Barrie joins county governance committee
by Richard Blanchard

The City of Barrie has nothing to fear from participating in Simcoe county's ongoing review of growth, Simcoe county warden Tony Guergis said last week.

Guergis was responding to Barrie's decision to sit only as observers on the committee.

Both Orillia and Barrie were asked earlier this year to send representatives to the committee which is reviewing projections for growth for Simcoe county over the next 25 years. Orillia has sent a member of its council.

"It's good news but we were really hoping for a full partnership and full participation," said Guergis who said the committee is essentially an advisory committee whose findings will go to all municipalities involved before any decisions are made.

Guergis said that activities such as tourism are obviously areas which could benefit from better cooperation among all municipalities.

"Barrie generates the shopping and jobs. Recreation activities like skiing and golf are external to the city," said the warden. "The business community is expecting that kind of leadership from us."