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Gary Lamb, Ward 3 – Cadidate for Councillor

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In Bradford West Gwillimbury
Sep 11th, 2010
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By Miriam King Bradford Times September 10 2010
Gary Lamb is a veteran of the BWG political scene. He served 5 terms on Council – two on Bradford Council, and 3 following amalgamation and the creation of the new Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury.
During his time on Council, he was the “father” of several infrastructure projects, including the Bob Fallis Sports Centre – “an arena that cost the taxpayer virtually nothing… back when we could build an arena for under $2 million.”
It was Lamb who proposed renovating the old firehall on Holland St. East to create a new courthouse and Council Chamber, a proposal that didn’t go far in Council until the Province threatened to pull its court services out of Bradford altogether. Now, he says, “the province is paying rent to this day, there are jobs, and that really helps the downtown.”
Lamb has been chair of the BWG Library Board since 2000, “and we quietly put together a case for a new Library” – just in time to take advantage of infrastructure grant funding. “We got over $7 million from McGuinty and Harper,” he says, and with Development Charges and Reserves, the impact on the taxpayer is once again minimal. “You look at a window, and jump.”
But why is the long-time Bradford resident running in Ward 3, which includes the Holland Marsh and most of the south rural area of BWG? “I was raised in Ward 3. Both my wife and I grew up in the Marsh,” he explains. As a student, he worked in the marsh during the summer, to help finance his University education, taking a BA at York University.
“Ward 3 is unique – it’s the most unique ward in Bradford West Gwillimbury,” Lamb says – a combination of the Holland Marsh, highland farms, estate homes, and “urban pressures.” He sees a need to revisit the impact of Official Plan Amendments 15 and 17, particularly on roads and on area residents – although he admits that the OPAs have been approved, and “we have to make the best of it.”
Other issues: the growing tax burden, and growing municipal debt. “We’re going to be $100 million in debt. When I left Council, we were virtually debt-free. We’re being forced to service that debt, and the only way to service it is through growth – that’s a Catch 22.
“We have to make sure that growth doesn’t impact Ward 3 any more than it does already.”
At the same time, he wants to make sure the Holland Marsh Drainage Improvement project continues to move forward. “The Marsh is way too valuable to not invest in this project.”
Lamb feels he has a lot to offer constituents. ” I know my way around the table, and I’m a good consensus builder,” he says. “I want to ensure the future of the Town is positive. I raised my family here… and I’m proud of the contributions I have given” – and of his “unique perspective,” as a resident of the Holland Marsh, Bradford, and Bradford West Gwillimbury.Finally, Lamb says, “I have no conflicts of Interest, so I will be able to vote on all issues for the Ward.”

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