Councillor’s flyer annoys colleagues

Oro-Medonte politicians split over conservation authority issue
By NATHAN TAYLOR Orillia PACKET & TIMES September 9 2010
A flyer distributed by a councillor in Oro-Medonte Township drew the ire of his colleagues Wednesday night. Flyers from Coun. Sandy Agnew, with the heading “Attention Bass Lake Residents,” urged those residents to attend Wednesday’s meeting, which dealt with a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the township, Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority (NVCA) and Severn Sound Environmental Association (SSEA).
“The MOU could significantly alter the way Bass Lake is managed,” Agnew wrote.
But it was the final point on the back of the flyer that led Ward 2 Coun. Terry Allison to chide his Ward 3 colleague.
In the flyer, Agnew stated, “You should be informed as to… whether this alteration to the NVCA services could eventually lead to reduction in planning controls that could open up the rest of the Bass Lake shoreline to development.”
“With all due respect, this statement is alarmist and is meant to create fear in our minds,” Allison said, adding he was upset he wasn’t consulted before the flyers were distributed in his ward.
The issue has created “a pit in my stomach” over the past couple of days, Allison said.
“In fact, it has woken me up in the morning,” he said.
Deputy Mayor Ralph Hough noted a large amount of land around Bass Lake is designated significant wetland, and further development would be “virtually impossible.”
Mayor Harry Hughes also chimed in, noting the Bass Lake Ratepayers Association previously informed council in a letter that it didn’t believe its organization was in any position to choose one of the options being presented by city staff regarding its relationship with the NVCA and SSEA. It was council’s role, the group stated, putting its faith in the township.