WELLINGTON CTY. – Centre Wellington Mayor Kelly Linton was elected warden of Wellington County for the 2019-20 term at county council’s inaugural meeting on Dec. 7.
Linton, who has represented Centre Wellington since 2010, serving as mayor since 2014, won by an 11-5 margin in an election among council members for the warden’s chair over Ward 1 councillor David Anderson of the Town of Minto.
As a county councillor, Linton has been a member of the economic development, roads and administration, finance and human resources committees.
“I consider it an enormous privilege to be selected by my peers to serve as Wellington County warden for the next two years,” said Linton.
“I look forward to being part of this team committed to delivering results and citizen-focused government.”
Linton welcomed new and returning members of council to the table and thanked councillors who served in the past.
“I know that public service can be a thankless job at times, so on behalf of the current council, thanks to the former councillors for their years of leadership and commitment,” he said.
“This is going to be a great team there’s a lot of skills and experience in this room to provide exceptional leadership and direction to our CAO and staff.”
Linton added, “Democracy is not as neat and tidy as we’d like it to be sometimes. I know we will disagree with each other from time to time over the course of the next two years. That’s not only okay, it’s necessary … it’s through honest dialogue and passionate debate that good decisions are made.”
Linton, a consultant who works with municipalities across Canada, said he’s had a chance to observe a wide range of organizations.
“I’ve noticed that the best organizations do three things right,” Linton stated.
“They establish their strategic priorities. They have a road map that provides clear direction to staff and CAO for resource allocation and decision-making. They connect with their citizens and their businesses using a variety of old and new communication techniques.”
He added, “The best organizations make it as easy as possible for as many as possible to interact with their government – and then they stay the course.
“Once they have strategic leadership and a road map to provide opportunity for wide input, their leaders know how to say no when its necessary.”
Linton concluded, “We live in a great county and I’m convinced we have the team here today and the experience to make Wellington even better.”
“I want to congratulate Warden Linton,” said outgoing Warden Dennis Lever.
“Kelly has shown strong leadership at the county level, and as mayor of Centre Wellington. Wellington County is in very capable hands,” stated Lever in a press release issued by the county.
County CAO Scott Wilson stated he is looking forward to Linton’s leadership.
“Warden Linton brings a lot of political experience to the role,” said Wilson.
“He’s been a strong voice on the county’s economic development, roads, and administration, finance and human resources committees.”
Elections for chair of the county’s various committees were also held at the inaugural meeting, with all but two settled by acclamation.
Wellington North Mayor Andy Lennox won 10-6 in an election over Ward 8 councillor Doug Breen for the roads committee chair post.
Mapleton Mayor Gregg Davidson was elected chair of solid waste services by a 9-7 margin over Ward 7 councillor and incumbent chair Don McKay.
Other committee chairs for the next two years are:
– administration and finance, Guelph-Eramosa Mayor Chris White;
– economic development, Minto Mayor George Bridge;
– information, heritage and seniors, Ward 5 councillor Mary Lloyd;
– planning, Erin Mayor Allan Alls; and
– social services, David Anderson.
Anderson was also selected as council representative to the County of Wellington Police Services Board.
