Lockdowns-Budget-Virtual Meetings

 

COVID-19 – Lockdowns - Curse or Blessing?

I know I ruffled a few feathers with my last article on COVID but I will repeat, “closing down the economy simply means we will have no money in the near future to create the resources we need to fight this silent and deadly disease”.  Besides, lockdowns of any kind seem to be indiscriminate and “throw out the baby with the bath water approach”. For example, churches and restaurants implemented effective protocols at the start of this and have the lowest infection rates but now are highly restricted, killing their businesses and a few souls along the way. The reason lockdowns don’t work is that there is no such thing as a true lockdown. Are you/we willing to close the hospitals, close all stores including food and drug stores, shut down the emergency services, close all the highways, shutdown all your municipal services like water and sewer and restrict everyone to their home and lock themselves in and wait two weeks? That would be a lockdown. I will guarantee that would alleviate the short term problem but there would be a lot more dead people than ever killed by the virus! These new Regional Coding Levels from Grey to Green simply shift people around and are causing a greater spread rather than reducing the spread. Have you noticed as Toronto, Peel and Brampton are in the Grey and York Region in Red that everyone from there is now driving a little further north and guess what is happening? Our infection rates are increasing dramatically (why are we surprised?) If we go into Red, we will drive people further North. It is ludicrous. Instead of focusing our efforts on fighting and treating the disease where it is, we are simply making it more widespread infecting more people and negatively impacting everyone’s health and wellbeing under the guise of a concern for others. It is also making it more difficult to treat and control. Write this down. If we continue with this up and down of restriction levels and lockdowns, we will see this virus impact us all and will see no signs of significant decline (even with the vaccine) until 2023. Why? It is because we, through our erratic control mechanisms, have simply spread the disease. If we allowed COVID-19 to run its course and aggressively dealt with the hot spots and if we all focused on wearing masks, physical distancing and observed proper hand washing and hygiene, I do believe the light would start shining and we would see the end of this by early 2022. That is my prediction. On this point I would like to be wrong!

Springwater Budget – A Different Direction?

I was so pleased to see the leadership at the budget meetings in the last two weeks being provided by Councillors Cabral, Ritchie, Hanna and Moore. They seem to understand that this year is not like any other and that control needs exercised. Through a motion by Councillor Ritchie, Council provided direction to staff to go back to the drawing board and come back with a zero tax rate increase. As usual the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Ward 3 Councillor opposed this move. Even a zero tax rate increase will not mean your tax bill won’t increase as your assessment might have increased and the tax rate is applied against that. However, a zero tax rate increase would soften the blow. I know the senior staff can do it and I hope they heed the direction of Council rather than skirting around the request and cherry picking reductions that none of Council would support. That is an old trick that has been used in the past. In particular, even though supported by a majority of Council (Cabral and Hanna opposed the recommendation), why would we add dollars to the library budget for an early education specialist. Education is a Provincial Tax dollar responsibility and with COVID-19 the Province has ramped up and have great online learning opportunities that you are paying for with your provincial tax dollars. Another subject that would add dollars was adding a surcharge tax for improved broadband service in Springwater. We all agree that the internet services in Springwater and other rural municipalities is terrible, but communication is a Federal responsibility and we pay them to provide these services. The County of Simcoe along with other Counties and Regions have been lobbying for five years committed big dollars and little has been accomplished as this is a federal responsibility. Our pittance would make little difference except adding a burden on every taxpayer in Springwater and like most taxes would never disappear. Springwater needs to stay focussed on the delivery of the local services we are responsible for such as Policing, Fire and Emergency Services, roads, recreation and leave these other “wants” to the levels of government that are responsible. I thank the four Councillors for being aware of the challenges residents are experiencing and very disappointed that our two heads of Council still seem to be disconnected with the reality we are currently living in.

 

Virtual Meetings – What do you think?

