Wellington County Warden Chris White has indicated he will be seeking a second, two-year term as the county’s top politician.
Although the election won’t take place until December, White said in a telephone interview with the Advertiser he will seek another term. No other county councillor has stepped forward yet to challenge the incumbent.
“It took about a year to find out how this job works (and) I’ve gotten over that hump,” White said. “There’s a lot of stuff I’m working on and things I’ve done that I want to continue down that path.”
The post, which pays about $84,000 a year, is filled by a county councillor elected every two years by the rest of county council. White is the mayor of Guelph-Eramosa. The mayor said not seeking re-election would be like a mayor stepping out in mid-term.
“Why would I just step out?” the warden said. “At the end of the day, just to step out midway doesn’t make sense.”
The mayor, if he is re-elected, said he would follow county initiatives that include economic development issues, seniors’ issues and county transit and transportation issues. The county recently established its own economic development committee chaired by Minto Mayor George Bridge. The committee is in the process of a setting up a master plan for economic development.
White said he expects other county councillors will be seeking the warden post.
“I’m sure there will be some folks interested.”
White pointed out there is a county precedent for wardens serving consecutive terms. Former councillor Brad Whitcombe won a second term, the first councillor ever to do so, and then he won a third term. After him, councillor John Green, who had also already been warden, won two consecutive terms.
