The upcoming municipal election will mark the end of an era for a long-time Chatham-Kent councillor.
Ward 6 Councillor Doug Sulman has announced that he will not be seeking another term, ending a four-decade-long tenure. Sulman, a local lawyer, was first elected to City of Chatham Council in 1982.
“At the time I got elected I was newly wed and just call to the bar and in my 20s. It’s been an honour and privilege to serve all these years under five different mayors and a lot of different changes,” he said.
Sulman said his family has a long history of serving in public office and giving back to the communities they live in.
“In my family, public service has been a tradition. It was drilled into my head as a child at the dinner table,” he said. “While I planned to serve about two terms, it quickly turned into 40 [years]. It seems like it’s overnight.”
Regarding his decision to end his tenure on CK Council, Sulman said he felt it was time felt like it was time to give other people an opportunity to serve.
“It’s somewhat bittersweet. I’ve enjoyed helping people and I’ve enjoyed trying to solve problems in our community. But I don’t see this as an end to anything except elected office. I certainly hope in the coming years I can still use and apply my experience and knowledge to continue to serve our community in some way, shape or form,” he said.
Sulman added that his departure comes at a very exciting time for Chatham-Kent.
“There are some interesting projects. I would hope that whoever is elected decides on these with their brain and not their heart, and looks to the best interests of the community and the taxpayers in that community,” he said.
The municipal election will take place on October 24. There are currently 16 candidates vying for the six seats Ward 6.
