GGRA.ca     Bulletin                         Without prejudice

       Gravenhurst Ward Boundaries are Going to Change

On the Evening of October 20, 2009 Council passed the following:

Whereas a ward boundary review has been completed with the findings presented to the Town of Gravenhurst on October 20th, 2009;

Now Therefore Be It Resolved That Corporate Services Committee agree to proceed with the five ward approach;

And Further That Corporate Services Committee proceed with Figure 6-1 for the rural wards and Figure 6-2 for the urban ward;

And Further That consideration be given to adopting a policy to conduct a review of the ward boundaries every 3 terms of Council.

This was then agreed to by council itself. 

The vote was unanimous for the resolution.     So for the next election there will be 5 wards and 5 councillors.

In the discussion the mayor led off with his preference, which is what was carried.  The result is that Kahshe and Muldrew Lakes are divided into 2 wards.  The division is based on population numbers and road access routes, so that south Muldrew is linked with Southwood Road and east Kahshe is linked with Housey’s Rapids road access routes.   The town will be divided along Winewood and then down the middle of Gull Lake to the highway.  This keeps the commercial area under 1 councillor.

This is a good change in that it directly links councillor and ward.  It gives closer fairness in population distribution across wards.  It however fragments the 2 large lakes, Kahshe and Muldrew, which I consider a negative.  .   The only councillor who expressed a preference for keeping lake communities intact was Lou Guerriero.

We should feel pleased that our initiative to get more democratic representation has worked.  Those who initially opposed change were Tracy Wilson, Terry Pilger, Brian Pilger, Bob Colhoun, Mark Clairmont and Sandy Cairns.  Apparently spending $25,000 and a persuasive consultants report that the status quo is indefensible were sufficient to make them change their minds.

Thanks to all who got signatures and offered support.

Lola Bratty

October 21, 2009