A Ward 5 council candidate in the upcoming municipal election has withdrawn from the race.
Restaurant owner Mark Childs has announced that he is no longer running to represent the Wallaceburg area on Chatham-Kent Council.
In a social media post, Childs said he has been working diligently to speak with many people over the last few weeks.
“As things ramp up, I have come to realize there is no way I can run a busy restaurant and do the job of a councillor without one or the other suffering,” he said on Facebook. “I truly appreciate all the support I have received, and I will continue working behind the scenes, doing what I can when I can. I think Wallaceburg is in good hands with at least three of the remaining candidates, and I will certainly help them any way I can.”
Childs, who is the owner of The Black Goose Grill in Wallaceburg, said he plans to run for elected office in the future, once he retires.
Since the candidate nomination period already closed on August 21, Childs’ name will remain on the ballot for Ward 5
“It will be up to the candidate to advise the electors of their intent to withdraw from the race,” said Judy Shantz, CK’s clerk and director of municipal governance.
There are 13 candidates remaining on the ballot in Ward 5 with two seats available. Incumbent councillors Aaron Hall and Carmen McGregor are not seeking re-election.
Any candidate who withdraws from the election is still required to file a campaign financial statement. The candidate’s nomination fee will be refunded if their financial statement is filed by the deadline.
Chatham-Kent residents will head to the polls on October 26.
