By: Laurie Watt

In a passionate debate that lasted an hour, county councillors nixed an idea to change the head of council’s title to chair, which would have brought the county in line with nearby regions.

“We have to look at our population, our geography and our challenges now and in the future and we have to ask: What governance structure works?" Bradford West Gwillimbury Mayor Doug White, who is chairperson of the county's governance committee, said. "Our governance structure has largely remained unchanged since the 1860s. We have to take a serious stab at change."

However, what could have been a simple change — perhaps the least controversial of a series of moves, including changing the committee structure, how to elect a warden and the length of the warden's term from one to two years — turned out to be the most controversial, with 18 of the 32 mayors and deputy mayors on council voting to keep the old title.

“This county is steeped in history, but I believe it is time to move forward. There was a time when I was against (changing the title), but after doing research, I can support the change,” Penetanguishene Mayor Anita Dubeau said.

Her neighbour, Midland Mayor Jim Downer, was the first to speak up against making the change.

“I’d like to keep it as warden,” he said simply.

Then passions began to flare.

“(What matters) is how our county is run. We have shown the province in our growth study and at (the Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference) we are the County of Simcoe,” Severn Mayor Judith Cox said.

Respecting history and blending it with changing times is the key, Essa Mayor David Guergis said.

“Reeve is extinct,” he said, adding the term was nixed in the 1990s in towns and townships in favour of mayor.

He also noted, however, Essa opted to remain a township, rather than change to a town along with its neighbours, because of its sense of history.

“(Simcoe County) definitely, after 160-plus years, needs to move forward and start looking at these issues," he said. "We’re competing with other regions and counties that have consistency with leadership and responsibilities for committee chairs. Change is difficult. We have to move forward and be a leader.”

Adjala-Tosorontio Mayor Tom Walsh, however, said resisting peer pressure is also a way to be a leader.

“We’re the leader by leaving it warden. That’s how we’re leading and setting ourselves on a stand,” he said.