I know we are all participating in virtual meeting with various organizations to be safe. However, I belong to an organization that as soon as restrictions were lifted in June we developed hybrid models to host in person and virtual participants, and the leadership is attending the live setting. It is held in a supervised facility. I attend and am in that three quarter of a century age bracket and I feel safe. We have had about 20 meetings since then and no issues, as we have well defined protocols and follow the three Musts (Distancing, Wear Masks and Wash and disinfect hands). As a former elected official, I find it odd that the current Springwater elected leaders want to be safe, but have no problem having their emergency services, some administrative staff, recreation, library and public works perform their modified functions in the real world. If you have ever attended a meeting in the Springwater Council chambers, it is ideal to have a physically distanced live meeting. If nothing else, it shows an appreciation and understanding for everyone else that must perform their jobs and take calculated risks everyday to service the needs of us taxpayers along with the many residents that have to work each day outside their home. But alas, that would take leadership and vision and, as I have said, there is giant void at this time in Springwater. I raised the question some time ago during a Council Question Period about live meetings but the answer was deflected by our Mayor to the CAO who had to parrot that they are following an option (not a directive) of the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit. That seems to make sense, sort of. If that is the case and policy, why does the Committee of Adjustment meet in the chamber for their meetings? Type this link into your browser to view their last meeting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4pxbIdRd-I&ab_channel=SpringwaterTownship ??? Do the two heads of Council think that they and Council are more important and above everyone else?

 

COVID-19 and Springwater Township ballooning Budget-What are they thinking!

 

COVID-19

I am intrigued when everyone emphasizes using science as we fight this Pandemic. Unfortunately for the most part the science argument is used to support the view of the day based on political positions. The panacea of the cure-all vaccine actually frightens me more. Vaccines typically take about 10 years to scientifically prove their efficacy and side effects. But it appears many are ready to be first in line when it is released in early 2021. I hope the lines are long as I will keep moving to the end of the line for my shot, as something tells me that 10 years from now we will have front page news on the horrors of this rushed remedy. I believe it makes more sense to find treatment for the infected to minimize the health impacts and not just focus on a cure all vaccine, as there really is no such thing. Most people don’t realize that the Spanish Flu ran is full natural course and the only focus was prevention such as hygiene, disinfectants and improved sanitary conditions. It was not until 1942 that there was ever any type of vaccines for the flu and of course every year we seem to get it wrong and I question whether it reduces rather than improves our natural immune system. But if you watch the media, the large pharmaceutical companies and their high paid henchmen with multiple degrees behind their name will tell you differently. Like the Spanish Flu, it will take herd immunity and the human bodies natural ability to develop immunities to this current COVID-19. And yes, many will still die! I think we all need to get past the “I am God” syndrome and realize nature takes its course. In the meantime let’s focus on wearing masks, physical distancing and personal hygiene as over a 100 years ago that was the solution that ended the pandemic over a two year span without the science of today which seems to be losing the battle regardless of what we spend. Closing down the economy simply means we will have no money in the near future to create the resources we need to fight this silent and deadly disease. Let’s face it, Canada effectively closed its economy at the start of the Pandemic and what did it do? It simply delayed the inevitable which is happening now. In a short while, we will be at the same percentage rate of infection as all other major countries in the world but much worse off. Under the Trudeau hand-out mentality we will double the national debt and have gained little. Its time to stop watching CNN!

Springwater Budget

In the last term of Council, instead of having a few long budget meetings, we initiated a program where the budget would be segmented and dealt with in chunks. As the old expression goes, “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time”. Believe me the township budget is an elephant in its own way. This year there are 5 sessions and two of them occurred this week. I encourage you to watch them live and send in your comments. Springwater has had ideal growth for over 20 years, with annual residential growth when averaged, of about 2% which is manageable and sustainable. The focus has been on “need to have” first and then “nice to have” which keeps a municipality an attractive place to live. There must be a balance. Currently without any program enhancements the proposed tax increase would be just under 2%, which doesn’t sound too bad, but it would be an additional 3% if the requested enhancements are approved, which in these pandemic times, shows a disconnect from reality. The County is planning a zero increase and even though I think we have an out of control education system, our local boards are also planning a zero increase. It begs the question, “What is going on in Springwater?” Most businesses, that grow, increase efficiency and do more for each dollar. In the last two years, in Springwater, we have had much new tax assessment come on board from the Stonemanor Woods development in Centre Vespra and growth in Elmvale and Snow Valley, which will continue for another few years. These are not small dollars by any means. In simple terms, it appears we are spending more money than coming in. To be frank, with the dramatic growth Springwater will encounter over the next 10 years, I believe there should be no actual tax rate increases as the new assessment and annual assessment increases will add at least 5% revenue to the coffers annually. If we cannot manage our business with revenues increasing at that rate, something is wrong with the leadership. I know we have good management at Springwater, as I had the pleasure to work with them for four years. If Council provide direction to staff requesting a zero tax rate increase, I know they can do it, but there has to be some leadership to make that happen. The upcoming meetings which are live streamed are on[BF1]  Mon Nov 30 from 1 to 4 p.m.; Mon Dec 7 from 6 to 9 p.m. and Weds Dec 9 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Remember it is our money they are spending and you need to have a say. This year, if for no other reason, Springwater Council has to show leadership and approve a zero tax rate increase.

