Severn races heat up

Citizens have lots of concern about township
By JENNIFER BURDEN, THE ORILLIA PACKET & TIMES October 18 2010
Along the main streets of Severn Township, in hockey arenas, bowling alleys, restaurants and barber shops, residents are buzzing about the municipal election that is only one week away.

Their top election issues vary, but common themes run throughout their ideas for the upcoming four-year council term.
Kathy Wingfelder, a mother of two teenage boys who moved to Coldwater from Barrie eight years ago, wants three main things improved in Coldwater and throughout the township.
She wants better road maintenance and infrastructure improvements, local parks and recreation facilities upgraded and properly funded, and the continuation of downtown beautification in Coldwater.
“I want them to address the sewer systems throughout the town, not just the main areas where businesses and tourists come, but (for) the actual residents,” Wingfelder said.
She would like to see the local skate park, the rundown basketball court, and sledding hill properly illuminated for safety reasons.
“I always have to come and park my car and leave the lights on when the kids are sledding,” she said.
Through downtown beautification and revitalization she hopes Coldwater will maintain and flourish.
Other residents in Coldwater and Washago echoed Wingfelder’s election concerns.
Karie McLaren, mother of four kids under 12, said she wants new playground equipment for the kids and the Coldwater River bank cleaned up.
Trent Sharpe, 19, who lives in Coldwater and works at Horse- shoe Resort, said he would also like to see better parks in the area to give youth his age something to do. His friend Josh Gulyas said a basketball court with a proper hoop would be nice.
Both young adults would also like to see the downtown revital- ized and more employment opportunities.
“We need more employment for kids my age. It would be nice to have a place we could get part- time jobs,” Sharpe said.
Gulyas also said roads through- out the township need to be improved.
John Palmer, 69, who has lived in Coldwater for 25 years, wants council to focus on adjusting roads to improve drainage.
“I feel as if they’ve built a dam in front my house,” he said.
Jim and Sharron Robertson of Severn Bridge would like to see gravel roads in their area brought up to standard.
“These roads are well travelled all year round and they need to be upgraded,” Jim said. His wife added that the roads can be dan- gerous at times.
The couple drives to Washago on a regular basis and would also like to see Washago’s downtown brought to life by encouraging new businesses to set up shop year round.
“Somehow we’ve got to get people here in the winter,” Jim said.
They would also like to see more activities hosted at Centen- nial Park in Washago.
“I think the township needs to use (it) more,” Jim said. “At all times of the year it can be used as a centre of activity and it’s not.”
Terry Henry, who opened a barber shop in Coldwater two years ago, hopes the elected coun- cil continues working with the new business improvement area committee (BIA) to improve and promote the downtown.
“We’ve done a fair bit for our- selves, but it would be nice to have some backup,” Henry said.