Letter to Voters
Dear Residents of the Township of Georgian Bay,
Eight years ago, I was honoured to be elected as your Mayor, with the by-line: “Let’s move forward together.”
And move forward we have:We are now fully staffed with well qualified individuals. Planning applications are now heard in months instead of years.
We have secured long-term funding from the District of Muskoka for the hospitals that serve us – Georgian Bay General Hospital in Midland, and West Parry Sound Health Centre in Parry Sound.
We have protected very significant tracts of land through the Corridor Project, in conjunction with Georgian Bay Land Trust.
We have invested in docks, a new shelter with rink, and pickleball courts in Honey Harbour.
We achieved a Low Volume Roads policy at District to ensure our roads get more attention.
We have made great headway in getting our internal technology and policies to a much higher level. This will not only improve operations but also allow Council to make better decisions about investments in our extensive assets for the long-term.
We provided heavily discounted Food Cyclers to many of our residents, and large item pick-up events, at reduced cost, after District pulled out of that service.
And we did so much more. I am proud of our successes. Now I am asking for your vote to continue our work.
My priorities include:
Continuing the momentum of the ReFresh MacTier program by significantly investing in MacTier. This will cover both facilities and programming, making MacTier an even better place to live, work, and visit.
Ensuring community plans are respected in the Official Plan and Zoning By-law review, which will be completed over the next two years. We must ensure environmental protection while adjusting to the evolving Provincial regulations.
Finalizing new solid waste service levels, and associated taxation, with the District of Muskoka.
Upgrading Port Severn library services to accreditation levels, as has already been achieved in the Honey Harbour and MacTier branches.
Leveraging the groundwork I have laid at the District of Muskoka to ensure better services and value from our taxes. Ensuring that our Township’s unique characteristics and challenges are better recognized as the District undergoes a governance review under a Provincially appointed Chair.
Creating water quality and septic system testing protocols that will lead to action, where necessary, to better protect our waters.
All this while being fiscally responsible. This is best achieved by working together, including with neighbouring Indigenous Nations and municipalities.
I have the experience, I have built the relationships, and I have demonstrated my desire to genuinely listen to and respect all voices in our many communities. I understand the challenges, and opportunities, of municipal governance. I have also earned respect of staff and Council at the District level. I believe I am the best equipped to keep our positive momentum going. I am asking for your vote to get these jobs done.
Let’s keep moving forward together.
Vote Peter Koetsier for Mayor.