 

Again, please remember these are my thoughts and I am not asking you to agree. I respect your freedom of expression and encourage you to SPEAK UP, before that freedom is taken from us!!

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 [BF1]

Council puts Pause on Mayor's pay suspension-Water Rates-Land Purchase for Community Hub

 

Update on Mayor Allen’s - 90 day pay suspension for Code of Conduct Violation

In a special closed session of Council prior to the regular Council Meeting on Nov 4th, it appears Council sought legal advice on the motion they passed at the Oct 21^st meeting to suspend Mayor’s Allen’s pay for a breach of the Code of Conduct arising from incidents following the Warden’s annual golf tournament in 2019 at Vespra Hills. As reported earlier a complaint was lodged because of his conduct following the event that also resulted in Criminal Charges being laid by the OPP of Impaired and Dangerous Driving. The legal matter was resolved in Collingwood Court this past July 31st, where Mayor Allen pled guilty to the reduced charge of Careless driving and received a $1,000 fine, a four-month licence suspension and a one-year ban on driving while there's alcohol in his system. However, that does not resolve the Code of Conduct violation, but in my opinion certainly supports the move by Council to suspend pay for his conduct. The resolutions from the closed session resulted in the pay suspension being put on hold until another Integrity Commissioner reviews the case and makes a decision whether Mayor Allen’s behaviour was a breach of the Code. What troubles me is that the Township has already paid $12,000 to $15,000 for the firm Principles Integrity to rule on the case and they failed to do so, which to me suggests they did not finish the job they were paid to do. Stay tuned. I suggest you watch the Nov 4^th meeting near the end to see the action taken by Council.

 

Springwater Water and Sewer rate increases

I was quite impressed at thoroughness and detail of the Watson and Associated update on Springwater’s Municipal Water and Sewer Systems, presented at a special meeting of Council on Nov. 4th. The reality is that the cost of operating multiple systems is expensive and one of the many reasons I object to the continuing urban sprawl in rural Ontario. In Springwater we have 11 individual water supply/treatment facilities, some serving as few as 42 homes and in total service less than half the homes in the Township as most homes and businesses are on private services. Currently we have 4 wastewater systems (Elmvale, Centre Vespra, Snow Valley Highlands and Snow Valley Lowlands but none in Midhurst or Hillsdale, our other two designated growth centres in addition to Elmvale??). The number of wastewater facilities will grow to 5 with the onslaught of the mega Midhurst Secondary Plan sprawl. Today only about 20% of all homes in Springwater are connected to municipal sewers. Over the next ten years there is capital cost estimate for Water improvements of $44 million with $37 million being contributed by the developers for a new system to service the new MSP developments and $90 million for sewer capital costs with about $79 million being contributed by the developers for a new system to service the new MSP developments. So about $7 million for water and about $11 million for sewer must be funded by the 4,124 municipal water users and 1,852 municipal wastewater users. In the end it will result in long term increases in existing user rates to keep our municipal services in good operating condition and ensure that when you turn on the tap, you have fresh water and when you flush the toilet things go somewhere. I suggest you view the entire Nov 4^th 5:00 p.m. Special Council Meeting where the update was provided and the proposed financing options available.

 

New Community Hub Land Purchase Approved

One thing that bothered me for years, even before serving as Mayor, was that there was no focused plan on developing a community hub, especially in the Midhurst area which was designated for significant growth. We have a wonderful administration centre and sports fields at Nursery Park but the facilities are not close to anything. I questioned the location of the new Administration Centre built in 2009 being located in the middle of nowhere. As communities grow it is important to have compact available services that are in walking distance. I am pleased that the work we started in the first year of my term is now complete and the Township signed a deal to purchase about 50 acres at the north west corner of Bayfield and Snow Valley Road which is known as the MNR’s Hasty Tract. The first project on this property will be a new fire station that has been in the works for many years. There is a good possibility that the County’s North Barrie Paramedic Station will take up some space. In the longer term, when the Township grows, this is the ideal location for the new proposed recreation complex and central library and I dare to say even a new Administration Centre incorporating community shared services, This is a very positive step forward and I thank those on Council that shared the Vision we created and executed the deal. Bravo!

