In the weeks leading up to this year’s municipal election, Huntsville Doppler will be posting a commentary from each of the local candidates. The order of appearance is completely random. To read commentary from other candidates, click here.
Meet Larry Horton, a candidate for election to Huntsville Council in the Stisted, Stephenson, Port Sydney ward
First off, I would like to thank Doppler Online for this opportunity to communicate with the voters of Port Sydney, Stephenson and Stisted Wards. I encourage every registered voter to exercise their right to vote by October 22, either online or by phone.
One question that I’m always asked is “Why run for town council?”
Quite simply, I care deeply about our community and want to help drive positive change. Since moving here back in 1990, I have been a passionate volunteer first with the Chamber of Commerce and then around the same time with the local snowmobile club. To this day, I’m still an active volunteer with Hill and Gully Riders and proud of all their accomplishments dating as far back as 1965. My business background is in automotive dealer management and thereafter self-employed in the fields of advertising and marketing. Once elected, my role will be to represent and serve the community through my proven leadership and dedication that has been demonstrated over the years. Serving as a voice for the community is an enormous responsibility and is not to be taken lightly, as one engages and considers the concerns and issues brought forward by the community.
As I approached our local residents for nomination signatures and we discussed their concerns, there were four consistent topics being raised:
1 – RATIONAL, RESPONSIBLE DEVELOPMENT – A concern not only in this community, but throughout Muskoka. The question is why is there a movement to urbanize this rural area? Reducing lot sizes from a hectare to an acre, coupled with potentially excessive development in a condensed area with independent sewage and water services, could potentially have negative implications on the surrounding area. People choose to reside in our rural community to get away from the urban development found in other towns. My position is to keep the hectare lot size, while continuing to encourage responsible, sustainable development.
2 – FOCUS ON ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY – Residents, cottagers, and the economy of tourism are dependent on the natural landscape such as waterways, trees, and rock formations, as these are what make Muskoka such a desirable destination. Efforts must be made to keep our waterways pristine and accessible to the public. When it comes to the trees in our community, I believe the time has come for Huntsville to enact a tree-cutting by-law, something of which all other municipalities in Muskoka already have in place. If we fail to protect and preserve our local environment, why would people want to come here?
3 – ENHANCED BY-LAW ENFORCEMENT – As the municipality has developed and grown over the years, the one constant seems to be the number of by-law officers. The enforcement of our by-laws is currently complaint driven and keeps the officers more than busy. In an effort to be proactive in enforcing by-laws, I would propose that more officers be hired to cover our expansive geographic area. As I’ve always said, why have by-laws if they can’t be enforced?
4 – CONCENTRATION ON CORE SERVICES – Roads are the primary concern, as everyone has had some experience, both good and bad, but most reflect on the latter. Though there is a long-term plan in place, there are many roads in need of immediate attention, such as Muskoka Rd 10, Lone Pine Drive, and Greer Road. When travelling around Muskoka, no matter where, I’m taken aback as to the amount of litter along our roadways, which just seems to accumulate. The time has come to bring back the community proud clean-ups or perhaps look at dedicating individuals to this task. After all, you only have one chance to make a positive first impression.
In addition to the above, there were two broader concerns also raised among residents:
- How funding will be worked out with the provincial government for the two acute hospital sites, of which negotiations will be ongoing. Prior to the board decision being announced, I was in favour of Huntsville if it came down to one site, and still prefer it to be a hub location.
- Affordable housing, be it for a rental or purchase. As the terms “affordable” and “attainable” housing have been used extensively during the lead up to this election, I wish someone would define these terms. Is an “affordable” purchase $200K or $500K? Is an “attainable rental” $1k or $2k per month?
In closing, my wife and I still enjoy the quaintness, picturesque setting, and of course the residents, that make up the community we are proud to call home. You can rest assured that once elected, I will take the time to listen, answer your questions, and deliver on my commitments.
It would be an honour to serve as your voice for our community, so please vote Larry Horton for Town Council.
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Karen Insley says
It is interesting that enhanced bylaw enforcement is one of your campaign goals, would that entail 24/7 and concentrate on commercial enterprise? Namely, quarry pit trucks sneaking into the Patterson pit at 5:30 am? How would you protect individual property owners from overzealous, abuse of power issues that involve bylaw officers trespass?
To another point of keeping our area pristine, how then do you propose to stop the unnecessary big aggregate operations that are reaking pollution to our watersheds, lakes, cottagers, residents and visitors quality of life & environment? These large operations are not used for local needs, scar our landscape, create excess particulate into our cold water streams and nearby lakes, possibly contributing to algae blooms to name just a few reasons for stopping this. There are alot of aggregate locations in remote areas along major hwys such as 11, 400 that are the place for this business. These current operations are for southern Ontario and are absolutely not necessary locally in residential cottage country areas. The wards you would represent encompass many smaller communities whose residents move here for the beauty. It’s a safety issue, a travesty that our government has allowed this unfettered unessessary disturbance for a decade plus. People are tired of hearing from officials “oh this isn’t our jurisdiction, oh we can’t do anything about it”. There’s always a work around that can address real long standing issues such as this, so the question is; What will be done now to resolve this gross incompatibility?
Guenter Draudt says
I personally know Larry Horton and if you want something done for the good of the community, Mr. Horton is your man. Honest and to the point, no BS, and genuinely cares for his community. VOTE FOR LARRY HORTON!!!!!