Happy Anniversary!  Believe it or not, September 27th marked one year since our inaugural V.O.T.E. meeting that was held at CCI.  So much has happened since then.  We now have hundreds of members making V.O.T.E. one of the largest non-profit groups in the community.  The first memberships are now expiring and we are happy to report that almost everyone who has been notified is renewing their membership, giving us confidence that we are doing a good job. We really do appreciate those that have been able to renew without us having to follow-up as our volunteer resources are stretched to the limit.

Smart Growth – Our last members meeting on August 23rd was very well attended and featured Smart Growth expert, Dr. Mark Seasons from the University of Waterloo.  Dr. Seasons really helped to bring an understanding of the planning process and the tensions it creates.  He was able to encapsulate the key components of Smart Growth and was impressed by the large number of great questions put forth by our members after the meeting.  We do have a copy of his Power Point presentation available if anyone would like a copy (by email only).

Election 2006 – We have been VERY busy working on this for over a year with our work reaching its peak now.  We have added an election section to our website at www.votecollingwood.net and we’re pleased to note that “hits” on the site are huge.  On it, you’ll find a printable scorecard that you can use to help evaluate the candidates as well as, a voting record of incumbent councillors on key issues.  There is a summary of the five key issues that YOU identified in our June meeting and of course, breaking news on an almost daily basis.

At our June members meeting, we had an interactive session in which you identified the five key issues facing Collingwood.  We then researched those five key issues and wrote “position briefs” on each which can be found on our website.  We also asked you what questions you would like to ask the candidates to assist you in making a voting decision.  As a result, we have sent questionnaires to all candidates posing those questions you came up with and,  the answers will be posted on our website the week-end of October 7th/8th.

We have completed the writing and design of a full-colour, four page, tabloid size newsletter which will go out to every household in Collingwood in October.  As you read it, pat yourself on the back.  All of the content came from your input.  It was a great deal of work to put it all together but the end result is fantastic and we hope it will both increase voter participation and, help people to make an informed decision.

We have been sitting in on meetings with the Collingwood Condominium Ratepayers Association as they have been interviewing candidates.  This has provided a great opportunity to hear from the candidates one at a time and to ask questions. 

There are rumours swirling around that V.O.T.E. is running a slate of candidates.  This is NOT TRUE.  While some candidates may be V.O.T.E. members, we are not running any slate whatsoever.

Finally, we have planned two separate Candidates meetings as follows: 

         October 11th  7:00 – 10:00 pm at the Gayety theatre (councillor candidates)
         October 14th  2:00 –   5:00 pm at the Leisure Time Club (Mayoral and Deputy
                                                                   Mayoral candidates)

We’re happy to report that The Peak 95.1 plan to record the meeting and later broadcast highlights in whole or in part.

Admiral Redevelopment – As you know, V.O.T.E. has filed an appeal to the Official Plan amendment.  We have retained a dynamite planner, Robert Lehman, from Meridian Planning Consultants and, a lawyer with substantial OMB and Heritage experience, Harold Elston with Elstons LLP.  Interestingly, Mr. Elston was a planner prior to becoming a lawyer and his firm specializes in public law advocacy with an excellent track record at the OMB. 

This legal challenge will be costly and we are grateful for the generous donations that have been made to date by both members and non-members in the community.  We have established a trust account for this challenge and cheques should be made payable to “VOTE Collingwood OMB Trust.”  We need to continue raising funds so, if protecting our renowned Downtown Heritage District is of concern to you or people you know, please make a donation or assist with fundraising efforts. 

We'll see you at the Candidates meetings in October.