GUELPH – In with the old was the theme of the warden’s inauguration, a special meeting of Wellington County council on Dec. 11.
Incumbent warden Kelly Linton was nominated for a second two-year term by councillor Chris White.
No other nominations were put forward at the meeting, so Linton was acclaimed to the position.
All incumbent committee chairs were also acclaimed for an additional two-year term.
Committee chairs for the 2021-22 term will be:
- administration, finance and human resources councillor Chris White;
- economic development councillor George Bridge;
- solid waste services councillor Gregg Davidson;
- roads councillor Andy Lennox;
- planning councillor Alan Alls;
- social services councillor David Anderson; and
- information, heritage and seniors councillor Mary Lloyd.
Anderson will also serve another term as county council representative on the County of Wellington Police Services Board.
All committee chairs were confirmed as members of the warden’s advisory committee, which met following the inauguration to finalize councillor appointments to the committees.
Citing the need for continuity to get through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Linton and current chairs indicated at the previous council meeting on Nov. 26 that they were prepared to stand for re-election.
“This has to be one of the most unique warden’s inauguration meetings that we’ve ever had,” said Linton after he was sworn in by the judge Casmir Herold.
While Linton and some council members were present for the event at the administrative centre in Guelph, most participated via Zoom.
“I really do wish that we could all be together in person to kick off the second half of our council term together, but as the Rolling Stones taught us, you can’t always get what you want,” said Linton.
The meeting was opened with the introduction of Wellington County’s newly-developed Indigenous land acknowledgement and a smudging ceremony, led by members of the county’s Indigenous advisory committee: Colleen Brunelle, Tammy Bastien, Amber Holmes, Gayle Lambercy and Jennie Matthews.
“I’m absolutely thrilled that we’ve included an Indigenous land acknowledgement and a smudging ceremony today,” said Linton.
“Thanks so much to the Wellington County Indigenous advisory committee … for your research, hard work and creativity to make this a very meaningful reminder of the county’s rich indigenous history.
“That was absolutely a powerful ceremony, thank you so much.”
The warden said he is “honoured to have the confidence of my colleagues to carry on as warden for the remaining two years of our council term.
“I’m excited to have the opportunity to work with each one of you to make Wellington County an even better place to live and to work and I’m really looking forward to working with our CAO, our county management team and all of our staff.”
He added, “I’ve got to know them a bit over the last two years and I can honestly say I’m thrilled to have another two years to work every day with them.”
Linton noted he is also looking forward to working with provincial and federal government representatives.
“2020 has been a year like no other and we all know that recovering from COVID-19 will require leaders of all levels of the government to work together,” he said.
“The past year has been especially difficult. I think that goes without saying. COVID-19 has changed so much of what we do and how we do it and now we’re in the middle of navigating a second wave.”
Stating the county has been effective in managing the pandemic “because we have an excellent CAO and a very skilled senior management team,” Linton also commended county staff in all departments.
“Everyone has been resilient in dealing with significant changes to their jobs and their lives,” he said.
The warden also acknowledged fellow members of council for their ability to work through issues impacting the county.
“Democracy is supposed to be a little messy sometimes. We need to wrestle through things as members of council in order to get to the best solutions,” he said.
“And we won’t always agree and it would be a shame and frankly no fun at all if we did, but when we have common goals and objectives and when we demonstrate mutual respect for each other, it’s our differences that make us stronger as a team.”
Linton concluded, “Let’s continue to support our community through COVID and continue to work together to do what is necessary to make Wellington County a better place by 2022 than it was when we started back in 2019.”
Senator Rob Black, a former member of Wellington County council, brought virtual greetings to the meeting.
“I want to congratulate and thank you for acknowledging the Indigenous cultures who have occupied and continue to occupy the County of Wellington,” said Black.
“It’s a wonderful, wonderful addition to the warden’s inaugural.”
Black praised Linton “for his hard work and dedication to the county over the past two years.
“Kelly, you’ve been a steadfast leader during these challenging times and I’m confident that you will continue to successfully support all those who live in Wellington County.”
Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott expanded on Linton’s earlier Rolling Stones reference, noting the song You Can’t Always Get What You Want continues with the lyrics, “but if you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you need.
“And of course that is what all of us do, working together to seek to give the residents of the County of Wellington what they need and, of course, that is good governance and leadership during these particularly difficult times.”
Arnott, also speaker of the provincial legislature, continued, “The development of the vaccines represents, certainly, good news for all of us and represents, in my opinion, light at the end of the tunnel.
“But we have some challenging weeks and months ahead of us. We will get though them by sticking together and I’m absolutely confident of that.”
Arnott also commended the work of local Medical Officer of Health Dr. Nicola Mercer through the pandemic.
“I think she has again provided leadership that is recognized across the province in her capacity as Medical Officer of Health for Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph,” Arnott stated.
“I’m so impressed with the work that she’s done and I’m very proud to stand with her in the difficult decisions that she’s had to make and what we have to do together in the coming weeks and months.”
Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece said, “As county council prepares for a new season, I wanted to recognize all members of council and certainly your dedicated staff.”
He added, “This has been a tough year, but your efforts to serve your citizens no matter the challenges are making a huge difference.”
In a letter read by Linton, Perth-Wellington MPP John Nater also acknowledged the efforts of county politicians and staff through the pandemic.
“We have all worked together and, most importantly, we have all listened to one another in order to ensure citizens, particularly those most vulnerable in the community, received the care and support they needed through this most difficult time,” Nater stated.
In a press release issued following the meeting, county CAO Scott Wilson congratulated Linton on his re-election.
“2020 has been a year like nothing we have ever seen,” Wilson stated.
“Warden Linton’s leadership has been exemplary through the COVID-19 pandemic. I know he will continue to be a very strong leader for Wellington County as we continue navigate through the second wave.”
Linton has represented the constituents of Centre Wellington since 2010, serving as mayor and county councillor since 2015. He was first elected Warden in 2019.
He holds a Master’s degree in public policy and administration from the University of Guelph and has over 20 years of experience working as a consultant with municipalities across Canada.
