Photo/WES KELLER STILL FRIENDS — Warden Earl Lennox (left) and past warden John Oosterhof shook hands after last Thursday’s election, which saw the East Garafraxa mayor beat East Luther Grand Valley Mayor Oosterhof 7-6. In a 7-6 vote among county councillors, Mayor Earl Lennox of East Garafraxa Township has been selected as Dufferin County’s 129th warden. Warden Lennox, 58, succeeds Mayor John Oosterhof of East Luther Grand Valley in the top political post. Mayors Lennox and Oosterhof were the only nominations.

One councillor, Orangeville Deputy Mayor Jim MacGregor, was absent for the vote at a special meeting preceding the regular meeting of county council last Thursday. The county’s procedural bylaw specifies that in the event of a tie, the election would be by lot, with the name drawn from a hat.

The county councillors are the 14 heads and deputy heads of the eight lower tier municipalities. (The two smallest townships, East Garafraxa and ELGV, each has only one representative at county council.) There is an annual election among them to select the warden and chairmen of the various committees. In accordance with the Dufferin County Act, the votes of councillors are not weighted as they are in every other matter before the council.

Chief Administrative Officer Linda Dean, who conducted the election, explained why the county has had 129 wardens in its 125-year history. She said there had been a provisional council for two years prior to the county’s incorporation, and the warden in 1932 had died during his one-year term.

The closeness of the vote at last Thursday’s election appeared to be a reflection of the high esteem in which all members of council held the two candidates.

One councillor, Orangeville Deputy Mayor Jim MacGregor, was absent for the vote at a special meeting preceding the regular meeting of county council last Thursday. The county’s procedural bylaw specifies that in the event of a tie, the election would be decided by lot.

Melancthon Deputy Mayor Debbie Fawcett, who nominated Mayor Lennox, described her candidate as a person with “quiet mannerisms” but “not beyond taking control. I had not known (Mayor Lennox) before, but it was a great pleasure (working with him).” She said he “thinks first, and then acts.”

Ms. Fawcett described Mayor Oosterhof as “an excellent warden.” But she said the wardenship is “a one-year honourary position.” Melancthon Mayor Garry Matthews, in seconding the nomination, described Mayor Lennox as “very understanding,” and someone who conducts “a good meeting and hears all sides a gentleman.”

In accepting the nomination, Mayor Lennox said it was a privilege to be nominated. He said he had served as Community Services chairman for one term, and for Government Services for three. His leadership experience at county, he said, included chairmanship of three county council meetings during the term of other wardens. He said he hasn’t always agreed with others on council but “win or lose, it’s on to the next thing.”

He said the budget process “must not lapse (as it has been) on target for the second year.” But in other matters, the county must consider its

60% waste diversion target, and a variety of provincial issues.

Mulmur Mayor Gord Gallaugher nominated, and Shelburne Mayor Ed Crewson seconded, the nomination of Mayor Oosterhof.

Mayor Gallaugher described Mayor Oosterhof as someone who “has demonstrated a county perspective; not afraid to tackle issues where no consensus is possible.”

Mayor Crewson said the county is blessed to have two candidates who are “truly excellent.” As a former warden himself, he said the position takes courage, and is “not a job for the faint at heart.” He said Mayor Oosterhof, as warden, demonstrated his “courage and strength of convictions and (brought) us together in a way not achieved in the past.”

In accepting his nomination, Mayor Oosterhof said “time moves too fast (and) there’s a lot more we have to do.” Being at the helm of the county, he said, means not only dealing with current issues “but trying to look into the future.”

He said “real progress has been made” on waste management, agreement on county planning, and economic development “but a year is not enough time” in which to accomplish all goals.

He said he believes the county is “getting close to the goal of zero waste.” But, on the economy, he said there has to be more emphasis on “job-related growth.”

Following the vote, Justice of the Peace John Creelman, himself a former warden, performed the swearing-in of Warden Lennox, and past warden Oosterhof turned over the gavel and chain of office.