The Creemore
ECHO
Friday, July 17, 2020 Vol. 20 No. 29
www.creemore.com
News and views in and around Creemore
INSIDE THE ECHO
Cheers!
Six pack goes plastic free PAGE 2
Library News
Virtual summer reading program PAGE 10
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Deputy mayor voices outrage over NVCA permitting by Trina Berlo At Clearview’s July 13 council meeting, Deputy Mayor Barry Burton went to bat for people who are frustrated by the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority (NVCA). Burton asked council to pass a motion to issue building permits for two residents who could not get approvals from the NVCA due to what he called unreasonable delays, and unreasonable requests. “The reason why this motion is on the floor, and I intend to keep this motion on the floor: we need to get a strong message across to the NVCA because they are failing. They are failing the public, they are failing the township and we’ve had meetings with them, and they don’t seem to get the message,” said Burton. “It’s time to get a hard cold message across to the NVCA because this is unacceptable and we are going to push.” Mayor Doug Measures said council could not pass such a motion because it would put staff in a position where they would have to refuse a direct order from council, because council cannot
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Clearview council was divided when voting on a motion to send a letter to the NVCA “strongly requesting” they provide approvals for a local building permit. influence the chief building official who is bound by legislation. Clearview’s NVCA rep Thom Paterson said, “This is just so off process, it’s not helping our cause. We are frustrated and we are taking our frustration out by doing malpractice…” He said he was not aware of the
specific issue and urges council to take their message directly to NVCA officials. “Don’t do it here where it’s toothless. All you’re doing is just getting some frustration out. What are we doing? Are we really raising the expectation of the person looking for the permit that
we’re actually going to get anything done this way? It’s not the wild west,” said Paterson. Burton said if they couldn’t issue the permits, he wanted to send a letter to the NVCA demanding they comply. He said meetings have taken place over the years and experts have been consulted. “The gloves are off,” said Burton. The motion that Burton ended up tabling was to send a letter to the NVCA “strongly requesting” they provide approvals for Joan and Don Gordon, but it was defeated in a tie vote. (The second permit dispute had been resolved by the time the issue was raised.) The Gordons are attempting to build a garage where once stood two dilapidated buildings and they have been unable to get the NVCA to sign off. Joan Gordon said she was very grateful for the support of council and that township staff has been very helpful throughout the process. Burton said, after the meeting, that he hopes to bring the issue back to council for reconsideration at some point.
Township facilities to open in Stage 3 by Trina Berlo Simcoe Muskoka is one of the regions in Ontario entering Stage 3 of its plan to reboot the economy today, July 17, meaning restaurants, playgrounds, public buildings and almost all workplaces can reopen with strict protocols in place. “Our success in reducing the spread of COVID-19 and getting Ontario to a place where we are ready to reopen most of the province is a testament to the hard work of business owners, individuals and families right across the province,” said Premier Doug Ford in a news release this week. “So many have stepped up and played by the rules,
demonstrating that we can restart our economy safely and responsibly. Small actions can make a big difference. Now more than ever, we must continue to follow the public health advice to preserve the progress we have made together.” Indoor gathering limits will increase to 50 people; and outdoor gathering limits will increase to 100 people. Gathering limits are subject to physical distancing requirements. Clearview Township Mayor Doug Measures said township facilities will be opening but there are some preparations needed. The emergency operations team has been meeting and
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is working toward getting facilities open. “The libraries are not going to open until they are prepared to have the protective shields in place,” said Measures. He said as with all township staff, they are working in teams to reduce numbers in the buildings, which could affect opening hours. Plexiglass shields are also being installed at town hall but as for council chambers, Measures said they don’t yet know how to hold inperson meetings and open the chambers to the public in a safe manner. “We have to take a really hard look at how our chamber operates and as
well as how we let the public to come in and interact in the chambers,” said Measures. He said, although there are many meetings with a lot fewer than 50 people in attendance, there will be a challenge with facilitating public participation (which is currently being accepted in writing). “Those type of meetings are not going to happen for the foreseeable future,” said Measures… “To be honest, as the mayor, I’m becoming a little worried about whether we can continue to do these virtual meetings and provide the level of good governance that this community expects, because we (See “Mayor” on page 3)