Peter Redwood announced the last of the candidates to speak to the club, Nancy Alcott and Tim Withey for District, and Peggy Peterson for Mayor.
Nancy Alcott: Thanked Rotary for the invitation. She is a previous councillor. She outlined her educational background and previous positions held, including all areas of government and private enterprises, as well as volunteer work. She stated that this council has been committed to a single site hospital in Hospital. She feels she can help with creative solutions to challenges such as affordable housing. She has contributed to the drafting of the town official plan, plus the district official plan. She said that people need to feel engaged and part of the decisions made. Ms. Alcott recognizes how important Rotary is for this community. She referred to future plans involving Heritage Park and creation of more trails and better trail signage. Main Street is undergoing a revitalization project and she would like to hear from Rotary on some of the projects. She respects all that Rotary does and would hope to work with Rotary to strengthen the ties.
Peggy Peterson: A copy of the voter’s list is available for anyone to check for their name. Ms. Peterson moved to Huntsville in 1967, and there were many Rotarians in her family. Why is she running for mayor? She has a good relationship with the town of Huntsville and a history of working with government departments. Water has become a critical item. We are responsible for the water around us. She feels that past leadership lost track of the value of taking care of our water and the ecology. She feels that the town of Huntsville needs a new direction in leadership. She says that Huntsville is an extraordinary place and people here are smart about protecting our ecology. Our ecology is our economy. Ms. Peterson said that Rotarians understand that the community needs to be pulled together. In addition, we need a new funding model for local health care. She said, if elected, she will work at this job full time and she will not be a “politician” but will be a “statesperson”.
Tim Withey: Thanked Rotary for the opportunity to speak. He has been a resident of Huntsville for over 30 years, is married with children, and is an employer. He worked with Fairvern for its redevelopment in 2017, is a Director of LHIN (Local Health Integration Network), advocating for changes at LHIN. He is running for health care advocacy, as Huntsville needs sustainable health care. There is a need to implement an opioid strategy. We need to fight for 24-hour emergency service. Core services must be maintained. Regarding the district, we need to avoid duplications. He stated that the district budget is $ 564 million, with 500 employees. He is in favour of one-tier governance.
A priority is sustaining the environment; watershed quality is very important. On the topic of fiscal management, he said that the debt is being reduced. We need to utilize new techniques for our infrastructure. Mr. Withey said that we need smart development in a fiscally responsible fashion. Huntsville is the envy of Muskoka and he hopes to keep it that way.
Questions: When and how to vote? October 12 – 22, on the internet or by phone or at Town Hall, during business hours. The town website has all the information. There is also a hotline.
The speakers were thanked by Peter Redwood.
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