Springwater Township is becoming a community marked by change, between local issues such as the Environmental Resource Recovery Centre (ERRC), the Midhurst Secondary Plan and growth management as a whole.
BarrieToday recently asked all the candidates for mayor and deputy mayor their thoughts leading into the election and to introduce themselves to residents who may be new to the area.
Mayor
Don Allen
Allen is a chartered professional accountant, a trustee and a certified fraud examiner with over 40 years of business experience. He has served as deputy mayor of Springwater for the past four years.
“The next four years are going to be exciting, dynamic and critical to set the path for Springwater’s future and implement it,” says Allen. “My training and experience will allow me to lead council to accomplish what best needs to be done.”
Allen lists development as being a major theme for Springwater including residential, business and community development. He cites the Midhurst Secondary Plan, local business growth and facilities and services as examples.
“All of this translates to managing growth in a prudent, smart fashion that is affordable for all residents and does not negatively impact the rural beauty that is the essential character of Springwater,” he says.
If elected, Allen has plans to lead council to work better as a team, work with developers to accomplish the right results to benefit the township, address the concerns of farmers, work to achieve significant progress in all township communities, attract business, see the completion of an effective updated Springwater Official Plan and work with area youth.
“I am a good listener and developer of people and am very experienced at formulating, negotiating and implementing strategic plans for success,” says Allen.
Bill French
French has served as mayor of Springwater Township for the past four years. He comes from a media and broadcasting background, at different points working as a CEO, COO, executive vice president and managing director for various companies with a focus on business development, acquisitions and new ventures.
After his retirement, French operated a business consulting company and taught at Georgian College.
The married father of five also has 11 grandchildren, was raised in North Springwater and wants to make Springwater a better place for them and their children.
“As council leader for the last four years, I have proven that you can have an open and transparent government that operates efficiently and effectively. If there is a focus on smart growth rather than sprawl the municipality will prosper,” says French.
French points to many gains the current council has made, including low tax increases, improved services and reserve building, live streaming of council meetings, and many public consultations on matters important to residents.
“We have shown that everyone should be heard, not just the squeaky wheels,” says French. “We started a plan in 2014 with a clear vision and I want to see it through and solidified a bright future for Springwater.”
French believes the biggest issue facing the township is the Midhurst Secondary Plan.
“It will change the face and character of Springwater forever and not for the better,” says French. “I have always said and still say, it is real bad planning building a city the size of Orillia in Midhurst adjacent to a large urban centre like Barrie, and I believe the long-term impact will be a problem.”
French concedes that the issue is in the hands of the province now, but he hopes to have the opportunity to guide it while keeping in mind the concerns of actual Springwater residents.
“I will make a silk purse out a sow’s ear,” he says.
“I am a hard worker and always have been. I never stop thinking about ways of doing things better,” says French. “I am a great team player but don’t suffer fools lightly. I will work with anyone who shares the belief we can do better.”
Tony Guergis
Guergis has been involved in Springwater politics since 1999, serving as councillor, deputy mayor, mayor, county councillor, the first deputy warden and the first three-consecutive-term warden of Simcoe County.
He is a single parent of two who, for over 25 years, has lived in a green eco-friendly solar home.
The Guergis family have been called “the Kennedys of Simcoe County” by media in the past due to their political influence in the area.
Tony’s cousin, Helena Guergis, was MP for Simcoe-Grey from 2004 to 2011. She was forced to resign from the Conservative caucus in 2010 due to an RCMP investigation, despite being exonerated later that year.
Tony’s younger brother, David, is currently running for mayor of Essa Township and has served as mayor there in the past. His suggestion at the time to dissolve the Nottawasaga Conservation Authority (NVCA) drew ire from constituents. He later withdrew the motion.
Tony Guergis chose not to answer questions about his past on both Springwater Township and county council, but found his own controversy during his previous terms over the Site 41 landfill issue.
“I’ve worked with the original staff and council through the creation of our first Official Plan and zoning bylaw documents,” says Guergis, adding he has more Springwater municipal experience than both the other mayor candidates combined.
Guergis believes the biggest issue facing Springwater Township is renewing trust, respect and relationships with the county, province and community partners.
“The next council will need a new, experienced leader to re-establish stability and trust,” says Guergis. “I have the trust, respect and contacts to navigate through the four years ahead.”
Guergis hopes to get an opportunity to return to the Springwater Township council table with his wealth of experience, education and work ethic.
“Being the mayor is not easy and I have great respect for the office,” he says. “It’s our future; let’s elect the most qualified, experienced people to this next council.”
Deputy mayor
Jennifer Coughlin
Jennifer Coughlin did not respond to an interview request by publication time.
James William Sales
Sales has 40 years of experience working for municipalities, starting his career as a firefighter in Alberta, eventually becoming a fire chief there.
After moving to Ontario in 2000, Sales served as city commissioner in Markham before moving to Springwater Township in 2008.
He then did a stint with the City of Barrie in community operations, finishing off his career as the fire chief for the City of Toronto.
He retired in 2016 and is now looking to fill his time with municipal service to the community he calls home.
Sales sees his biggest challenges in the township as managing the new proposed growth, protecting the environment, maintaining agricultural lands and maintaining existing jobs/new job creation.
He also sees some room for improvement at the council table regarding fiscal management.
“I believe staff must be accountable to the council they report to and that council must be accountable to the citizens that elect them,” he says.
Sales hopes to create a better dialogue with community members to create policy, and ensure that developers are the ones footing the bill for growth.
“I have had the opportunity to work in a number of growth communities that faced similar challenges that Springwater is facing,” says Sales. “I have a track record of success in supporting councils and citizens through these difficult times and hope to use this knowledge to support residents as deputy mayor.”
Running in Springwater Township in Ward 1 are Katy Austin, George Cabral and Candi Fernandes.
Perry Ritchie was acclaimed in Ward 2.
Running in Ward 3 are Wanda Chapman and Tyler Seif.
Running in Ward 4 are Michael Beaudry, Craig Davis, Anita Moore and Kenneth (Craig) Nixon.
Running in Ward 5 are Jack Hanna and Reet Skelton.
Running for Simcoe County District School Board trustee are Peter Beacock and Kelly Kramer.
Peter Fracassi was acclaimed as the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board trustee.
For contact information for any candidate, click here.
