Lehman’s appointment well deserved

Letter to the Barrie Examiner

Barrie Mayor Jeff Lehman’s unanimous election as chairman of the Large Urban Mayors’ Caucus of Ontario (LUMCO), a position held for the past number of years by Hazel McCallion, is a stunning achievement.

It should unleash an Olympic-size tidal wave of pride among all of us who call Barrie home.

For Lehman to have been unanimously elected by his peers – all other large city mayors across Ontario – is a huge feather in this city’s cap. With it, Lehman brings a unique level of honour to Barrie.

Congratulations, Mr. Mayor!
 But the really important aspect of this announcement, in our view, is the unique opportunity it presents to the mayor and Barrie city council to work closely and in a mutually beneficial way with the leaders and council members of other large provincial municipalities, particularly those of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

Barrie needs to further develop its local economy in much the same way that Hazel has done so successfully over more than three decades in Mississauga. When all is said and done, it’s all about creating jobs, jobs, jobs.

A well-developed, diverse and economically powerful local economy will allow Barrie, the attractively situated city at the historic crossroads of Ontario, to make a major contribution, as the northern anchor of the GTA, not only to the economic health of that region, but also to that of the entire province.
 Mr. Lehman, please accept our very best wishes for success in the days ahead, and for the success of each of the other members of your LUMCO team.

Allan and Joan Bell


Barrie