Councillors take oaths of office, select committee representation
Adam Bramburger
Beaver Staff
Eric Smith was acclaimed Wednesday as the 2019 warden of Lennox and Addington County, succeeding the retiring Bill Lowry who spent the past two years in the job.
A Tamworth-area farmer who was recently elected as Stone Mills Township reeve after assuming that position in 2014, Smith has represented the township on County council for two terms.
Past Lennox and Addington County wardens Bill Lowry, left, and Gord Schermerhorn were able to watch the proceedings from the audience as a new council was sworn in this week. (Adam Bramburger/Staff)
Another longtime representative at the upper tier, Loyalist Township Mayor Ric Bresee, provided a nomination for Smith during the evening’s inaugural meeting.
“Eric has been a member of this council for eight years now and he has shared an equal voice from across the count while still carrying his home township close to heart,” Bresee said. “I believe he will be an excellent warden — a person who will represent us very well at the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ (Caucus) and with all urgent matters.”
North Addington reeve Henry Hogg, himself a multi-term warden seconded the nomination.
Smith took a moment to get his bearings at the front of the courthouse after Justice Geoff Griffin administered his oath and Lowry fitted him with the chain of office. He then gave a brief address, stating he was humbled and very grateful for the opportunity.
“It’s a whole different view up here,” Smith started. “This is my honour. It’s a real honour to be asked to serve as warden for the County of Lennox and Addington next year… I would like to thank my fellow councillors for putting your trust in me and I’d like to thank Ric for asking me to put my name forward.”
Smith also thanked his Stone Mills council colleagues and staff for supporting him in taking on the leadership endeavour and the members of his family who might have to take on some of his farm chores.
He urged his colleagues to work together in a collegial manner over the next term and said he’s ready to work in his role, both at the council table and elsewhere.
“I look forward to the year ahead working with council and staff to deal with the challenges that we face — social housing, homelessness, and financial pressures have to be dealt with.”
Smith said he was pleased to continue offering the programs and services the County provides and admitted the opening of a new ambulance base in Centreville will be a real highlight for him.
Councillors took their turns offering tributes and pledging to work co-operatively.
Napanee Mayor Marg Isbester said she believes the year ahead will be “very interesting” with the changes proposed by Doug Ford’s government and with the high level of voter engagement.
“With your leadership and our co-operation, the County will make good strides,” she said.
Stone Mills deputy reeve John Wise said he was very pleased to see Smith stand for election.
“I’ve worked closely with you at the township and the county for years now. You’ve got many talents and I think, most important, is your open-mindedness and your consideration for other people. You have a true community spirit and I look forward to working with you.”
Napanee deputy mayor Max Kaiser, who also said he was “humbled” to sit on council said he was really looking forward to seeing a fellow farmer in a position of leadership.
While Bresee said he has great faith in Smith’s abilities and leadership as demonstrated over the years, he reminded him that he isn’t facing the daunting task of running council and walking into the world of the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus and interactions with senior levels of government alone.
“You have some great leadership ability, but I’d like to point out past wardens Gord Schermerhorn, Bill Lowry, and Henry Hogg are great mentors. You have a great team to work with and I know you’ll do great things with us in the next year.”
There were some other touching moments at the inaugural. For the first time, to start the meeting, Lowry read a statement acknowledging Indigenous peoples who have inhabited — and still inhabit — the the land. He said the statement was a step toward reconciliation.
Councillors also listened as past warden Gord Schermerhorn led an invocation prayer before they took their oaths.
“I’d like to congratulate you, County council, for letting your names stand in the election and winning the election. You are pillars of our community,” he said. “The hours you put in and your commitment is certainly known and we appreciate it.”
In one of their first acts after selecting the warden — a tradition that dates back to 1865, councillors also selected members to serve on various committees in the next year. Bresee and Kaiser will represent council on the economic development commission; Wise will continue with Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington Board of Health, Isbester will sit on the Lennox and Addington County General Hospital Board; Hogg and Addington Highlands deputy reeve Tony Fritsch will sit on the Prince Edward-Lennox and Addington Social Services (PELASS) committee; Wise will be part of the PELASS housing advisory committee; Bresee and Wise will be on the joint accessibility advisory committee; and Loyalist Township deputy reeve Jim Hegadorn will represent council on the Lafarge liaison committee and the Lennox and Addington Seniors Outreach Services board of directors.