Essa mayor lobbies for warden brother

By Laurie Watt Collingwood Connection
Essa Mayor David Guergis got caught in a round of the classic children’s game of telephone last week.
In an effort to support his brother’s re-election for a fourth year as Simcoe County warden, Guergis admitted he didn’t check his facts and spread misinformation about Wasaga Beach Mayor Cal Patterson, who is challenging his brother Tony Guergis for Warden.
Guergis admitted telling some councillors that Patterson favoured a weaker county and a stronger Barrie because he was part of a controversial committee that has some county mayors talking with Barrie.
“I’m sorry,” he told Patterson after the Wasaga Beach mayor asked him why he didn’t call him directly before misinforming other councillors about his position on growth.
 “I was one of the people making (such) phone calls because I see the divisive issue coming out as this growth plan,” he said.
Ramara Township Mayor Bill Duffy asked the question no one else asked: “Are you part of meetings to divide the county?”
He was referring to the growth nodes committee, which many county councillors view as a meeting of the “haves”, those the province is encouraging to grow. In the province’s vision for the region, it calls for a larger, stronger Barrie, supported by a network of smaller urban centres.
The committee’s existence has caused anger and disdain at the county, with one county official calling it “reprehensible”.
Two Patterson supporters are on that committee: New Tecumseth Mayor Mike MacEachern and Collingwood Mayor Chris Carrier.
Afterwards, Duffy said David Guergis didn’t intend to mislead his colleagues, although he did. Duffy was among those who received a call from him.
“Did he cross the line? I don’t think so. He cleared it up,” said Duffy. “He made a mistake.
“He heard something and passed it on without checking it out.”
Still the race for warden is heating up this week, as a vote is slated for Dec. 8.
Both warden candidates outlined why they deserved support.
Warden Guergis said his work on the county’s growth plan and Site 41 showed he was an effective leader.
“I have received tremendous attacks. I’m proud to say I was attacked because I did my job well. I stood out there and got hit in the nose. I stood up for your message,” Tony said.
David defended his brother. “It’s a very heavy chain of office,” he said, and then accused the Beach’s mayor of flip-flopping.
He told Patterson, “I’ve dealt with you in other capacities, and to be honest, you’ve never kept the same position very long.”
Patterson laid out his platform – one of trust, credibility and communication.
“I want to work to restore the image of the county. I have the time to devote to the position and a knowledge of the county’s operations,” he said. “The county needs a change of leadership to restore confidence of the electorate and to restore relationships, based on trust and mutual respect.”