Bert Weeks
| Bert Weeks | |
|---|---|
| 28th Mayor of Windsor, Ontario | |
|
In office 1975–1982 | |
| Preceded by | Frank Wansbrough |
| Succeeded by | Elizabeth Kishkon |
| Personal details | |
| Nationality | Canadian |
Albert H. "Bert" Weeks (ca 1918[1] – 1990) was the 28th mayor of the city of Windsor, Ontario, Canada, from 1975 to 1982.[2] Previously, he had been a perennial candidate for the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) and its successor, the New Democratic Party (NDP), in the Windsor area. He is remembered for advocating the beautification of Windsor's waterfront along the Detroit River.[3] He was also an avid gardener.
He was born in Montreal and moved to Windsor in 1946.[4] He ran a watch repair and jewellery business.[3]
Frustrated with blatant illegal activities in Windsor, Weeks organized the Citizens Action Committee to look into police inaction. He later collected information on corruption in the Windsor police force and provided it to the Ontario Provincial Police. This led to a report from the provincial Attorney General Dana Porter in 1950 which was critical of the Windsor police force. Two members of the police commission resigned and later the police chief and deputy chief also resigned. Although mayor Reaume denied any knowledge of the situation, as the third member of the police commission, his reputation was tarnished as well. Weeks was elected to Windsor city council in 1954 and 1965.[5]
When Weeks ran against incumbent mayor Frank Wansbrough in 1974, the initial vote count had him 300 votes behind Wansbrough. However, there had been an error in counting votes and the final tally had Weeks the winner by 749 votes.[6] In February 1982, Weeks announced that he would not run for reelection later that year.[1]
A number of Windsor landmarks are named after him, including the Bert Weeks Memorial Garden and Fountain.[3]
In August 2014, Weeks' son Howard announced that he will be running for a seat on Windsor city council in the election to be held in October.[2]
References
- 1 2 "Mayor plans to retire". Globe and Mail. February 26, 1982.
- 1 2 "Election ballots get crowded". Windsor Star. August 9, 2014.
- 1 2 3 "Bert Weeks Memorial Gardens". City of Windsor.
- ↑ "Former mayor Bert Weeks possessed vision, courage". Windsor Star. December 17, 2010.
- ↑ "Portrait of a Scandal". Walkerville Times.
- ↑ "Recount requested for Windsor mayor". Ottawa Citizen. December 3, 1974. p. 8.