 

Again, please remember these are my thoughts and I am not asking you to agree. I respect your freedom of expression and encourage you to SPEAK UP, before that freedom is taken from us!!

Troubles at the Top of Springwater Council

 Mayor Allen - 90 day pay suspension for Code of Conduct Violation

It was a long drawn out debate and discussion at the Oct 21 Regular Council Meeting when the Integrity Commissioner submitted its report on a Code of Conduct complaint filed by Councillors Cabral, Moore and Hanna related to criminal charges of Impaired and Dangerous Driving laid against the Mayor triggered by incidents following the 2019 Warden’s Golf Tournament at Vespra Hills Golf and Country Club on Wilson Drive. As Reported in the media, the Mayor plead guilty this past Summer to reduced charges under the Highway Traffic Act of “driving without due care or attention or without consideration for other persons using the highway”. The agreed statement of facts in Court read as follows: “On June 26th, 2019 Don ALLEN attended a golf tournament at the Vespra Hills Golf Course located on Wilson Drive in Springwater Township. He was observed after the tournament by staff having difficulties with his balance. This was due to a combination of a number of medical conditions Mr. Allen suffers from, including Multiple Sclerosis, a double knee replacement, fatigue from the heat and duration of the tournament in combination with 2 alcoholic beverages Mr. Allen had consumed at dinner at the course. Around 9:54 p.m. Mr. Allen entered his car, a Toyota Prius and drove off the property with only his daytime running lights on and turned onto Wilson Road, The combination of Mr. Allen’s fatigue, pre-existing medical condition, the 2 alcoholic drinks consumed at dinner and driving after sunset with only his daytime running lights on amounted to his driving on Wilson Road without due care and attention for other users of the roadway.” The Court noted in sentencing, stated: “I think the joint submission in this case is fitting and appropriate, and certainly meets the needs of the purpose of sentencing which is to promote a sense of responsibility in offenders, and to those who are acknowledging the harm done - and that is certainly the case here - but also to denounce the unlawful conduct and harm done to victims, and to deter yourself and others from committing offence.” He was given a $1,000 fine, a four-month licence suspension and a one-year ban on driving while there's alcohol in his system. What surprises me is the Mayor’s lack of contrition to his fellow Council members and his constituents. He instead tabled a motion to post a prepared statement that seems to contradict the information in the Integrity Commissioner’s report making him some sort of victim. That will be discussed at the next meeting. A simple apology by the Mayor for his bad behaviour may have avoided the action tabled by Councillor Ritchie to suspend the Mayor’s pay for 90 days. I am also perplexed at the two letters of support for the Mayor that were submitted which effectively chastised other members of Council for doing their sworn duty. Let’s be clear, Mayor Allen himself created this issue with his bad behaviour and he needs to accept responsibility or it will develop a life of its own. I suggest you watch the October 21 6:30 p.m. Regular Meeting on Youtube for the complete story.

 

Barrie Physician Recruitment – Well Done!

I just want to say how impressed I have been with the successes of the Barrie Physician Recruitment Program headed by Dr. Stu Murdock. With his leadership over the last 4 or 5 years there has been the renewed focus on bringing family physicians to the area with two new doctors working out of the Springwater Health Centre at Carson and Bayfield. Springwater contributes only about $8,000 a year and during my term we established a program to donate the funds from the annual Mayor’s Golf Tournament. Apparently, when asked, the fund is dry as there was no tournament this year (not sure why they didn’t stage a virtual tournament as other municipalities have done and raised funds). I know we had quite a surplus at the end of my term as Mayor and not sure where that money has gone. Since the program now works so well, because of the leadership of Dr. Murdoch, I now support this funding being an annual budget item rather than from fund raising activities. I do want to make it clear that in the past I did not think it should be a budgeted item as I was not confident at the time of where the funds were being deployed. Things do change for the better.

 

Building Inspectors – Outsourcing

With the upswing in new residential developments, especially the mega developments in Midhurst unleashed by this Council, the Springwater building department is overwhelmed with work. I just want to say I think we have one of the best Chief Building Officials around and feel comfortable when he comes to the table and asks for something. My experience with him was one of efficiency and effectiveness which today seems to be lacking in many department heads. The request and plan is to outsource the extra work to an agency, as bringing on full time employees has its challenges. In addition you will find the work load typically ebbs and flows. Councillor Moore provided a suggestion of looking into more student graduates and internships to help with the transition. Ottawa has had some success with this. I know the Township has also shared resources with neighbouring municipalities such as Wasaga Beach and Innisfil in times of need, but I expect they are also experiencing staffing pressures as their communities attract new residents from the GTA.

