Chatten withdraws from trustee race against Lloyd
Julie Chatten has withdrawn her candidacy for public school board trustee, leaving longtime trustee Angela Lloyd as the only candidate for the seat .
Chatten was a certified candidate to run for trustee for the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board in the district covering Cavan Monaghan, DouroDummer and Otonabee-South Monaghan townships in southern Peterborough County.
But she withdrew her candidacy last week, leaving Lloyd as the sole candidate.
Chatten had been active in trying to save Lakefield District Secondary School from closure – but ultimately, the school closed and was converted last year into Lakefield District Public School.
She also lobbied the board to keep the school’s intermediate wing, but the board opted for demolition.
In an interview Thursday, Chatten said she withdrew her candidacy last week because she didn’t feel the time was right for her to vie for the job after all.
“It just wasn’t the right time – and it’s unfortunate, because I think there needs to be new people around the table.”
Angela Lloyd has been a trustee since 1994.
“I’m very passionate about what I do,” she said in an interview.
Lloyd said it’s important to note she isn’t acclaimed, however: because Chatten withdrew her candidacy after the cut-off date of July 27, her name will still appear on the ballot in the Oct. 22 municipal election.
“It’s still an election,” she said.
Lloyd said she will make efforts to get to all-candidates meetings this fall to spread the word that she’s the only candidate for her trustee position, even though Chatten’s name will appear on the ballot.
Chatten said she’s concerned she will garner some votes because not everyone pays close attention to the trustee races.