Warden’s Banquet honours MacDonald and introduces possible successors
Hilda MacDonald was honoured for her term as warden of Essex County while her possible successors had a chance to express their interest in the job.
MacDonald, the first woman ever to lead Essex County council, was the subject of the Nov. 5 banquet at the Ciociaro Club in Tecumseh and her compassion, skill, empathy, energy, ability to get the job done and leadership were among the qualities highlighted by her colleagues and community partners. She announced in late April that, if re-elected as Leamington mayor, she would not seek re-election as warden. Now that voters have re-elected her in her municipality, she will return to county council as a councillor.
MacDonald thanked the community and the staff for their support during her four-year term as warden.
“It has meant the world to me,” said MacDonald.
MacDonald noted there were “peaks and valleys” over the term, but she was proud of what county council accomplished.
“We have laid a solid foundation for the next county council,” she said.
Working to address housing and homelessness, updating the county’s Official Plan, the commitment to the Fancsy Family Hospital, the new county strategic plan, roadway and infrastructure updates and expansion and getting a grant under the provincial and federal development charge reduction program were cited as accomplishments.
Serving as warden gave her an appreciation of how closely linked all seven Essex County municipalities are, MacDonald added.
“My role will change but my commitment to Essex County will continue,” said MacDonald.
County CAO Sandra Zwiers thanked MacDonald on behalf of administration. Zwiers said the county’s list of accomplishments during MacDonald’s term as warden is long but credited her for who she is as a person.
“It’s been an absolute pleasure to be your CAO. It is more important to be your friend,” said Zwiers.
Zwiers pointed out her history with MacDonald, noting how MacDonald read to her as a youth when MacDonald was a librarian in Ruthven to taking cooking classes at MacDonald’s kitchen store. She added the staff at the county appreciate how MacDonald checks in on them and acknowledges their efforts.
Two candidates for warden for the 2026-30 term announced their intentions at the end of the banquet. Joe Bachetti, who is moving up from being Tecumseh’s deputy mayor to the town’s mayor, is seeking the job. Bachetti spent the last four years as deputy warden and said he learned from MacDonald and “wants to help keep the momentum going.” He said if he is elected by his county council colleagues, he would lead with collaboration and a willingness to listen to others around the table.
Rob Shepley, who was acclaimed to a second term as Essex deputy mayor, also declared his intentions to run for warden. He vowed to maintain positive relationships with upper levels of government as well as the City of Windsor. Shepley said experience matters but so do relationships and he believed he was the candidate to move the county forward.
Every county councillor has the right to be heard and Shepley added he respects everyone’s right to agree or disagree.
There were also two candidates to announce their intention to seek the deputy warden’s position, both having been re-elected to their positions in their respective communities Oct. 26. LaSalle Deputy Mayor Mike Akpata said he has served his country and his community and wants to serve the county in an expanded role. He wanted to further the county as a place to “live, work and play.”
Lakeshore Mayor Tracey Bailey is also seeking the deputy warden’s job, believing her experience and ideas would make her the ideal candidate.
Essex County council elects its new warden and deputy warden at the Nov. 18 meeting.
Warden’s Banquet honours MacDonald and introduces possible successors
By Ron Giofu
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