 

I do encourage you to watch some Council Meetings as you will be voting in two years for a new Council, and I think we might need some new faces. Again, please remember these are my thoughts and I am not asking you to agree. I respect your freedom of expression and encourage you to SPEAK UP, before that freedom is taken from us!!

 

Bill French is a seasoned business leader with over 40 years experience and served in senior positions of International Enterprises. Bill served as Mayor of Springwater and a County of Simcoe Councillor from 2014 to 2018 and has taught business at the college level for over 15 years.

Backyard Chickens – Service Delivery Review - Springwater Township

 

Springwater Council Updates - Backyard Chickens – Service Delivery Review

Backyard Chickens: Many local municipalities allow the raising of backyard chickens, but in my view, Springwater, being 90% farmland with some very large livestock operations, is different and needs to be much more vigilant as Agriculture is driving our economy and nothing should jeopardize that business. Two expert opinions in opposition were voiced by the Simcoe County Federation of Agriculture and the Springwater’s Agricultural Advisory Committee opposing the move and provided very solid reasons, which for some reason were simply ignored. Councillor Hanna seemed to be the only one that opposes the move and I hope Councillors Ritchie, Moore and Chapman-Maw, who represent many farm operations in their wards, have something to say when the bylaw comes forward. The position of Council appears to be that this is only a pilot project for three years. First of all, most pilot projects are one year as after three years, there is no turning back. I also think that the bylaw wording adding a backyard chicken as a “Domestic Animal” needs rethought. We typically don’t eat or consume anything from our pets! Chickens are livestock according to OMAFRA and if the Township wants to allow these backyard chickens, the Township should simply add an exemption in the bylaw, not change the definition. Just because you go to the Zoo and stand in front of the Zebra cage, it does not make you a Zebra. I think it is a bad idea allowing these backyard operations and I would hope the bylaw will stipulate at least 1 km setbacks from any existing agricultural livestock operation.

Service Delivery Review: The Township engaged a firm to do a Service Delivery Review of the Township. The funding comes from Modernization Funds at the provincial level. Some will argue it is not our tax money, so why worry about the close to $60,000 spent on it. For those that think that way, I must remind them there is still only one taxpayer. For the most part I think specialists in certain areas are vital to having a smooth and effective organization when there is lack of expertise in certain areas and you cannot justify a staff specialist. I have no issue with outside advice on Engineering, Legal services, or new technologies such as IT since there are so many areas of expertise. In my 40 years of business I never found a single outside organization or agency that could actually address a broad range of services as this review attempted to do, and in my estimation, failed miserably. I think Council should have identified areas that they felt needed improvement and hired different small firms or individual consultants to address those needs. I believe the delivery report should have also stayed focused on the operational side of Springwater and stayed away from the political side. Two things jumped out of the review that are far beyond the scope of a normal delivery review and are by no means operational concerns. The first one is geographic tensions. Let’s be honest, since Flos and Vespra joined and formed Springwater over 25 years ago, there have been minor tensions. Some tensions are based on pride, some on the loss of autonomy. That to me is healthy and until everyone from that generation dies off (which includes me) that will always be in the background. Look at Barrie. Until only recent years there was always those that were Barrie and those that were Allandale patriots, but 120 years after Allandale was annexed by Barrie and some 60 years after the City was formed, the lines are starting to blur and tensions have subsided. Maybe Springwater could put that concern about tension on their 2121 Strategic Plan. The best way to overcome that type of friction is community engagement and we started that in the last term by having multiple Townhalls in the different areas of Springwater and they were well attended. As Mayor at the time, many people told me they appreciated knowing what was going on as a township, so communication and information is key, not some feel good notion. There is no need to reinvent the wheel or waste time and resources to change for the sake of change as appears to be the desire of our Deputy Mayor. A second area of the review which has no place in a service delivery review was Council relationships. I for one hope our Councillors are not always singing from the same song sheet. We elect Councillors to bring different perspectives to the table and I think they all do their job and I only question some of the initiatives of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor (self professed next Mayor!). To be frank they seem to be the one’s disconnected from the concept of serving the people first. Even though having various views on matters, which they present articulately, the ward Councillors in general seem to get it and are filling the leadership void. Some group therapy session and sensitivity workshop to have them sit around a campfire singing Kumbaya is not in the cards and would be a waste of time and money. I think the Consultant’s Report is remarkably light and lacks substance or real facts about Springwater. There is not one new idea that was brought forward and some of the assumptions shows that the firm just simply doesn’t understand rural Ontario and the uniqueness and pride of rural and small settlement area living. At least with the pressure from Councillors Hanna, Moore, Cabral and Ritchie, who all expressed concern about the lack of details, the Report is deferred until after budget consideration and my hope is that it gets lost or misplaced. Based on my interaction at the Administrative Centre for 4 years, I would suggest there are enough smarts and experience with the current Management Team and they can address 7 of the 9 principles that are relative to making the Township better by forming small working groups and bringing in specialists when needed, not developing some sort of Omnibus plan. My years in business has also taught me that in-house solutions, with the help of some needed experts, are always superior to some third party template based vague plan. Third party experts and consultants should be the catalyst to in-house solutions, but typically they are not the problem solvers.

