Northumberland County council has appointed Trent Hills Mayor Bob Crate as warden for 2026, the final year of the term.
Crate, who previously held the position in 2021 and 2022 prior to the current council’s term, replaces Brighton Mayor Brian Ostrander, who just served two consecutive years as warden. The positions of warden and deputy warden are traditionally just one-year appointments.
Cramahe Township Mayor Mandy Martin declined a nomination for the warden position, but did accept to assume the role as deputy warden, a position she held in 2021 and 2022. She was warden in 2023.
During the call for nominations for the warden position, Councillor Lucas Cleveland, who is the mayor of Cobourg, nominated Councillor Olena Hankivsky, mayor of Port Hope and the deputy warden for the past two years.
Asked if she consented to the nomination, Hankivsky declined.
“In a normal circumstance I would definitely be accepting this nomination, but in the last number of weeks in particular with the task of taking on the world’s largest new nuclear project in the Municipality of Port Hope, I cannot with good conscious take on this responsibility,” she remarked. “I do not like to take on things without being able to fully commit to them. I don’t like promises that I cannot keep. So while I don’t want to rule out the possibility of this position in the future should I continue my political career in this community, regretfully at this point I appreciate the nomination, I appreciate the trust of my colleagues, but I will not be able to accept it.”
Councillor Cleveland put forward a second name, nominating Councillor Martin, who also declined.
“I, too, am honoured to be nominated. I believe passionately in the County and our collaborative efforts.
I have a lot on my plate as well and I feel that the leadership role takes a lot of time and unmitigated attention and I would decline to accept the wardenship nomination.”
Councillor John Logel, mayor Alnwick/Haldimand Township, nominated Crate for the position.
“I thank my nominator and I would be honoured to stand as the warden for the coming year,” Crate said.
Cleveland requested a recorded vote, which was denied by Clerk Tonia Bennett.
“Recorded votes are not allowed with relation to the election of the warden or deputy warden,” she said. “As stated in 5.8 of the procedural bylaw, it does state that for the purposes of electing the warden and deputy warden, each County councillor will have one vote.”
The mover and seconder to nominate Crate each spoke to their reasoning.
“I have known Mr. Crate for several years now, probably seven or eight years,” Logel said. “I know he was warden prior and he did a great job for Northumberland County then and…I’m really happy to hear that he has accepted the nomination and I’m asking my fellow councillors to support the motion.”
Martin noted she succeeded Crate as warden in the past.
“I’ve always admired his integrity and his commitment,” she said. “He has a picture of the County as a whole and how we function and support one another in an integrated municipal support system. I think that he has done a great job of being a diplomat and a negotiator, often behind the scenes at the provincial and even the federal level. I, again, stress the integrity with which he approaches his work. It is not touched by a political affiliation, it is touched by the betterment for the people of Northumberland County as a whole and I honour that.”
The motion to acclaim Crate as warden passed with support from Ostrander, Hankivsky, Crate, Martin and Councillor Scott Jibb, mayor of Hamilton Township. Cleveland, who appeared to be typing on his phone, did not vote.
Crate took his declaration of office and offered his first words as warden.
“It’s an honour to wear the chain and I’m grateful for the confidence you have placed in me,” Crate said.
“I also want to thank Brian for his dedication and service over the past two years as warden. With a steady hand you have steered the County through complex issues and celebrated significant achievements. You should be proud of what we’ve accomplished together under your leadership.”
Crate said he looked forward to continued work with the council for one final year of the term.
“We have some major milestones ahead that will require our careful stewardship and will shape Northumberland for decades,” he said.
Looking ahead, Crate said the County will be opening the doors to the new Golden Plough Lodge and Northumberland County Archives and Museum facility, connecting high-speed Internet to unserved and underserved residents and, pending funding from other levels of government, advancing construction on a new bridge across the Trent River in Campbellford.
