Downtown Windsor councillor not running for re-election or mayor
After two-terms serving on Windsor city council, Ward 3 councillor Rino Bortolin has announced he is not running for re-election.
Bortolin told reporters he was considering a run for mayor, but ultimately decided against it.
“This decision was not an easy one and was made with many considerations in mind,” Bortolin said. “Mainly, the need to spend more time with my family. I want to change that.”
He said the past eight years have been very rewarding and he’s been happy to deliver outcomes alongside members of the community.
“While I am stepping away from the council table, it doesn’t mean that my community work and advocacy will stop,” Bortolin said. “I can assure you I will not stop being vocal on municipal issues, in fact I may be louder and more direct than ever.”
During his time on council, Bortolin served on more than 20 boards and committees, including his current positions as the chair of the Development and Heritage Standing Committee, chair of the Windsor Public Library, vice-chair of the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, Windsor Police Services board member, chair of the Property Standards Committee, chair of the Windsor Business Improvement Association Advisory Committee and member of the Community Services and Parks Stand Committee.
He says his work advocating for resident’s issues such as housing and homelessness, transit equity, active transportation, drug addiction and safety and security and alley lighting were his most memorable accomplishments during his time on council.
“I helped elevate their voices in ways they were not used to. The trust we created was special,” Bortolin said. “The value of that trust cannot be understated. To me, that’s the true value of the work I’ve done of the last eight years.”
He noted the City of Windsor has some great talent and “cultivating and nurturing that talent has been difficult at times because we blur the lines between the politically elected and administration of the city.”
“Allowing that administration to do their work is key in harnessing that talent and continuing the progressive work and course set by all of city council,” said Bortolin.
Bortolin was first elected in 2014 and will remain a councillor until the next council is sworn in in November, 2022.
Windsor mayor Drew Dilkens issued a statement about Bortolin’s announcement.
“Congratulations to Councillor Bortolin for making this difficult decision. I acknowledge the passion and spirit that he brought to his role as Councillor for Ward 3. I know first hand the incredible personal toll that serving in elected office requires, especially during these past few years. As he and his family embark on a new chapter, Jane and I wish them all the very best. I am sure that Mr. Bortolin will find a way to contribute to building our City even as he steps back from Windsor City Council,” said Dilkens.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
House admonishes ArriveCan contractor in rare parliamentary show of power
MPs enacted an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power on Wednesday, summonsing an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons where he was admonished publicly and forced to provide answers to the questions MPs said he'd previously evaded.
Trump lawyers say Stormy Daniels refused subpoena outside a Brooklyn bar, papers left 'at her feet'
Donald Trump's legal team says it tried serving Stormy Daniels a subpoena as she arrived for an event at a bar in Brooklyn last month, but the porn actor, who is expected to be a witness at the former president's criminal trial, refused to take it and walked away.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Customers disappointed after email listing $60K Tim Hortons prize sent in error
Several Tim Horton’s customers are feeling great disappointment after being told by the company that an email stating they won a boat worth nearly $60,000 was sent in error.
Woman who pressured boyfriend to kill his ex in 2000s granted absences from prison
A woman who pressured her boyfriend into killing his teenage ex more than a decade ago will be allowed to leave prison for weeks at a time.
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
Attempt to have murder charge quashed against alleged serial killer dismissed by judge
A motion filed by the man accused of killing four Indigenous women in Winnipeg to have one of those murder charges quashed has been dismissed by the judge – weeks before the start of his trial.