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Innisfil Year in Review Part 1
by Michelle Minnoch

The Town of Innisfil had quite a year in 2006. Budgets were revisited, vote by mail was instated, defeated, then reinstated, and there were two exciting ground breaking ceremonies - for the Innisfil Recreational Complex and for the New Administration Building.

I have compiled a list of the highs and lows for our readers. This is a lenghty list, so part 2 will be in next week’s edition. Happy reading...and all the best for 2007!

January

Council voted 5-4 in favour of vote by mail for the next municipal election.

Innisfil Historical Society President Donna Wice went before council to give them an update of the Knock School restoration project. In December 2005, the Historical Society received $100 thousand from the Trillium Fund.

Council passed the 2006 Capital Budget.

RVH received good news: Minister of Health and Long Term Care George Smitherman announced a $9.7 million increase to their base funding.

MP Peter Van Loan claimed victory in the federal election with a little more than 47 per cent of the votes in the riding of York-Simcoe.

The Town of Innisfil holds a visioning session with over 100 residents participating.

February

Brian Dwyer, 22, of Innisfil and Randy Hilts, 22, of Newmarket go through the ice on Lake Simcoe while traveling across the ice on their motorcycles.

The Innisfil Winterhawks Minor Midget’s win the Penguin International Winter Classic Tournament.

RVH Board Chair Chris Garieby makes a delegation to council, stating over 33,000 visits to the hospital in 2005 were from Innisfil residents.

The Town receives $35,912,400 from the Ontario Strategic Infrastructure Financing Authority (OSIFA) for infrastructure renewal.

Winterfest a success! The polar bear dip raised $1400 for the Rec Centre and the outdoor ice rink at Innisfil Beach Park was a great surface for the Mayor’s Tyke Challenge.

The Rec Centre Fundraising Campaign was launched at Winterfest. At this point, there were $750,000 in donations.

Noelle Waterford, 38, of Gilford, lost her life due to a collision on the 20th Side Road, north of the 2nd Line.

March

The Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA) celebrated their 55th Anniversary. The Board welcomed David Ramsey (Ontario Minister of Natural Resources and Aboriginal Affairs), Bruce Stanton (MP Simcoe North), Julia Munro (MPP York North) and Peter Van Loan (MP York Simcoe).

Councilor Roy Bridge is re-elected Chair of the LSRCA Board.

Innisfil Library Chair Lillian Owens informs council that in order to provide better service to patrons, the Lakeshore will have trial openings on Saturday’s and long weekends in the summer.

Ron Palfey and Peggy Stolec of Lefroy win $100,000 playing Encore.

The LSRCA makes a delegation to council, requesting $29,000 for their new LEED building. Council passes the amount in the budget.

Innisfil receives money from the Canadian Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) and plans to replace the Everton Bridge in Gilford and the Lovers Creek Bridge in Stroud.

The Greater Innisfil Chamber of Commerce presents their awards; Business of the Year – Innisfil Funeral Home; Leadership and Service – A.N.T. Construction; Entrepreneur of the Year – Life and Times; Red Heart Award – Gord Wauchope.

The Desperate Housewives Book Club is launched at the Lakeshore Library.

Shawn Palmer, 36, was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to 13 years in prison. Palmer murdered Donny Clubb, 22 months. Palmer was looking after Clubb at his parents cottage in Gilford.

On March 15, council rejected the 2006 budget.

Lefroy competes for the Hockeyville Title.

The “Get Involved” campaign for the Rec Centre gets underway, with the sale of the bracelets.

Wild Lake trout is discovered in Lake Simcoe.

An Intergovernmental Action Plan (IGAP) open house is held. Residents were shown the assimilative capacity of Lake Simcoe and the Nottawasaga River, existing sewage capacity and assessing growth potential. Residents get the first look at the growth numbers for Simcoe County.

Council is presented with a Rec Centre update from the architect and senior project manager.

MP Peter Van Loan addresses the Lake Simcoe Conservation Foundation regarding his private members bill calling for regulation of ballast water discharge.

Council passes the 2006 budget.

An open house at the Churchill Community Centre was held regarding the Town’s Preferred Growth Strategy and Policy Direction for the Official Plan.

The Annual Kuzmich Memorial Hockey Tournament was held in Lefroy.

