Joseph Kushner, who has served on St. Catharines City Council for almost five decades, has acquired several nicknames over the years. Known as “Doctor No,” “Professor Negative,” “Frosty the No-man,” and “No Joe Kushner,” he has been unapologetically frugal with taxpayer money, treating it as he would his own. Now, at 85 years old, Kushner is stepping down from his council position and retiring from his role as an economics professor at Brock University to focus on caring for his wife, Yvette, and addressing his health concerns following brain tumor surgery.
Coun. Matt Harris commends Kushner for his fiscal conservatism and community contributions, stating that his legacy will be remembered for his reluctance to support extravagant projects without thorough consideration. A second edition biography titled “Canada’s Longest Serving Councillor” has been released to mark Kushner’s retirement, chronicling his time serving under seven different mayors.
Co-author Wesley Turner, a historian and former colleague of Kushner, highlights the significance of capturing Kushner’s story while he is still alive. Despite some disagreements during the book’s creation, such as the inclusion of photos, Kushner and Turner found a compromise by including illustrations in an appendix section. The biography reveals Kushner’s passion for animals, antique telephones, and cabbage rolls, shedding light on lesser-known aspects of his life beyond his extensive public service record.
For those interested in delving deeper into Kushner’s life story, copies of the biography are available for purchase at the Humane Society of Greater Niagara, with proceeds going towards supporting the animal shelter.
