After 90 minutes of candidate presentations, followed by three rounds of voting, Dean Workman was selected as Centre Wellington’s new Ward 3 councillor.
Following the meeting, Workman said he was honoured to be selected.
At the April 23 committee of the whole meeting, Centre Wellington councillors heard presentations from 13 certified candidates: Kathy Baranski, Meghan Burke, Denis Craddock, Tamas Fay, Robert Foster, Allan Hons, Kimberley Jean-Marie Jefferson, Vince P. Mayne, Angela Murie, Scott Preston, Debora Taylor, Walt Visser and Workman.
A 14th candidate, Rick Beazley, dropped out of the running before the meeting.
Speaking to council, Workman noted he works in Ward 1 (Elora) but his home is in Ward 3 (Beatty Line North), where he grows hops.
Noting many councillors already know him and his character, Workman said he met his wife while backpacking in Turkey.
Workman added his wife is of Dutch descent and her family settled in this area.
In 2014, Workman ran for the Ward 1 council position in Centre Wellington.
Workman said he believes a councillor should either live or work in the area they are representing – “Otherwise, why would we have a ward system?”
Workman said he considers his life an exciting adventure, noting, “One constant to my life is being a musician, and having an appreciation of the arts.”
At one point in his life he was also a youth minister, which he said helped him develop a good social conscience and skills at conflict resolution.
“My goal is not to come in with guns blazing and trying to fix things, but to be a team player to help keep Centre Wellington a desirable place to live – and basically I just really want to add value to the community,” Workman said.
Councillor Kirk McElwain asked if Workman believed the township sufficiently supports the arts community.
Workman replied, “I think we’re are doing a pretty good job … obviously there are more things which could be done.”
Councillor Stephen Kitras asked for Workman’s position on the possibility of commercial water taking operations coming to Centre Wellington.
Workman said he’s seen the blue ribbons everywhere in the community and, “I really think the community has spoken really strongly on this as far as I am concerned.”
He too recognized Centre Wellington may double in population over the next 25 years and noted the amount of water the township will need is not even known.
“It’s a tough question. We also have to look at what value these guys are going to bring to this community,” he said.
“Right now, I haven’t seen that they will be bringing a lot of benefit to the community.” He added “At the end of the day, it is about us as a community. This is our backyard.”
Councillor Fred Morris about Workman’s idea of community engagement.
Workman said it requires “being aware of what is going on and being allowed to speak and bring up items.”
In the round three vote leading to Workman’s victory, the vote was split between Burke at two votes (Mayor Kelly Linton and councillor Steven VanLeeuwen) and Workman at four votes (councillors Don Fisher, Fred Morris, Stephen Kitras and Kirk McElwain).
Mayor Linton stated he was overwhelmed by the quality of the candidates who put their names forward. He encouraged remaining candidates continue their interest in the local community.
“We have other opportunities to be involved in this community. We need your abilities, your skills and your passion for the community,” said Linton.
Council then recommended Workman be appointed to the Ward 3 position for the remainder of the council term.
Workman will be officially sworn in at council’s April 30 meeting.
