Joseph Kushner, a long-time council member in St. Catharines, Ontario, has garnered various nicknames over his nearly five decades of service. Referred to as “Doctor No,” “Professor Negative,” “Frosty the No-man,” and “No Joe Kushner,” he has been known for his frugal approach to handling taxpayer funds, likening it to managing his personal finances.
At 85 years old, Kushner has decided to retire from his council position and his role as an economics professor at Brock University to focus on caring for his wife, Yvette, and addressing his health concerns, including recovering from brain tumor surgery. Councilor Matt Harris acknowledges Kushner’s legacy of fiscal conservatism and community contributions, highlighting his tendency to prioritize practicality over flashy new projects.
To commemorate his retirement, a second edition biography titled “Canada’s Longest Serving Councillor” has been released, detailing Kushner’s tenure under seven different mayors. Co-author Wesley Turner, a historian and former colleague of Kushner, recognized the significance of documenting Kushner’s remarkable 50-year career in local government.
Despite initial disagreements on including photos in the biography, Kushner and Turner compromised by including illustrations in an appendix. The photos provide glimpses into Kushner’s life, such as his early days playing the accordion to train his German Shepherds to sing.
Beyond his political career, Kushner is known for his love of animals, particularly Flemish giant rabbits, and his collection of antique telephones. He also shares his knowledge of World War II history and enjoys indulging in homemade pierogies and cabbage rolls at St. John’s Ukrainian Catholic church.
For those interested in delving further into Kushner’s story, copies of the biography are available for purchase at the Humane Society of Greater Niagara, with proceeds supporting the animal shelter. This initiative aims to shed light on the lesser-known aspects of Kushner’s life and contributions to the community.