Again, please remember these are my thoughts and I am not asking you to agree. I respect your freedom of expression and encourage you to SPEAK UP, before that freedom is taken from us!!

Midhurst Secondary Plan and another 30,000 people-Good or Bad Planning?

 

Midhurst Secondary Plan – Good or Bad Planning? You decide.

I realized my brief mention of the Midhurst Secondary Plan (MSP) in recent articles is not something everyone is familiar with these days as we have seen probably a 25 to 30% population change in Springwater over the last 5 or 6 years. With that in mind, I would like to provide some history and background.

Over 20 years ago the Province, recognizing that unbridled urban sprawl was unsustainable and asked all municipalities to look to the future and plan where they would like to see urban type developments occur. The control mechanism became what is known as the Provincial Policy Statement and the guiding policy , Places to Grow, was introduced around 2005 and 2006. Springwater from its 9 settlement areas, identified Elmvale, Hillsdale and Midhurst as obvious places to grow, as there were some core infrastructures and services already in place. For some reason Elmvale and Hillsdale developed settlement areas that, depending on density, would accommodate growth of about 2 to 3 times their size over the next 40 or 50 years. No one seems to be able to say why but Midhurst added about 2,000 acres from the Old Second in the East to Wilson Drive in the West for future development and depending on density would allow a 10 fold increase in population. The Midhurst area in my opinion became a target for land speculators and developers as they had exhausted the lands around the GTA and moved north. If you are a conspiracy buff you might want to check who was on Council at the time around in the late 90’s and which lands became part of this new Midhurst expanded settlement area.

It is worthy to note that the Ontario Places to Grow Policies, because of the “wild west” approach to residential development in Simcoe County at the time, developed growth forecasts to control growth.  Springwater, in 2006, was projected to grow to about 25,000 people or about 6,500 more people by 2031 or a 25 year time frame. Simcoe County sprawl was so bad and eating up so much good agricultural land the Province even added a special section to the Places to Grow called the Simcoe Sub Area. The Province recognized the same major loss of good farmland had occurred in the Southern York Region area and they wanted to stop that in Simcoe County before it was too late. The land developers saw an opportunity with the wide expanse of land deemed to be in the settlement expansion around Midhurst. That was the origin and start of the Mega Developments of the Midhurst Secondary Plan.

In 2008 the Springwater Council of the day approved the Secondary Plan and the future developments planned for that area. Ironically the County of Simcoe objected to the Plan as it was not consistent with neither the Provincial Places to Grow Policies nor the growth forecasts. In 2011 for some reason the County approved the MSP and it was then appealed to the OMB by the Province as it did not meet the Policies they had put in place. But then along comes Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Bob Chiarelli, who invoked the Midhurst Special Rule in 2012 and modified in 2013 which permitted the development of the first phase of up to 300 hectares (about 750 acres) and about 5,000 homes which opened the flood gates. In 2014 the OMB approved the development plans with 150 conditions to be met including a Long Term Financial Plan which was to assure the long term sustainability of such a huge development and minimize the direct impact on the existing taxpayer. There was an extensive Environmental Assessment process for the development as it was one of the first large development that did not have access to a large body of water for either the intake of fresh water or the discharge of effluent from its wastewater treatment facility. The MSP will supply its fresh water from deep wells and the wastewater effluent will discharge into Willow Creek a slow running stream that empties into the Minesing Wetlands and then Georgian Bay. Of the course the last and most important was a development agreement that protects Springwater from every possible negative impact that such a mega development might create.

