FERGUS – Wellington County council has appointed former Minto mayor George Bridge as one of the county’s three representatives on the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Board of Health.
Bridge was approved as a citizen appointee for a two-year term at a special meeting of council at the Fergus library on Dec. 20.
Bridge joins Guelph/Eramosa Mayor Chris White and Ward 1 councillor Dave Anderson as the county representatives on the board.
While the warden typically sits on the board along with two county councillors, council opted to appoint Bridge to the position.
“Should the County of Wellington wish to appoint a citizen member to the board they are able to do so by motion of council for a term length at the pleasure of council,” stated Medical Officer of Health and CEO of Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health Dr. Nicola Mercer in a letter to Warden Andy Lennox clarifying regulations surrounding such appointments.
In her letter, Mercer also endorsed the selection of Bridge, a former warden who was chair of the health board during the past term of council.
GEORGE BRIDGE
“Mr. Bridge has an extensive knowledge of public health as well as the issues that the board may be facing in the near future with the ‘modernization’ of public health,” Mercer stated.
“[He] would be an excellent choice as a citizen appointee with a continuation of his leadership on the board by providing historical knowledge and insights.
“I would support this decision as a stabilizing appointment at a time of great change facing the board.”
At the special meeting, Anderson voiced support for the selection of Bridge.
“They’re going through a lot of transitions … they’re looking at possibly changing the boundaries and amalgamating … so Dr. Mercer indicated that George, with his past performance on the health unit, they really believe that he would be a pretty strong advocate,” said Anderson.
However, councillor Campbell Cork objected to the idea of replacing the warden with a citizen appointee.
“I think that the health unit is facing a very challenging time,” Cork stated.
“And I think the questions that are going to be put to that health unit require the vote and the input of people who are accountable to the voters.”
Cork added, “All four names that we’re speaking about (Bridge, Lennox, White and Anderson) are all stellar candidates, but I think if there was ever a time that we need the warden on this committee, it’s now.
“I’ll be voting against this because I think we need to have people on there that are going to be making these decisions, that are going to be affecting people, accountable to the people.”
A resolution to approve Bridge’s appointment passed with only Cork opposed.
