Two city councillors from the previous term didn’t seek re-election and four incumbents lost their seats at Barrie City Hall, so the 2018-22 term is shaping up to be a whole new ball game with several new players.
BarrieToday caught up with Ward 9’s Sergio Morales, the only councillor who was acclaimed heading into Monday’s election, to get his take on the new council and how it could operate.
“People used to comment that council was a very well-oiled machine and the chemistry of the team was very synchronized,” he said. “The old council is completely gone.
"The change to council is very symbolic and it’s not business as usual anymore and it won’t be," Morales added.
Morales said the electorate sent a clear message.
“There’s not a group of personalities or teams that were elected,” he said. “It’s a very diverse group of people with different perspectives and people who, frankly, won’t accept that we have to do business as usual or you have to play ball and do politics the way it was usually done to satisfy the status quo.
“I think that can be exciting, in terms of productivity, but what can also be potentially concerning is the old way of doing things is no more,” Morales added.
Morales, who follows the city’s political scene very closely, said he’s as interested as everyone else to see how this group will work together once the business of running the city gets back on track.
Here are Morales’ takes on the next term of Barrie city council, which officially begins Dec. 1.
Mayor Jeff Lehman (incumbent): “I think it’s great that Jeff got the mandate he did,” Morales said of the returning mayor, who received more than 90 per cent of the vote to win a third term. “With a two-term incumbent, even the best politicians will lose a little bit of their momentum, so the fact that he was able to keep it in the same area is a testament to his leadership.”
Clare Riepma (new Ward 1 councillor): “Clare brings a lot of experience,” Morales said. “In my experience with him, it appears he has that calm, steady approach. That can be a good thing. He gives the impression that he’s a very good listener.”
Keenan Aylwin (new Ward 2 councillor): “Keenan has lots of energy and lots of potential,” Morales said. “He has ideology and he’s not apologetic about it. Done in the proper way, that can bring something we don’t already have on council.”
Doug Shipley (Ward 3 incumbent): “His results speak for themselves,” Morales said of Shipley receiving 69.99 per cent of the vote in his ward, which was highest among councillors. “Doug has done the job and not a lot of people are surprised. He’s managed to get the highest percentage in the election (among councillors).”
Barry Ward (Ward 4 incumbent): “The one I was most excited about,” Morales said. “Sometimes people say we need change, but why change something that isn’t broken? There’s not a single person on council that has as much integrity as Barry Ward. He radiates that and that’s why voters continue trusting him.”
Robert Thomson (new Ward 5 councillor): “Ward 5 will be interesting,” Morales said. “Ward 5 has been synonymous with (now-former councillor) Peter Silveira. In this election, voters voted for change and they’re going to get exactly what they get. Robert is very confident with his construction background, but he also has a very approachable personality. It will be interesting to see just how much he changes Ward 5.”
Natalie Harris (new Ward 6 councillor): “Someone who wears her heart on her sleeve,” Morales said. “Anybody who meets Natalie will say that what you see is what you get. Bringing her passion to council will be really good. The main trick is for her to learn the ropes and be able to effect the changes she wants to make.”
Gary Harvey (new Ward 7 councillor): “I don’t know a lot about Gary Harvey,” Morales said. “I know he ran for the appointment and the byelection, so clearly he’s wanted to be on council for some time now. It really just comes down to how he’s going to approach the role and what he’s going to do in the role.”
Jim Harris (new Ward 8 councillor): “I don’t know much about, Jim, but I’ve heard he’s a community guy,” Morales said. “Community is priority No. 1 with him and that’s always a good place to start. I’m looking forward to meeting him, because the people of Allandale are very unique and I think he’ll provide that community-based representation.”
Sergio Morales (Ward 9 incumbent): Morales, 25, makes the proud point of noting he’s still the youngest member of Barrie city council, exactly 20 days younger than Ward 2's Keenan Aylwin.
Mike McCann (Ward 10 incumbent): “Mike’s great,” Morales said. “People in Ward 10 love him. He’s really come into his own on council and has really grown into the role in the last four years. His voting percentage is a testament to his residents being happy with him. And he brings energy to council. I sit beside him and there’s a lot of energy, but that can be a good thing.”
