Mayor's Report
Seeing projects through takes teamwork
By Marolyn Morrison

This has been a whirlwind week in Caledon with the opening of two major recreational facilities.

Sept. 16, we officially opened the Town's newest ice surface in Caledon East and Sept. 18 we officially opened the Bolton Rotary Youth Gymnasium addition at the Caledon Centre for Recreation and Wellness.

It takes vision and foresight to plan for such facilities and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the former members of council for their ability to secure such projects for our residents to enjoy and both of these projects were approved by the former council. Just like building a home, it takes great patience and diligence to see a project through to completion. The funding was secured, the partnerships made, the planning and blueprint designed and today we see the final product.

As your mayor, I have always supported these projects to better our community. Whether it's the permanent skateboard park, a new library, arena, or arterial road network for commuters, it is important that the mayor look at the bigger picture and plan for the future of the entire Town. Often politicians get swept away with a shortterm vision to ensure reelection but it is imperative for a municipality to plan for the future. Setting goals of population numbers, planning what our communities want to look like and ensuring the infrastructure and services required will be there when needed, is what politicians are elected to do. This role is no easy task but it is supported by invaluable staff and resident input. It takes a team working together to get the job done!

Take the Bolton Arterial Route (BAR) for an example. This is a multimillion dollar project that is greatly needed in our community. The BAR will help alleviate through traffic in Bolton with greater implications for the maintenance of local roads and the easement of the flow of goods. During the last term, council agreed that an aggressive approach must be taken to complete this significant project; we forged ahead to acquire lands and relocate services. It has taken all this time to get to where we are today, where we can now commence construction on Coleraine. This current council has agreed with this approach and is continuing to see this project through.

Caledon is a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family. We have a lot to be proud of and I hope that you have an opportunity to visit one our new facilities. As your new council plans for Caledon's future, I implore you to be part of the process. Speak with your councillors and ask questions, chances are they have the information that you require and they will be able to assist you. After all, that is what we are here for.