Lake Simcoe a key issue at Ward 5 debate
by Michelle Minnoch

A debate was held Sunday, Oct 22nd at The Wheel in Sandycove Acres for Ward 5 candidates Roy Bridge and Dan Davidson, mayoral candidates Brian Jackson, Barb Baguley and Jim Roberts, and deputy mayor candidates Elmer Spring and Gord Wauchope.

The format consisted of opening statements by the candidates, a rebuttal, questions from the floor, and closing remarks.

Incumbent Roy Bridge said he was dedicated to protecting and preserving the environment. He said it was important to build partnerships within the best interests of the town. He said living here is great, "but living and working here is even better". Bridge said that is why a stronger commercial and industrial tax base is needed with the growth of employment at the 400.

Candidate Dan Davidson said Innisfil needs sustainable development, and excess growth will have a negative affect on the community. He said the citizens have said that development is the number one threat to Lake Simcoe and the town must take more responsibility. Davidson also said the ward is lacking fire and rescue services and schools. He said without one school in Ward 5 "over 300 kids in our ward are being bussed to Barrie everyday".

Deputy Mayor Barb Baguley, who is running for the position of mayor, told the audience Innisfil is a vibrant exciting community with great plans for the future. She said Alcona was the primary growth area, and that the preservation of the environment today will leave a legacy for those tomorrow.

"I have always supported an active community," she said.

Brian Jackson told the group that the next few years were critical for the town. He said safety and security were important and the 2007 budget added more firefighters and police officers for the town. Jackson said the City of Barrie had to grow within its own boundaries and stressed that because of Places to Grow, the County will be growing by an additional 247,000 residents in the next 25 years.

"If there is no agreement with Barrie (regarding the servicing at 400), a will propose a public/private partnership to bring the amenities to the 400."

Candidate for mayor Jim Roberts said any development brought in has to agree with the Lake. He said any development has to put the Lake first and things are going to have to be done differently in the watershed. He said taxes were up because of the construction of the MURF and the NAB and the only way taxes could be lowered was to cut services.

Roberts said the town had been mismanaged and that the town did not need a $30 million recreational facility.

He agreed with the fact that the employment lands were needed.

"We need industry with high paying skilled jobs," he said.

Gord Wauchope, running for deputy mayor, stated he has the experience to do the job. He said he wants to make sure Barrie does not take anything over. He said the rec centre took eight years of hard work to bring

to the community, and is there for all to enjoy. Wauchope said the 400 corridor is a goldmine.

"If we can't get the services from Barrie, the developers can pay up front for the services," he said.

Although Roberts stated in his opening remarks that OPA1 was unanimously passed by council, Baguley stated in her rebuttal that OPA1 only received a first reading by council.

"It is a people's plan," she said, referring to the fact open houses and visioning sessions were held to get public input. Baguley said OPA1 will be have a second reading with the new council.

Jackson also rebutted some remarks made by Roberts, who had called the town "mismanaged".

Jackson said OPA1 established a growth centre in the town. Regarding the rec centre, Jackson said "it took us to eight years to get where we are now." He said the public wanted it, and $2 million a year from Georgian Downs will be going to help pay off the debt.

Roberts said he attended the visioning sessions regarding OPA1 and "this is not what we decided". He said growth of 55,000 was agreed upon, but not the 105,000 proposed.

"It's too much growth for this area," he said.

Spring stated that he supported good growth, adding "if it were not for the developers, you good people would not be here today".

In regards to development on the lake and in the watershed, Baguley said that all requirements had to be met by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Conservation Authority.

Jackson said he has met with mayors from around the Lake and with 90,000 people coming to Barrie and area, "we have to do it properly."

Roberts said something needed to be done 30 years ago and maybe "we have to put some of that land in agriculture reserve".

Bridge was asked why a Natural Heritage Study was not yet completed in Ward 5.

"The money was not there to have it done sooner," he said. The LSEMS (Lake Simcoe Environmental Management Strategy) was completed in the south end of the town, but not the north.

"We will proceed to have the study done in the north, and all around the watershed," stated Bridge, adding the the LSRCA lost $1 million in funding from the government for the project.

The mayoral candidates were asked about the rec centre and the fact that without transportation, it may not be used by those who cannot get to it.

"He's right," said Roberts. "Half of the people here are not going to use it, but there are a lot of people who want it."

Jackson stated the government cannot be everything to all people.

"You folks pay for schools and don't use them," he told the crowd of mostly retiree's.

Baguley stated accessibility to the facility is an issue and said in regards to the Lakeshore Library, "Many people use it, but some can't even tell you where it is".

In closing remarks, Roberts said the council has lost its way financially and with development. He said as mayor, he would stay away from developers.

"The next council is inheriting a financial mess," Roberts said. "It means raising taxes and in the next 20 years, temper our spending."

Baguley said she would have liked to see more in the reserves for the rec centre and that "it may be a mistake" that there were not more funds put away for the facility. She said the town had to hire 10 employees this year as there was "no man power plan in place", and they should have hired three people per year instead of all at once.

Jackson said OPA1 concept presented to the crowd was "totally distorted" and that there was a strategy behind it. Regarding policing, he said the average household cost to have an officer on the road is $24. In terms of annexation with Barrie, he said it is not going to happen.

"City of Barrie to take us over? It's not going to happen. Not on my watch."

Wauchope said that a survey was taken throughout the town regarding the rec centre, and found for most residents, the travel time to get to the facility is 15 minutes. He said Innisfil pays for 60% of the policing costs, so we should have

more police in our area then Bradford.

Spring stated that as deputy mayor he will do a good job. He said he will deal with the budget, school board, developers and growth control.

Davidson said as a small businessman where his industry has a 95% failure rate, he said he knows what it is to live within your own means. Bridge stated there were

thousands spent on the Big Bay Point Resort studies, and the Conservation Authority has done extensive studies of the area. "I am not in favour of spending all that money all over again on something already done."