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Clarke announces bid for re-election as city's mayor

Mayor wants to see projects through to completion; 'I just love the city,' Clarke says
2018-01-08 Steve Clarke HS.jpg
Orillia Mayor Steve Clarke is seeking a second term as Orillia's mayor in the upcoming municipal election.

Steve Clarke, professing his love for Orillia and a desire to see some key projects through to completion, has decided to seek a second term as the city’s mayor.

“There is something magical about this place,” Clarke said of Orillia. “As much as we have some things to work on, and we do, we have so much to be proud of.”

He said “overwhelming support” from people in the community helped him make his decision to seek re-election.

“We also have a lot of projects on the go and being around to see them come to completion is important to me,” Clarke told OrilliaMatters, referencing the recreation centre and the redevelopment of Front Street and Centennial Drive.

He acknowledged there is a steep learning curve associated with becoming a municipal politician. He said there is “so much to learn in terms of systems, processes, operations” and other components.

“It’s kind of dawned on me what a shame it would be for someone to do one term and then turn it over to someone else who would have to come in and do the same amount of learning again,” said Clarke. “This is a job where you learn every day, but there is an advantage to having done the job. I’ll be able to hit the ground running.”

The 58-year-old downtown businessman said he "has lots of energy" and is driven by a desire to improve the city he has come to love since moving here in the early 1990s to open his downtown restaurant.

“The other thing I’ll say, that’s kind of overarching all these things, is I just love the city,” said Clarke. “That doesn’t mean it’s not without its challenges because I can assure you it is … anyone who runs needs to understand that. But, I’d also say it’s the best job there is.”

Clarke said he is looking forward to the “imminent” opening of the new recreation centre early in 2019 and also hopes the Ontario Energy Board overturns its controversial decision to nix the sale of Orillia Power’s distribution company to Hydro One. It's currently going through an appeal process.

He likened that project to “transformational” past developments such as the openings of the OPP General Headquarters, the OPP Central Region Headquarters, Georgian College and Lakehead University.

“They have come to Orillia and, over time, become our major economic drivers,” said Clarke. “Therefore, the Hydro One file, to me, is significant not just because it’s going to improve the long-term health of the community but the investments they are willing to make in west Orillia will create jobs at different levels.”

The prospect of Hydro One’s investment has led to other enterprises “knocking at our door (because they) want to co-locate here,” said the mayor. “If we can attract a number of other businesses that employ 5, 10 or 30 people … that is significant. I really hope it comes to fruition.”

That development and its spinoffs could help address another of Clarke’s priorities: affordable housing.

“I know there are a few on council working on this with others in the community and I do think we need to address that at many different levels,” said Clarke, noting it’s a problem for younger people entering the workforce, families and vulnerable seniors.

While not technically a municipal issue, Clarke said it’s important Orillia work with partners such as the County of Simcoe and other levels of government to pave the way for affordable housing initiatives.

According to Clarke, the key is creating jobs and prosperity. He referenced his attendance at the recent Mac and Cheese luncheon. At that annual fundraiser for The Sharing Place Food Bank, its executive director talked about the growing number of people dealing with food insecurity.

“One of the things that really hit home was the last slide of his presentation and I’m paraphrasing, but it said, in essence, the solution is more income,” said Clarke. “That’s what we’re trying to create.”

While there is much still to do, Clarke said he is proud of the progress that has been made over the previous four years. He said the recreation centre is close to opening, he said he is “excited” about the ambitious waterfront plans and “proud of where the city’s finances stand.”

Despite the multiple major capital projects underway, the city’s debt-per-capita is lower today than it was four years ago, the mayor said.

“Our finances are in a better situation than they were a few years ago and in 2022, our debt will be zero,” said Clarke, acknowledging that could change during the next term of council. “Originally, the plan was to be in debt – tens of millions of dollars in debt – over the next 20 years. Now, it’s a fraction of that and only over the next five years. Our financial situation is strong and getting stronger.”

He's also proud of how council has conducted business.

“I think every member of council would say that we have, generally speaking, worked well together,” said Clarke. “That doesn’t mean there aren’t challenges, it doesn’t mean there haven’t been difference of opinions. But at the end of the day, when decisions have been made and debate has taken place and we’ve gone in a certain direction, there’s been a level of respect and I would commend members of council for remembering that and maintaining that. I think that’s what has helped make this work.”

With 113 days until October’s municipal election, Clarke is the only candidate, to date, who has declared an intention to run for the city’s top job.

Current councillors Rob Kloostra and Mason Ainsworth have also filed their papers to seek re-election while two newcomers, David Campbell (Ward 1) and Harold Dougall (Ward 2), have also announced their bid for a seat at the municipal council table.


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Dave Dawson

About the Author: Dave Dawson

Dave Dawson is community editor of OrilliaMatters.com
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