On December 6th, 2010, the newly elected Council took their Oaths of Office at the Meaford Hall. We each had the opportunity to speak. I spoke to the unique challenges that I faced as a Councillor. I brought a large map of the Municipality of Meaford. I showed that the other members of Council live in or very close to “Downtown” Meaford. They look to the downtown area to shop, work, worship and socialize. I live in “Downtown” Bognor. I look to Owen Sound to shop, work, worship and socialize. My view of the area between those those urban areas is very different.
I promised to learn as much as I can about “Downtown” Meaford. I make a point of spending an afternoon a week in “Downtown” Meaford. I pick up my mail at the office. I shop. I park my car and then walk around the block. I am hoping to walk all the areas of urban Meaford by the end of the year.
I also promised to learn as much as possible about wind turbines. I had never really thought about them before the election. I spend at least an hour a day reading material sent to me or material I find in the media. As it has been explained to the people involved, the Provincial Government has the authority to place the turbines. At the municipal level, we can comment and set rules about the use of the municipality’s roads and other infrastructure. Municipal Councils do not have the authority to decide where they are placed. Power is a provincial matter. Just as we do not have the power to decide where hydro wires are placed, we do not have the power to decide where to place wind turbines.
There are many other matters that Council must deal with. There is a library agreement that must be negotiated. There is a Fire Master Plan that must be studied and action planned. There is the budget that has been dealt with. There is the decision about what capital works will be done this year and in each of the next ten years. There is the decision about the physical infrastructure in urban Meaford. The Dolphin Pool has to be replaced. The Meaford Library has to be replaced. Should there be a new municipal building? How are we going to encourage people to walk more and be more healthy? For every matter brought to council, there is always people for and against and a mountain of paperwork to digest to be informed to make a responsible decision.
When I was Reeve of the Township of Sydenham, my accountant made the suggestion that I should consider this work as a client and open a docket (keep track of time and money spent) on it. I did this after I was elected as councillor. I want to share with you some of that information also.
As Councillor, I am Meaford’s representative on the Owen Sound and North Grey Union Public Library, the Owen Sound Parks and Recreation Committee and the Bognor Hall Board.