Wellington County councillors paid tribute to longtime planning director Gary Cousins at the Jan. 26 meeting.
Cousins announced his retirement at the meeting after 35 years with the municipality. He joined the County of Wellington in 1982 and has been responsible for the Planning and Land Division Department, overseeing its various functions.
His retirement is effective May 31.
“On behalf of county council and staff I would like to thank Gary for 35 years of outstanding municipal service,” said Warden Dennis Lever in a press release.
“Gary has always set a very high standard for himself and his staff. His experience, knowledge and professionalism will be missed around the county.”
At the meeting, Lever stated, “We are in a very enviable position compared to other municipalities in the county and he and his department are a very big part of that.”
Guelph-Eramosa Mayor Chris White said, “For me you represent all that’s great and good in the county.”
He added he always has “110 per cent confidence,” in Cousins’ handling of “one of the more difficult portfolios.”
Councillor Doug Breen stated that Cousins’ assistance with planning matters was always greatly appreciated by the county’s member municipalities.
“When Gary would show up at the township level to help … it was almost as if the cavalry had ridden over the hill,” said Breen.
CAO Scott Wilson said, “I thank Gary for his dedicated service and wish him much happiness as he ventures into his retirement.”
Wilson recalled Cousins once said county council had given Cousins two mandates, “get the Official Plan approved and develop a capable, professional staff – and I think he accomplished both in spades.”
Cousins said, “It has been a privilege to work with several councils and the dedicated and hardworking staff at the County of Wellington.
“It was a very difficult decision … but I look forward to spending more time with my wife Carol, our children and our grandchildren.”
Aldo Salis, currently manager of development planning, will assume the role of director of planning, effective June 1. Salis has worked in the county’s planning department for 31 years. In his current role, his primary areas of responsibility include: subdivision and condominium proposals, major industrial and commercial developments, aggregate extraction applications and source water protection.
Salis has a master’s degree in rural planning from the University of Guelph and a bachelor of environmental studies from the University of Waterloo.
