New Warden elected for Dufferin County

December 22, 2015 · 0 Comments

The agenda for the County Council meeting held on Thursday, December 10th, included the election of a new Warden for Dufferin. Previously filled in 2015 by Deputy Mayor of Orangeville Warren Maycock, the 2016 position of Warden will be now be held by Mono Township Mayor Laura Ryan.
The meeting began at 4 p.m. in Council Chambers with the Call to Order and an introduction of the Candidates – giving them a chance to address their colleagues prior to the election. Ryan’s speech touched on several key issues including economic development and the importance of addressing infrastructure issues in the County.
Past Wardens were recognized and remarks were delivered by the outgoing 2015 Warden prior to the election. The position of Warden was contested by Orangeville Deputy Mayor Warren Maycock, as well as Amaranth Mayor Don MacIver. Laura Ryan, a 21 year veteran of politics who last held the position of Warden in 2013, won the prestigious post over both.
The Oath of Office for the 2016 Warden was administered by His Worship Justice of the Peace John E. Creelman of the Ontario Court of Justice for the Central West Region. Ryan received the Chain of Office and Gavel and the invocation following was performed by the Reverend Barbara Moulton Coordinator of Pastoral Care for Headwaters’ Health Care Centre.
County Councillor, Heather Hayes Deputy Mayor of Mulmur, told the Free Press that Warren Maycock had “done an outstanding job for the County in the first year of the term.” She said, “I’m pleased with the appointment of Laura Ryan. I look forward to a productive year as the County addresses issues such as the Niagara Escarpment Commission (NEC) suggested expansion of the Greenbelt, Poverty Reduction Strategy, supporting Syrian Refugees, and working through implementing County planning changes.”
In a statement to the Free Press, Laura Ryan said she was excited to be elected as the Warden of Dufferin County for 2016 and realized that she had a long history of great representation to live up to:
“We have started on many new directions with the new Council,” said Ryan. “Our corporate Strategic Plan is a great base for our decision making at the table. All issues come to Councillors with the Strategic Plan mission/vision statements included that helps us focus on our core values…There is so much going on now that the province has brought in to play the re-working of many policies. We will have to be diligent as we review these changes and participate in the responses back to the Ministries.”

By Marni Walsh