I see the role of Mayor as being that of a team builder, ensuring that all council members are heard in a respectful manner. Our role as municipal councillors is to bring differing opinions to the council table for discussion and to determine the best direction to be given to staff to implement those decisions. This means we will not always agree, we will not always share the same opinion, but the
end result should be what is best for our municipality. All of council needs to know that their opinion or idea will be heard and will be valued and will be respected. I would start the new term of council with a meeting of council where the only topic of discussion is what do we want to accomplish this term, brainstorm how we can accomplish that and who needs to be involved. Question how reasonable these items are and what are the resources needed to get started. There needs to be ongoing comprehensive orientation/education done for all of council, especially at the beginning of the term. When council understands their role and what their responsibilities and boundaries are then council is better able to do the job we are elected for without getting into grey areas that should be avoided. We have one staff member to give direction to and it is then the CAO’s job to implement the direction given by council to the rest of staff. We need to continue working with the Township of Chatsworth to find a workable solution for the BioDigester that best benefits both Georgian Bluffs and Chatsworth. There are many options available, and staff are currently working on bringing a report to the Joint BioDigester Board for consideration by both councils. Recreation and Trails Master plan implementation: To include residents in the implementation of the Recreation and Trails Master Plan. Grant funding has been received to be used for upgrading the Kemble Arena building into a community centre that can be used by residents for a variety of uses. Feedback will be needed from the community as to what they feel is needed in Kemble and what can be afforded with the current funding received. I would like to see the same thing happen at the Kilsyth Community Centre. Shallow Lake Community Centre includes a ball diamond, skateboard park and children’s play area, all community centres in the municipality should have the same benefits. I would include adult outdoor workout equipment at all centres, allow adults to workout in a setting where they can watch their children play at the same time. The trails portion of the plan needs to address the needs of all trail users and how can we make that happen so that all can share the appropriate trails comfortably and respectfully. To encourage the continuing work of the current Climate Action Committee, I love the input we receive from knowledgeable residents on this committee. This is an example of how residents can have input and assist the township in creating a plan that will be of benefit to the larger community. Staff are currently working on updating the Georgian Bluffs Official Plan, one item to be included in this is Short Term Accommodations and how they can be regulated in the township and what their impact on the township will be. Our Strategic Plan needs to have updated timelines to ensure the goals set out in it are implemented and new goals are set as needed. In a previous term of council Georgian Bluffs and the City of Owen Sound had worked together on the Marine Memorial and Heritage Committee. There were a lot of great ideas put forward on this committee that would celebrate our combined history and heritage that were never implemented. In the new term I would like to see us take these ideas and expand on them. Create a Heritage Committee that would explore how these ideas could be used to celebrate our history in a way that would help promote Tourism and Economic Development in Georgian Bluffs. Look at the history of all the former settlement areas in the township and have them recorded on our website for easy access to residents and visitors as they explore the township, perhaps by using QR codes at appropriate sites. Include a listing of cemeteries and their locations. There are many more ideas that could be brought forward here, and this should be a committee composed largely of residents with maybe sub-committees to address the different areas of the township. Another way for residents to have input into how our community is celebrated and perceived. Georgian Bluffs needs to have an updated brochure to be handed out as a promotion piece, and perhaps more than one – have a general brochure but also have brochures with a focus. As an example, one showing historical settlement areas, parks and trails with waterfalls, cemeteries. Perhaps pens and notepads as giveaways for events held in the community to promote Georgian Bluffs as the place “you come for the views and stay for a lifetime.”
Some questions I ask are: Where are we now? Where do we want to go? How do we get there? How do we know when we have arrived? What makes Georgian Bluffs unique, why would anyone want to visit or move here? These are questions that we need input from residents to answer. The answers to these questions would help council and staff create a direction forward that best suit our diverse, unique community. I look forward to hearing from residents with your thoughts. What am I missing that should be considered? What ideas do you have?
