After 23 years as a trustee with the local Catholic school board, Joan Courtney has decided to run for Amherstburg council.
The conflict of interest issue that became problematic in the last year and a half as a trustee prompted her to try for town council, Courtney said. Because she has a daughter who is a teacher, Courtney couldn’t vote on anything — including the budget — that would have an impact on teachers.
“If I can’t do my job as a trustee to the best of my ability for my constituents, then I felt the best thing is that I should step down,” Courtney said Tuesday. “That made that decision for me and kind of pointed me in the direction of maybe I should try for municipal.”
Courtney, who was a former vice-chair of the board, said a court decision a year and a half ago made trustees anxious about being in a conflict and being sued. She wouldn’t say whether other trustees with similar conflicts should seek re-election. She said there are many things trustees do and it will be up to each trustee to make that decision.
The Courtney name will still be on the ballot for the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board since Courtney’s son Joel filed his nomination papers in late August.
Joel said he checked the municipal conflict of interest act and with a lawyer and said he will not be limited in his voting since the act doesn’t apply to siblings. His sister is a teacher which caused a conflict for his mom since a parent, a spouse or a child can cause a potential conflict under the act.
“I can vote on every single aspect of the board,” Joel said Tuesday.
Joel Courtney is a 32-year-old meat manager at a chain grocery store and he has two children in school. He’ll have name recognition but he said he has ordered lawn signs that include his first name to try to avoid confusion.
Joel is up against Frank DiTomasso and Sue Hewitt.
Joan Courtney, 63, said she’s not afraid of a challenge when asked about Amherstburg’s financial woes. She wants to use her experience with budgets and infrastructure for town council, she said.
A dozen candidates who are so far competing for five council seats show voters want change, she said. “There’s going to be some fresh blood and hopefully things can start moving forward for Amherstburg.”
It looks like Amherstburg will have a new mayor, deputy mayor and a couple new councillors.
With Amherstburg Mayor Wayne Hurst saying he will not seek another term, Coun. John Sutton and Deputy Mayor Ron Sutherland are competing for the town’s top political post.
Coun. Carolyn Davies, Coun. Bart DiPasquale and former councillor John Menna are vying for the deputy mayor’s job.
Council candidates include Frank Cleminson, Joan Courtney, John Dupont, Pauline Gemmell, Ken Grant, Jason Lavigne, Leo Meloche, Stephen Mickle, Lora Petro, Bob Pillon, Marc Renaud, Joshua Rene and Robert Rozankovic.
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