By Cecilia Nasmith
A show of pageantry kicked off the 2019-2022 term of Northumberland County Wednesday, complete with a bagpipe escort and a ceremonial singing of the national anthem.
It's a fresh start in more ways than one, with only two of the seven mayors (Bob Sanderson of the Municipality of Port Hope and John Logel of the Township of Alnwick-Haldimand) having a complete term behind them, Bob Crate of Trent Hills has been at the job little more than a year, having replaced the late Hector Macmillan. The other four mayors – John Henderson of the Town of Cobourg, Bill Cane of the Township of Hamilton, Mandy Martin of the Township of Cramahe and Brian Ostrander of the Municipality of Brighton – took their seats at county council for the first time.
Sanderson made a motion to nominate Logel as warden. With no other nominations forthcoming, Logel was acclaimed.
The new warden's inaugural address began with thanks to several people no longer present – Macmillan, former Cobourg Mayor Gil Brocanier, former Hamilton Township Mayor Mark Lovshin, former Cramahe Township Mayor Marc Coombs and former Brighton Mayor Mark Walas – who preceded him in that position.
“As we begin this new term, I am truly honoured my colleagues have put their confidence in me to take on the responsibility and position of Northumberland County warden for 2019,” he said.
“It is truly a privilege to step into this particular leadership role for the first time, and I thank the members of council for their support. I am confident that, with the support of staff, we will work together as a team to resolve difficulties and advance quality programs on which the community can rely.”
Much of Logel's address listed challenges they face, such as the 2019 budget, a new strategic plan for this term of council, various infrastructure and economic-development projects, homelessness-response initiatives, creation of a digital strategy and new waste-collection innovations that he believes will get the county closer to its long-term goal of 75% waste diversion from the landfill.
“We have many priorities to address in the year ahead and, as head of council, I commit to working closely with staff and members of council, listening closely to members of the public and community stakeholders, collaborating openly with other levels of government and partner agencies, and drawing on ideas that will positively impact our future and promote a strong and vibrant Northumberland.
A later order of business was approval of the 2019 county-council calendar.
While meetings typically take place the third Wednesday of the month, January will be an exception. A Jan. 23 council-orientation session is planned, with the January council meeting to take place one week later. Otherwise, county council will meet Feb. 20, March 20, April 17, May 15, June 19, July 17, Aug. 28, Sept. 18, Oct. 16, Nov. 20 and Dec. 18.
