Protect our water, our forests, our pocketbooks – in the open

AWARE Simcoe — November 1 2010
Election 2010 marked a new era of citizen involvement in Simcoe County. Now it’s time to build on our success, and support our councils in protecting the water, limiting sprawl and working towards a bighter future.

As councils struggle to bring costs under control, many are also having to deal with a burgeoning debtload. There will be pressure to sell off assets – such as our precious forests, the century-old legacy of E.C. Drury, a progressive premier from Simcoe County. That would be a terrible mistake.
Whatever happens, AWARE Simcoe will continue to be vigilant. We don’t ask politicians to agree with us – we ask only for open government so we, and all members of the public, are able to hear our councillors debate our business, and so we can participate in the discussion. That’s democracy.
Many councillors will tell you that the Municipal Act requires them to go behind closed doors. That is not true. The Municipal Act states that all meetings SHALL be open to the public, but that councillors MAY go behind closed doors to discuss topics that fall in seven categories. They don’t have to, and it is often inappropriate for them to do so.
If you want to be part of the AWARE Simcoe movement, email aware.simcoe@gmail.com. We will notify you of our activities.