GUELPH – The passing of former Wellington County warden Bill Adsett was recognized with tributes from current Warden Kelly Linton and councillor Doug Breen at the Oct. 28 county council meeting.
Adsett, 86, passed away on Oct. 5. He served on Eramosa council from 1968 to 1982, the final seven years as reeve (and on county council), and served as warden of Wellington County in 1981.
“Bill was a strong leader who cared a great deal about Wellington County,” said Linton in remarks to open the meeting.
“I’ve been told that Bill was known for making carefully considered decisions, not easy or popular ones,” said Linton, who cited water and sewer projects in Rockwood, improvements at Wellington Place and the Wellington Road 7 bridge over the Elora Gorge as major projects undertaken during Adsett’s time in local politics.
“Folks who have had the opportunity to work with Bill told me that he thoroughly enjoyed the friendly and respectful atmosphere at the county,” Linton continued.
“It was a time when people could disagree and still be friends.
“And I’d like to think that’s the level of respect that we still share here.”
The warden also noted that Adsett, “delivered on his vision to make a free newspaper available to everyone in the county,” when he founded the Wellington Advertiser in 1968.
“He had a strong desire to educate people about municipal politics and processes,” Linton stated.
“I know I speak for all of us when I say that Wellington County is a better place because of Bill Adsett.”
“He really is a giant among politics in Eramosa,” said Breen, who, when starting out in local politics, was contacted by both Bill Adsett and his son, Dave, another former Eramosa mayor and county warden.
Bill Adsett served on Wellington County council from 1975 to 1982. (Wellington County Museum and Archives image)
“And they were eager to make sure that I understood what it meant to be a councillor in Eramosa Township and then later Guelph/Eramosa Township and then as a county councillor, as well,” said Breen.
“Many of the things that Bill said to me over the years still stick in my head all the time.”
Breen noted Adsett offered guidance to many other new council members over the years.
“He took the time to sit down with us, explain some history, listen to what we had to say … he really wanted to hear what you had to bring to the table, and what you thought should happen,” Breen recalled.
Breen also remarked on the role the Wellington Advertiser plays in connecting the county.
“It’s so hard to get your message out. It’s so hard to have people know what the county is doing,” he pointed out.
“If you’re in other counties, if you’re in other townships, it’s really hard to have coverage. You get lost in a bigger city newspaper or you get don’t get any coverage at all.
“To have a free newspaper that goes to every house in the county and lets people know what it is we’re trying to do at the municipal level is a truly rare thing, and it would not have happened without Bill Adsett.”
Queen’s Park tribute
Earlier in the week, Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece paid tribute to Adsett at Queen’s Park.
“Bill was a public servant, in the best way possible. But he was also a volunteer, historian, farmer, husband, and loving father,” said Pettapiece in an Oct. 26 address to the Ontario legislature.
Citing Adsett’s contributions in politics, business and public service, Pettapiece stated, “His accomplishments are impressive. His dedication and decency are even more so.
“I know I speak for all of us … when I say that Wellington County – and indeed, all of Ontario – is better off because of Bill.”
