GUELPH – Five county councillors are in the running to serve as warden for the next two years, and the current warden is not one of them.
Warden Andy Lennox, mayor of Wellington North, was the last councillor on Nov. 28 to list the committees he would like to be part of for the remainder of the council term.
He reaffirmed what he said he told fellow councillors over the past couple of months – that he did not want to stay on as warden – but then added a “but.”
Pausing for dramatic effect, and grinning widely, Lennox then confirmed, “I haven’t changed my mind.”
Instead, Lennox said wants to chair the planning committee, noting he has now served on all the committees.
He said he would “be happy to serve on any committee at the will of council.”
“Many communities across the county are going to go through transformational change in terms of the community growth,” Lennox said, noting his experience in that area will be useful on the planning committee.
Wellington County wardens are chosen by their council peers every two years.
At the same time, their seats on committees are decided, along with which councillors will chair those committees.
While councillors already had a chart stating each councillor’s wishes with respect to serving on committees, they also took turns standing up to list their choices.
For those seeking the warden’s position, this was also an opportunity to say why their fellow councillors should vote for them.
The secret-ballot process will take place at a special meeting on Dec. 6.
In the running are:
- Guelph/Eramosa Mayor Chris White;
- Centre Wellington Mayor Shawn Watters;
- Ward 6 councillor Diane Ballantyne;
- Mapleton Mayor Gregg Davidson; and
- Ward 5 councillor Mary Lloyd.
Candidates make their pitch
White spoke first, thanking Lennox for his leadership on what White called an “excellent council.”
He listed his top three choices for the next two years as: warden, and failing that, chair of the administration, finance and human resources committee.
He also requested a return to his spot on the OPP detachment board.
“You know who I am. What you see is what you get,” White said, in his bid for support.
“I have great faith in the county. I’m a big believer in the great services we provide,” he added, praising council and county staff.
He listed his experience, chairing organizations like the Rural Ontario Municipalities Association and the Grand River Conservation Authority, emphasizing that his job as county councillor and a mayor is about building relationships.
“You can’t get stuff done by yourself. You must work with other people,” White said. “I try to build relationships to get things done.”
Watters also thanked Lennox for his service as warden, before saying he was putting his name forward for the position.
Watters emphasized his 25 years of experience on local council, county council and as mayor of Centre Wellington.
“Centre Wellington’s going through this huge change,” he said, noting that change is also reflected in the rest of the county.
He spoke of the need to protect agricultural land even as the population grows, calling it “the number one thing we should be doing here.”
Outside of the warden’s seat, Watters also expressed interest in the planning, administration, and solid waste committees.
Ballantyne spoke more formally from a prepared statement as she put her name forward for warden.
“I think Wellington County deserves energetic and collaborative leadership, and leadership isn’t only measured in time served; it’s also measured in your capacity to serve,” she said.
“My capacity and my track record around this horseshoe and well beyond demonstrates that I analyze government situations effectively, advocate articulately, and forge productive and cooperative relationships with community, colleagues and our staff.”
Before noting she is also running for chair of the roads committee and a spot on the administration and finance committee, Ballantyne said, “it would be an honour to serve” as warden.
As Davidson told council he was again seeking the warden’s seat, he noted he became part of county council nearly 10 years ago.
He said councillors don’t always agree with staff and don’t always agree with one another, “but I think that we have a great council, and I would appreciate the support to be warden.”
Lloyd noted she was the only person on her side of the horseshoe to put her name forward for warden.
She said she started her journey on county council “end of term,” replacing someone who was moving on to a higher level of government.
“I was so excited to learn what was happening at this level, and really appreciate that opportunity,” Lloyd said.
Two elections later, she still sits at the table, and brings with her more than 40 years of experience in the business world, she said.
“I am a steady hand,” she said, but added, “I think I bring a little bit of a softness to sometimes some difficult conversations.”
Outside of her bid for warden, Lloyd said she would like to continue with the information, heritage and seniors committee, and she’s interested in joining the economic development committee or the OPP board.
According to the county’s website, the county warden gets paid $147,521 annually. County councillors receive $47,098.
Lennox thankful
In his final day in the warden’s seat, Lennox expressed gratitude for all the kind things his fellow councillors have said about him.
“I’ve been the recipient in the last little while … of very generous comments about my time here as warden, and I’m very grateful for those,” Lennox said.
“I also want to acknowledge and thank you all for being very tolerant of my weaknesses as well.”
One of these is not giving credit where credit is due, he said, attempting to do the opposite.
He acknowledged CAO Scott Wilson for his leadership, county staff for their professionalism and “ability to deal with the complex issues of the day.”
Lennox said he has been lucky to work with county staff and his fellow councillors.
“If this has gone smoothly for the last two years, it’s because of all of you,” he said.
“Thank you very much. It has been a real honour and privilege to serve as warden for the last two years.
“I look forward to the next two in a slightly different capacity, but I’m sure you’ll be just as entertaining or maybe more.”
