A seasoned politician will be once again donning the chains of office as he takes on the role as warden for Northumberland County.
Bob Crate, mayor of the Municipality of Trent Hills, was elected to the position at county council’s regular monthly meeting on Wednesday (December 17). Veteran Colborne politician Mandy Martin, Mayor of Cramahe Township, will serve as deputy warden.
Northumberland County council is comprised of the mayors of each of the seven towns, townships, or local municipalities within its boundaries. The head of county council is called the warden and is elected annually from amongst its membership, as is the deputy warden.
Crate and Martin, who are assuming the roles from Brighton mayor Brian Ostrander and Municipality of Port Hope mayor Olena Hankivsky, will serve as warden and deputy warden for the final year of this council’s 2023-26 term, with the next municipal election set for October 26, 2026.
“This final year of our four-year strategic plan is about finishing strong and staying focused on what comes next,” Crate said in a statement.
“We’re operating in a time of constant change, with new expectations and shifting policies coming at municipalities faster than ever. That means working together as one team — listening to residents, supporting staff, and advocating for the tools and funding our community needs to succeed.”
Crate previously served as warden in 2022 and 2021, was deputy warden in 2000, and is a long-time county councillor. Martin has also sat in various seats on county council, having previously served as warden in 2023.
In a media release from Northumberland County, Martin emphasized the importance of council working as a unified team to support staff and residents while advancing major county initiatives in 2026.
“Our success depends on how well we work together — listening to residents, respecting one another’s perspectives, and supporting staff,” Martin said. “If we remain aligned, we can continue to deliver meaningful progress for Northumberland.”
As the calendar year winds down, Northumberland County and council reflected during the meeting on Ostrander’s leadership that took them through a year marked by significant pressures on municipal governments while continuing to advance essential services and major strategic priorities that support residents across the county.
Ostrander acknowledged both the challenges faced and the progress achieved.
“2025 asked a great deal of our organization,” Ostrander said in a statement.
“I am incredibly proud of what council and staff accomplished. In one of the most complex years local government has faced, staff continued to deliver high-quality services and advance major priorities for residents. I have every confidence the organization is well positioned to finish this term strong.”
Throughout 2025, the county advanced work across a broad range of priorities, including infrastructure renewal, broadband expansion, emergency services modernization, housing and homelessness supports, physician recruitment efforts, climate adaptation planning, and made progress toward full operations at the new Golden Plough Lodge and Northumberland County Archives & Museum (GPL & NCAM) site in Cobourg.
“Looking ahead, council will focus on completing remaining strategic plan commitments while advancing major projects, including the opening of the GPL & NCAM, continued broadband expansion, and moving the shovel-ready Trent River Crossing toward construction,” the release stated.
Council will also be charged with supporting the transition to new administrative leadership with the appointment of a new chief administrative officer in 2026 for Northumberland County.
Crate was nominated for the position of warden by John Logel, Mayor of the Township of Alnwick/Haldimand, for “his proven leadership experience as warden, his integrity, sound judgment, and his consistent focus on decisions that serve the best interests of residents across Northumberland County.”
Meanwhile, Martin was elected following a nomination by Crate, who noted their previous work together and expressed confidence in her leadership and contributions.
The roles of warden and deputy warden are one-year terms, each filled by one of the seven members of Northumberland County council.
