Goheen Will Re-Engage with His Community

In Local

(Today’s Northumberland file photo)

By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
As returns drifted in, there were times of real optimism at Dalewood Golf Club, where John Goheen supporters gathered on election night.

But counting continued into the next day. And by afternoon, as Goheen and supporters worked to clear out their campaign headquarters on Division Street in Cobourg, there were only two polls left to count – and the Liberal candidate stood at just under 45% compared to incumbent Philip Lawrence’s 49%.

Despite such strong numbers, Goheen is not yet willing to commit to another run,

“It’s probably a little too early to make any kind of decision,” he said.

“I need to take some time to reflect and think about what else I could have done.

“We had the most amazing team, and they were inspirational every single day. Now I just need to look back and see what more I could have done.”

Sitting at a desk in a near-empty office, he said that, for him, the election was “the culmination of 20 months” and his candidacy was a natural outgrowth of his work as an educator.

“I have supported communities, being a school principal, one community at a time. That’s the professional side of it, and I saw this as an opportunity to support all the communities in Northumberland-Clarke (riding) at the same time.”

And there was a personal side to the decision as well – his three young boys.

“I want them to grow up in the same Canada I grew up in,” Goheen stated.

“We don’t leave anyone behind, We support people, so people can support others. That’s the Canada I wanted for them, where there’s room for everybody. And by extension, I wanted that for everybody else.”

Asked if he had a message for the incumbent, he said, “I hope Mr. Lawrence will work hard every single day to do everything he can for Northumberland-Clarke and to advocate for funding for this community and just to make the place better for every single constituent who lives here, regardless of who they voted for,”

Watching the volunteers cart out the office fixtures, Goheen said some thanks were in order,

“I would like the thank my campaign team, I would like to thank my volunteers, I would like to thank my volunteers. I would like to thank my family,” he listed,

“Their support has been incredible, and I wouldn’t have been able to do any of this without them.”

He characterized the immediate future as a time to spend with family and to get back to work as principal of Hillcrest Public School in Campbellford.

“I will to back to my school and re-engage with my community – I look forward to that.

“I hope it’s not ‘goodbye,’ but ‘see you soon.'”

Cecilia Nasmith
Author: Cecilia Nasmith

Join Our Newsletter!

Want to keep up to date on news and events in Northumberland? Subscribe to newsletter!

You may also read!

Video – Photo Gallery – Lots to See at A.K. Sculthorpe Marsh in Port Hope

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3-ZNOPRYRI There is always lots of wildlife to see this time of year at A.K. Sculthorpe Marsh in Port Hope. On

Read More...

Chemetron Lagoon Parking Lot and Waterfront Trail Partial Opening in Port Hope

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PglBqWLjpfU The revitalization work being completed by Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) at the Chemetron Lagoon (part of the Port Hope

Read More...

Video – Omni Quality Living Celebrated Its 50th Anniversary with a Party at Streamway Villa In Cobourg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IS6oucXp7ic Celebrating 50 years of caring, Omni Quality Living held a birthday party at Streamway Villa in Cobourg on July

Read More...

Mobile Sliding Menu