DISTRICT CHAIR ‘DEBATE’ OFFERS UP CONSENSUS, BUT LITTLE NEW FOR MUSKOKA

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

MUSKOKA — The district is a creature of the province, says councillor Don Smith — who gets to vote for himself at next Monday’s election of a new council chair.

So it’s no surprise that at this afternoon’s “debate” there were more than a half dozen priorities among the six contenders, which made it look and sound like the provincial election.

And most were the same with each of the candidates Clifford Curry, Jeff Lehman, Terry Pilger, Howard Rosenthal, Tim Withey and Smith all mostly agreeing with a few exceptions.

So it came down to style and presentation.

Bracebridge district councillor, with chair John Klinck looking on, said the towns and townships work together more closely to achieve similar goals.

Housing mostly topped everyone’s list of what’s should be dealt with first.

“Nothing happens without housing,” said admitted “outsider” former Barrie Mayor Lehman who was the most polished speaker.

Pilger slammed Ontario’s Bill 23, promoted mental health and pitched “modernization” of council after a failed bid during the last term.

Smith agreed about housing, but said the six municipalities need to be more united.

He added taking council meetings on the road is important, too.

“Everything doesn’t have to always happen in Bracebridge,” the district councillor for the town said.

Curry focussed on his three priorities of the economy, housing and the environment.”

Withey, a former hospital board member, said two new hospital sites in Muskoka will be vital with more than $100 million in needed to be raised locally from residents.

Rosenthal offered up saying he has “no baggage” and that he is not a “political junkie.”

While’s happy there are more women elected, he said he was disappointed that there were no women or underprivileged groups among his fellow candidates.

Everyone agreed for the need to protect Muskoka’s waters.

First nations representation was welcomed by everyone, including Curry who opened his remarks with an indigenous greeting.

More to follow later.  

Muskoka district chair candidates Curry Clifford, left, Jeff Lehman, Howard Rosenthal, Terry Pilger, Don Smith and Tim Withey offered up different, but mostly the same view of Muskoka the next four years.

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