GUELPH – Guelph/Eramosa Mayor Chris White will once again occupy the warden’s seat on Wellington County council, following his election by fellow county council members at a special meeting on Dec. 6.
“I want to thank everyone for the votes and the confidence,” White said after officially taking the declaration of office and receiving the chain of office from past warden Andy Lennox.
“It really is a truly humbling experience. It’s an important position with a very important council,” White added, emphasizing the impact council’s decision have on the community it serves.
White, who was elected to Guelph/Eramosa council in 2003 and became the township’s mayor in 2006, has served as warden in the past.
In 2010 and in 2012, he was elected for two consecutive terms.
This time around, after Lennox opted not to seek the position again, White had competition from four other members of council.
Diane Ballantyne, Shawn Watters, Gregg Davidson and Mary Lloyd all put their names forward.
They were each eliminated one-by-one in a series of votes that saw the person with the least number of votes removed from the subsequent ballot.
In the final ballot, White defeated Davidson 9-7.
“These are very difficult elections, because you’re running against your friends and your colleagues, and it’s much different than a municipal election,” White said of the process.
He thanked those who put their names forward to run against him as well as those who voted for him.
“I just know this council – and this isn’t always true of all councils – is a very friendly council,” White said.
“I know they’ll get great things done.”
White also thanked Lennox for his hard work over the past couple of years.
Lennox in turn thanked his fellow councillors and county staff for the kind words they have shared with him.
“It’s been a true honour and a pleasure to have served, and I look forward to continuing to serve with you, but in a little different capacity,” Lennox said.
Committee appointments
The meeting also saw a shifting in the makeup of county committees, boards and associations.
Lennox was chosen as the councillor with reporting duties to council for the Wellington County OPP detachment board.
He replaces councillor Earl Campbell, who previously held the position, following a 12-4 vote.
Campbell was chosen to chair the administration, finance and human resources committee, which will also include Ballantyne, Lennox and James Seeley.
Councillor Jeff Duncan was acclaimed as chair of the economic development committee, which will include Doug Breen, Steve O’Neill and Dave Turton.
Breen (nine votes) will chair the information, heritage and seniors committee, replacing previous chair Lloyd (seven votes), who remains a member of the committee along with Ballantyne and Duncan.
Seeley (11 votes) beat out Turton (three votes) and Lennox (two votes) to become chair of the planning and land division committee, which will include councillors Davidson, Michael Dehn, and Watters as members.
Council selected Davidson over Ballantyne (in a 9-7 vote) to chair the roads committee, which will also include councillors Campbell Cork, Dehn and Turton.
Previous chair of the joint social services and land ambulance committee David Anderson beat out Lloyd (9-7) to return as vice-chair, with City of Guelph councillor Linda Busuttil taking on the role of chair. Councillors Lloyd and Matthew Bulmer will also be part of the committee.
O’Neill was acclaimed as chair of the solid waste services committee, which will include Bulmer, Cork and Watters as members.
It should also be noted that as warden, White will sit on all committees, as well as the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health board.
During his time on county council, White has been a member of the following committees and boards:
- administration, finance and human resources;
- economic development;
- Wellington County OPP detachment board;
- Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health board;
- Grand River Conservation Authority;
- Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA);
- Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO); and
- Western Ontario Warden’s Caucus.
In a county news release, chief administrative officer Scott Wislon said he is looking forward to White’s leadership.
“Chris brings a variety of experiences to the role of warden,” Wilson stated.
“Wellington County council and staff look forward to working with Warden White.”