“These initiatives and so many more will take vision, focus and collaboration, but I’m confident we can deliver,” Crate said. “We are also entering a year of leadership transition with the selection of a new CAO for the County. Strong administrative leadership is essential for strong governance. Council will provide the support and clarity required for staff to fulfill major projects and continued delivering the services residents count on.”
Asked for nominations from council for the position of deputy warden, Crate put forward Councillor Martin’s name. She consented to the nomination.
Speaking to the nomination, Crate said “we’ve worked together in the past as warden and deputy warden and she was a great asset as I traveled through the strange waters at times so I take great pleasure in asking her to join me as deputy warden for this year.”
Logel, who seconded the nomination, said “I think Mandy as the deputy warden has proven herself working with our new warden and they worked together well as a team. They converse on a regular basis and I think the two of them working together will lead Northumberland County.”
Councillor Cleveland from Cobourg once again called for a recorded vote, despite being told earlier during the warden election they were not permitted.
“Sorry, there will not be a recorded vote called,” the clerk reiterated.
The motion to acclaim Martin as deputy warden was approved by the majority of council, though Cleveland appeared to be typing on his phone again and did not vote again.
Prior to the elections, outgoing Warden Ostrander held a moment of silence for former County Councillor and Alnwick Haldimand Mayor Dalton McDonald, who passed away Dec. 11.
Ostrander also gave his final remarks as warden, noting “it has been an absolute privilege to serve in this capacity and I am abundantly aware of the privilege that this council has provided me in serving as your warden.
“It is an honour to serve the people from Port Hope to Brighton, from Lake Ontario to Rice Lake.”
He credited County staff for dedication, professionalism and steady leadership during one of the more demanding and complex periods in recent memory.
Staff have continued to move council’s strategic plan forward while not losing sight of essential services residents rely on, Ostrander added.
Council highlights he pointed to include county-wide broadband taking root to strengthen rural connectivity; the safe completion of another phase of the County Road 64 Prince Edward Street reconstruction project in Brighton; a fully redesigned mobile friendly website; streamlined processes in the provincial courts; partial occupancy of the new GPL and NCAM; holding ID clinics to help community members obtain or replace identification documents; opening 181 new licensed childcare spaces; reducing pressures on landfill system with proof of residency requirements and mattress diversion; and launching County-wide physician recruitment efforts supporting access to primary care.
“As we reflect on the past year, maybe two or more, it’s also important to acknowledge the broader environment municipalities are operating in. Pressures are growing, responsibilities are increasing and resources are not keeping pace with the needs,” Ostrander said.
“More services are being downloaded onto local governments and counties like ours are stepping into new areas, not because these are intended municipal roles or that these have been forced downloads from the province, but because our residents expect services and we need to drive those services.”
Ostrander said conversations also need to be had about not taking resources away from municipalities. He referenced the province’s banning of automated speed cameras, which Premier Doug Ford had called a cash grab. The mayor had success with the cameras in safety zones in Brighton before they were banned.
“Yes, cash did come to the municipalities who offered those systems, but it also slowed drivers down by 83 per cent in the Municipality of Brighton.”
Ostrander concluded with thoughts on the changing tones of councils.
“The pressures on municipal governments is heavier than ever and with that pressure comes emotion, from us around the table and from the community,” he said. “We felt that here at County council.
Initiatives like the Elect Respect movement remind us that democracy depends on civility and listening to understand – that differing opinions aren’t obstacles, they are the foundation of healthy debate and good governance. We know that our efforts and advocacy work best when we stand together. One organization, one team, one constructive voice, one Northumberland.
“As we head into the new year, let us recommit to the fundamentals of public service – professionalism, collaboration and respect around this horseshoe, throughout Northumberland County and up-and-down the tiers of government. A diversity of perspectives makes this council stronger as does our respect for the residents, whose trust we are here to earn and govern every single day. That’s how we build a more resilient, more compassionate, stronger and more vibrant Northumberland. Friends, sincere thank you.
It has been my honour, it has been my privilege, but I am happy to give up these chains.”
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
