Ramara Mayor Basil Clarke and Springwater Mayor Jennifer Coughlin will be continuing in their roles as warden and deputy warden, respectively, for County of Simcoe council until the next municipal election in 2026.
Both Clarke and Coughlin — who were first elected to those positions for 2023 to 2024 — were acclaimed to the roles when council held its mid-term nominations during its meeting Tuesday.
Midland Mayor Brian Smith nominated Clarke, and that was seconded by Essa Mayor Sandie MacDonald, while Coughlin was nominated by Innisfil Mayor Lynn Dollin and New Tecumseth Mayor Richard Norcross.
“Thank you for your support for the last two years. I have tried to get around to meet everybody and tried to be open. I absolutely will accept criticism if you feel there is any way I am falling short over the next two years,” Clarke said during the meeting.
Dollin said she felt “uniquely qualified” to nominate Coughlin due to having held the role of deputy warden herself for two years.
“I knew what it took and I was very honoured to nominate Coun. Coughlin two years ago and equally proud to nominate her today. She’s done a fantastic job and I think it’s a great team. It’s not an easy task to look after your home municipality and look after the county, and I think they have both done an excellent job,” said Dollin.
Coughlin told council she’s looking forward to continuing the work she and Clarke have been doing over the last term.
“Together, we have been dubbed the beauty and brains of Simcoe, and I would like you to know that I work hard to let people know that you are more than just a pretty face,” she said. “Kidding aside, it’s been a pleasure to work alongside you and serve our colleagues and residents, and I look forward to doing it again with the same passion and enthusiasm as we have.”
Clarke was first elected as a Ramara Township councillor in 2000, deputy mayor in 2006 and 2010, and mayor in 2014, 2018 and 2022.
Outside of his role as mayor and warden, Clarke is a dairy and livestock farmer, and his family previously ran a small retail business, supplying services to his region and adding to the Canadian agricultural supply, according to his online biography.
Coughlin was elected as mayor of Springwater Township in 2022, after serving as councillor and deputy mayor in 2014 and 2018.
Before entering local politics, she worked as an early childhood educator and a teacher, and she still works as a supply teacher with the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board.
During its meeting Nov. 26, county council will elect chairs and vice-chairs for its three business section committees for 2025 and 2026.
