Mayor’s Report
2006 in review Taking pride in our accomplishments
By Marolyn Morrison

As the holiday spirit fills the air, I am reminded to give thanks for the many wonderful things that have taken place in our community. I would like to start by reflecting on Caledon’s many accomplishments in 2006.

We have worked tirelessly to complete the Caledon Community Work Plan (there are only six items left - all are in progress). In less than a week we will be debt free. Caledon has a newly elected council. Construction on the new arena, the permanent skateboard park and the Bolton Rotary Partnership for the youth gymnasium at the Caledon Centre for Recreation and Wellness Centre are all well underway. New soccer fields are being located at the Albion & Bolton Agricultural Society fairgrounds. Caledon has remained a municipal environmental leader by being the first municipality to purchase BullFrog power, an entirely green energy source. We also purchased the Town’s first Hybrid car.

Our business community is thriving and we are continuing to attract new investment. In 2006, Caledon obtained 650,000 square feet of new non-residential gross floor area and we are projected to continue this trend into 2007. Whether you are celebrating your 125th anniversary in business like Berney’s Pro Hardware in Caledon East or your 20th anniversary in business, like Effem Inc. in Bolton, all businesses are a valued member of our community and I would like to thank them for being part of the Caledon team.

In 2006 Caledon welcomed two new pedestrian bridges; the Cataract Pedestrian Bridge and the TransCanada Trailway bridge across Highway 10. There has also been a lot of work on the Bolton Arterial Routes (BAR) over this past year. Detailed design, property acquisitions, and utility relocation has taken place on Coleraine between Mayfield and King Street. In 2007, we are ready to begin the road widening and reconstructing. A Class Environmental Assessment is under way for the northwest section of BAR that will link onto Regional Road 50. More than 20 kilometers of road improvements were carried out in 2006. Caledon has over 720 square kilometers of road and we will continue to work to make improvements and serve the needs of our residents.

As this chapter is coming to a close we can celebrate all our accomplishments and look towards 2007 for our future success.

I am certain that the momentum gained will continue strong into the new year. Council is working hard to develop the next Caledon Community Work Plan. The Agricultural Advisory Committee of Council will be established to better serve the needs of our residents. I am committed to working with the 13 municipalities that make up the Greater Toronto Countryside Mayor’s Alliance so that we have a stronger voice at Queen’s Park and Parliament Hill. I am excited to start work with our new council. There are many new fresh ideas and we are eager to get down to work and help to make Caledon the best municipality to live, work and raise a family.

I would like to thank the many residents, community groups and businesses for their unique and special contributions to our community. Together we have accomplished great things and I look forward to working with each of you over the next four years. I would also like to thank the Town of Caledon staff. Their dedication to our residents is truly appreciated.

To all Caledon residents at home or abroad, please accept my best wishes for a safe and enjoyable holiday season and the best that 2007 has to offer. It may interest the residents to know that there are members of our community serving in Afghanistan over the Holidays. As a mother of one of these soldiers, I would like to thank each of them for their service to our nation. Our prayers are with you and we await your safe return home.

Members of council would like to extend a warm invitation to you to attend the annual WinterFest Sunday, Jan. 7 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Mayfield Complex for a free family swim and skate. We hope to see you there!