Budget Time

Saturday, March 26, at 10 a.m. at the Township Office, there is a public meeting regarding this year's budget.

Given that we are facing a deficit this year, there have been plenty of questions.  Mayor Young produced a report that addresses many of these, and makes interesting reading in the bargain.

Details of the proposed budget can be found on the Township website.

Thank You.

Thank you, the voters for Franklin Ward, for returning me to office for another term as your Councillor.

I look forward to working with this new Council!

Mayor Elect: Bob Young
Franklin Ward: Nancy Tapley
Sinclair Ward: Ginny Burgess
Ridout Ward: Ruth Ross
Maclean Ward: Terry Glover
District Franklin/Sinclair: Shane Baker
District Ridout/Maclean: Bob Lacroix

Ballots!

By Oct. 16th, you should have mailed in your ballot... but if you prefer to hold onto it and hand deliver it at the Township office, that is fine too.

Just a reminder, if for some reason you did not receive a ballot, the Election Team will be available on Wednesday, October 20 2010 until 8:00 pm at the Dwight Municipal Office for revisions or replacement of ballots.

What I'm Hearing... What I'm Thinking...

As the campaign unfurls there is a lot of conversation taking place. That's a good thing. That's democracy. Sometimes that conversation is right on target. Sometimes it is, shall we say, not so well thought through..

Here are some of the things I am hearing, and some of what I'm thinking.

Lots of people are joining the debate. The Lake of Bays Association interviewed all candidates recently. Here's a link to their newsletter.

Congratulations to Ruth Ross, my co-chair of the Lake of Bays Heritage Advisory Committee. She recommended we put the entire village of Dorset forward to Muskoka Heritage Foundation to be recognized for their Heritage Stewardship awards, and that application was successful. October 2nd is the date for the award to be presented to the Dorset Museum on behalf of the whole village. Presentation will take place at 10 a.m. in Gravenhurst, at the Seniors' Centre, during the MHF AGM. Ruth is a tremendous asset to the Heritage Committee and has been invaluable in bringing together both sides of Dorset, Lake of Bays and Algonquin Highlands, through her involvement on the Community Plan Group.

Why Vote for Me?

I have the experience -- including involvement on the original Visioning Committee for Environment, and participation in the development of the Development Permit system that gives me a deep understanding of the issues. With a number of new faces coming to the Council table for this term, continuity and experience are going to be at a premium.

Running a full time tourism business within the community, I understand the needs of those who earn their livelihoods here, as well as the seasonal residents. I am excited to be participating in the development of the Community Plans and look forward to their implementation.

The Heritage Committee, which I chair, has been very successful in a wide variety of programs, including Heritage Tax Relief, and attracting eleven properties to seek designation.

I live here, I understand the recreational opportunities we have, the very real challenges we face, and I bring continuity, experience and a deep committment to my community to the task.

It is a Privilege...

It is a privilege to be asking for your vote in the upcoming election.

It has been my great honour to represent Franklin Ward for the past three terms of office. This is a wonderful place to live, work, play and grow. I am grateful for the trust you have given me during my time in office, and hope that I will be able to continue to serve my community for the up-coming term of office.

Ward Council, Franklin

I am running for Re-election for the position of Franklin Ward Councillor in the Township of Lake of Bays. What do I bring to the position?

* I bring experience to the table: during three terms in office, I have been involved with the Lake of Bays through the initial Visioning Process, when I sat on the Environment Committee, and through the implementation of the Development Permit System that enables us to protect our shorelines.

*I am committed to this Township, my family home for over one hundred years

* a passion for the environment, the natural world we share, and the very real need to preserve this forever.

* as a business owner, I understand the challenges of earning a living here, and with my background in tourism, I understand the needs of the seasonal residents as well. We need to balance both in order for each to work well.

* I am strongly involved in both the Dwight and the Dorset Community strategic plan committees. The voices of these groups are critical in developing the vibrant communities that will best serve their residents.

* as Chair of the Heritage Committee, I am dedicated to preserving and celebrating the history that makes our township unique. We have a great many projects currently underway, and I want to see them through to completion.

* collaboration with local Arts Groups to develop festivals and art shows is another of my projects I would like to see move ahead.

* as a member of the Library Board, I am cognizant of the fact that our libraries are the heart of their communities. I was honoured to be part of the two year process that developed the plans for the new Baysville library expansion, making it Grant Ready.

* Event tourism and the Huntsville/Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce are both working to bring activities into the Lake of Bays that will enhance our township. A long-term member of both committees, I understand the dynamics and work to ensure that the activities include the Lake of Bays.