Mayor Don McIsaac and city council have been governing Orillia residents for a year. We asked the mayor and council five key questions about the first year of their four-year term. We will publish their answers, verbatim. Today is the fourth of the five-part series, in which they answer the following question:
What has been the most surprising aspect of your term on council so far? What have you learned?
Janet-Lynne Durnford (Ward 4)
I had no idea how many ditches I would be asked to inspect! And there’s no predicting the issue: some ditches are too wet, some are too dry, some need to be cleaned out, and some are just right.
I also was not prepared for the number of coffee meetings and sheer volume of coffee that I would drink! Not that I’m complaining; I love meeting with people and listening to their concerns. We have some great independent coffee shops in Orillia, and I’m happy to patronize them.
On a more serious note, I am learning how I can best serve my constituents and the interests of the city.
Tim Lauer (Ward 4)
I continue to be surprised by the provincially inflicted chaos in the municipal planning world. Bill 23 cost municipalities significant revenues, neutered the local planning process and provided a world of uncertainty.
We are now holding our breath as we await the soon to be released provincial planning policy which could right the ship or add more stress. Also surprising is the lack of awareness the public has of these changes. Any landowner can now — as a right — have three living units on their property. This can have a fairly significant impact on a stable neighbourhood and is coming as a complete surprise to most of the affected people I hear from.
Mayor Don McIsaac
I am continually impressed by how well council has stuck together and worked through complex issues in a civil manner. While at times we have been challenged, the discussions have been cordial and carried out in the best interests of Orillians in a professional way.
David Campbell (Ward 1)
When asked what boards and committees I would like to be a part of this term, the Downtown Orillia Business Improvement Area Board was the first one I mentioned.
There was a disconnect between the merchants, the board and the city. I wanted to help to re-establish those connections and mend those relationships. I was surprised at how deep some of those divisions had become. This has led to a very difficult year. We have lost staff and struggled, as a volunteer board, to keep things moving forward.
However, we are determined to remain positive and are taking the time to re-evaluate what the function of the BIA should be. I feel like we are rebuilding from the ground up and I sincerely hope that everyone will get involved and help with that rebuild.
Through that experience and others this term, I have learned the absolute importance of communication.
Whitney Smith (Ward 1)
The most surprising aspect of my term on council has been the incredible opportunity to gain firsthand insights into the inner workings of our municipality. When we first elected to council, our city staff took us on a comprehensive tour of all our facilities throughout the city. Witnessing the dedication of our staff, understanding our processes, and experiencing the various facets of our local government was genuinely enlightening and a privilege to be a part of.
For those who have not yet had the chance to explore our facilities and interact with our dedicated staff, I wholeheartedly encourage you to do so. It's an eye-opening experience that deepens your appreciation for the remarkable work being done in our community.
From our snow plow drivers to our water wastewater treatment plant operators, Orillia boasts the best staff and facilities, making our city truly top-notch. This journey has reaffirmed my belief that we not only live in an amazing city but are also supported by an exceptional team of individuals who work tirelessly for its betterment.
Ralph Cipolla (Ward 2)
The most surprising aspect of my term on council has been the involvement of the mayor and council with the experience in finance the mayor has had; it brought a new perspective to our community. This experience has taught me the importance of such as adaptability, listening to diverse perspectives, or being proactive in addressing emerging issues. It reinforces the dynamic nature of public service and the need for continual growth as a leader.
Luke Leatherdale (Ward 2)
The most surprising aspect of my term on council so far is how slow things can take to move forward. Before becoming a councillor, I thought things could be done at a quicker pace, however there are processes we must go through, which makes sense now that I see the process, but it wasn't apparent to me until I got this role. I've learned that whatever I wish to accomplish on council, I must take all necessary steps to move it forward.
Jeff Czetwerzuk (Ward 3)
I believe the most surprising aspect of my term so far has been how much council has accomplished already. We are just over a year in and have already been through two budgets and been a part of many other key decisions, initiatives, and policy changes.
Outside of being at the table, I have been lucky to have been able to attend so many different community events and initiatives and learn so much about our wonderful and vibrant community in Orillia. I have also had the pleasure to speak with many constituents and help them solve many issues and concerns.
I have learned so much in this short period of time and I am very excited to continue to learn and experience more as the term continues. I know there will be so many more great things happening within the city, and I am very excited for the rest of the term and look forward to hearing from more members of the community.
Jay Fallis (Ward 3)
Never accept past practice as reality. Over my five years on council, I have seen items move through City Hall at a slow clip. Sometimes this can be beneficial to ensure adequate review, and sometimes the delay can be frustrating and pointless. I accepted this practice as the norm.
During this term, that has not always been the case. I have learned that with will power from council, staff, and the public, items can move quickly from the drawing board to reality. One recent example was the city’s new poverty reduction strategy. With a very tight timeline, Coun. Durnford was still able to move the idea to the budget table with council support. The same can be said for the affordable housing report presented last week. Staff identified many potential solutions that had been dismissed in years past. Factors can change in politics that make things once impossible, very possible.
Watch for the fifth part of this five-part series tomorrow.
