Adam Bramburger
Beaver Staff
If 2018 is Bill Lowry’s last year in municipal politics, he will go out on top.
The Loyalist Township mayor was re-elected as Lennox and Addington County warden Wednesday night for his 20th year as a municipal politician — which Lowry told the Beaver he plans to be his last.
The incumbent warden who also filled the top seat on Thomas Street in 2012 defeated Addington Highlands reeve Henry Hogg, who himself has served as warden four times.
“Tonight I am very humbled and honoured to have the support of my colleagues and friends and most of all my wife to receive the position as warden of Lennox and Addington County,” Lowry said. “This position carries a responsibility in the way you represent your county and your community, while at the same time maintaining a cohesive and positive environment for all our team’s members.”
He acknowledged the job in 2017 was much more demanding than his first year as warden with the pace of technology and the growth of the Eastern Ontario Warden’s Caucus (EOWC) as an advocacy organization. Lowry also dealt with personal tragedy over the past year, losing his son Todd to cancer.
Through it all, however, he said he enjoyed the work.
Councillors each took turns offering congratulations. Lowry’s nominator, Stone Mills deputy-reeve John Wise, said that much is evident in the way Lowry carries himself in his day-to-day handling of county business.
“I nominated you because of what I’ve seen in your character over the past year. It has shown me passion. It’s not enough to understand the issues we’re faced with, which are monumental and are going to be increasingly difficult in the years to come,” he said. “In order to tackle challenges like that, you can’t simply be interested. You have to care. That’s what I’ve seen in the past year.”
Addington Highlands deputy-reeve Helen Yanch added she’s confident in Lowry representing council.
“I know you’re represent us very well at the EOWC and I look forward to hearing about all the upcoming (initiatives),” she said.
In thanking all the members around the horseshoe for their tributes, Lowry said he finds the members of council get along very well, which makes it easy to address the common needs of the four municipalities. He added there are still some large topics on the agenda to address next year.
In examining his own priorities, he said he can provide leadership and is looking forward to it.
“It was a big decision months ago to decide what I wanted to do in my last year of the four-year term. You’re right, it does take passion and interest. I felt I still had that.”
Greater Napanee Mayor Gord Schermerhorn also congratulated Hogg for letting his name stand for election. He said it reminded him of the drama of inaugural meetings past when there were 23 members of council and a fair amount of politicking to see who would get elected. The former warden said council has been enjoyable service.
“I have enjoyed County council over the last number of years and I look forward to working with every one of you again in 2018 and that will be my last year, but I certainly have enjoyed my time on County council.”
Lowry recited his oath of office and Justice Geoffrey Griffin bestowed him with the chain of office.
During the inaugural meeting, Lowry recapped council’s activities over the past year, one he called “exceptional” because council decided to approve a tax increase of 2.95 per cent that would help the County make investments while keeping reserves strong.
“We do have to be responsible with the challenges that are put in front of us as a County council and always thinking of our sustainability and our strategic plan. We have been committed for almost 20 years to dedicating two per cent of our property tax for reserves and additional infrastructure funding.”
This term, the County has been able to invest heavily in roads, bridges, and building facilities, with Dundas Street in Napanee one of the major priorities for 2017 and 2018.
Lowry noted council had to make a difficult decision to consolidate library services within the past year which he said reflects a plan to modernize the service.
The warden complimented a team that designed the County’s new high-image, low-text web site, which he said placed a focus on being user-friendly. Lowry said online communications are becoming a more important piece of municipalities’ work and Lennox and Addington is doing well with the responsibility.
“I took the opportunity as a representative of the EOWC in the last few months to get to know my council and the colleagues I was with and to familiarize myself with their communities. I’m proud to say that after my experience with 13 web sites, we are second to none in design.”
Lowry commended the administration and staff at the John M. Parrott Centre for a recent provincial compliance inspection with no orders or non-compliance findings.
The County is also moving forward in the area of emergency services. A new base will be constructed in Stone Mills on County Rd. 4 south of Centreville. The base will provide 12-hour service initially and eventually 24-hour service. Loyalist Township will also see a new base built and its services have been increased to 24 hours. In Denbigh, a base will remain open to serve the County’s nothern residents and those in three neighbouring counties.
Business development in the past year was a highlight. Expansions at Napanee’s Abcann Medicinals Inc. and Millhaven’s Bombardier Transportation have resulted in over 200 new jobs. The addition of 30 other businesses have added an additional 100 jobs in the past 11 months.
Looking forward, Lowry said addressing homelessness and affordable housing will be a priority. He also envisions further amendments to the County’s official plan to help the four lower-tier municipalities continue with development and land-use planning. Those issues could come to light quickly in budget proceedings next month.
“Having 20 years of experience in budget process, the road to success is always under construction,” Lowry said. “With the professional team council has guiding them, I’m very confident we will create a responsible budget to manage this county for the upcoming year.”

Warden Lowry reads his oath of office as Justice Geoffrey Griffin looks on. (Adam Bramburger/Staff)