PEMBROKE — Bonnechere Valley Township Mayor Jennifer Murphy formally took the Oath of Office at Tuesday’s session of County Council and assumes the Office of the Warden of the County of Renfrew for a one-year term.
Warden Murphy, who was acclaimed, takes over from Past-Warden Peter Emon who held the position for four terms.
Mayor Murphy was nominated by fellow Councillor and Past-Warden Janice Visneskie Moore, with Councillor Robert Kingsbury as Seconder.
Upon assuming the Chain of Office for the County of Renfrew, Warden Murphy presented a brief outline of some of her goals and objectives for 2017 in an inaugural address to Council and guests.
“As a council we will make sure Provincial and Federal Government ministries keep hearing our perspective on our key issues like the Endangered Species Act, Planning, Funding Transfers, Highway 417, and countless others,” she said.
Warden Murphy also referenced a new initiative that she would like to see Council consider.
“We will explore new and innovative ways to consider options like shared services, new funding opportunities, and increased economic development to assuage these pressures,” she added. “One of the options we will consider to increase efficiencies and decrease economic pressures on rate payers is to review the document from 1997 regarding the role and responsibilities of Upper-tier and Lower-tier services. Perhaps changes could be considered with regards to shared services leading to benefits to all residents of the county.”
Warden Murphy was born and raised in Toronto and she moved to Eganville in February 2000 because she loved the area. Her father’s family is from the Osceola area and she spent many weekends and most vacations at the homestead prior to moving. Warden Murphy and her husband Dave opened Murphy’s Auto Service in Renfrew in January 2001. Warden Murphy is a proud step-mother to two beautiful daughters, Nicole and Laura.
