Three members of Wellington County council will vie to replace Guelph-Eramosa Mayor Chris White in the warden’s chair for the next two years.
Ward 6 councillor Shawn Watters, Ward 7 councillor Don McKay and Minto Mayor George Bridge announced their intentions to seek the position at the final meeting of the outgoing council on Nov. 27.
Watters said he felt the next council would have major issues to address.
“I think this is an opportunity to look at those big issues and deal with them,” he said, after announcing his intention to seek the top job.
“It’s very exciting to have a fresh group of councillors coming in – there’s a lot of energy here,” he added.
McKay said the county has done a good job of promoting growth, “while preserving its rural roots and natural environment,” and he hopes to continue in that direction.
Bridge said he wants to continue working to promote economic development in the county.
“I really enjoyed the last four years and I think we accomplished a lot,” said Bridge, who added he would stress a growth-oriented approach to economic issues. “In my mind there are two ways to balance the books, one is to cut, cut, cut and the other is to create more economy,” he said.
The warden will be elected for a two-year term by members of county council at a special meeting on Dec. 12.
Committee choices
Other returning county councillors indicated their preference for committee positions for the upcoming term, while outgoing councillors provided parting remarks and introduced their replacements.
Puslinch Mayor Dennis Lever said he wants to chair the county’s administration, finance and personnel committee (AF&P), of which he has been a member for a number of years.
Ward 3 councillor Gary Williamson, a former Wellington North public works manager, expressed interest in chairing the roads committee.
Noting the meeting would be the last for veteran local politician John Green, Williamson commented, “I guess our version of abolishing the Senate is when Mr. Green takes his leave.”
Ward 4 councillor Lynda White put her name forward to chair the economic development committee.
“I’ve been a business woman for many, many years and I think I can bring a business perspective to the committee,” she said.
Warden Chris White said he would also be running for the economic development chair position.
Reflecting on the past term White said he was pleased to work with a council that “could have a debate and then move on and have a coffee.”
Addressing both council members and staff, White said, “Thank you for the support over the years.”
CAO Scott Wilson introduced Centre Wellington mayor-elect Kelly Linton, explaining that Centre Wellington Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj was unable to be on hand to introduce her replacement, as she was having dental surgery.
Linton said he did not expect to have an opportunity to express his preference of committee work, but said he would serve wherever needed.
After introducing his replacement, Erin Mayor Lou Maieron read from a verse widely attributed to Mother Teresa that he stated “describes me pretty well.”
“People are often unreasonable, irrational and self-centered. Forgive them anyway,” read Maieron.
“What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.”
Citing a preference to “go where the money is,” Erin mayor-elect Allan Alls indicated he’d like to be involved with AF&P and named land division as an alternative choice.
Ward 9 councillor Ken Chapman introduced his replacement, Pierre Brianceau, and told incoming councillors they could expect “very beneficial” support from returning councillors and staff.
Brianceau indicated he would prefer to be part of the AF&P or economic development committees.
Ward 8 councillor Gord Tosh said although the outgoing council “scrapped pretty hard when it was time for things to come to a debate,” they remained friends and colleagues afterward.
“The backstabbing and complaining, it just never happened,” he said.
While indicating he would happily serve where asked, Tosh’s replacement, councillor-elect Doug Breen, indicated a preference for planning or economic portfolios.
Wellington North Mayor Ray Tout said he felt the outgoing council had worked well together.
“We became a team because there is no ‘I’ in team,” said Tout, who cited the county’s combined effort to assist fire evacuees from the First Nation community of Sandy Lake, who were hosted in Wellington North in July of 2011, as a bonding experience.
“I got to know some members of the county (staff and council) pretty well during the two weeks we were joined at the hip, and they were awesome,” said Tout.
Wellington North mayor-elect Andy Lennox said his preferences for committee work would include AF&P, economic development or planning.
Ward 5 councillor Jean Innes said it has been a “deep privilege” to have the opportunity to serve the people of Centre Wellington and the county for the past 14 years. Innes cited her work on the Wellington Place concept plan as a highlight of her time on county council.
Incoming Ward 5 councillor Rob Black said he would like to serve on the Information Heritage and Seniors Committee.
Mapleton Mayor Bruce Whale said, “looking back on some things that happened in this room and in this building, it’s sometimes hard to let go.”
Whale, who chose not to run in the last election after serving on Mapleton council for the past 11 years, recalled being encouraged to run for council by Ward 2 councillor and former Mapleton and Drayton mayor, reeve and councillor John Green.
Whale noted Green “served longer than Hazel McCallion,” pointing out his political career spanned 37 years, one more than the venerable Mississauga mayor who recently retired after serving into her 90s.
Mapleton mayor-elect Neil Driscoll said he would be interested in serving on the roads committee.
Ward 1 councillor Mark McKenzie stated, “it’s been a pleasure” working on behalf of the county and the Town of Minto.
“A couple of weeks ago I heard from some people that I needed a break and it took 800 of them to get me out of here,” quipped McKenzie, a reference to the approximate number of votes by which he lost to councillor-elect David Anderson. Anderson was not present at the session.
Green says goodbye
Final word among council members went to Green.
“I’ve been asked how you lose an election,” he said, adding, “You have to have a good candidate run against you.”
Green also said being compelled, due to previous commitments, to miss one of two all-candidates meetings held in Mapleton, and knee troubles that made door-to-door campaigning difficult, were factors.
Councillor-elect Gregg Davidson acknowledged the “insurmountable” task of replacing Green’s accumulated knowledge.
“For your many, many years of service, I thank you,” said Davidson, who expressed interest in working on social services or police committees.
“I’ve been around here for 31 years in these hallowed halls and I have enjoyed the company of hundreds of councillors,” said Green.
Offering advice to new council members he suggested, “Don’t come in here thinking you’re going to change the world in a day … It’s a time to listen.
“Not many people run for political office, although a lot complain, and, yes, you will get a lot of advice and you will get a lot of contradiction, but be proud that you were in municipal politics,” Green stated.
He also cautioned future councils against being tempted to move county administration facilities out of Guelph. He warned that no matter where the facilities were moved, other municipalities would feel ignored.
“This is an institution. Be proud of this institution,” he said.
“If we can protect libraries that have been here for 160 years, we can preserve this institution.”
Concluding his remarks, Green stated, “This is a great place to work and a great place to serve. Thank you for the opportunity.”
