Editor’s note: BarrieToday has asked council candidates in neighbouring Springwater and Essa townships to provide a synopsis of why they are running for public office. Municipal elections take place Oct. 24. The following is from Perry Ritchie, who is running for mayor in Springwater Township. For more election coverage, visit our 2022 municipal election page by clicking here, where you can find candidate profiles and other election news.
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After 12 years on council and three mayors, I have decided to run for the mayor of Springwater Township.
As I reflect back on this last term of council, it has been productive in getting things done despite the fact COVID-19 shut almost everything down for the better part of two years.
I would love to start by going back to the all-candidates meeting in 2018, even though I was acclaimed to my third term (in Ward 2). I spoke about the need for senior housing much needed in our municipality.
After the meeting was over, I was approached by then Sam and Wendy Langman. Sam agreed with me about the need for seniors housing. Sam soon gathered a team of locals with the same interest in mind. They held town hall meetings, and the interest grew and before long everyone was talking about it.
In the new year of 2019, Sam and his team put a presentation on before council. I remember the council chamber was so full of people in support of this, staff had to open the glass doors to the council chamber; there were people all the way out to the foyer where you come in.
Sam was at his best and gave an excellent presentation asking council to support a MZO order, which stands for minister's zoning order. I supported this along with the rest of council. By having council’s support of a MZO order, it allows the project to bypass all the regulation and hurdles you would normally encounter with a project like this which could take years in the making.
God bless Sam Langman for (taking) the reins on this.
This Sept, 7, 2022 at 10 a.m. marks the “grand opening” of the Elmvale Active Seniors Residence. And I know Sam will be there watching over us.
If elected to the position of mayor, I hope to use my years of experience as a councillor to lead the way. Springwater Township is experiencing a lot of growth especially in the south end of the township and we need to manage that growth and I feel I can do that,
