Renfrew County Warden Peter Emon and CAO Craig Kelley (County of Renfrew photo)
It won’t happen this time around, but the County of Renfrew will not rule out a potential change to the role of warden.
Current Warden Peter Emon says a proposal he brought forward to make the warden a four-year position voted on by the public will not make it to the table in time for the upcoming election.
However, he hopes that just getting it into the discussion will help the county avoid growing concerns of potential realignment by showing the province that it is properly governed as-is.
Emon explains that the rationale for making the warden a full-term appointment is to demonstrate stable leadership, transparency, and a consistent focus on top priorities for what has grown into a $230 million corporation that requires help from other levels of government to ensure residents have the services and programs they need.
He’s confident that Renfrew County won’t be forced to grow in terms of landmass in the near future, but advancement and development will likely require some local communities to consider what is in their best interest.
The proposed changes to the warden’s position are expected to be discussed by the next session of county council in time to implement them ahead of the 2030 election, if agreed upon.
(written by Kasey Egan)
