December 2006 - page 1

Election News and More

We are extremely pleased with the results of the municipal election. As always, the voting public usually "get it right" when asked. Though there were a solid number of good candidates vying for the position of Mayor and for seats on Council, we believe the winners are the best and most capable of moving our Township ahead responsibly, respectfully and equitably. We believe they all understand the need for balance in decision-making, keeping the needs and desires of the seasonal residents in mind as well as the legitimate demands of the year-round community and its economic well-being.

We hope that Council will focus their interests on continuing to update, refine and enforce Township Bylaws; improve the management of variance requests; develop a comfort level on fractional ownership issues; introduce, after appropriate public input, viable and economic revisions to the Official Plan; find a creative way to secure affordable housing for our Township; and continue to adopt new policies that strengthen administrative management and financial controls.

The TMLRA will continue to keep a watchful eye at Council and at various Standing Committees by sending observers who will report to our Board on local and District issues and activities. We will continue to speak to issues on which we have a researched opinion, and we will not be shy about taking a high profile position on issues that make an impact on our ratepayer community.

The TMLRA continues to be directly associated with WRAFT/CAPTR, financially supporting them as a founding member and sitting on the Executive. This cross-province coalition of ratepayer associations and senior's organizations now represents almost one million voters in Ontario, a number that allows us to apply gentle but unyielding pressure on the Government to deal with assessment anomalies, MPAC deficiencies, and excessive property tax levels which make Ontario the most highly taxed jurisdiction in Canada — indeed the western world. The Government has responded by placing a two-year freeze on assessments in order to review options for property tax reform and deal expeditiously with MPAC. WRAFT/CAPTR hopes to be a part of the review process, and we have already made a number of suggestions, including a 5% assessment capping proposal.

As always, please think seriously about joining our volunteer organization and participating in the future direction of your community and Township. This $50 annual investment will surely pay handsome dividends.

- Doug Bryden - Immediate Past President, TMLRA

Next page...