An evening of farewells marked the final meeting of Amherstburg council for the current term on Monday. The makeup of council will look significantly different when it next meets following a wave of change in last month’s municipal election. Mayor Michael Prue was defeated in the election, while Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb was elected mayor for the new term. The council table will also see significant turnover. Councillors Don McArthur and Diane Pouget did not seek re-election, while Coun. Linden Crain was unsuccessful in a bid for deputy mayor, losing to Bill Petruniak. Incumbent councillors Molly Allaire and Peter Courtney were re-elected. Allaire used her remarks to recognize Pouget’s long tenure on council. “You have been an inspiration to this town; you have definitely left your mark ... but I know you’re not done; this is just a small chapter. But you are going to stay in this town whether it’s handing out medals with me on Canada Day, whether it’s at the church giving out all of your praise and glory ... you are a rockstar.” Courtney thanked each departing member of council and offered special praise for Prue. “I looked at him with his tenure and experience, and I’m indebted to him. It fast-tracked me into this world of politics, and so for that, I’m honoured. I wish you the best.” Pouget said she was grateful for her years on council. “I am so honoured that you believed in me and allowed me to be your voice for the past 18 years ... you’ve been a great inspiration for me.” McArthur thanked council and municipal staff and offered advice to the incoming council. “Governing is difficult; the new councillors are going to find you’ve got to make difficult decisions sometimes ... they’re not always popular, but I think a guiding north star, if you will, that people can use is always try to do the right thing for the right reasons.” Gibb thanked Prue for his leadership in Amherstburg and at county council. “I relied on you a lot to hear your thoughts at county council for those issues, and for the next role that is coming for those of us returning, I’ve learned a lot from you, and I appreciate it.” Prue reflected on his decades in politics and recalled discovering an old yearbook entry detailing his career aspirations. “And the yearbook has a little, tiny picture of Michael Prue in it, and beside it it says, ‘his goal and inspiration or aspiration in life is to be a full-time politician.’ There are not many people who can say that they have lived their dream ... and I have. And I thank everyone for being part of allowing me to live that dream.” Voters elected Keith Boussey, Jen DeLuca and Wes Ewer to join council. The inaugural meeting of the new term of council is scheduled for Nov. 23.
