For Tim Lauer, it seems the job of a councillor is never truly finished.
Lauer was first elected to Orillia council in 1997. He successfully sought re-election in 2000, 2003 and 2006, before losing his bid for mayor in 2010.
He was voted back in as a Ward 4 councillor in 2014 and he is hoping for a repeat in this month’s election.
“I still love the job,” Lauer said when asked why he is running again.
The downtown/waterfront plan is a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” for Orillia, he said, and he wants to see that project come through.
“It is doable,” he said. “I think by the end of the next term, the public will see what great work we’ve been doing down there.”
Lauer said he has heard the many concerns residents have with the city’s snow-clearing efforts and he feels there is room for improvement. The city has purchased two new road plows and two sidewalk plows, but Lauer noted there are gaps in service, particularly on weekends and early in the morning.
“We need to talk with the union and talk with staff to make sure we have those times covered,” he said.
He is also maintaining his support for the sale of the Orillia Power Distribution Corporation to Hydro One.
“I’m not particularly enamoured with the way it unfolded,” he said, adding it was supposed to be a 120-day process – a process mirroring that of three deals that were approved by the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) in other municipalities. “In the end, it’s a great opportunity for the city. Not only is it a $200-million build; the tax rate from the completed property would probably offset two per cent of the tax levy going forward.”
Lauer said hydro is a “recession-proof business.”
“The rates, no matter who you’re dealing with, are protected by the OEB.”
Another major project he wants to see completed is the stormwater management plan. It’s a $65-million, 25-year plan, but Lauer is hoping it doesn’t take that long.
“Given what’s going on with the climate and weather, I think we’re going to have to accelerate that,” he said, noting untreated stormwater is going into lakes Couchiching and Simcoe.
One file that has been crawling along is the sewage pumping station slated for an area near Cedar Island Road. It was delayed several times before finally being approved Monday night. Lauer does not apologize for the delays.
“I’m the architect of some of those delays, and that’s something I’m proud of,” he said. “Taking the time to explore all possibilities just makes sense. I do think there were better locations than this one.”
Among the concerns Lauer wants to address if he is re-elected are those of residents of the North Lake Village common elements condominiums near the north end of Laclie Street.
“They’re of the opinion that they may be paying twice as much for certain services. It’s an issue that is going to be ongoing,” he said, adding he would investigate it further.
Lauer, 68, is a real-estate agent. He is married and has two children and two grandchildren. He said his wife is supportive of his bid for re-election.
“She’s quite aware of how much I enjoy doing this job,” he said. “The bottom line is I still have a lot of energy to do the job. I take pride in my ability to get issues of concern to the table.”
Editor’s Note: OrilliaMatters is profiling all candidates in Orillia’s municipal election. They are being published daily, by ward, in alphabetical order.
