October 2018
Knowledge and expertise to guide you through changing market conditions. Paul Cleary B.B.A.
BROKER
Severn recreation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
705-327-6002
Voting details. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Visit
paulcleary.com
Candidate review . . . . . . . . . . . . 21,22 Community events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
The past four years in Severn Township
Major road improvements, enhanced services and smallest tax increase
Mayor Mike Burkett, Severn Township has served 2 terms and will serve a 3rd after having been acclaimed for the next 4 years. “Four years has gone by in the blink of an eye,” said Severn Township Mayor Mike Burkett. “When a 4-year term begins, it seems that there is so much time ahead of us,” said Mike. “Now here we are already! Preparing for another election.” He added, “Thankfully, our great council team has had the benefit of working with an excellent staff who work very hard. They have made sure as many projects as possible have been completed.
And, of course, they manage the important day to day services that residents need and expect.” Deputy Mayor Judith Cox and the mayor were asked what, of all their responsibilities, was most important to them. They both said that communication with residents was number one - reaching out to residents, letting them know the township office belonged to the people of Severn and that staff were always there for help and advice. “I believe we’ve been successful in engaging residents,” said Judith. “Although they might not always get the answer they want – the reason could be county or township by-laws that prevent that – we believe staff and council has welcomed residents and treated them with respect.” Sometimes, Mike and Judith said, a resident might be angry or at least disappointed with the answer they get, but if mutual respect prevails, people hopefully walk away feeling we’ve done our best. Regarding township services, they said road work is always the number one priority. It’s the highest expense item in the budget and, understandably in a rural area dependent on residents traveling by car, always under intense scrutiny by township residents. Managing road work is challenging, said Mike. In spite of our best laid plans, safety takes priority. Sometimes emergencies or extreme weather can cause delays in our maintenance schedule.
This is Lakeside Living
Judith Cox has been deputy mayor in Severn Township for 18 years. She is running for council in Severn’s Ward 2 in the upcoming election. He added that although some residents may feel ignored if their road is not repaired in a timely fashion, council and staff do their very best and never take their eyes off the road work file and the 400+ km of road in Severn. Two examples of major road work projects in the past term: Division Road and the main street and sidewalks in Washago.
• Trial and respite stays available for $129.00 per night • Call us for our Snowbird Rates
600 Sundial Drive, Orillia 1.844.600.LAKE (5253) www.orilliaretirement.com
• Chef prepared gourmet meals in the dining room • Television, telephone + wifi included in room rate
Continued on page 5