Depending on who you listen to, Tony Guergis’s history lesson for Springwater Township council was either a waste of time or incredibly beneficial.
A former Springwater mayor and Simcoe County warden, Guergis was hired as a consultant by the township to provide a training and education session on the history of the municipality.
Guergis made his presentation Wednesday night during a special council session.
Four members of council — Deputy Mayor George Cabral and Couns. Danielle Alexander, Anita Moore and Phil Fisher — said they found value in Guergis’s talk. Three others — Mayor Jennifer Coughlin and Couns. Matt Garwood and Brad Thompson — not so much.
“Personally, I haven't found the history lesson very valuable,” said Thompson. “It’s more like a fireside chat.”
Thompson’s feelings were echoed by Garwood, who has been against Guergis presenting the history lesson from the moment the idea was introduced.
“I’ve been very vocal around my opposition to having this meeting in general, spending taxpayer dollars where they don’t need to be spent,” Garwood said. “We don’t need to spend any more taxpayer dollars on these ongoing history lessons.
“I will not support any further discussions,” the councillor added.
Coughlin was just as direct.
“This forum is not something I'm finding personally to be beneficial to the township,” the mayor said.
Cabral, in contrast, compared Guergis to a Formula 1 race-car driver, the pinnacle of the sport.
“He’s been the warden, he’s been the mayor and he’s been part of the annexation with Innisfil and Barrie,” Cabral said. “I’m sure he has very good insights on the entire process — what missteps this council might make and what advantages this council might gain.
“I think that’s relative information,” the deputy mayor added.
During his presentation, Guergis talked about his time as mayor and warden, how he got his start, amalgamation of the township and the annexation of land in Innisfil by Barrie. He recalled fondly the relationships he made and the people he worked with. He gave shout-outs to his mentors and shared inspirational quotes.
LIke Cabral, Coun. Alexander said she thought Guergis did a good job.
“It was quite interesting with a lot of stuff I didn’t know,” Alexander said to Guergis when he finished his presentation.
Where she went next signalled the history lesson was over and council was about to go into uncharted waters.
“When we’re looking at the current situation that we’re in with Barrie, what do you see that the role of the county can help us so we don’t end up in a situation where they're just coming in and taking what they want from us and were fighting them on our own, considering we are…”
Her voice trailed off.
She was signalled to stop.
“Am I not allowed to ask this question?” Alexander said to no one in particular.
“Coun. Alexander, I do apologize,” said Coughlin. “During discussion, when we did approve this presentation, there was some information that was provided about the City of Barrie, but the resolution that is before council, the reason we are sitting here, is that this is to be a history lesson.
“We are not to be seeking guidance from the consultant,” the mayor added.
Coughlin reminded council that an agenda went out to the public and it stated the meeting was to be an information session about a history lesson.
“Nowhere in that resolution did it suggest that there would be discussions about the City of Barrie,” Coughlin said. “If this council chooses to have discussions or receive advice about the negotiations with the City of Barrie, I believe it’s appropriate that we provide notice to our citizens.”
Coughlin said if members of council wanted to move in that direction, it would require a resolution to do so.
Cabral obliged and suggested the following amendment: “Council direct that Tony Guergis consulting continue to be retained to assist the township as required in ongoing discussion with respect to potential boundary adjustments/annexation as it relates to the City of Barrie with a meeting to be scheduled once staffing reports requested on the matter come forward and that any future special meetings be scheduled in closed session if topics meet permissions within the municipal act and if required.”
In a recorded vote, the motion passed with Cabral, Alexander, Moore and Fisher supporting it. Coughlin, Garwood and Thompson voted against.
When Guergis will be back in front of council next was not decided.
