BRUCEDALE – Guelph/Eramosa council has appointed Puslinch Mayor James Seeley as the township’s representative on the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) board.
There are 38 municipalities in the GRCA watershed, which are organized into 22 municipality groupings.
Guelph/Eramosa, Erin and Puslinch are grouped as one, and therefore elect a representative from one of their municipalities when a seat becomes vacant. Typically the seat rotates between the three municipalities.
The current GRCA representative is Guelph/Eramosa Mayor Chris White, who will be stepping down from the role in September.
White has served on the board well past the typical four-year term due to his time spent as GRCA chair.
“It’s pretty rare that someone doesn’t finish the term; normally it’s a four-year term and I would be on until the end of 2026,” said White at the Aug. 11 Guelph/Eramosa council meeting.
“But because I’ve been the chair and I’ve been in the seat longer than normal, there is some pressure … to start rotating it around.”
Councillor Bruce Dickieson voiced concerns about what would happen following the municipal election in October 2026.
“That’s darn near over then, if it’s to the end of 2026,” said Dickieson. “Would [Seeley] be reappointed or would he only get one year?”
“It depends on what happens in the election,” replied White.
“Assuming he’s returning, assuming he wants the position, assuming his council still supports him for the position, it’s like it’s up for renewal again.”
Council voted unanimously in favour of Seeley’s appointment in September.
