Challenges in store for the new Caledon council

The game has begun anew.

With four new faces soon to sit around the Caledon council table, residents will have an interesting mix for the next four years. Hopefully that mix will provide some renewed enthusiasm, fiscal prowess and wisdom. Hopefully, they won't be shy about making some noise when it's in our best interest.

All nine politicians have been given a mandate by their constituents and we expect them all to perform admirably. Sure, there will be a learning curve for some and a "settling in" period of adjustment, but we're confident the veteran councillors will be more than up to the challenge of assisting the newcomers to their posts.

While victory may be sweet for the new crop of representatives, we should point out voter turnout was still miserably low at 34.7%. Imagine, decisions of such magnitude will be made by a group of people voted in by only one-third of Caledon's eligible voters.

Of course the onus was on taxpayers to take a few minutes out of their busy schedules to exercise their democratic privilege. For the 34.7% of those who voted, good for you - you will help shape your own future in this municipality. For the remaining 65.3% (the majority) shame on you. Afew thousand extra votes here and there would have totally changed the election's outcome, and reshaped Caledon's landscape. But we'll never know, will we?

Now, the onus is on those seven men and two women to protect our interests and ensure Caledon remains the best place in which to live, work and enjoy a unique lifestyle. That's what most of us strive for in our daily lives, and that's why we've made such a huge investment in this town.

The councillors all say they'll be vigilant, and hopefully residents will make sure they keep their promises. From tax relief to a speedy completion of outstanding projects, many issues were raised during this campaign and they are all a matter of record. Don't be surprised if statements made at debates or contained in election material, surface from time to time, just to keep them on their toes.

From the mayor to area councillors, we're going to toss in our three cents worth (inflation you know) of opinion, observation and advice.

From the top, it seems most voters didn't want a change of leadership and preferred to stick with a good thing. Mayor-elect Marolyn Morrison has served this municipality well for more than nine years in various capacities, the last three as mayor. Her decisive victory over Gary Moore was quite different from her narrow 2003 win in a threeway popularity contest against Richard Whitehead and Garry Wiles. While Moore put up a good fight, the reality is it's difficult to unseat an incumbent mayor. That being said, she shouldn't rest on her laurels, but rather pick up the pace and set the stage for the coming term. Whether that means coming up with innovative communications strategies, or just spending some money on much-needed staff or infrastructure, we hope she and her new band of merry men and women will run with the baton they've been given. She's has a golden opportunity to blossom and really leave her mark on Caledon's political landscape.

With every loss comes some gain. In what was the most dramatic race of the election, veteran Whitehead upset incumbent Nancy Stewart as regional councillor for Wards 3 & 4. Some will be sad to see Nancy go, but that's the harshness of politics (there's no reward for finishing second). Whitehead did, after all, occupy that seat for more than a decade, leaving the regional post to shoot for the mayor's chair in 2003. From Whitehead we expect to see some insightful perspectives, an honest and practical approach to issues and hopefully some innovations needed to combat the realities of the region and GTA as they unfold today. We're confident he'll temper his bombastic speeches with a bit more humour and compassion. He's confident he can achieve two of his campaign promises - tax reduction and building the Bolton bypass. These may require some creative budgeting, but we agree they're not only possible, but necessary. Accomplishing these two things alone will greatly increase taxpayer confidence.

His ward counterpart, Nick deBoer, received a whopping 75% of the vote, asserting the need and desire for a solid agricultural voice on council. (But again, that's 75% of the 35% who voted.) Residents in Bolton or Cedar Mills may not fully appreciate the fact that Caledon is a rural community and agricultural operations are a huge part of what we are. Helping reinvent the modern family farm is something deBoer will be involved with in the coming term. We'd like to see agriculture given some extra clout in the big picture, forcing the province to rethink some of its Greenbelt policies to allow for continued agricultural success, in whatever form that takes. A grass roots groundswell is often all it takes to make a point.

Perhaps now that Allan Thompson has captured the regional seat for Ward 2, that voice will be heard loud and clear outside of our borders. We think Thompson will easily grow into his new position, like sliding on a comfortable pair of boots. But to play ball at the regional level, you'll need more than good intentions. Keep the shark repellent handy!

Gord McClure arrives as the new Ward 2 area councillor. He spoke about urban sprawl and practical solutions during the campaign, so maybe he'll bring some creative new approaches to old issues.

In Ward 1, Richard Paterak resumes his post as regional councillor, bringing experience and intestinal fortitude with him. He's learned to swim with those same sharks, so his know-how and guidance for Ward 1 is reassuring.

From what we've seen, newcomer Doug Beffort, as Ward 1 area councillor, will bring some down-to-earth common sense to the table, along with a desire to get things done. He's shown his creativity in contacting Transportation Minister Donna Cansfield, in urging her to have another look at the Caledon Village gridlock. His idea of sitting down and having coffee with the minister may be unconventional, but you know, it may just work.

Annette Groves will enter her third term on council, the second as regional councillor. Her support at the polls and at her campaign office was loud and boisterous - a testament to her campaign team.

She vowed to continue to work for her constituents to the best of her abilities and she also asked voters to hold her accountable. Well liked and approachable, her style seems to suit Bolton voters well. Her rather quick ascent in politics, from obscurity, shows just how the democratic system works in this country. She will need to be a bit more aggressive in what promises to be a challenging term at the region. There's uncertainty about the future of Peel itself, and Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion's intentions in what is sure to be her "last stand."

New on the scene as Bolton's area councillor is Jason Payne, successful in his second attempt (he ran for area councillor in Wards 3/4 in 2003). The fact he staged two campaigns shows his desire to serve. His lack of experience shouldn't be held against him - many neophytes have risen to great heights. We would suggest he works closely with Groves and staff to learn the ropes as quickly as he can.

He said he was disappointed in the low voter turnout. New recreation facilities for Bolton is high on his list of priorities, but he may find such a huge undertaking to be fraught with political and financial limitations.

But Groves says there are private investors waiting to come to the table. They've offered to build and operate such a facility to provide the needed service at reasonable rates. It's worth pursuing.

Voters chose to return Valerie Arnold-Judge as trustee on the Peel District School Board, despite some tough competition, and heated exchanges, with nearest rival Stan Cameron. It seems voters preferred Arnold- Judge's experience, wisdom and dedication for doing a job few really wanted in recent years. Our lone voice at the board needs our support and we hope Arnold- Judge keeps our flame burning bright. It would be nice if more people (parents) took an interest in board undertakings, considering the impact it has on our children.

Frank Di Cosola, acclaimed as trustee on the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, has no easy task before him, as the province oversees the board's budget process, virtually stripping it of its powers, at least temporarily. There could be some very bleak prospects on the horizon, but it's a reality other boards face and it's a signal that something needs to be done to preserve the grass roots contact the boards have with their students and parents.

No one should breathe easier now that the election is over. The work is just beginning.

For the roughly $525,000 our councillors earn annually

(combined), we should be demanding a lot for our money.

Our hope is that those who were quite vocal during the campaign don't simply vanish into the woodwork or shy away from public debates. We need those strong community voices as much as we need strong councillors.

Call or e-mail your representative. Pay a visit to a Caledon council meeting. Get involved!

Just as you exercised your democratic privilege Nov. 13, now is the time to flex those constituent muscles. Be part of the vision and part of the solution!

MP, Editor