This is where I will digress and express strong disagreement with the Mayor’s response to my questions at the last two Council Meetings. He stated that this Council is following the same due diligence as was the Council I led from 2014 to 2018. Our Mayor, then Deputy Mayor was appointed to the Financial Advisory Committee, which enhanced the Long Term Financial Study as the original scope was somewhat shallow in nature. When the report was received by the committee and studied by them in 2016, they recommended adoption by Council which we did. However, it was clear and understood that this was a preliminary study as the cost estimates could not be confirmed until after the EA studies were done. Just as a comparison the MSP projected infrastructure costs for Transportation, Water and Wastewater was $119 million in 2009 but when the EA was submitted in 2018, it had grown to about $330 million. I believe the number that was used in the preliminary study was about $150 million, so how could that be considered meeting the requirements of the OMB conditions as it was based on incorrect information? I do question the recent advancement approvals prior to a valid Long Term Financial Plan and more Importantly a bullet proof Development Agreement which are still not complete. You must decide, “Is that really practicing due diligence”? The development of the 700 home Stone Manor Woods development had all the boxes checked before it proceeded in 2015 as a comparison.

Do I believe that the MSP can ever be stopped? The simple answer is no, but it should also not be fast tracked as the consequences are far too severe. As I stated when campaigning in 2014, Springwater Council could not stop or modify the development, as the Council of 2008 had approved it and it would be acting in bad faith if a current Council reversed that decision and would be subject to a law suit. However, I did promise to raise the growth concern and issues with Minister Ted McMeekin at the time and both the now Mayor, who was Deputy at the time,  and I met with Minister McMeekin and his key staff asking them to re-evaluate the MSP because of some major concerns and conflicts with their Growth Plan and left it in his hands. But I am sure the pressures from outside the legislation made sleeping dogs lie and a polite letter from Minister McMeekin suggested they would not interfere with the process that was in play. With that in mind we simply ensured that all the I’s were dotted and T’s crossed as we proceeded. So contrary to the Mayor’s prepared response at the meetings where I posed questions,  I am not convinced the same diligence is being followed and there is now a rush to get shovels in the ground, so there is not even a question about the MSP at the next Municipal Election.

Remember Springwater has had the most controlled and ideal growth of any local rural municipality to date. It has averaged anywhere from 100 to about 300 or about 2 to 3% growth in new homes a year for about a decade which makes managing the growth and servicing quite manageable. The largest development to date, as noted above, has been in the Stone Manor developments in Centre Vespra with about 700 homes and about 2,000 new residents being built over what will be about a 7 year time frame and it has been able to be assimilated well. There is quite a difference between that development and the first wave of up to 3,850 homes or about 12,000 people in the MSP over a similar time frame.

For those that have asked, I doubt I will be back to fight the battle on your behalf, but everyone in Springwater, regardless of where you live, needs to be vigilant and hold this Council’s feet to the fire or you will be paying the price for many decades if growth is not managed properly from the top. If you don’t believe me, just check out the negative financial impacts of rapid urban sprawl development in York Region and closer to home Bradford West Gwillimbury and Innisfil.

I know some find my thoughts abrasive and confrontational and I am sorry about that. Please remember these are my thoughts and I am not asking you to agree. I respect your freedom of expression and encourage you to SPEAK UP, before that freedom is taken from us!!

Leadership Void on Springwater Council? You decide.

After a hiatus, I am back. Since I have been asked, and prompted by a few people, I have decided to put forth my two cents worth. I was also not impressed by the Mayor’s sarcastic response to my question at the last Council Meeting or his vile response to a question from a Midhurst resident who also questioned why Council would even be considering downsizing when the Township is growing. I think the Mayor’s true colours and temperament are surfacing.

How’s this for an unfiltered start, “My opinion is that the Mayor and Deputy Mayor you elected (I didn’t vote for either!) together could not come up with a new idea that would benefit the residents of Springwater in any real way, if their life depended on it.” They both seem to be of that new generation of elected officials who like the position and will do their utmost to protect it but, for the most part, act as security guards and rubber stamp staff driven initiatives. Don’t get me wrong, many staff generated ideas are quite good, so that comment is not intended to be an insult to Township management or staff. During my four years as Mayor, we got the job done with a vibrant collaborative Council working cooperatively (not always agreeing but not polarized as today) but Council was driving the bus and moved the township forward in many ways. Times have changed in two years. By way of an analogy, if our current Mayor and Deputy Mayor had been on the Titanic they would be gleefully rearranging the deck chairs rather than trying to get people into the lifeboats.

