There's one fewer name in the race to represent Ward 11 after a months-old Facebook comment came back to haunt a candidate.
Kevin Lalonde issued a statement Aug. 27 in which he apologized for a comment he made on Facebook earlier this year, said he was withdrawing from the race and asked for forgiveness.
"Today was a very troubling day for me, realizing that my comments were that hurtful to others," he wrote in part. "While it was not my intention to hurt with this comment, I can not deny that even my apology couldn't go far enough to ease what pain I have caused.
"Earlier tonight, upon consultation with my wife and family, I had decided to withdrawal (sic) tomorrow from the campaign. With a very heavy heart tonight I can't express my displeasure with my self and ask for forgiveness."
Several months ago, Lalonde left two comments on Facebook in response to a story on the Kingsway Entertainment District (KED). In one, he referred to opponents of the KED as "Ra-tards" and made disparaging remarks about the municipal planning committee, suggesting the members had mental health challenges.
His comment was shared on a Facebook group concerning politics in Sudbury, where members were highly critical of his comments, with several suggesting he should be publicly called out.
The administrator of the group, Steve May, himself a vocal opponent of the KED and one of the people who filed at appeal of aspects of the project with the Local Planning Appeals Tribunal, called Lalonde an "extremist bigot" and a "hater" and suggested Lalonde shouldn't be given "a podium to preach (h)is hate.”
Lalonde was also criticized by the Down Syndrome Association of Sudbury.
"We ask that you please take the time to realize and understand the implications of such language," the group said in part. "Our members overcome discrimination daily and you have a choice: you can either contribute to it or you can make a difference and make this city a better place. It is your call, Mr. Lalonde."
The association also said it would be sending literature and a dictionary to his home "to help you make an informed decision and expand your vocabulary."
Without Lalonde in the race, the remaining candidates in Ward 11 are Elizabeth De Luisa, Terry Kett, Bill Leduc, John Lindsay and Derek Young.
Mr. Lalonde's full statement is below:
Today was a very troubling day for me realizing that my comments were that hurtful to others. While it was not my intention to hurt with this comment, I can not deny that even my apology couldn't go far enough to ease what pain I have caused.
Anybody that knows me, knows it's not in my character to purposely inflict pain on others or make them feel uncomfortable in any way and I am truly remorseful that my comments have caused this level of grief and especially to such groups as this one.
The shame I feel at this moment is overwhelming and I can't apologize enough. Earlier tonight upon consultation with my wife and family I had decided to withdrawal (sic) tomorrow from the campaign. The advent of this article tonight make it even clearer to me this needed to be done now. With a very heavy heart tonight I can't express my displeasure with my self (sic) and ask for forgiveness.
