One of Chatham-Kent’s longest-serving councillors will not have his name on the ballot during the upcoming municipal election.
Ward 4 Councillor Joe Faas has announced that he will not seek another term on council after serving more than 40 years.
“One of the factors is my age I guess. I’m 72. I’ve had a lot of years and you get to a point where you say enough is enough,” he said. “I’m looking forward to not have to worry about council issues.”
Faas was first elected in 1976 to Dresden town council before becoming the town’s mayor in 1990. He remained mayor until Dresden was amalgamated into Chatham-Kent in 1998 and was elected to CK council a few years later.
Faas said it was first suggested that he run for council while he was lobbying for Dresden to allow alcohol within its borders. He said a liquor plebiscite on whether the town should stay dry or go wet was a major factor in his decision to seek a seat on council.
“I thought I’ll give it a try and if I make it, I make it, and if I don’t I don’t. And here I am,” he said.
During his time as an elected official, Faas said securing a waterline from Chatham to Dresden was a notable accomplishment in his career.
“Just prior to amalgamation, the waterline was installed and we were receiving water from Chatham,” he said. “So that was a pretty big highlight.”
Looking back on his four decades on council, Faas said he has always strived to do right by the community and the people he represents.
“It’s been a real experience over the years,” he said. “I have not pleased everybody but I’ve always tried to do the right thing.”
Faas said there are many exciting things happening in Chatham-Kent and he hopes the next elected council continues the work that has been taking place over the last few years.
“Also that they make the right decision and not popular decisions… sometimes the popular decision gets in the way of the right decision,” he said. “They have an obligation and a responsibility to make that right decision.”
The municipal election will take place on October 24. There are currently eight candidates vying for the two seats in Ward 4.
