GUELPH – The final meeting of a council term is often an occasion for reflection and farewells.
Wellington County councillors acknowledged the lengthy political career of outgoing Ward 4 councillor Lynda White at the Nov. 29 meeting.
In 1990, White joined the council of the former Village of Arthur and became the village’s deputy reeve in 1995.
In 2001 she was acclaimed county councillor for Ward 4, a position she held until declining to run in the 2018 election.
She was warden of the county in 2004 and has served as the county’s representative to the Police Services Board and Groves Memorial Community Hospital.
In 2012 she received the Queen’s Jubilee Medal for service to her community.
Warden Dennis Lever offered a collection of “phrases that come to mind when we think of Lynda” during a tribute at the meeting.
“A sincere and well-thought out approach to all challenges, and I would use words like reliable, hardworking, thorough, able to deal with complex issues … conscientious, and of course personable,” said Lever.
“Her long-standing commitment to the police services board and well-being of Wellington County as a whole is a testament to that.”
He added, “One key phrase from a campaign ad of Lynda’s certainly illustrates where she comes from.
“The phrase was ‘I’m dedicated to this community and the people who live here.’ Whether that be Ward 4 or Wellington as a whole, that’s the absolute truth.”
Councillors around the table also paid tribute to White.
“I just wanted to say thank you to Lynda White for representing residents of Centre Wellington for 18 years – amazing,” said Centre Wellington Mayor Kelly Linton.
“It was always awesome to have you in to talk to our township council about everything you were going to be doing.”
White offered parting words for Lever, who will not be returning to the county council table after losing a re-election bid for mayor in Puslinch Township.
“I’ve worked with many wardens over the years,” said White. “But I have not worked with someone as professional and as gracious as you have been Dennis.
“I have really enjoyed working with you. I’ve enjoyed your leadership and what you brought to police services and social services. This county has been very fortunate to have Dennis as our warden and I know I will miss seeing him and I know the County of Wellington will miss having his leadership and his guidance.
“So Dennis, it’s been a pleasure to work with you. You’ve done a great job and it’s something you can be very proud of.”
Minto Mayor George Bridge, also a former warden, said Lever effectively handled the responsibilities that come with wearing that chain of office.
“You know when you put that on, it’s a lot heavier than you think and it’s heavier some days than others,” said Bridge.
Linton thanked Lever “for running the ship for the last couple of years.
“You’ve done a great job and it was awesome to see a warden who knew how to work so hard. You’ve brought a real steady hand and a steady rudder to the county and I appreciate that.”
The Nov. 29 meeting also marked the end of the term for several council members who were defeated in the last election: councillors Shawn Watters, Pierre Brianceau and Gary Williamson, Mapleton Mayor Neil Driscoll, who was absent.
Other councillors spoke in recognition of their contributions during their time in office, including Guelph-Eramosa Mayor Chris White.
“This really is a level of government where I really do believe that everybody here sincerely cares about their community and their residents,” said White.
“We can have passionate debates. Everybody’s got opinions. People bring intelligence, they bring experience, they bring wonderful gifts to the table, but they’re all committed to what they’re doing. I have yet to run into a councillor who doesn’t sincerely care about their community and their portfolio and the committees that they sit on. And I mean that about all of you.”
