| (Updated
4:30 p.m., Sept. 9)
Herb
Kreling resigns council seat to become Justice of the Peace
By Fred Sherwin
Orléans
Online Orléans
Ward Coun. Herb Kreling's 11 year career in politics has come to an abrupt end
with word that he has accepted an appointment to the office of Justice of the
Peace for Ottawa and Eastern Ontario.  Kreling
announced his resignation earlier today when he received word that the province
had accepted a Justice of the Peace Review Council recommendation that he be appointed
to the position.
Kreling,
50, was first elected to regional council in 1994 after the initial result showed
that he had tied Bob Monette. A recount gave him the victory by less than 100
votes. He was later re-elected in 1997 and again in 2000 when the former municipalities
of Ottawa-Carleton were amalgamated. In
2003 he was re-elected to a fourth term by an overwhelming majority. For
the past six years he's also chaired the Ottawa Police Service Board and has been
a staunch advocate of the police service and it's ongoing needs. Kreling
first applied to become a Justice of the Peace in early 2005. The Justice of the
Peace Review Council interviewed him in April and it wasn't until several weeks
ago that he found out that the Council had recommended him for the position. The
ultimate decision on his appointment was made by the provincial Attorney General.
He begins training on Sept. 15. In
announcing his decision to resign his city council seat a year before the end
of the current term, Kreling noted that certain opportunities don't always offer
themselves on a perfect schedule. “Sometimes
in your life and career there are new opportunities and challenges that present
themselves. I am honoured to have had the opportunity to serve the residents of
Orléans and Ottawa. And, while I am resigning from Council, I will in my
new position be able to continue to contribute and serve the residents,”
says Kreling. In
becoming a JP, Kreling is following in the footsteps of former Gloucester Mayor
Claudette Cain, who was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 2001. In
looking back over his career, Kreling says it is difficult to point to any one
highlight in particular. "It's
been so many things. Everything from helping a resident get their curb fixed in
front of their home to the big things like Petrie Island, the Ray Friel expansion
and St. Joseph Blvd.," says Kreling. Fellow
east end councillor Rob Jellett says Kreling's departure will leave a large void
in the local political landscape. "I
think it's going to be a big loss. He's really been a tremendous councillor who's
worked hard for his constituents and was plugged in around the council table.
Personally, I'm going to miss him a lot and I think the east end is going to miss
him," said Jellett when asked to comment on the surprising news. With
the Orleans Ward seat soon to be declared vacant, city council can decide to do
one of two things under the Municipal Act -- they can hold a by-election which
is highly unlikely in light of the fact that the next municipal election is only
a year off and the cost is prohibitive, or they can invite residents to "apply"
for the job and select a successor through a vote in council. Either way, it's
likely a successor will be in place before Christmas. (This
story was made possible thanks to the generous support of our local
business partners.) Return
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