There appears to be a lot of misinformation circulating around North Kawartha which in turn is generating some negativity. I believe that some of this negativity stems from the “Whimsical Words from The Privy Council” article in the April issue of the Apsley Voice by Cathy Dudley “Flower”. Among other things it stated that “our elected Reeve with the support of two other elected councillors does not want any citizens’ input into a 9 million plus MIII grant.”
Cathy Dudley did not attend the Council meeting that she is referring to or any other Council meeting this year or last. Her statement is deceiving and untrue. As I am one of the councillors that she refers to, I’d like to provide the facts and share my thought process regarding the decisions I made at Council that day.
At the Feb 5, 2008 Council meeting 3 motions regarding the Multi-Use Culture and Recreation Centre Facility were tabled.
Grant Application
08-60
MOVED BY – Councillor Amyotte SECONDED BY – Councillor Brown
That Council pass a by-law to apply for Municipal Infrastructure Investment Initiative Funding for a Multi-Use Community Centre Facility in the full amount as submitted in the report from the Director of Parks & Recreation.
Recorded Vote:
- Councillor Boyd – Yes
- Councillor Brown – Yes
- Deputy Reeve Rand – Yes
- Councillor Amyotte – Yes
- Reeve Whelan – Yes
Carried.
Multi-Use Community Centre Facility
08-62
MOVED BY – Deputy Reeve Rand SECONDED BY – Councillor Boyd
That a working group be created as soon as possible for the design of the Multi-Use Community Centre Facility. Recorded Vote:
- Councillor Boyd – Yes
- Councillor Brown – No
- Deputy Reeve Rand – Yes
- Councillor Amyotte – No
- Reeve Whelan – No
Motion Lost.
08-63
MOVED BY – Deputy Reeve Rand SECONDED BY – Councillor Amyotte
That Council give consideration at the next budget deliberations to the cost implications of the new Multi-Use Community Centre Facility. Carried.
Obviously Cathy Dudley is referring to motion 08-62. My reasons for not being in favour of this motion were that I felt it would be inefficient to create an extra step in the decision-making process and generate more bureaucracy. I also believed that forming a ‘working group’ and vesting it with the sole responsibility of designing the new facility was unnecessary, restrictive and not very democratic.
I am in favour of following the normal procedure for projects like this. It requires that a public ‘open house’ be held once the tendering process is complete, at which time all community members have an opportunity to provide input.
To have Cathy Dudley accuse me of “not wanting any citizens’ input” for this project or any other is defamatory and false. Especially considering that a first round of public input has already been received.
The issues regarding a new Multi-Use Culture and Recreation Centre have been discussed at Council’s regular, budget and strategic planning meetings for more than just this past year. All of our meetings are public (and could be called “Town Hall Meetings”) including the minutes and agendas. Through the course of these discussions, we further expanded the initial concept and design process to the public via 2 on-line surveys last fall. Based on the input that we received and staff research regarding a new facility, we hired a consultant to help us organize and present this preliminary information in the best possible manner, so that we would be ready to apply for any future grants.
Well if you haven’t heard by now, Council was successful with its application and North Kawartha has received $9.4 million from the Province to build a Multi-Use Culture and Recreation Centre Facility. We will now move forward with the tendering and a public ‘open house’ meeting. In addition, Council also allotted time at its regular meeting on April 15, 2008 meeting for more public questions and comments.
The negativity that has been generated in our community over this project baffles me. Personally I haven’t been able to wipe the grin off my face since I heard the news. I knew that our application for a new facility was a long shot at the time, but I also had a very positive ‘vibe’ about this grant and I believed that we couldn’t let the opportunity pass us by. Now I am bursting with happiness over our success. How could any North Kawarthan not be uplifted and joyous over this accomplishment? We are the ‘little township that could’!
“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.”
Helen Keller
