November 5, 2022

WHY AREN’T TOWNS MAKING BETTER USE OF THE ‘NOTICE’ PAGES THEY PAY FOR IN WEEKENDERS?

The Town of Gravenhurst pays for a full-page of advertising in the Toronto Star-owned Gravenhurst Banner each week.

One might expect this would be used for important announcements like inviting the public to apply to sit on committees.

In a notice emailed to those of us signed up to the town’s email portal, deputy clerk Jonathan Gilston writes: “Some of the available boards and committees for consideration include the Accessibility Advisory Committee, Sustainability Advisory Committee, Library Board, Municipal Heritage Committee…,” to name but a few.

Why was this notice not printed on the town’s ‘Noitice’ page in the Banner, spreading the information further a field and interesting more citizens?

It’s the same with announcements by other Muskoka municipalities, which also pay extra for an ad in the paper rather than using the full page they pay for and that is too often mostly filler copy.

Engaging more people and demonstrating openness and transparency for this next four years should be a priority for all councils.

The new mayors and councils need to take charge now.