Port Hope Mayor and County Councillor Bob Sanderson was sworn in today as 2020 Warden for Northumberland County. This is Warden Sanderson’s second term on County Council, and his first term as Warden.
“It is a true honour to have my Council colleagues instill with me the responsibilities of the position of Northumberland County Warden for 2020,” states Warden Sanderson. “As we continue working towards the objectives outlined in our Strategic Plan, I commit to fostering ongoing development and administration of effective policy, prudent and responsible fiscal management, and inclusive Council dialogue and collaboration, as we seek to grow a strong and vibrant Northumberland.”
For the first time ever, County Council also elected a Deputy Warden today. Trent Hills Mayor and County Councillor Bob Crate will take on this new role for 2020, ensuring business continuity when the Warden is absent, and sharing in the meeting and event responsibilities previously fulfilled exclusively by the Warden.
“I appreciate the opportunity to take on this inaugural role,” says Deputy Warden Crate. “County Council has pressing priorities for the coming year, and I look forward to working closely with Warden Sanderson and my fellow County councillors to deliver results for the community.”
Both the Warden and Deputy Warden positions are one-year terms, each filled by one of the seven members of County Council. Appointments are based on a vote by Council or, in the case of a single candidate for either role, an acclamation.
After graduating from the Ontario Veterinary College in 1972, Bob Sanderson began practicing as an associate veterinarian in Halifax, Nova Scotia. After moving to Port Hope in 1973, Dr. Sanderson established Port Hope’s first full-time companion animal and equine practice. Dr. Sanderson has extensive corporate experience in the animal health industry, having held senior positions at the Mars Corporation (the world’s leading authority on pet care and nutrition), and IDEXX Laboratories (Canada’s largest veterinary diagnostic company). First elected in 1979, he served on Port Hope Council during the historic flood in 1980. A long-time advocate of heritage preservation, he received a Heritage Award for his restoration of the Little Bluestone (circa 1834) on King Street. Dr. Sanderson was previously the owner/operator of several Port Hope dining and accommodation establishments.
Bob Crate is a lifelong resident of Hastings. Elected to council for the Municipality of Trent Hills as the Hastings Ward Councillor in 2010, he served as Deputy Mayor from 2012 until 2017, at which time he was appointed Mayor for the remainder of the term. In 2018, Bob was elected to continue serving as Mayor of the municipality. Bob worked in the wine and spirits industry for over 30 years prior to his retirement in 2018. As the president of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 106, he has received the Meritorious Service Medal and a Lifetime Membership in recognition of his service to the organization. In his spare time, Bob plays hockey twice a week, and was a member of the gold medal winning team at the Ontario 55 + Winter Games hosted in Cobourg in 2017.
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
