Bancroft will become SD&G warden in 2017

South Stormont Mayor Jim Bancroft, seen here in an April 2015 file photo, has expressed in an interest in being the SD&G warden in 2017. He will likely be acclaimed to the position at a future council meeting. (Newswatch Group/Bill Kingston, File)

SD&G – Barring any unforeseen developments, Jim Bancroft will be the warden of the United Counties in 2017.

The South Stormont mayor was the only councillor to put his name forward during expressions of interest for the position during Monday’s county council meeting.

CAO Tim Simpson told Cornwall Newswatch the appointment will come through a resolution at the next council meeting before the inauguration, scheduled for Friday, Dec. 16, 2016.

The warden’s position has typically been on a loosely followed rotation from the three counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry (considering North Dundas Mayor Eric Duncan served two consecutive terms).

One person thought to be interested in the position was South Dundas mayor Evonne Delegarde but she didn’t put her name forward.

“South Stormont expressed an interest and, you know, I’m quite supportive of Jim. We’ve kind of had that rotation and I’ll look at it for 2018. I really never considered it. I’m still only two years under my belt where as Jim has previous experience with the counties and everything,” Delegarde told CNW.

“I look at it then (a year from now). We’re also going into an election year and that will also be a decision I will also have to make too going forward,” Delegarde said.

As for running in the 2018 election, the South Dundas mayor said she hasn’t “even looked at it.”

“We are just getting to where I want to be. I’m very pleased with the way it’s going…our new announcement of the subdivision (Dutch Meadows in Morrisburg) so we’re focusing on things within the municipality instead of next steps for myself.”