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THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2018
Vol. 6 Edition 2
FREE!
Van Kesteren set to leave federal politics in 2019
Frozen in time
By Bruce Corcoran bruce@chathamvoice.com
Kyle Wicks (Instagram: @k_wicksy)/Special to The Chatham Voice
Local photographer Kyle Wicks captured this chilly but beautiful photo of Lake Erie during the recent cold snap. He took the photo near Erieau at sunset, with temperatures at about -18C, with gusting winds that dropped the wind chill closer to -30C. The biting cold came to a snowy end to start this week, with rain even in the forecast for Thursday, but colder weather is coming back on the weekend.
BEFORE
Chatham-Kent Leamington MP Dave Van Kesteren said he has 36 reasons – soon to be 37 – not to run in the 2019 federal election. That’s the number of grandchildren he has, with number 37 on the way in a few months. Spending more time with his family is the primary reason he said he will not seek re-election in 2019. Van Kesteren has represented the riding in Ottawa since 2006. He admitted election campaigns are gruelling processes, taking their toll on candidates and everyone around them. Each election wore on him. “When I was first elected in 2006, we were a minority government,” he said, referring to the Conservatives that took power under Stephen Harper. “It (the focus) was to just to get to the next election. After 2011, I started thinking there will be a point where this is it.” That “it” time became more focused following the 2015 election, Van Kesteren said.
“I knew that was going to be my last election,” he said. “I’ve given it serious thought. You know when it’s time to hang up the skates.” Van Kesteren said the decision has nothing to do with sitting in Parliament as a member of the opposition since the 2015 election when Justin Trudeau and the Liberals replaced Van Kesteren’s Conservatives. “There’s a possibility we’ll be returning to power. He (Trudeau) has been floundering,” the longtime MP said. Instead, Van Kesteren said this decision is about himself and his family. “Elections are tough. You need an army of people. My army has been my friends and supporters, but also my family too. It’s been hard on them,” he said. “When I first ran, my wife (Faye) was kind of quiet about it for about two weeks. She said I needed to do it. She’s always been behind me, but I think she’s ready. “It’s time for me to spend some time with her and the rest of my family. I want to be home and with her.” Continued on page 3
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