The county really counts

When Simcoe County council held a special public meeting this week to seek input on a potential restructuring, the public was notably absent. Only two speakers showed up to address the meeting in person and 14 more made written submissions. Not a single submission was received from any resident of Clearview Township.

During the recent Clearview budget process, it was revealed that roughly $8.55 million tax dollars collected in the township are forwarded to the county to cover services like waste removal, ambulance and paramedic services, social services and maintenance of county roads.

The proposal being considered would reduce the size of county council from the current 32 members down to 17 with only the mayors of the 16 member municipalities and a full time warden, appointed by the council. Some concern has been expressed that the new format, with its provision for weighted votes, could drown out the voices of smaller, rural municipalities.

Every taxpayer in Clearview should care about this potential change. While it may seem less immediate than decisions taken by township council, it absolutely affects all of us. County councillors will vote at their next meeting on March 25. If you missed theopportunity to comment at the public meeting, reach out to your mayor and councillors to let them know how you feel.

In order for democracy to function effectively, we have a duty to be well informed and involved in the process. If we don’t speak out now, we will have no right to complain when changes are made that we don’t approve of.