April

Council given an update of the Official Plan Review. Paul Lowes of Sorenson, Gravely Lowes and Associates informs council the Town could grow by an additional 55,000 people. The OP states by 2026, the Town of Innisfil could have upwards of 105,000 residents.

It is announced Innisfil Hydro rates rise 11.8% starting in May.

Council revisits the fire burning by-law.

During a presentation to the Police Services Board, Chief Bruce Davis and Deputy Chief Allan Cheesman tell the Board the newly acquired police dogs are a benefit to both Innisfil and Bradford. In a search of a 5000 square foot area, the Chief says the accuracy rate of the dog being successful is 100% and would take 1.5 minutes versus an officer at 83% and 20 minutes.

Big Cedar Golf Course celebrates 75th Anniversary.

Thieves steal docks from Innisfil Beach Park. The three sections, making up 24 feet, were worth approximately $9400.

A Jeff Healy Concert is held at the Stroud Arena as a fundraiser for the Rec Centre.

The Communities in Bloom Gala is held at the Stroud Arena. Police Chief Bruce Davis was the top winner in the celebrity gardening challenge, raising $100 for his floral masterpiece.

The Friends of the Library held a Fashion Show and Tea at the Lakeshore Branch. All money raised went towards securing additional resources and materials for the library.

Innisfil was left out of the Intake 2 of the COMRIF funding.

Lou Kelly Broker/Owner of Homelife Kempenfelt Kelly Reality Ltd. Receives the award for the #1 office in all of Canada, by size, Cross Sales Commission for 6-15 Sale Reps.

May The Hewson’s Village Plan was outlined at council, including an interchange at the 10th Line and would include a balance of housing and employment.

The Ladies of the Lake madder a delegation to council, outlining their Naked Truth Summer plan.

Council discusses installing stoop and scoop signage in parks and road ends.

The LSRCA receives a Lake Simcoe Environmental Management Strategy (LSEMS) update.

Nantyr Shores held its Annual Spin 4 Kids event, raising money for RVH.

A motion is read at council regarding lot cleanliness standards in the Town.

The Scope goes online at www.innisfil scope.com.

The Town its Annual Pitch In Day in which residents help keep the Town beautiful.

The Second Annual Mayor’s Walk for Health is a huge success.

About 180 residents turn up at the Lefroy Arena for a public meeting with Lefroy Settlement Area Management Inc. (LSAMI) and Lefroy Belle Ewart Management Inc. (LBEMI) representatives.

Council requests more information regarding the fire burning by-law.

Paul Lowes presents council with new population targets for Innisfil Heights (27,500), Alcona South (7500) and Alcona North (5000).

Council approves a recommendation for a gateway sign at the 400 and Innisfil Beach Road exit.

Defibulators acquired for Stroud and Lefroy Arenas.

The OP Preliminary Draft is presented to council. The draft represents information gathered from four open houses and the visioning workshops.

The Innisfil Accessibility Advisory Committee paints curbs, curb cuts and ramps for the visually impaired and visitors of the community.

Cookstown Fire Department is approved for a new pumper truck.

The LSRCA celebrates the opening of their new LEED building.

June

A Draft Official Plan Open House is held at the Stroud Arena.

The South Simcoe Police are pleased to unveil their new marine fleet, including the boat Wardrop II and two seadoos.

LBEMI open House held at the Churchill Community centre includes a settlement north of the 6th Line and south of the 3rd Line. The LBEMI plan includes a GO Station, hotel, government office, library, supermarket and a community centre.

The 2006 Cookstown Wing Ding a success despite the soggy weather.

The Ladies of the Lake launch the Naked Truth in Orillia, including dates and locations for their symposiums.

The Rec Centre Campaign receives a $14,000 donation from the Kuzmich Tourney.

The Cookstown Royal Bank celebrates 100 years.

The Cookstown Curling Club celebrates 50 years.

Innisfil Annual Summerfest a huge success.

At the Police Service Board meeting, Constables David Phillips and Matthew Noble received Certificates of Commendation for responding to a call for two men who fell through the Holland River ice.

The IGAP numbers are released to the public. The projected population of Simcoe County by 2031 is 667,000.

A letter sent to Mayor Jackson from Barrie Mayor Hamilton stated “while we appreciate your offer to provide water services to Barrie in exchange for waste water treatment at the Barrie plant, we have an adequate capacity for services but a shortage of land supply.”