What matters for Gravenhurst? What’s the platform?
1. Emergency Preparedness
With weather events and fires increasing in severity, we have experienced 3 “one hundred year flood events” in only 15 years. We have to ensure we’re ready for disasters we have never experienced before. Is it worth another look? I think so.
2. Economic Development and Revitalization
After a tough market, the Downtown is regaining vitality one business at a time, and with outside businesses expressing interest. Kick starts include, the BIA (Business Improvement Area) poised for a resurgence and to be “hugely” more business inclusive area. The CIP (Community Improvement Program) is also active with dollar for dollar grants. On a larger scale, must go out and proactively engage the best potential employers that can contribute to year round jobs as a compliment to our strong seasonal economy, while giving the Wharf and our iconic steamships the attention they deserve.
Love local, shop local first.
3. Excellence in Service with Strong Tax Stewardship
The Town works best when all it’s parts are working together. That the Council’s agenda supports seasonal and full time residence, business and development, services and infrastructure/roads, the arts and culture, budgeting and strong tax stewardship. A strong Council and skilled Town Staff must be agile multitaskers.
4. Public Health, Safety and Well Being
The Rotary Club of Gravenhurst launched an initiative to address the 6,000 residence of Gravenhurst without Primary Care. Soon after, the Town of Gravenhurst, the District of Muskoka and many more generous donors joined in and it’s happening. Public attention remains on saving the (Bracegridge) South Muskoka Hospital. We must reduce risks associated with having only one acute care hospital in Huntsville. The conversation continues through the SSMH.ca committee and the public’s persistent voice.
5. With Growth Comes Responsibility
I believe that the District’s forecasted growth in population will be exceeded. While the 55+ citizens moves up to 55% by 2051. Even a with few hundred units of affordable housing to be added to the District soon, it was forecasted. by the District, that homelessness will still increase by 15%. We need to be bold for our veterans, seniors and working families. Lack of affordable housing has also been known to affect attracting healthcare professionals like nurses and nurse practitioners. The **affordable housing head line is on rewind every term.
What else could there be?
The Development of the old Regional Centre is a massive property in Gravenhurst on Lake Muskoka. It was owned by the Province (we had no say in the sale of the land nor in its development). It will be the largest development that Gravenhurst and Muskoka has ever seen. We know you have concerns over the potential impact on our precious waters, the environment and pressures on our infrastructure.
“With the best laid plans and forecasts, there are twists and turns. We need a council that can be agile and energized to meet our needs with this incredible growth heading our way.”
The District of Muskoka’s permanent population is projected to reach approximately 99,100 residents by 2051. Driven largely by migration from elsewhere in Ontario.
**The planned District of Muskoka housing project on First Street in Gravenhurst is not affordable housing. It is “transitional housing” is designed to provide temporary, stable, homes for persons in crisis and to provide critical community support, then assist to transition to affordable housing. We are not aware of any affordable housing projects in Gravenhurst that would support transitions at this time.