MacDonald chairs final meeting at Essex County warden
After four years at the helm, Essex County’s first female warden has put down her gavel for the last time.
Hilda MacDonald, also the mayor of Leamington, chaired her final Essex County council meeting and thanked her colleagues. All but one, Deputy Mayor Larry Verbeke of Leamington are eligible to return following the results of Monday night’s municipal election. Verbeke did not seek re-election.
“My friends around the horseshoe (county council table), thank you for service to the constituents of Essex County over the past four years,” said MacDonald.
MacDonald said that members may not have agreed on all the issues since 2022, but they can all look back with pride on what they have accomplished.
A laundry list of what has transpired over the past four years includes hundreds of millions invested into the county road network, investments to prepare for future growth, maintaining a strong financial position, a solid foundation for the next county council, a shared regional vision of prosperity, and Essex County’s first strategic plan.
“Whatever happens Monday night (Oct. 26), I want to thank you for your dedication, your contributions, and your service to the people of Essex County,” said MacDonald, during the Oct. 21 meeting..
MacDonald who just completed her second term as the Leamington mayor was challenged Monday night by Cris Biron. She was elected in 2018 to become the first female mayor of that town since Grace McFarland in 1951.
If re-elected Monday, she said she will not seek another term as the warden.
MacDonald has been on Leamington town council since 2006, first as a two-term councillor followed by deputy mayor.
In her final remarks last week, she encouraged everyone to vote and in the future, consider running for office.
“The members of this council are all mayors and deputy-mayors but at one point they were just regular residents when they threw their hats into the ring and made their pitch to the voters.”
As the term of county council came to an end, Essex County CAO Sandra Zwiers also took time to thank members around the table.
“At the final meeting of this term, I wanted to express thanks from the entire administration team. It has been a challenging year but also a rewarding year,” commented Zwiers.
MacDonald expressed her gratitude for respectful conversations and diversity of thought.
MacDonald will be honoured in a celebration at the Warden’ Banquet Nov. 5 at the Ciociaro Club.
MacDonald chairs final meeting at Essex County warden
By Fred Groves
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