What Have I done for our Farmers?
- I have met with different groups of farmers on a number of occasions to discuss matters such as the impact of new provincial polices such as the Greenbelt, Heritage and Agricultural Mapping and other matters of local interest and plan to continue this dialogue as most lands in Springwater are in agriculture.
- I requested and was appointed the County Council representative on the Simcoe County Federation of Agriculture and have brought issues to the County, such as a lower tax ratio for farmland, new policies on the half load season to allow crop inputs to be transported, and other matters such as farm equipment on area highways. I lobbied and succeeded in establishing an effective and productive County Agricultural Liaison Committee that is now consulted before major County road and infrastructure projects.
- I lobbied and succeeded to retain the NVCA Agricultural Advisory Committee when the governance model was revised and sub committees disbanded. Issues that impact farmers are being better addressed, fees have been adjusted and a better working relationship is being established. There is still a long way to go, but we will get there.
- Through my efforts at County and Springwater, Agriculture is definitely recognized as the key economic growth sector in Springwater
- I launched special Agriculture Business Breakfast to share information and inform them of the support services available to them, but more importantly, accept feedback on how we can support our vaste farming community.
- In our Official Plan Review we are including policies to protect farmland from urban sprawl without creating more red tape for the farmer.
Re-Elect Bill French for Mayor on October 22
Talk is Good, but Action Speaks
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Testimonial
Robert Wright – Wrico Farms
I believe Bill French will bring a business attitude and a common sense approach to our municipal government.
Bernard Pope – Ontario Farmland Preservation
I am supporting Bill French to be the next Mayor of Springwater because I admire his wholesome, honest and modern vision for Springwater and I trust his keen business sense that his career has fostered. In short Bill has the vision we need and the leadership we deserve.
Anne Nahuis-Ritchie – Dairy Farmer
Bill French is very dedicated to the Township of Springwater; he does his homework, understands the processes of governance and participates in a constructive democratic manner. When concerned about a topic, I have witnessed Bill do his research and approach council in a respectful manner and offer well thought-out solutions to difficult subjects. Bill is also not intimidated into not raising his voice when those concerns go ignored. This is of great importance at Springwater Council and also at the County of Simcoe. Bill French has participated as a citizen at the Ontario Municipal Board to oppose the proposed Midhurst Secondary Plan. Bill was also part of the Simcoe County Official Plan process, meeting with provincial representatives to defend farmland and ask them to reconsider the Special Rules – Amendments 1 & 2 that were put in place to allow the Midhurst development that would otherwise have been prohibited by provincial anti-sprawl legislation.