Organzation targeting government accountability

By IAN MCINROY Barrie Examiner July 22 2010
A new grassroots organization holding a public meeting in Coldwater this weekend wants to make the public aware of its desire for more government accountability.
Elect to protect is the motto of AWARE Simcoe (Action Watch Affecting Residents Everywhere). Founder and organizer Letty McNeil said members of the organization are hoping to effect change around issues of government accountability and environmental sustainability.

“AWARE is intended to mobilize residents throughout Simcoe County to get involved in the municipal elections this fall,” she said. “We want to ensure the people who are elected are committed to protect water and the environment and are committed to being transparent and accountable.”
McNeil said area residents are entitled to know what their municipal and county representatives are doing.
“It’s amazing how many decisions are made behind closed doors. People were shocked and frustrated by what happened, and what they were exposed to, during the fight against the Site 41 landfill,” she said.
During that battle, public pressure to stop development of the proposed landfill north of Elmvale convinced Simcoe County councillors to finally shelve the project last summer. The site’s certificate of approval was revoked earlier this year by the Ministry of Environment.
“Residents would be shocked to know there are Simcoe County councillors who believe there is still a need for landfill sites,” she added. “Statistics prove that landfill sites impact on water quality. It’s a new day. They need to catch up.”
The non-partisan group — which now has a 13-person board representing many municipalities in Simcoe County — held its first meeting in Barrie in March with about 100 people attending. Since then, meetings have been held in Utopia, Bradford and Penetanguishene.
AWARE Simcoe will be meeting on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Coldwater Community Centre and will also meet on Saturday, Aug. 14 in the Father Ellard Hall of St. Mary’s Church, 63 Elgin St., in Collingwood, from 10 a.m. to noon.
“We’re getting people from all over Simcoe County and we’re trying to get AWARE groups in every municipality,” McNeil said. “They may have different concerns but they share the same frustrations with municipal and Simcoe County governments.”
The meetings allow people to network, she added.
“We’re trying to mobilize residents and provide them with handouts to help get their groups started and be effective in making sure the right people are elected this fall,” she said.
For more information about AWARE, call 812-0643 or visit www.aware-simcoe.ca for details