Mayoral candidates kick-off campaign

By Chris Simon Innisfil Scope August 18 2010
The first mayoral debate of Innisfil’s 2010 Municipal Election kicked off last week, with two candidates expressing their vision for the municipality over the next four years.
Candidates Gord Wauchope and Barb Baguley discussed transparency, communication, capital projects, budgets, environmental protection and heritage preservation, among other topics, with about 40 people at a residence located on Lakelands Avenue Thursday afternoon.
Baguley, the town’s former deputy mayor, accused the current council of spending beyond its fiscal means. Fresh leadership is needed, to help control spending and better utilize development charges and OLG Slots revenue.
“We need to develop responsible, cost efficient budgets,” she said, noting staff have suggested the town’s annual budget will rise by 45.9 per cent over the next four years. “We have to stand back, look at it and create some economic sense.”
Mayoral candidate Barb Baguley. Photo by Chris Simon Wauchope defended the decisions of the current council, suggesting multimillion dollar projects like the Innisfil Beach Road urbanization, Innisfil Recreation Complex construction and South Simcoe Police North Division station renovation were necessary, to improve the lives of residents.
“I was a very strong proponent of bringing the recreation facility to the town,” said Wauchope, the town’s current deputy mayor. “It’s a great asset. I would not go back on anything that has happened at that rec centre. It has been a star in the town.”
If elected, Wauchope promises to improve communication with residents. He plans to work from an office in the New Town Hall during regular business hours, so residents can state their concerns in-person, if necessary.
“I intend on beginning to make the mayor’s job fulltime,” he said. “Innisfil has grown, and so has the mayor’s position.
“I intend on devoting more of my time to be directly involved with town work,” said Wauchope. “My four years as deputy mayor, previous terms on council and work at Simcoe County council has given me the necessary experience for the office of mayor.”
Baguley wants to host an informal public discussion period prior to council meetings, and circulate a list of important dates and upcoming decisions through a mayor’s website and an online and printed newsletter.
“When you know each other, you can talk in a much more relaxed and easy manner,” she said. “I’ll be available by e-mail, phone and in the community.”
Both candidates stressed economic development and job growth as keys to the future success of the municipality.
“We have to keep Innisfil strong, and focus on economic development across the town, which includes the (Highway) 400 corridor, but not exclusively,” said Baguley. “We need to create opportunities for residents in all the communities, to make our diverse lifestyle choices.”
But the 400 corridor will be the economic engine of the town, said Wauchope.
“We must get the 400 employment land developed. Innisfil needs the commercial/ industrial tax base and revenue,” he said. “The people in Innisfil will benefit greatly from the jobs that will come from this development. We must begin working on a plan for water and wastewater to service those lands. We have to find a way
do it ourselves.” The relationship between members of council has become strained in recent years, something that can only be fixed through a fresh perspective and cooperation, said Baguley.
“It is an attitude that has to start at the leadership level. It has to be about respect, both to the public and each other,” she said. “It has to be cultured and nurtured.”
Wauchope says he has always maintained a positive working relationship with council and municipal staff.
“I want to work hard as part of a team that builds consensus, moves Innisfil forward and makes this a place to work, play and stay,” he said. “I’m very open in everything I do, and council should be operated in the same way. I’ll make sure council is very open and transparent. There were some conflicts between members of council; I am a friend of everyone on that council. I have no enemies whatsoever. There’s no ‘I’ in team.”