Outgoing Grey County Warden Brian Milne has delivered his closing address.
County council’s meeting on Nov. 28 marked the final meeting Milne would be in the chair as warden. At the conclusion of the proceedings, Milne delivered his closing address that reflected on the accomplishments and challenges of the past year.
“It has been an incredible honour to lead this council for a second consecutive term and a third term overall,” said Milne. “Serving as your warden continues to be one of the greatest privileges of my life, and I am deeply grateful for the trust you have placed in me.”
Milne noted that as the year began council faced a very tough budget situation and he thanked council and staff for their work setting the 2024 budget.
“The decisions before us were not easy and required significant thought, careful consideration, and a commitment to the priorities set by this council. Together, we debated and worked to balance the immediate needs of our community with the long-term sustainability of our services,” he said. “Through collaboration, open dialogue, and a shared vision, we arrived at a budget that positioned Grey County to move forward effectively.”
Milne also noted that he was in the warden’s chair when council awarded the tender for the largest capital project in the county’s history - the new Rockwood Terrace long-term care home in Durham.
“This council has made important and long-lasting decisions this year. In the winter we issued the tender for the construction of the new Rockwood Terrace. In the spring, we awarded it, marking the largest capital project in the history of our county,” he said. “Since then, ground has been broken, foundations poured, and the walls are going up as I read this address. This project is bringing even more high-demand long-term care beds to our community and will ensure county-run long-term care services remain in southern Grey County for decades to come. It was a long road to get here, and we should all be proud watching this project come to life.”
Milne also noted the investment in a new ambulance base in Durham, the 20th anniversary celebration for Grey Roots Museum and Archives, the grand opening of the Sydenham Campus and continuing investments in county roads infrastructure, including a new roundabout at Grey Roads 3 and 4 between Hanover and Durham.
Milne also called on continuing dialogue and reconciliation with local First Nations.
“Over the past two years, I’ve had the good fortune of meeting Chief Nadjiwan at many events and hearing him speak with wisdom and conviction. His call for 'reconcili-action' deeply resonates with me, as it reminds us that words without actions are just words,” he said. “Building meaningful relationships with First Nations communities is not only the right thing to do—it’s the foundation for mutual understanding and progress. To truly honour reconciliation, we must act with intention and commitment.”
Milne estimated that he had travelled over 50,000 kilometres the past two years in his role as warden and he thanked council, county staff and his family for their support.
“I truly believe we are stronger together. Everyone around this table is here to represent the people of Grey County and everyone around this table has ideas and opinions to share. As we enter the back half of our term, I encourage all of you, and I mean all of you, to stay engaged and use your voice as we tackle the challenges ahead of us,” he said.
Milne has served as warden the past two years. In Grey County, warden’s are elected to a one-year term. In recent years, a tradition has formed that sees a warden elected to a second one-year term.
Milne confirmed at the meeting that he will not be seeking a third year in the warden’s chair. County council will choose a new warden at a special meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 3 beginning at 5:30 p.m.
At press time, The Blue Mountains Mayor Andrea Matrosovs is the only member of county council who has been nominated for the warden’s job.
