By Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Essex Free Press
Warden of Essex County and Mayor of Leamington, Hilda MacDonald, extended an apology for the comments she made during the November 6 meeting.
This was in reference to when County Councillors discussed Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy’s motion, which asked for support in creating a joint County Councillor email to make it easier for residents to connect with all 14 County Councillors at once.
MacDonald, at the time, commented, “If another Mayor got involved in an issue in my town, I would be more than angry. You have no business being involved in something that takes place within my borders, even if it is an EMS situation or Sun Parlour Home. I’d be telling you fairly quickly to stay out of my ‘hood.”
And further added, “but seriously, if we stick our nose in our other mayors’ municipalities, expect to get not your knuckles rapped, expect to get kicked in the knee, because I would not appreciate that one bit.”
During her apology at the November 21 meeting last week, she described her comments as having been kind of adversarial.
“I received a letter of complaint, where someone thought my comments – well they made them feel ill at ease. I just want County Council and the public to know that was never my intent.”
She added she appreciates everyone bearing with her and will do better in the future.
The majority of Council for the County of Essex ended up voting to direct administration to create a report on the feasibility of creating a distribution list for all members of County Council that aligns with the County’s Strategic Plan in working together as a team for residents.