Blake Ellis/Local Journalism Initiative

Warden Kevin Marriott will be running for a second term. He made this announcement at the warden’s banquet recently in Wyoming.

Traditionally at the warden’s banquet, local politicians announce their intentions to run for the top job. Marriott was the only person say he would run for warden. Bev Hand, the current deputy warden, and Sarnia City/County Councillor Brian White said they’ll run for the deputy warden’s position. Other councillors can announce their intentions right before the election Dec. 7 at county council.

Marriott shared some of his time in office.“I’m even more proud now to call Lambton County home, and I now know more than ever that we have the best place in Ontario to call home,” said Marriott in his address at the banquet.
Marriott says through his two year term, he, county council and staff dealt with COVID-19 and the vaccination of 80 per cent of county residents.

Better internet services were also a focus for the warden. “I believe we are approaching 50 percent coverage in rural Lambton,” said Marriott. “Let’s hope that more funding is forthcoming to give areas in the county not yet committed a chance to have what has become an essential service.”

Other highlights included seeing the first air ambulance take off from the Bluewater Health Helipad – the county contributed $400,000 to the project; the hiring of a new Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Daralyn Dueck, a new roundabout at Nauvoo Road and the renovation and reopening of Lambton Shared Services in Sarnia.

“We’re also seeing exceptional growth in the region, both in population and through economic development,” said Marriott. Diageo has announced plans for a $245 million Crown Royal distillery in St. Clair Township. And Enbridge is working on a $250 million pipeline project, between the Corunna and the Dawn Site.

Enbridge is also planning for three new energy storage projects in the county.