Issues of Note:

• I am carrying the planning portfolio for both the District and Township. Councillor Kennedy and I, with staff, will oversee the Township Official Plan Review which is underway. We will be having individual meetings with each cottage assoc. and local groups. There will be an opportunity to update community plans.
• An Ad-Hoc Committee has been formed to develop a land use strategy and policy for “Open Space” property.
• The Ward Boundary Review – Request for Proposal has gone out. This may see a change in Ward sizes. Public meetings will be held.
• Staff is committed to revising the election process for 2014 with more accuracy in voters lists and potential options for the use of advanced technology (e.g. internet, etc).
• Within days the Township is launching Facebook “Georgian Bay” and Twitter “gbtownsip” sites. We will not turn anyone down (we need the friends). This old guy will need to learn new tricks.
• We are forming a Township Strategic Planning Committee which will include public members. A consultant (hopefully with 50% funding from FEDNOR) will conduct public meetings with communities, cottage assoc., etc. Strategic Plans are helpful for budgeting and grant applications.
• We are working on an improved water quality program for the Township. Meetings are underway both in the Area and at the District level. An Ad-Hoc Committee has been formed.
• Interim tax bills go out on Feb. 4th. A working budget will be available by the end of January. The final budget should be approved in March.
• Many of the Road Crews have been appointed as Municipal Law Enforcement Officers. There will be handing out fines to vehicles parked on snow routes. Tell your members not to park on Municipal Roads in the winter.

Paul M. Wiancko
Six Mile Lake
Township of Georgian Bay
705-756-1576
paul.wiancko@gmail.com