The Creemore
ECHO
Friday, July 15, 2022 Vol. 22
No. 28
www.creemore.com
News and views in and around Creemore
INSIDE 58 ACRES
Near Singhampton $1,795,000 MLS#40267609 On growing concern
Lavender business expands scope PAGE 7
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Will Payne of Team Mavericks slides into second base before the ball reaches Cody Bryan of Team Dingers during the Junior All-Star Game on July 9 in Creemore. For more Baseball see page 8.
By Bonnie MacPherson For this year only, delinquent tax payers in Clearview will get a break from late charges. In the wake of push back from some residents who felt that changes to the tax installment schedule were not properly communicated, Council has voted to waive penalties for tax arrears in 2022, provided the accounts are brought up to date by November 30, 2022. CAO John Ferguson says staff recommended against mailing separate notices about the change in dates to every taxpayer because of the expense involved, relying instead on people reading the information which accompanied their tax bill. Up until 2020, the final tax installment for the year was due in November. That has since been changed to September to align with payments the township must make to Simcoe County and the Boards of Education. Ferguson says the township stands to forgo approximately $380,000 in interest and penalties. Treasurer Kelly McDonald reports there has been significant uptake of the township’s pre-authorized payment plan which spreads the tax bill for the year out over 10 months to make budgeting easier.
Mayor “Not getting” citizen's concern over portal By Bonnie MacPherson A discussion about ease of access for the public kicked off the July 11 meeting of Clearview Council. In a recent letter to the editor, Creemore resident Samantha Margis criticized the decision to shut down the on-line public participation form on the township’s website now that live attendance at meetings has been restored. In her letter, which was read to council by Dave Witzke, Margis suggests that council is choosing to go backwards and actively raising barriers to participation. Margis does not know Witzke, and says the fact that he chose to take up the cause demonstrates that public access is a concern to many
residents. Mayor Doug Measures argued the fact that all members of council received Margis’ email sent to council@ clearview.ca is proof that residents can communicate easily with their elected representatives. Anyone wishing to actually address a council meeting can contact the clerk’s department and get on the agenda to attend a meeting in person. In a series of comments posted to the online chat during the meeting, Margis accused the mayor of missing the point. The hybrid meeting model is fair, she says, but taking away something that was proven successful is baffling. Councillor Doug McKechnie noted
that public participation has never been higher than during the pandemic, via the on-line portal. He believes that telling the public they must appear in person to address council while township employees have the option of attending meetings virtually sends a mixed message. Deputy Mayor, Barry Burton noted that issues raised on the public portal are visible to all visitors to the site, unlike emails sent directly to councillors. Council voted to restore the portal with one minor tweak. Now submissions will have to be received by Friday noon to get on the agenda for the following Monday’s council
meeting. Previously the deadline was noon Monday. At this stage, any member of the public who wishes to address council live must still appear in the council chamber. Allowing virtual public participation would be a logical evolution, Margis says, but for now is happy to have the on-line portal back. The fact that it was taken away in the first place has tested her faith in the leadership of the township. Margis and her husband have been homeowners in Creemore for the past six years. She has never seriously considered seeking public office but is committed to keeping an eye on elected representatives and calling them out when she feels it is warranted.
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