Running for District and ward council representative in Lake of Bays are Charles Cooper, Martin Mann, and Mike Peppard. We asked them four questions: Tell us a bit about yourself, why you are running, what you think is the single most important issue impacting the municipality, and how you would address it. We asked the candidates to keep their responses to no more than 600 words. Below are their answers:
Charles Cooper
The biggest issue is the current two-tiered municipal government structure. Within the District of Muskoka are six lower tiered governments such as Lake of Bays, Huntsville, Bracebridge etc., plus the District. This means there are 72 elected positions within Muskoka, where as Toronto has 24, does this appear reasonable? Is the District of Muskoka 3 times more complex to operate, than Toronto, or does three times as many elected officials make Muskoka so convoluted? This multi level structure results in additional overhead, inter agency skirmishes, conflicts with planning, disjointed permitting and diverging bylaws. Likewise, roads, storm
systems, mapping and other functions fall into both upper and lower tier responsibility causing more mayhem and finger pointing.
The District of Muskoka in 2000 commissioned the Rice Report to look into the benefits of a single tier government in Muskoka and found significant benefits and savings with a one tier government. The economic benefits alone were between $4.6M and $5.5M annually. If implemented, as recommended in 2000, would have resulted in over a $100Million dollars in savings (using the lower estimate). How many hospitals, subsidized housing units or roads would this have paid for?
The Rice Report was quite comprehensive and included input from the public and senior staff at the District and individual townships. The Rice Report recommended a single tier structure for the District of Muskoka and the elimination of the six lower tiers. This was never implemented since those voting wanted to preserve their fiefdoms, at the expense of you, the ratepayer. Hence the Rice Report was buried and not a copy can be found on the District website, nor the Internet. A copy of the Rice Report can be found on my website at www.charlescooperlob.com.
I will advocate for a single tier structure for the District of Muskoka. Ideally 72 elected positions would be consolidated into 12 ward Councillors and one mayor/chair for Muskoka. The District of Muskoka would be divided into 12 equal wards by population with one Councillor per ward. The outcome would be a single department for every major function. This includes roads, fire service, ambulance, public works, engineering, planning, bylaws, housing, waste management, finance, administration, GIS etc. This will not impact workers at the ground level, but would justify the elimination of six mayors, 60 Councillors (including my position), 6
chief administration officers, 6 chief financial officers and dozens upon dozens of associated directors. Muskoka, as a whole, has a lot of management for a population of around 100,000 citizens. Let’s end this nonsense.
The creation of a single tier government is not new and has worked in Toronto, Sudbury, Haliburton etc. This is not a pipe dream. A single tier government for Muskoka is feasible and just needs the political will to make it happen.
Vote for Charles Cooper, You Deserve Better!
Martin Mann
A family man and small business owner, who grew up in Muskoka, also volunteers time as a member of
the Kiwanis Club of Huntsville Muskoka, Past President and currently Lieutenant Governor of Division 8 Huronia serving the children of Muskoka and world as they are the future, also a member of HOLD.
Business Development, job creation, affordable housing, infrastructure, worker shortages, local healthcare, high speed internet and climate change are all influenced by limited resources. It is therefore the most important issue affecting the Township of Lake of Bays.
Becoming District Councillor for Franklin / Sinclair would allow me the opportunity to work collectively with the people as a team and community as a whole. I would serve as a voice for concerned residents in Lake of Bays council meetings. By initiating discussions during District council meetings and would express concerns of the people. I will be having quarterly townhall meetings would allow for discussions discussion with council.
Finally, becoming a part of District council is the opportunity for me to make a difference in the lives of the local people by making Lake of Bays a better place to live. Let Martin be your voice for change.
Mike Peppard
My name is Mike Peppard and I am running for re-election as District
Councillor in the Township of Lake of Bays.
I have had the pleasure of living, working, and volunteering in Lake of Bays for over a decade now, and I greatly appreciate both the people in our community, and the natural beauty of our home.
I believe that caring for our environment is the single biggest issue facing our community. The environment is the economy in Lake of Bays, and the economy is the environment.
Our township has done a lot for the environment, but there is always room to do more. While we have declared a climate emergency at the Township, I am hopeful that the community will also find ways to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.
I am also hopeful that all members of the community will do their part to help keep our forests, rivers, and lakes clean. We have to start by being careful how we use road salt, reduce, or eliminate the use of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.
If re-elected I will invite community members to gather, chat, and develop a strategy for reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. I will continue to work with the Muskoka Watershed Council on important issues that affect our water quality, and the health of our forests, and wetlands. Working with the public on environmental issues is the best way to protect this place that we love.
Related: Lake of Bays mayoral candidates on why they’re running
Huntsville Town and District candidates will meet at the Algonquin Theatre on Wednesday, Sept. 28 from 6-9 p.m. Meet & greet takes place from 6-7 p.m. and the forum from 7-9 p.m. Huntsville mayoral candidates will meet the following day on Thursday, Sept.29, from 6-9 p.m., also at the Algonquin Theatre. The forum starts at 7 p.m.
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