Letters From Our Readers
Baguley letter needs clarification, says mayor

I read your paper with enthusiasm weekly and seldom comment on the various articles concerning the Town of Innisfil. Recently, you published a letter from former elected official Barb Baguley.

This letter commented on Simcoe County's growth management study, and referred twice to the fact Innisfil's Mayor was not in attendance at several of the meetings. Some clarification is required concerning the content of the published letter.

It is important to note that the Mayor of Innisfil attended the growth management public meeting in Elmvale which had the same format as that scheduled in Thornton. That meeting was on the Tuesday before the Thornton meeting.

It was noted that the Mayor left the public meeting in Thornton early to attend an event. The event was in the Town of Innisfil and was scheduled well in advance of the public meeting by the county.

For those interested, the event was a blood donor clinic promoted by the Mayor for the Canadian Blood Service at Innisfil Community Church.

The second public meeting at the county council chambers was held on a Saturday. It was noted that the Mayor and several other committee members were not in attendance.

The Mayor attended several functions on that day in Innisfil, including meetings with seasonal residents who attend the town only on weekends.

Since taking office, I have been totally committed to the town and events within the

municipality. In some cases, town functions have come before family events.

I make no apology to former elected officials and feel that the criticism is not warranted.

I am sure that the other elected officials from other municipalities not in attendance at the public meeting had valid reasons for not being present at the Saturday meeting. Sometimes, it is difficult for elected officials to fit everything into their busy schedules and in my case Innisfil always comes first.

Hopefully, this adds some clarity to the letter submitted by former elected official Barb Baguley. Thank you for the opportunity to set the record straight.

Brian Jackson, Town of Innisfil Mayor