Clearview withdraws from airport services board

Clearview council members were divided on whether or not to abandon the municipality’s seat on the Collingwood Regional Airport Services Board after withdrawing financial support at a previous meeting.

“Let’s deal with the reality of this committee,” said Deputy Mayor Barry Burton, who sits on the board and advocated for withdrawing financial support and board representation after Collingwood council announced it was putting the airport up for sale.

He said the board recommendations are largely ignored and there was no advance notice of the decision to sell the airport, which is located in Clearview Township but is owned by the Town of Collingwood.

“Why sit on the board? I think we need to send a hard, cold message,” said Burton. “While they get their proposals together, it looks like we are supporting them.”

He had support from Mayor Christopher Vanderkruys, who said remaining on the board is a waste of time, Councillor Doug Measures and Councillor Shawn Davidson, who raised his hand part way in half-hearted agreement.

Three councillors thought their best chance of staying informed was to keep the seat.

Councillor Connie Leishman said council should leave the representative in place until they get kicked off while councillors Deborah Bronée and Robert Walker said Clearview should be at the table until Collingwood decides the fate of the committee.

“The reality is they don’t listen to the board. They do what they want to do,” said Burton. “I guarantee the committee will not be involved in the RFP process.”

The motion to remove the Clearview council representative passed. Councillor Kevin Elwood declared a conflict of interest and Councillor Thom Paterson was not in attendance.