Cooper sworn in as mayor

Cooper calls for expenditure review, patios to the buildings, options for legal services
By John Edwards Simcoe.com Dec 08, 2010
Collingwood Mayor Sandra Cooper wasted no time in getting down to business.
Cooper was officially sworn in on Monday as Collingwood’s 42nd mayor. She is also the first female mayor in the town’s 152-year history.
A representative of the Kiwanis Club was slated to present Cooper with the chain of office, but because of the snowstorm, he was unable to make it.
So doing the honours was Cooper’s father, former Collingwood Councillor Jack Bonwick.
“I’m very proud of you Sandra,” he said as he put the chain around her neck.
Cooper said it was an emotional moment for her and her family.
“It was very emotional,” she said. “It’s funny how things work out. I thought it was very appropriate for my father to present the chain of office.”
In her inaugural address, Cooper outlined a four-point plan to deal with issues facing the town.
Cooper said she would ask council to support a full expenditure review of every department in the municipality.
Second, Cooper said the budget process would be more open and accessible. She said meetings will be chaired by Deputy Mayor Rick Lloyd.
“It’s your money, you have a right to know how we spend it,” she said.
Cooper said she would ask council to support asking staff to develop options for legal services.
She said she would also support revoking the section of the patio bylaw that stipulates where patios are located.
Cooper said restaurant owners know better than council where their customers want to sit.
She said she would ask council to revisit its approach to dealing with industry. Cooper said Collingwood residents voted for “supporting our industry and commerce, not challenging and fighting them in the courts.”
“A sustainable economy must have well paying, full-time jobs, to attract families, mortgages and education and yes, taxes,” she said.
Cooper was elected in October, gaining more than 67 per cent of the vote in the largest voter turnout in Collingwood history.
In her inaugural address, Cooper said she was “humbled,” by the support she has received.
“Humbled in knowing those who came before us have made such significant contributions in building this incredible community we all call home,” she said. “I am honoured that you have placed your trust and confidence in me and my fellow members of council.”
Cooper said the challenges of council will be many but said the goal is to provide a community they can be proud of.
 “We see it in the eyes of our children and our children’s children, the sincere hope to experience a sense of community, to raise children, to work, to enjoy the fruits of their labour in later years,” she said. “I stand before you today and state without reservation, this hope will be realized.”
Cooper has retired from her job and will now be able to dedicate more time to her role as mayor.
“I think it would be challenging, in today’s world to be working in a full-time career and juggling being mayor,” she said.