Heather Wright/The Independent

Three incumbents will face three newcomers for the four seats on Warwick Township council in the Oct. 26 municipal election.

And when the nominations closed at 2 pm, there was one name noticeably absent from the list of potential candidates – long-time Warwick politician Jerry Westgate. Westgate has served on council for 32 years.

Westgate says it was a difficult decision to make to step away from the council table, however early in his career, he set a goal for the length of his career.

“I always said I wouldn’t be on council, and I was 80, and I’d be well into my 80s if I ran another term,” he said. “I’ve had been on council with older people that were over 80, and I thought, ‘well, when I get that old, I’m not going to be on council. Let the younger ones take care of it.'”

Westgate began his political career as a Watford town councillor. He’s the only person to have served the entire time since Watford and Warwick amalgamated.

He hopes to continue serving the community on a committee of council. He also plans to spend more time with his grandchildren.

The three other current members of council, Wayne Morris, Joe Manning and John Couwenberg – who is currently the deputy mayor – have filed their papers for re-election.

Also on the nomination list, which will be finalized by the township clerk Monday, are Jane Joris, the former general manager of long-term care at the County of Lambton, Marty Vanos – a Warwick Township firefighter, who served on the firefighters’ association executive team and chair of the Forest Silver Stick tournament, and newcomer Steve Kettler.

Incumbent Todd Case was the only person nominated for the position of mayor and, when the list is finalized, will be acclaimed to office.