MacDonald elected Warden of Essex County

By Ron Giofu with files from Mark Ribble

Essex County Council has elected its warden for the 2022-26 council term and made history in the process.

The 14 members of County Council selected Leamington Mayor Hilda MacDonald as their new leader, as she won a two-person race for the county’s top political job, a job that has been in existence for almost 170 years. She becomes the first woman to become the County Warden.

MacDonald ran against Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara for the job, with McNamara seeking re-election to the position he held from 2018-22.

“Wow, this is huge,” said MacDonald, as she assumed the chair during last Wednesday night’s inaugural meeting. “It’s a momentous occasion for me personally, but when you think of all of the people who have come before us, it’s really moving.” MacDonald added “the time is right” for such a historic occasion.

“Look at the diversity around this table,” she said. “The population of this region has shown that they are ready for diversity. They are ready to have themselves represented at this table. It’s no longer just one demographic. Skin colour, gender, age, all of those things are represented at this table. I’m proud to be elected by you, my fellow colleagues.”

MacDonald pointed out she didn’t write a speech beforehand, as she “didn’t want to jinx it.”

Both she and Mc- Namara declared their intention to seek the position of warden at the Nov. 4 Warden’s Banquet. MacDonald thanked Mc- Namara for his support since MacDonald joined Essex County council eight years ago.

The new warden shared her vision of how she wants to lead the county for the next four years.

“Going forward, as we are such a diverse group, I’m looking to lead with the idea we get to know each other better,” said

MacDonald. “We get to know each other’s communities better, that we engage more so than we have in the past. That we work together to make this county a better place based on our own experiences and knowledge of our own communities. We need to talk about what we’re doing in our own communities, share that, and use that as guidance going forward in the county.”

“Let’s get the job going and enjoy the next four years,” said MacDonald. “Let’s be productive, let’s work as a team. Let’s be engaged like never before.”

“I think it bodes well for Leamington that a member of our council is sitting in the warden’s chair,” she added. “We have an opportunity to change the level of engagement.”

Tecumseh Deputy Mayor Joe Bachetti was elected as Deputy Warden, as he ran against LaSalle Mayor Crystal Meloche for the position.

“I am very humbled to be elected as the Deputy Warden for the next term,” Bachetti said, as he thanked his family and Tecumseh Council colleagues. He also thanked McNamara for his work on County Council.

The striking committee that will help determine County Committee assignments include MacDonald, Bachetti, Kingsville Mayor Dennis Rogers, LaSalle Deputy Mayor Mike Akpata and Leamington Deputy Mayor Larry Verbeke.

County Council members were officially sworn in by the Honourable Mr. Justice George King.

HILDA MACDONALD