Baguley is back

Former deputy mayor will ascend to Innisfil’s top elected post
By Chris Simon Innisfil Scope October 27 2010
Mayor elect Barb Baguley celebrates with supporters at Wild Wing in Alcona Monday night. Baguley earned the Photo by Chris Simon mayor’s seat, after defeating fellow candidate Gord Wauchope 5,943 to 5,243. Barb Baguley has been elected as mayor of the Town of Innisfil.
After a four year absence from town council, the former deputy mayor defeated fellow candidate Gord Wauchope in Monday’s municipal election. Baguley earned 5,943 votes, compared to Wauchope’s 5,243.
“You never know until the ballots are counted just how it’s really going,” said Baguley, following the victory. “It’s just wonderful. We have to contain excitement. Everyone will want to achieve their goals within the first months, and that isn’t practical. We’ll have to identify the points where we don’t agree, and see what we can do to come together cohesively and bring what the town asked for, which is change. They got change.”
Mayor elect Barb Baguley celebrates, while opponent Gord Wauchope addresses campaign supporters. Current councillor Dan Davidson will become deputy mayor, after defeating fellow candidate Bill Van Berkel 5,986 to 5,081.
“I’m stunned, I never thought that what happened today would ever happen in Innisfil,” said Davidson, admitting to being incredibly nervous in the days leading up to the election. “Innisfil will turn a page. We’ll have development, but hopefully it will be done in a conscientious way. When I was elected four years ago, I accepted this as a job. I tried to do it as best I could.”
“I know I can’t please everyone, but I really want to see Innisfil grow and move forward,” said Davidson. “The people have spoken. I really believe this is the beginning of change.”
Doug Lougheed, Richard Simpson, Ken Simpson, Rod Boynton, William Loughead, Maria Baier and Lynn Dollin captured the Ward 1 to 7 councillor seats, respectively. Once the new term officially begins in December, there will be plenty of fresh faces around the council table. Of those elected, only Davidson, Boynton and Dollin are incumbent councillors.
However, Baguley looks forward to the challenge of organizing her new peers into a respected and reliable council.
“There’s a couple of really solid veterans that are going to be anchors for council,” she said. “The public made their choice. Clearly, the public chose change.”
Baguley served on council between 1988 and 2006, before an unsuccessful bid for mayor in the last election. However, she has rededicated herself to the community in the last four years, volunteering for Crime Stoppers of Simcoe-Dufferin-Muskoka, the Cookstown District and Greater Innisfil chambers of commerce and Habitat for Humanity, among other organizations.
 She promises to improve communication between the town and its residents, support sustainable and complete community development practices, and reign in spending once in office.
Others are shocked by the turnover in council.
“Obviously, the people wanted a change; you can’t argue with an election,” said Dollin. “It’s what people want, that’s what they’re going to get. I was shocked. This council will be vibrant and effect the change required.”
Boynton says council will be tasked with learning their roles and cooperating quite quickly.
“When you’re sitting on council, you try to make educated decisions,” he said. “This is when they tell you whether you’re wrong or right. I’m glad to see I got their vote. I’m very humbled and appreciative. This is unbelievable; (the results) tell me the town is split right down the middle. Even if this council is split, I don’t think that’s a bad thing. That means if an idea is put through that stringent a process, it’s a healthier situation.”
Richard Simpson credits his family’s hard work for the win in Ward 2.
“My campaign crew was mostly my (children) and I,” he said. “We went out door knocking and had a great time. I’m ready to get to work and help the people of Innisfil. There’s a lot of new people on council; the first thing will be to come together and work well for the town.”