A number of Wellington County traditions tumbled again on Dec. 5 when Centre Wellington Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj was elected warden.
In past races, the losing candidate nominated the warden, and everyone approved that motion. This time, Clerk Donna Van Wyck simply counted the secret ballots and announced Ross-Zuj as the winner.
Ross-Zuj is the first person in county history to hold the warden’s job without ever having chaired a committee of county council.
Outgoing Warden John Green presented Ross-Zuj with her warden’s pin and suggested, to laughter from the packed gallery, “Thirty minutes before the meeting I was going to ask for a prorogue, but after a talk with my wife, I wasn’t going to do that any more.”
Green was not the only speaker at the meeting to refer to events taking place in the nation’s capital.
Ross-Zuj thanked and congratulated her opponent, councillor Mike Broomhead, and said, “I’m sure we are going to be part of an excellent team.”
She thanked Green for “his leadership in the past two years.”
The reference was to Green having the warden’s job for two years, yet another change from past practices when councillors held the term for one year only and then stepped back. Green was the second person to hold the office for two years, following Brad Whitcombe. Further, they both have held the position three times, yet another change.
Ross-Zuj said of Green, “As councillors for the county, we continually learned and will continue to learn from John each and every meeting. It is under his leadership for the past two years that we have met the challenges of the day.”
In her remarks to council and the gallery, Ross-Zuj said, “Opportunities for rural economic development are here. The knowledge based sectors that surround us have established their lead in agri-food and biological research.
“We are the fuel that nurtures their findings and establishing connections to these institutions will be a key factor in our economic growth.”
Ross-Zuj referred to the difficult economic times ahead.
“Although this is a time of economic uncertainty and certainly political turmoil, we are on track with our five year financial plan that is incorporating very bold and creative initiatives,” she said.
“It is imperative that we come together and review the strategic direction that each department has designed, and carefully chart our course for continued success.”
She added, “Our vision for growth and development is dependent upon the partnerships we establish amongst ourselves, neighbours and upper orders of government. Regrouping to look at those relationships is critical in our strategic planning process.
“I’m fully confident that we will find the ways to work together and I look forward with optimism to the new year.”
In an interview after council broke for a luncheon celebration, Ross-Zuj said she has always favoured strategic planning, and she plans to get that started so council and the various departments are on the same page and “to make sure we have our priorities exactly where we want them. It’s important we review them, particularly in the economic climate of today.”
A number of dignitaries were present for the meeting, and officials from Guelph and all county municipalities were on hand.
MPP Ted Arnott always attends the inaugural meeting of the county. He cited a recent speech of his in the legislature when the county was named a top 100 employer in Canada.
After congratulating Ross-Zuj, Arnott said, “We in Wellington County have never been ones to rest on our laurels. In both the public and private sectors, through visionary planning, dedicated persistence, and a high degree of ethical and social responsibility, we set the bar high, strive our best to cross it, and then set it higher still.”
Other officials also spoke highly of Ross-Zuj. Scott Wilson, county Chief Administrative Officer, is looking forward to Warden Ross-Zuj’s leadership.
“She brings 15 years political experience to the role of Warden. Having been a teacher for 27 years, I am sure she’ll have no problem keeping order around the horseshoe,” Wilson quipped.
Committee chairmen
Ross-Zuj then conducted the elections for the chairmen of various committees. In the past, those too had been done by secret ballot, but for about four years, they have been open elections.
John Green will take over the administration, finance, and personnel committee. He was unopposed. Green thanked council for its confidence in him, and noted he has held that post several times over the past few years.
Councillor Brad Whitcombe returned as chairman of the information, heritage, and seniors committee, which includes the library board, and which he has chaired for several years. He, too, was unopposed.
Councillor Walter Trachsel was returned to his planning and land division committee over councillor Jean Innes.
Councillor Lynda White retained her post as liaison with the Police Services Board, holding off a bid by councillor David Anderson.
White, who was warden in 2004, told Ross-Zuj “Every five years it seems there is a woman in the [warden’s] chair. I know you’ll do a great job.”
Councillor Rod Finnie was named roads committee chairman by acclamation.
Councillor Gord Tosh was acclaimed chairman of the social services committee.
Councillor Bob Wilson was acclaimed chairman of the solid waste services committee. He quipped, “It’s been a hard fight, and I’m glad it’s over.”
To much laughter, he noted he has held that post longer than anyone, and, “I’ve never done anything else.”
Wilson said the job was once for the “most hated man in the county,” but, “It’s not like that any more.”
Whitcombe made a presentation to Green, and cited several of his accomplishments during his term, including the Drayton and Arthur libraries now close to opening, hospital land acquisition for Groves in Fergus, and social housing for 55 families in Fergus.
“You pulled us together in a real and tangible way,” Whitcombe told Green.
