have put their trust in a new mayor and a new council, and now it’s their turn to show the people that their trust hasn’t been misplaced.
Voter turnout was up this election to 45.4 per cent, compared to 42.1 per cent in 2014, which is a testament to the quality of candidates that put their names forward and to the voters desire for something different this time around.
Chatham-Kent needs a new infusion of ideas and people to move the municipality forward. The days of attracting all kinds of big business are long gone and the small business owners and entrepreneurs who have kept this municipality going need progressive policies and people to help them bring prosperity back to this area.
Some progress has been made, certainly, but not enough and not in the right areas to do the most good.
It’s time to listen to what the people were saying to candidates as they went door to door and tackle the issues and problems that most affect our community.
It’s time to do away with the concept of the tail wagging the dog and give the power back to the individuals whose job is to let the people they elected know what matters most.
It’s time to truly embrace being open, transparent and accountable to the people for all decisions made at the council table.
It’s time for change, and now we have it. Let’s not screw it up.
