The deputy mayor of Leamington is not seeking re-election. Larry Verbeke has announced he is stepping away and will not seek a third term as deputy mayor. He was first elected to Leamington council in 2010 and spent two terms as a councillor. In 2018, he was elected as deputy mayor and re-elected again in 2022. Verbeke says he plans to spend more time on the farm and also with his three grandchildren. He also says, “It’s just not fun anymore,” pointing to the “keyboard warriors.” “They all seem to know what’s best for the town, but some of them didn’t put their name forward, so I don’t know why,” he says. “I guess they can hide behind the keyboard, but when it comes time, come out, put your vote in, and put your name forward. If you got the answers, man, we need them; just don’t criticize. Tell us what we should do.” Verbeke says it’s been on his mind for some time to step away. “It’s time to move on and go back to my roots,” says Verbeke. “I’m going back to the farm.” He says three things really hurt him while being on council. “The closing of Heinz really hurt,” he says. “We didn’t know where we were going to go, and probably losing John Jacobs and Rick Atkins during council term that was hard because life is too short.” As of Friday afternoon, there are two candidates seeking the deputy mayor seat in Leamington. The municipal election is set to take place October 26.
