There appears to be a lot of misinformation circulating around North Kawartha which in turn is generating some negativity.\u00a0 I believe that some of this negativity stems from the \u201cWhimsical Words from The Privy Council\u201d article in the April issue of the Apsley Voice by Cathy Dudley “Flower”.\u00a0 Among other things it stated that \u201cour elected Reeve with the support of two other elected councillors does not want any citizens’ input into a 9 million plus MIII grant.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the Feb 5, 2008 Council meeting 3 motions regarding the Multi-Use Culture and Recreation Centre Facility were tabled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Grant Application<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 08-60 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n MOVED BY \u2013 Councillor Amyotte SECONDED BY \u2013 Councillor Brown<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Recorded Vote: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Carried.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Multi-Use Community Centre Facility<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 08-62<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n MOVED BY \u2013 Deputy Reeve Rand SECONDED BY \u2013 Councillor Boyd<\/p>\n\n\n\n That a working group be created as soon as possible for the design of the Multi-Use Community Centre Facility. Recorded Vote: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Motion Lost. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 08-63<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n MOVED BY \u2013 Deputy Reeve Rand SECONDED BY \u2013 Councillor Amyotte<\/p>\n\n\n\n That Council give consideration at the next budget deliberations to the cost implications of the new Multi-Use Community Centre Facility. Carried.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To have Cathy Dudley accuse me of \u201cnot wanting any citizens\u2019 input\u201d for this project or any other is defamatory and false. Especially considering that a first round of public input has already been received.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The issues regarding a new Multi-Use Culture and Recreation Centre have been discussed at Council\u2019s regular, budget and strategic planning meetings for more than just this past year. All of our meetings are public (and could be called \u201cTown Hall Meetings\u201d) 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Well if you haven\u2019t 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 \u2018open house\u2019 meeting. In addition, Council also allotted time at its regular meeting on April 15, 2008 meeting for more public questions and comments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The negativity that has been generated in our community over this project baffles me.\u00a0 Personally I haven\u2019t been able to wipe the grin off my face since I heard the news.\u00a0 I knew that our application for a new facility was a long shot at the time, but I also had a very positive \u2018vibe\u2019 about this grant and I believed that we couldn\u2019t let the opportunity pass us by.\u00a0 Now I am bursting with happiness over our success.\u00a0 How could any North Kawarthan not be uplifted and joyous over this accomplishment?\u00a0 We are the \u2018little township that could\u2019!<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.”\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>Helen Keller<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" There appears to be a lot of misinformation circulating around North Kawartha which in turn is generating some negativity.\u00a0 I believe that some of this negativity stems from the \u201cWhimsical Words from The Privy Council\u201d article in the April issue of the Apsley Voice by Cathy Dudley “Flower”.\u00a0 Among other things it stated that \u201cour … <\/p>\n