We asked Huntsville’s councillors what they thought was the best and worst of 2016, what they’d change if they could, and their dreams, hopes and aspirations for 2017. We managed to reach all of them except Councillor Jason Fitzgerald who did not respond. Below is what they had to say:
Mayor Scott Aitchison. Photo by Kelly Holinshead, The Shutterbug Gallery
Huntsville Mayor Scott Aitchison:
Best – The vote where the District agreed to $10.5 million for the reconstruction of Fairvern. That was a pretty exciting vote. And the project itself, knowing that Fairvern is going to move forward with a brand new building up on that new site and this concept of a campus of care. Fairvern is one piece of a much bigger puzzle but getting Fairvern redeveloped on that site is a pretty crucial step in that bigger picture and I’m just really pleased about that. It’s a big step forward for the whole community.
Worst – At the top of the list has got to be the death of JC (Fenc), pretty tragic.
What would you change? There’s probably a few things that I’m still working on that I wish I was a little further along with like the roads project that I’m working on trying to get all the roads at the local level, things like the affordable housing initiative. There’s no question that there were some mistakes made probably over the course of the year but I’m a big believer that you learn from your mistakes. I don’t think I’d change anything. I think overall we’re on the right track, very focused on the right issues, that council itself is working really well together and for the most part overall staff is I think feeling inspired and motivated so doing a good job. And the town itself is really thriving, there’s a lot of things happening. I think we’re on the right track and we just have to stay focused on keeping the town vibrant.
Dreams, hopes and aspirations for 2017? I hope that by the end of the year the affordable housing initiative will have either under construction or ready to inhabit a whole bunch more housing units. Whatever form they might take. I hope we have a whole new approach strategy to encourage and stimulate the development of all kinds of different types of housing – even stuff that we don’t think of currently. I want to make a major dent in the housing shortage that we have. My dream would be to have that accomplished. The other big one would be that the Muskoka and Area Health System Transformation Council does what it’s supposed to do and come up with transformative solutions to health care that ensures that we can keep our hospital open in Huntsville and that Bracebridge can keep their hospital open too and that we can improve patient care and patient outcomes at the same time.
Councillor Nancy Alcock. Photo by Heather Douglas, Heather Douglas Photography.
What would you change? As I’ve said before and I will continue to say until the end of my term, I am always learning in this job. Most importantly, sometimes good intentions are not enough. The decision to approve the Pipe Man taught me that whenever council is asked to change any of our public realm space, it’s critical that we consult with the public before a final decision is made. This does not have to be a long, drawn-out consultation process – perhaps we can create some new, more efficient and affordable ways of getting feedback on our most important decisions. Certainly whenever we make a decision about the public realm the public has much to say and I think we need to respect that.
Councillor Dan Armour. Photo by Heather Douglas, Heather Douglas Photography.
Councillor Dan Armour:
Best – Would be Fairvern Nursing Home’s new location and spending $250,000 for the new road and receiving $10.5 million from the district.
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Councillor Det Schumacher. Photo by Heather Douglas, Heather Douglas Photography.
Councillor Det Schumacher
Best, worst – For me there was no best or worst. I’m pleased that we have an environment at Council that encourages debate, to arrive at a consensus on issues. Therefore, I would not have changed anything.
Dreams, hopes and aspirations for 2017? Going forward my hope is that we can continue to work effectively to achieve Council’s and our Mayor’s goal to work on improving the state of our infrastructure and our provision of customer service in a cost-effective fashion.
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Councillor Bob Stone. Photo by Heather Douglas, Heather Douglas Photography.
Councillor Bob Stone:
Here I sit just a little over half way in my first term as Town Councillor and I am only now feeling that I fully understand my role and how to be effective. It is an unenviable and unappreciated job with little rewards. Yet I do enjoy the challenge and the opportunity to make positive change for the town I love.
- See development on the site of the Empire Hotel which would reinvigorate the whole downtown.
- Implement a Destination Marketing Program to help our businesses substantially better market our tourism sector.
- Reinvent Muskoka Heritage Place so that it becomes a hub of activity and lessens the huge financial burden on our residents.
- Get fibre internet access to the rural areas of Huntsville.
- Use the promotional video produced by the Economic Development Committee to attract new businesses to Town.
- Sell the Waterloo Summit Centre for the Environment to relieve the huge financial burden on the residents.
- See an exciting reinvention of local health care that is sustainable and remains in Huntsville.
- Fill the serious and immediate need for low-income housing in Huntsville.
Deputy Mayor Karin Terziano. Photo by Heather Douglas, Heather Douglas Photography.
Deputy Mayor Karin Terziano:
Best, worst – The best and worst suggests ups and downs and I think this year has been a fairly steady process of dealing with everyday issues. There is not really one thing that I could define as the worst, however I am happy that we as a council were able to play a small part in moving the redevelopment of Fairvern forward.
Councillor Brian Thompson. Photo by Heather Douglas, Heather Douglas Photography.
Councillor Brian Thompson:
Best – The agreement at District Council regarding the rebuild and expansion for the Fairvern Nursing Home.
Worst – By far the worst was the abuse directed at the Town of Huntsville by users of social media in The Table Soup Kitchen Men’s Shelter situation and the death of JC (Fenc). It was disconcerting that the proponent of the Men’s Shelter did nothing to set the record straight both with the press and those on Facebook and Twitter that had jumped to the conclusion that it was the Town of Huntsville’s fault the shelter was not open.
What would you change? I would like Town Council to have addressed whether there has been an impact on children’s health since fluoride was removed from the Town’s water system by the previous council.
Hopes, dreams and aspirations for 2017? That our business community continue to do well and that 2017 is as good or better for our citizens as 2016.
Councillor Jonathan Wiebe. Photo by Heather Douglas, Heather Douglas Photography.
Councillor Jonathan Wiebe:
Best – The recent creation of a task force to help solve the problem of unaffordable and unattainable housing within the community. We need to find more modern ways of addressing the unique challenges we currently face.
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My wife an I have relocated to Huntsville I found the information and outlook from our town council to be quite encouraging as my company is now moving forward to open an office in Huntsville I am looking forward to becoming involved in the community and hoping that I may add to such a great Community.
All of there work is appreciated.
Jim Pattinson
Real Estate Sales Representative
Enjoy Muskoka Realty Inc., Brokerage