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SERIES: COVID casts 'huge shadow' over future, says David Campbell

At the halfway point of council's mandate, we ask councillors a series of questions about their first two years and what the next two might bring
david campbell halfway
David Campbell is in his first term as councillor for Ward 1. OrilliaMatters File Photo

We are at the midway point of the four-year mandate of Mayor Steve Clarke and council.

With that in mind, we’ve asked each of the eight councillors and the mayor to answer a series of questions about their first two years - to pinpoint highlights and disappointments to date, to outline the challenges ahead, to tackle concerns about transparency, speak about the fate of future plans and if they intend to seek re-election. 

They were given a 150-word limit for each answer.

Over the next nine days, we will publish their answers - in alphabetical order, by ward, before concluding with the mayor’s responses. 

We start our series in Ward 1, with David Campbell.

Question 1. What are you most proud of, personally as a councillor, that you/council have been able to accomplish in the first half of your mandate?  

I am most proud of our overall reaction to the COVID crisis. Certainly, no one anticipated having to face a pandemic when we started this term. I am very proud of the way our Mayor, Council and staff have adapted to be able to respond to it.

Personally, I am proud of my contributions as a member of the Economic Recovery Task Force (ERTF). Our primary mandate was to ensure the survival of businesses throughout the City. As in all matters as a Councillor, I put my personal views aside and listened to those stakeholders that had been affected.

Then, along with the other members of the ERTF, tried to put together a program that responded to and addressed the concerns that we heard through the extensive consultation process.

I was incredibly pleased with the public’s response to the See You on the Patio program and the ERTF continues to work on many projects looking toward the future.

Question 2. What is your biggest disappointment as it relates to a council decision/direction or issue?

I’ve expressed it many times, but my biggest disappointment is the direction that the issues involving Grape Island have taken. I entered this term with such optimism and was looking forward to getting everyone together and involved in productive discussions.

As a Councillor, I wanted to work with residents to find a common solution. Obviously, this would have taken compromise, but what I had heard while campaigning was nothing but willingness to compromise from all involved.

To be completely honest, the discord between neighbours has made decision making at the Council table on these issues extremely difficult. I still hope to some day be able to sit down with everyone and work things out.

Question 3. Nobody saw the pandemic coming. Specifically, as a councillor, what is the biggest challenge the pandemic has created and how have you tried to tackle that challenge?

The difficulty in doing what is needed to keep the Orillia economy going, while at the same time keeping people safe. There is no doubt that the lockdown resulted in mental health issues due to social isolation.

It also resulted in financial hardships to families and businesses. Trying to strike that balance between encouraging people to shop local and remain safe has been challenging. What we discovered is that you can have both! As evidenced by the See You on the Patio program, you can eat at a restaurant and buy from local shops while remaining safe.

All you have to do is follow the Health Unit’s guidelines while doing it. It has been my personal experience that going out and seeing people face to face has been good for my emotional well being. I applaud Orillians for being so diligent in keeping each other safe during this time.

Question 4. As a result of the pandemic, many citizens are worried about the future and think council should have halted everything (ie. waterfront plan, Centennial Drive project etc.) to save money. What do you say to those people and what is your view of the future of the municipality amid the reality of a pandemic? 

Simply put, keep moving forward, stay with the plan, but be prepared to adjust the timing. There is no doubt that the pandemic has hurt the City of Orillia financially (this is true across the Country).

Fortunately, we had a healthy balance in the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve for just such an unforeseen circumstance. Though, to date, we haven’t had to rely on that account to the degree that many thought we might. The City is in the process of many long-term plans. As a member of Council, I support those plans and feel we need to follow through with them. Of course, we will have no choice but to keep an eye on our finances and work within them. No one knows when we will come out of this pandemic, but we are determined to have our City in an excellent position when we do.

Question 5. The recent discussion about the waterfront plan spawned a lot of debate and, despite your efforts, many seem to think there wasn’t enough public input. Are you doing enough as a council to be transparent, to encourage public input and to listen? How so? How could that be improved during the second half of your mandate?

It’s difficult to hear that we haven’t provided opportunity for public input, because we see the press releases, we see the announcements of public open houses and feel that we do a good job.

In fact, our open houses (Public Information Centres) have never been so well attended. However, once Council moves in a direction based on that public input, we continue to hear that we have not given the public opportunity to weigh in. Perhaps the answer lies with publications such as this. Using OrilliaMatters as an example.

We hear a lot of feedback once an article is published about the City’s direction on an issue. Maybe better coverage of an issue before a decision is made would help and perhaps the City could do a better job of communicating those plans to news outlets and on social media in advance.

Question 6. What is the biggest challenge council faces in the second half of its mandate (ie. Staff retirements, promised tax freeze, capacity) and what are your top priorities?

The uncertainty of the COVID crisis has cast a huge shadow over our future. The most important thing for Council to keep in mind is balance. The City’s needs do not stop. We need to keep moving forward. However, the schedule of some projects may have to be modified.

At the same time, this crisis has presented our City with some opportunities. For example, many businesses have discovered that they don’t need to lease expensive space in major centres in order to operate.

Many businesses have adopted flexible work policies and we now see more and more people working from home. With fibre throughout the City and the amazing lifestyle that we offer, we are uniquely positioned to attract many of those businesses and employees. I look forward to working with the ERTF and Council to try and get those businesses (and jobs) to our City. 

Question 7: Lastly, do you intend to seek re-election? Why or why not?

If I had to make that decision today, I would definitely be putting my name forward. I have greatly enjoyed my time as a Councillor. It has been challenging and rewarding at the same time. I feel we have a great ‘team’ at the Council table and that we work well together. We may not always see eye to eye, but we conduct ourselves respectfully and all deeply care about this City.

I hope to continue to be a voice at the Council table for many years to come.

Watch for Ward 1 Councillor Ted Emond's answers Tuesday morning.


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Dave Dawson

About the Author: Dave Dawson

Dave Dawson is community editor of OrilliaMatters.com
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