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Ferguson hopes for calm 2011 after busy 2010

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In Clearview
Jan 7th, 2011
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By SHAWN GIILCK January 5 2010
CLEARVIEW TOWNSHIP — Ken Ferguson is hoping 2011 will give him a chance to catch his breath.
The Clearview Township Mayor said 2010 was one of the busiest years he could remember, even without the added burden of campaigning in a municipal election. He rattled off a list of accomplishments and problems dealt with roughly as long as Santa Claus’ local list last week.
“We had the growth plan, the environmental and sewage agreements with Wasaga Beach for Stayner, and the new emergency hub,” recalled Ferguson, sounding momentarily like an auctioneer. “Those were all big-ticket items.”
“After that there were roads and bridges and paving,” he added. “Then we got our local airport road done. In general, we’ve put a lot of money into our infrastructure and roads and people see that.”
Ferguson said the reconstruction on the 27/28 Side Road carried out provincial funding was also big news for the township. That was a $10 million project.
“Then there was the Poplar Side Road work with Collingwood and Wasaga Beach,” said Ferguson. “That was another big one. Those were the biggest ones this year off the top of my head.”
As well, Ferguson said the town dealt with improving its trails and fielded the increasing agitation and controversy over wind power in the township.
“We also got funding to work on our Stayner pool,” he said.
The biggest continuing issue, though, is likely the application for the Walker Aggregates Quarry to expand its operations. That OMB hearing is expected to continue until this April, which would mark a year before the Consolidated Hearings Board
“Then there’s the expansion of the Creemore brewery, which is also at the OMB,” said Ferguson. “I think that should be positive for the community.”
He also pointed to the opening of the new Leon’s franchise in Nottawa and the 25 jobs it created immediately as a positive sign for the economy.
 “It used existing infrastructure to bring those jobs here,” he said.
“Then there was the election,” said Ferguson. “It was one of the hardest ones I’ve been through, and not because of my opponent. I worked really hard at it, harder than I ever did and had positive returns out of it.”
He also was recently elected as the chair of Simcoe County Corporate Services Committee, one of the crucial positions with the county.
“That’s not bad for a year,” he said. “Those are the biggest issues in terms of funding and issues and projects we’re working on.”

 

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