Senis appointed deputy warden

Sherry Senis has been appointed deputy warden of Peterborough County.

Senis, acclaimed as the new mayor of Selwyn Township in the Oct. 24 municipal election, was selected by Peterborough County Warden Bonnie Clark during a regular council meeting on Friday.

On Thursday, during council’s inaugural meeting, Clark was officially sworn in as Peterborough County’s new warden — assuming the seat of predecessor J. Murray Jones, the county’s longest-serving warden.

Clark, who serves as OtonabeeSouth Monaghan Township’s deputy mayor, was acclaimed warden after receiving the only nomination in November.

During the first meeting of the 2022-26 council term on Thursday, when all 16 members of council — including eight newcomers — were sworn in, Clark asked members seeking the position of deputy warden to inform her privately.

It was up to Clark to make the appointment.

Accepting the selection amid applause, Senis thanked Clark for the “opportunity to be able to further serve the residents of the County of Peterborough.”

By taking on the role of deputy warden, Senis later told The Examiner she will be able to fulfil the duties of Clark when she’s unable.

Clark told The Examiner that she was faced with a tough decision after several council members expressed interest in the position, but that Senis was, ultimately, the “logical” choice.

“I picked Mayor Senis to be my deputy warden because we have a great working relationship. I feel she brings a lot of knowledge to the table,” Clark said.

“(Senis) and I will be a team together. We’ll also do a lot of collaboration together and bring that back to council as well,” she said.

Senis’ appointment as deputy warden marks the first time Peterborough County council will be led by two women, according to Clark.

“But in saying that … I was always under the opinion that you’re judged on your performance and I’m an equal, so that in all honesty that didn’t come into the scenario of me putting my name forward nor did it in my choice for deputy warden,” Clark said.