SUBMITTED
Councillor Toby Randell (Carleton Place Mayor) was sworn in as Lanark County’s 2025 warden at the inaugural meeting held on Tuesday afternoon.
Randell was nominated by Councillors Andrew Tennant (Carleton Place Deputy Mayor) and Richard Kidd (Beckwith Reeve). He said he believes in fiscal responsibility and spending tax dollars wisely. “I will continue to be an advocate for our own lower tiers and keep in mind there is only one taxpayer,” he said, adding he will take the best practices from the warden’s position to help Lanark County be the best it can be. “I will give this seat the respect I believe it deserves, and I am proud to do the work with everyone around the table.” He pledged to be open and transparent with staff, council and constituents.
Randell has a 25-year background as a business owner and chaired the public works and climate action committees at the county. He was first elected to Carleton Place Council in 2018 and became mayor in 2022.
Tennant noted there has been a great deal of activity in Carleton Place over the past six years, and that Randell has experience handling a range of issues. “He is the right person for the job and will represent us very well, inside and outside of this room.” Kidd added Randell is experienced and has worked very hard to become a politician. “He has the skillset to become warden.”
Randell acknowledged the wealth of experience on council and said he would respect the decisions of council when advocating for the county. “I will use the skills I have in communications and relationships.”
In his outgoing remarks, Past Warden Steve Fournier (Drummond/North Elmsley Reeve) thanked councillors and staff for supporting him as warden for 2024. “We had great year with lots of events and conferences…and met a lot of good people along the way.”
Committee chairpersons were approved at the meeting as well, including Councillor Steve Fournier (Drummond/North Elmsley Reeve) for Corporate Services, Councillor Christa Lowry (Mississippi Mills Mayor) for Community Services, Councillor Richard Kidd (Beckwith Reeve) for Economic Development and Councillor Brian Dowdall (Beckwith Deputy Reeve) for Public Works. Randell also named a striking committee, which appoints members to various committees and boards. Council reconvenes Wednesday, Nov. 27 at 5 p.m. for its regular meeting.
