Patterson to vie for warden spot, again

By Emily Innes, Collingwood Enterprise-Bulletin October 5, 2012

Simcoe County Warden Cal Patterson says his peers on County Council have encouraged him to run again for the position of warden.

He announced he is seeking another two-year term at the last council meeting on Sept. 27.

“Since the election is in December, a lot of county councillors are talking about it and a lot of them said they would support me if I ran again,” said Patterson.

He has served as warden for the last three years and mayor of Wasaga Beach for the past nine years.

If he attains a third term he will be the longest councillor to hold the post since the late 1800’s. In 2010, County Council changed the position to a two-year term.

“It was unfair that for many, many years, the warden position was one-year,” said Patterson.

“The warden’s position has changed a lot. It’s not one that you are just shaking hands and cutting ribbons . Our budget is over $400 million and it’s a big business. You really need to be involved.”

Patterson says he chose to run again because he knows the position, the people, and the issues. Furthermore, he said he wants to continue in the role because it is one he enjoys.

“When I was sick back in the spring, I missed a couple of months being at meetings. I realized how much it meant to me and how much I enjoyed it,” he said, referring to a “mild” heart attack he suffered in March.

Patterson said if re-elected he wants to continue to focus on the growth plan, economic development, the rail line coming into Collingwood and waste management improvement.

“We are trying to work with the waste strategy that we approved two years ago. Our landfill sites are probably going to be full in seven years, so we need to make some major decisions as to how we move forward,” he said.

He said he also wants to continue promoting Simcoe County, something he is proud of having committed to doing during his time as warden.

“The things that the county does for the 16 municipalities, whether it’s social services, paramedics, waste management and on and on. There are impacts every day on the residents,” he said.

Patterson said he is not concerned about splitting his time between mayor and warden, because he is used to working long hours and it gives him the opportunity to further represent Wasaga Beach residents at County Council.

Patterson currently has no opponents for the position.