Collins set to roll up sleeves in Springwater

By MARG. BRUINEMAN, BARRIE EXAMINER November 1 2010
Linda Collins said she took the high road to win the municipal election and that’s where she intends to work from as mayor of Springwater Township.
Last week’s municipal election victory was decisive. The two-time township councillor took 3,203 of the votes, while political neophyte Bill French won 1,863 votes and incumbent Tony Guergis trailed with 615 votes.
Collins believes she won on the platform of building trust and developing teamwork on Springwater Township council.
She figures there was also a strong appetite for change, apparent at standing-room only all-candidates’ meetings which, at times, attracted some heated discussions. She was supported by a strong campaign team of about 25 people, which she described as credible members of the community.
Already, there has been initial work to build rapport and develop relationships with the new council.
“We have five new councillors on Springwater council,” said Collins. “It’s going to be a sharp learning curve for all of us.”
Team building, she said, is based on deliberate behaviour like communicating and being inclusive, along with mutual respect.
Collins grew up on a mixed farm in Grey County, participating in Junior Farmers, and the 4H Calf Club, while working toward Grade 8 in piano.
And she knew she wanted to be a teacher, spending 34 years, first teaching, and then as a school principal.
While teaching full-time, she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Wilfrid Laurier University and then an M. Ed in administration from the University of Toronto. She was president of the local Women Teachers’ Federation, negotiating local collective agreements and served on provincial committees.
She remained involved in a family beef farm south of Stayner for 26 years and has spent the past 17 years living in Midhurst.
In 2001, while principal of Steel Street School in Barrie, Collins retired. Two years later, she won a seat on Springwater Township council.
Collins said she intends to rely upon her management experience to lead the new council in this four-year term.
And there’s plenty of work ahead.
The very controversial Site 41 proposed landfill site, which was ultimately defeated following very public outrage, divided and fractured council, said Collins. Now, with a fresh slate, she said, it’s time to move on.
“One of the major things we’re going to have to deal with … is this whole thing about controlled development, particularly for Midhurst,” she said.
Places to Grow is a provincial document outlining where growth should take place in the province. But, said Collins, it’s a moving target. New initiatives are constantly evolving.
She said the township has commissioned the studies on economic development, rural needs along with suggestions on how to go forward. Now it’s time to implement the resulting policies without overspending.
“We have a plan, we just need to stick to it and be sensible about it,” she said.
That, she said, while keeping the tax rate in check, ensuring there are no major spikes in increases.
As mayor, Collins will also have a seat on county council. She said she intends to approach that job as a strong representative of Springwater Township, and will ensure to advocate for the needs of the township at the council level.
“Right now I have no set agenda to be anything more … than an extension of Springwater representation. But I won’t lose the integrity of Springwater,” she said.
Springwater Township’s new council begins its term Monday, Dec. 6.