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Above photo was taken by Micahi Warner.
DURHAM — Arthur Augustine, who was born in Trinidad and Tobago and migrated to Canada in the early 70’s, has entered the race for the position of Chair and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the region of Durham.
According to the region’s website, “The Regional Chair is the head of Regional Council and is the Chief Executive Officer of the Regional Corporation.
“The Regional Chair presides over all meetings of the Regional Council and is a member of all standing committees.”
On October 27, for the first time, voters in Durham will directly elect the Chair.
In the past, Regional councillors selected the Chair at the inaugural council meeting after the election.
Augustine, who holds a Master’s degree in Forensic Psychology and specializes in negotiation, will join incumbent Roger Anderson and Whitby entrepreneur, Michael Deegan, in the historic contest.
The confident Augustine is a certified mediator and has worked in mediation on behalf of the Ontario Court of Justice. He is also the President and CEO of Arthur’s Hair Design, one of the longest running salons in Durham.
He has lived in The Durham Region since 1985 and is concerned that the region’s political representation is not keeping pace with the changing face of residents.
The demographic of Durham Region has changed dramatically in the last 10 years, says Augustine, and he believes that there is a pressing need for more visible ethnic representation in the region.
His priorities include, reducing high youth unemployment in the region; attracting more industries and creating good-paying and sustainable jobs; providing more affordable seniors homes; and improving transportation.
Augustine has been an active community volunteer, including mentoring youths, and serving as Chair of the Durham Caribbean Resource Center. He is the founder of Black Fathers of Ontario and sits on various boards across the region.
