CORNWALL, Ontario – South Glengarry Mayor Ian McLeod took the position of Warden of the United Counties of SD&G in a ceremony at the United Counties municipal building on Friday, Dec. 15.
McLeod was elected to the position last month by SD&G United Counties Council after being nominated by South Glengarry Deputy Mayor Frank Prevost which was seconded by North Glengarry Deputy Mayor Jamie Macdonald.
The United Council Chambers was packed with dignitaries and members of the public who had come to see the investiture of the new Warden. McLeod is the 169th Warden of SD&G since the United Counties were formed in 1850 and this is the second time that he has held the position. Rev. Ian MacMillan opened the ceremonies with a prayer.
A few former Wardens were in attendance, besides most of the current council, Stormont, Dundas and South Glengarry MPP Jim McDonell and Cornwall Mayor Leslie O’Shaughnessy have both served as Warden and were in attendance.
McDonell and O’Shaughnessy were invited up to remark on the occasion.
McDonell, a former Mayor of South Glengarry in addition to being a former Warden said “On behalf of the province I want to give congratulations to Warden McLeod.”
Mayor Leslie O’Shaughnessy joked about the ecological impact of the council’s choice for Warden.
“They have shown their commitment to the political environment by recycling a past Warden,” he joked.
Mayor O’Shaughnessy went on to mention that the fact that so many current members of council had previously served as Warden and continued to sit around the table showed the confidence their constituents had in them.
After taking his badge of office, Warden McLeod thanked Rev. Ian MacMillan, his family, Mayor O’Shaughnessy, MPP McDonell, immediate past Warden Jim Bancroft and others.
“Just as the sun rises in the East and sets in the West, Ontario’s forefathers came from the East, SD&G, and spread across the land to build the great province of Ontario,” he said.
He went on to emphasize the work that the Counties had ahead of it in 2018.
“SDG is working on a new shared services agreement with Cornwall. The current deal dates back to the 1990s,” he said. McLeod had stated that as the Counties’ closest neighbour it was important that they continue to work with the City of Cornwall.
He went on to explain that the Counties had just approved a four-year plan for roadwork, with $17 million to be spent on roads and bridges in 2018. McLeod also emphasized that The United Counties were entirely debt free, which is something he said he was very proud to say.
