We got what we asked for as this Council took a bold move. We invested in the future of families in the north area of Springwater and more importantly in our own future.

But history is always important, so we don’t commit the same mistakes sometime in the future.

It is surprising that the thought of closing a local school in a community such as Elmvale would have ever been considered, as it goes against everything the province is attempting to do in its approach to having complete communities as clearly outlined in both their Places to Grow and Provincial Policy Statement documents. In Springwater Township, Elmvale is the closest you will find to being a complete community as defined by the Province. That simply means that most services are available such as shopping, recreation, culture, churches, local industry and schools. The only thing that it lacks is public transit. No other settlement area in Springwater has these attributes. Part of the Province’s vision is already fulfilled by Elmvale because of the original design and layout of the village (built around a centre core). You can walk or bicycle everywhere reducing the use of the automobile which is a prime consideration in the expansion and development of environmentally friendly communities. Elmvale, in its present state, could be used as a model for the building of new rural communities. Removing the only high school in the Township, would have actually dismantled this model of excellence.

The high school’s renovations, updates and improvements are well on the way which is a positive thing. As we move forward to the Fall 2019 opening, we need good leadership to ensure that the shared use agreement between Springwater and the local board is a benefit to both. parties. My ten years of involvement and supporter of the Township’s contribution to the project, I will ensure we get what we want and deserve. 40 years of negotiating multi million dollar service contracts will guarantee a favourable working relationship as I have learned a lot from the deals made in Essa and Innisfil.

Re-elect Bill French for Mayor on Oct 22.