I would like to address two examples recently where the Mayor and Deputy Mayor were two peas in a pod on matters that should have all residents questioning their motives. It also brings into question their leadership abilities.

The first was the Delegation of Power to the CAO at the start of the Pandemic. There was absolutely no reason to do such a thing and few municipalities took that route. For a Council to relegate its function to a senior staff member showed a total lack of leadership on the part of both the Mayor and Deputy Mayor in a time of crisis. It appears they wanted to distance themselves from anything that might go wrong. Its their job to guide the ship in stormy waters, not abandon it or pass it off to the harbour master. At first, I somewhat excused them for this lapse in judgement as it somewhat appears, by their actions, that neither have worked in a real world challenge or crisis, but when things settled down, it took a new Councillor from Ward 4 to table a motion to rescind the delegation. Guess who argued strongly against it? The Mayor and Deputy Mayor wanted the Delegation to stay in place, and their arguments, if you watch the Council meeting, were less than impressive. The Deputy Mayor suggested it was an example of strong leadership. Not sure what planet she lives on. It took the leadership of two new and two veteran Councillors to bring back control to Council. I felt sorry that before the vote, the CAO, who had been delegated the authority, made a passioned plea that he would like to see a unanimous resolution, one way or the other instead of a split decision. Thank God, the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, to avoid looking like morons, voted with the rest of Council to give authority back to the Council members we all elected to lead and guide the Township in good times and bad. The point is that the returning control of the Township to Council should have been initiated by one of the Heads of Council, not a new Councillor.

Let’s face it, we are in the midst of this terrible pandemic, but our Two Heads of Council are just going through the motions and don’t seem to get it. At the Council meeting earlier this month, the Deputy Mayor put a motion forward, which would have been a waste of time and tax dollars, having staff review and investigate the possibility of changing our ward system to Councillors at large and possibly reducing the Council from 7 members to 5 for the next election. Think about it. Since this Council is advancing the Midhurst Secondary Plan (MSP), a new smaller governance model would be ludicrous. (For those that are new to Springwater the MSP will see Midhurst and area grow to close to 30,000 from the 3,500 of today over the next 10 plus years and will become the poster child for the worst type of urban sprawl, possibly in Ontario. It will make Bramalea look like a well designed community). The point is that the township will more than double in size in the next decade or so and the brilliant mind of the Deputy Mayor supported by the Mayor thinks this is a time to consider changing the governance model that works perfectly. She probably comes from the school of “change for change sake”. The arguments against the motion were well presented by the councillors from Ward 1, 2, 4 and 5. Of course, in lock step, after these arguments were presented and those that spoke against the motion voted against it, the Mayor and Deputy Mayor still voted in favour and ended up again on the wrong side of the decision. I might also suggest to our Ward 3 Councillor, you don’t always have to vote with the Deputy Mayor. In times like these we need true leadership at the top with some vision and plan of what Springwater should look like in 5, 10 and 15 years especially when we rise from the impacts of COVID-19. The good news for all of us is that some of the new Councillors understand their responsibility, so we are at least going in a positive direction with leadership coming from the bottom up. The one positive thing that came out of the arguments on the motion was the consideration of possibly dropping the Deputy Mayor position in any governance model change. The DM position was only created to provide two members to County Council from the lower tier municipality. Since the County is considering a whole new governance model with less members, we might be able to eliminate this unnecessary DM position and replace it with more direct representation, such as another Councillor. The Deputy Mayor, as a separate position is not even recognized or required under the Municipal Act and therefore has the same power and status of a Ward Councillor anyway. Stay tuned.

Now is the time to start finding out who your Councillor really is and educate yourself, as our local Council Members, with positive ideas focused on their constituents, can make our living in Springwater either wonderful or barely tolerable. The good news is we get to decide.

Please remember these are my thoughts and I am not asking you to agree. I respect your freedom of expression and encourage you to SPEAK UP, before that freedom is taken from us!!

Bill French is a seasoned business leader with over 40 years experience and served in senior positions of International Enterprises. Bill served as Mayor of Springwater and a County of Simcoe Councillor from 2014 to 2018 and has taught business at the college level for over 15 years