Springwater Township – Municipal Drains and NVCA
There are multiple municipal drains throughout the
township and many date back well over a century. They are intended to prevent
flooding on some of the richest farmland in the Township especially in what I
call the Minesing flatlands. The Township recently updated the municipal drain
list and provided a report to Council. There is one major drain in the south of
the Township called the Swaley which relieves flooding on farmland from about
Horseshoe Valley Road on the west end of Anten Mills and drains various farms
all the way southwest across Highway 26 to the Minesing Wetlands. The approved
1917 (Over 100 years ago) outlet in the Minesing Swamp is the Nottawasaga
River. Over the years through build up of silt and fallen trees, the Swaley
outlet is plugged, causing flooding and backup on farmland eastward as far as
Vespra Valley Road and beyond. When I was on Council, I wanted this addressed
as it has been lingering for about 20 years and one farmer on George Johnston
Road was in regular contact with me (and knocked on my door this week) about
Spring flooding impact on his 50 acres. When he complained, apparently someone
at the County told him to think about growing rice! The Township engaged a specialist
who came up with a solution and the Township wants to move forward. However the
NVCA doesn’t want to allow any disturbance of the wetlands even though they are
ultimately responsible to provide the outlet according to the original
agreement. They are now the barrier in the Township’s initiative. Ironically
the NVCA’s mandate is to prevent flooding and natural disasters but in this
case the NVCA are part of the problem and a hindrance. The Township and the Expert are appearing at
the next NVCA Board Meeting to plead their case. Let’s see if the inconsistent
decisions of the NVCA will continue or will they do the right thing and get
this resolved once and for all.
Carson Ridge – AED – Automatic External Defibrillator
I was quite impressed with the presentation by the
resident for the community group who are raising funds for a local AED in the
Carson Ridge neighbourhood. They were simply asking that the Township to
provide a location and permission in the local Park. These types of initiatives
make our communities safer, especially as we age and might overexert ourselves
and be the subject of a sudden cardiac arrest. I don’t particularly understand
why some on Council wanted to jump in and pay the full cost even though the
residents have agreed to fund the capital cost. I fully support the Township
providing a location and even the power source, but let’s allow neighbours to
fund worthwhile projects such as this and not be coughing up taxpayer money
when not asked. Over my 25 years back in Springwater, I have seen many
initiatives, especially our community pavilions, built as partners with the
Township rather than just expecting a handout from the Township. That is how we can have amenities in our
local areas and not burden the general taxpayer with added debt.
Codes of Conduct – A Blessing or a Curse?
The township is working on an update of its Code of
Conduct for Council Members. This was mandated by the Province, even though the
MPP’s don’t have one. All you have to do is read the various reports, after
complaints are filed, and see that they are a waste of time and tax dollars.
What I find troublesome is the fact that the Codes themselves are being written
by the Integrity Commissioner that is hired by the Township. (Springwater has
already fired its first IC because of poor and inconsistent performance). I
find it unusual that the law is effectively written by the Judge and their
opinion is not subject to any appeal process, if the report is approved and
acted on by the local Council, except for possibly a Judicial Review which is
very expensive. The Codes are being used more for “Gotcha” moments rather than
improving our local governance. To illustrate my point, read up on some of the
reports for Barrie complaints. Municipal residents are well protected by the existing
Municipal Act, the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act and all the Anti Bullying
and Harassment legislation that are on the books. To be frank, even though I
had no problem having a code during my 4 years, Codes always are and will be a
waste of time, money and will resolve nothing. I would be asking the Province
to repeal that requirement instead of trying to improve it.
