Friday, December 10, 2010

Springwater Council Inauguration

Dec 6, 2010: With rather inclement snowy and windy weather, over 200 people braved the elements and attended the first inauguration of a Township Council at Springwater’s new Administration Centre that opened in the Fall of 2009. The new council includes Mayor Linda Collins, Deputy Mayor Dan McLean, Councilors Dan Clement, Perry Ritchie, Rick Webster, Sandy McConkey and Jack Hanna.




The atmosphere was different this time around. There was a fresh, positive and upbeat expectation from the crowd that gathered. Most of the new council were surrounded by friends, supporters and members of the public that have made Springwater a very special place to live, work and play.

Justice James C. Crawford who officiated the Oath of Office and Oath of Allegiance commented that as a criminal court judge he seldom has the opportunity to conduct such positive and uplifting ceremonies.

Most of the new councilors thanked those that had assisted in their campaign and all acknowledged the support of family in the campaign and in public life.

Mayor Collins in her first address as Mayor repeated her campaign promise of building a team of trust and cooperation. She thanked the previous mayors of Springwater including Coutts, Brown and Guergis for their dedication and different styles of leadership which has brought the township to where it is today. She acknowledged the enthusiasm of the new council and I think there is a general agreement that this new council is different from the councils before it.

It appears that all new members of council want to engage the public and all seem to be easy to talk to. I was told that the council will implement changes that will allow public comment and engagement in the near future. That will be positive for both the residents and will better inform the council of various issues of the electorate.

I am sure it may have been a result of the timetable or a simple oversight, but a number of people that contribute to the well being and orderly operation of the township were not appropriately recognized. It would have been a gesture of goodwill if all those that have applied and been accepted on the 9 boards and committees had been recognized rather than just a call for the newly appointed members to stand. These are the committees and their members. Accessibility Advisory Committee, Denise Calvert, Natalie McCarthy, Marg O’Neill, Peggy Norton-Harris and Deputy Mayor Dan McLean; Committee of Adjustment, Gregory Barker, Cor Kapteyn, Tami Kitay, Gerald Sullivan and Robert McClung; Fenceviewers, Jim Lalonde, Charlie Renaud and Gerald Sullivan; Heritage Committee, Peter Archer, John Beaulieu, Ruth Byers, Greig Stewart, Don Molloy, Philip Saunders, Marlene Hilton Moore and Councillor Sandy McConkey; Library Board, Lisa Buchanan, Margaret Campbell, Helena Howell, Donna Kenwell, Nancy Kuikman, Reet Skelton, Dave Snedden, Brenda Stride, Monique Winter and Councillor McConkey; Livestock Valuers, Reg Cown, Charlie Renaud, and Bernard Terry; Recreation Advisory Committee, Carl Luoma, Jill Robertson, Karen Ritchie, Doug Kirton and Councillors Dan Clement and Jack Hanna; Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority, Councillors Perry Ritchie and Rick Webster; Community Policing Committee, Councillors Webster and Hanna. All these people need our support in these important positions.

During the campaign there were a number of references to the township being young and like an adolescent. I believe this newly elected council will finally bring the township to a level of maturity where self serving interests will be set aside. Having chatted with all the new council members, I do see a focus will be placed on what is good for both the Township as a corporation and the 18,000 residents that call it home.


Congratulations to the new council and those many people that have accepted the positions on the local committees and boards.