For the love of Simcoe County

Do you believe in open and transparent government? Do you believe in protecting farmland, water quality and environmental health? Are you retired but still want to make a valuable contribution to your community and want to leave a legacy for your grandchildren?

The majority of AWARE Simcoe board members are older people who are retired and have a bit more time to be engaged in community activities. Our members are progressive thinkers who have a broad range of expertise and experience in various areas such as government, business, farming, journalism, environmental management, teaching and construction.

AWARE Simcoe and our affiliates throughout Simcoe County encourage and advise local residents and groups on how to take political action to protect their local communities from unwanted development proposals.

We monitor local and Simcoe County Councils as well as agencies like the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority (NVCA), Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and Severn Sound Environmental Association.

AWARE Simcoe alerted the Simcoe County Federation of Agriculture and environmental groups when NVCA failed to consult them during the strategic plan process and again during the efficiency audit process. We have a current campaign to have the Nottawasaga River included in the Navigable Waters Act.

In 2014 AWARE Simcoe encouraged and supported the residents of Oro-Medonte who successfully fought the proposed Weber hamburger outlet on highway 400. We are currently encouraging and supporting Oro-Medonte residents concerned about the proposal to hold huge outdoor music concerts at Burl’s Creek Park and the residents of Horseshoe Valley opposing truck climbing lanes on Horseshoe Valley Road.

AWARE Simcoe was engaged in the last municipal election, especially in Springwater Township where we worked with the Midhurst Ratepayers Association to achieve a major changeover on Council. Link to Springwater election ad.

During the recent election of County Warden we supported the AWARE friendly and successful candidate, Penetanguishene Mayor Gerry Marshall.

“As a relatively new resident of Oro-Medonte, I saw an opportunity to share my career expertise and experience through volunteering on the township’s Planning Advisory Committee.  When that Committee was disbanded in 2009 I turned to AWARE Oro-Medonte as an organization that I could see was capable of assisting in having input into the planning  and decision making process in the Township,  so I became an active member of the Steering Committee. I would encourage others to support these efforts.” Tom Kurtz, Oro-Medonte.

“I have been pleased to join forces with AWARE Simcoe which is a unique, volunteer organization that attempts to address the concerns of “aware” citizens who think there are ways in which our society is on the wrong track. It is rewarding to work with talented people who are willing to devote some of their time and energy to the public good.” Alec Adams, Orillia.

“I belong to AWARE Simcoe because AWARE Simcoe is people who are determined to make democracy and transparency work to protect the environment.  They are informed, connected and dedicated.” Phil Brennan, Severn

If you love Simcoe County and want to be an active participant in the preservation of democracy and help protect our farmland, water quality and natural heritage, then we would love to hear from you. You can find out more about AWARE Simcoe at www.aware-simcoe.ca or email us at aware.simcoe@gmail.com.  Or call Ann Truyens at 705-721-7898.

Sandy Agnew is a former Oro-Medonte Councillor, a board member of AWARE Simcoe and a managed forest plan approver. sagnew@ecomedic.ca, 705-835-6824