The seven Mayors of the seven member municipalities in Northumberland County comprise Northumberland County Council. Each year, a County Councillor is elected from within County Council to serve a one year term as Warden. The Warden also serves on the Eastern Ontario Wardens Caucus comprised of the thirteen regional councils located in eastern Ontario.
I was acclaimed as Northumberland County Warden for the year 2007. During the year 2007 as Warden, I struck two new committees.
The Cairn Committee
The Cairn Committee was charged with the restoration of the Northumberland County Cairn of Peace. There was no budget at the time for the restoration, so I terminated the traditional, annual Warden’s Banquet and directed the funds to the restoration. (I do not believe using taxpayer’s money for an annual banquet is a wise investment).
Cobourg area tradesmen were very busy during that time and could not work on the Cairn. I found two Trent Hills craftsmen who restored the Cairn and the Golden Plough that rests upon it. Steve Clark who is sadly no longer with us, and Steve Redden. The Cairn of Peace was dedicated to these lands and the people who live on them by the ploughmen. To show they had been here, and made their mark on local soils. Most importantly, to share their vision of world peace and a self-sustained nourished population.
The grand monument of the ploughmen also stands in rememberance of those who embraced the following objects, and still do today…
- To foster and preserve the art and improve the skill of ploughing the land.
- To promote World Championship Ploughing contests.
- To provide for demonstration, work and trade displays.
- To urge the development and adoption of improved techniques, and aids to man in all branches of agriculture.
- To foster a vigorous spirit of co-operation and enterprise in producing food for an increasing world population.
- By these means to encourage fellowship and understanding amongst the people of all nations.
- To support and co-operate with other bodies or associations in the furtherance of these objects.
Perhaps back in 1952 when the World Ploughing Organization was first established in Scotland, these visions were somewhat idealistic, and there are many today that may still believe that. I believe as citizens and a species, we must curb our thirst for the consumption of our natural resources, and if governments of the world do not start investing in rural lands immediately with sustainable green energy and technology to produce food for the populations, we will go hungry in due time. Our food supply chain is precariously fragile, and the ludicrous amounts of money that are poured daily into the big war machines will do nothing to nourish our bodies when the land and the art is gone. It has been my pleasure to learn and support the history of the Cairn of Peace.
Media Release – July 27, 2010 – Northumberland County
Click here to read: Re-Dedication of Cairn of Peace Commemorates First Ever World Championship Ploughing Match
The Forest Advisory Committee
This committee was comprised of 20 representatives of all the user groups of the forest. They worked together for two years and each made compromises to bring peace in the forest, and a dedicated area for each group to enjoy. A lot of work and effort was put into this very large committee by all to bring an end to disputes, foster good working relationships, stop destruction, and restore damaged sections of the forest. The documents and studies produced during this time are a vision for the future of the forest complete with a trails and forest masterplan. My intent was to bring “peace back to the forest”, and I believe I accomplished that.
Many other important initiatives have come from this project, such as awareness program providing our residents with information regarding the ever increasing invasion of foreign weeds such as the Giant Hogweed. Trailhead and trail designation signage will soon be coordinated with the user groups and installed in the forest.