And then there were five

Chances are there could be more candidates for mayor in Centre Wellington before the Aug. 21 deadline. While heartening to witness the interest, the run for mayor is an up or out exercise. Those who may have been a shoo-in for a councillor role but lose this gambit will join the public on the sidelines.

This past term has been built on efforts of previous administrations, which include former councillors Neil Dunsmore and Stephen Kitras, as well as former mayor Kelly Linton. All three men have filed to run for mayor this year.  Their strategic plans, master plans and community engagement styles all remain works in progress. 

CAO Dan Wilson and his management team continue to push those policies with minor tweaks from the current council. Current Mayor Shawn Watters and councillor Bronwynne Wilton have also filed for the mayor role to be decided this fall. 

For once, in what seems a very long time, the current council seems able to work together without great animosity. During the Linton years, many meetings devolved into split votes and divisive language around the horseshoe. Though the drama could be viewed as entertaining in some circles, it was nevertheless polarizing and we believe it led to apathy among voters. Who needs bickering all the time?

Voters may recall, the last mayoral election here featured then-councillors Dunsmore, Bob Foster and Watters as candidates. Watters was able to secure his bid with a message of cooperation and collaboration, but cooperation and goodwill only go so far. Ambitions tend to get in the way, which explains the Wilton run after one term in office. Perhaps the election cycle will expose fissures or differences of opinion on some items between them, but significant contrasts are lost on us.

With all this experience and all this consensus (seemingly) on the direction of the township, how might the general public decide who is best equipped to preside over council for the next four years? What qualities are required for effective leadership this next term?

Here are some points for now.

Strong mayor powers may well be the defining question for this election. Since Centre Wellington was granted those powers this past term, additional tools (or bludgeoning devices in our view) have been granted some mayors in Ontario. 

The Ford Conservatives’ device gives say over final budgets, the capacity to veto some bylaws, the ability to appoint a Chief Administrative Officer, hire and fire senior staff, and an unnecessary amount of say in committee structures. A poor choice for mayor under these circumstances would include headstrong dispositions or overly malleable personalities. Centre Wellington must elect a mayor with good, sound judgement that will respect members of council and the community.

Development is another central campaign issue, particularly for this part of Wellington County. The pressure to grow is immense and numerous OLT (Ontario Land Tribunal) appeals are underway. With a Ford Conservative government in power, the odds are stacked heavily against local councils concerned with rampant development. There is no room in this conversation for candidates that have a conflict of interest inhibiting their ability to speak on every significant development issue.

The third item is the ability to say no. Budgets continue to increase. Staff counts continue to rise. Obligations continue to grow and as anyone with a remote handle on affordability understands, a cost is exacted with every poor choice. Saying no on occasion saves money for pressing needs.

This may be the most important mayoral election ever in Centre Wellington. Make a wise choice.