RENFREW COUNTY – Laurentian Valley Reeve Debbie Robinson defeated McNab-Braeside Mayor Tom Peckett yesterday (Dec. 11) in a vote taken by county councillors for the position of Warden of Renfrew County in 2020.

The county council chambers were packed for the election. Special guests in attendance included Arnprior Mayor Walter Stack, Renfrew Mayor Don Eady, Deep River Mayor Sue D’Eon, Laurentian Valley Mayor Steve Bennett, Whitewater Mayor Michael Moore, Pembroke Mayor Mike Lemay, Chief Kirby Whiteduck from the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation along with Garrison Petawawa base commander Colonel Louis Lapointe and Chief Warrant Officer Tom Verner.

Robinson spent more than 30-years as a reporter in the Ottawa Valley, helping the vulnerable in the community at Community Living and through her work as chair of the Social Services committee. This past year, Robinson served as the deputy warden in Renfrew County.

Robinson spoke to fellow county councillors in her speech stating she plans to advocate for residents in Renfrew County “so our voice continues to be heard.”

Robinson says attracting visitors to Renfrew County, climate change and working with health care providers to put people first continue to be important issues. Robinson was nominated for the Warden seat by Admaston-Bromley Mayor Michael Donohue and North Algona Wilberforce Mayor James Brose.

Outgoing warden and Mayor of Bonnechere Valley Jennifer Murphy served in the role for the last three years. Over the last three years, Murphy has helped move the Highway 17 expansion forward, worked on a service delivery improvement project, helped implement the butterfly model of care for long-term-care homes, developed the Algonquin Trail, worked on the strategic plan, and guided local municipalities through three natural disasters including two major floods and a tornado. Murphy will continue to serve as a member of county council.

ran against McNab-Braeside Mayor Tom Peckett for the Warden seat and won by a slim margin of nine votes to 8eight. She says the county would have been well served under either of them.

Robinson adds with four previous wardens sitting at the county council table, she has a lot of leadership experience to draw from.

Robinson says as warden next year, “she will continue to provide residents in Renfrew County a voice on important issues.”

She says they will keep up lobbying efforts, focusing on public health and the creation of Ontario Health Teams.

Former wardens who currently sit at county council table include Petawawa Mayor Bob Sweet, Renfrew Reeve Peter Emon, Killaloe Hagarty & Richards Mayor Janice Visneskie Moore and most recently Bonnechere Valley Mayor Jennifer Murphy.

There have been 120 wardens who have worn the chain of office since 1861 with only five women.

• Courtesy Oldies 107.7 FM