Muskoka District Council has approved a new strategic plan which will set the direction of the District until 2026.
The development of a new plan began in January and was made up of four stages. Stage one which took place between January and May dealt with preliminary priority setting. This was followed by the community engagement stage with was from June to July. The next two stages are Action planning from June to August and finishing with the implementation stage beginning in September.
The plan states that the District will be following “R.I.S.E.” Values. This stands for respect, innovation, service and equity. The plan lists four areas of priority. The first is the environment and states that there will be a focus on environmental preservation, climate change action and setting a positive behavioral example. The second area is communities and includes provisions for building safe and sustainable housing, stimulating a diverse economy and workforce and connecting residents to health and social supports. The third area I services which pledges to modernize municipal services, improving communication abilities and planning for future infrastructure needs and developments. The final area of priority is the District team which pledges to strengthen relationships between staff and the community.
The plan was back before Council after the completion of the public consultation. The plan and the results of public consultation was presented to District Council by District Chief Administrative Officer Julie Stevens.
Feedback from the public was collected through a survey which was released in June. A total of 228 surveys were completed as well as 264 total responses. The responses tended to be positive with 89% stating they supported or were somewhat supporting of R.I.S.E. values and 93% stated that they felt that priority areas listed addressed the needs and challenges Muskoka faces.
According to Stevens most of the community feedback wished to see more clear actions in the plan as opposed to priorities. Stevens stated this request will be reflected in the updated version of the plan which will be developed later this month.
Councillor Peter Johnston applauded the presentation and the efforts from District staff to get public consultation.
“What a terrific job and public engagement. I couldn’t be more pleased with that,” Johnston said.
Johnston, who has previously commented on concerns about local trust in government, stated that he was happy with the priorities in the plan which would help to strengthen local confidence and trust in government.
This theme was seconded by Councillor Don Smith who also supported the focus on building community involvement and trust with the government.
“I think it does so much not only to keep the district issues in front of the community but also from a standpoint of engaging the community and making the community feel a part of what we’re doing,” Smith said.
After a question from Councillor Brenda Rhodes about the lack of clear mention of economic development in the plan, Stevens went on to highlight the economic elements of the plan. These elements included sustainable work as well as decent jobs and the workers to fill them. She stated that together these priorities represented a focus on the economy.
“It was about stimulating a year-round diverse economy and developing the workforce needed to sustain it,” Stevens said.
The strategic plan also includes pledges to develop a regional economic ecosystem to stimulate both business growth and job creation within the township.
Council approved the strategic plan and directed staff to return in the fall with clear action steps which can be enacted.
District Chair Jeff Lehman, who will be going to municipal councils across Muskoka to deliver the plan, stated that he is looking forward to feedback from municipal leaders and residents. Lehman also stated that it was now time to take action.
“What really matters is the action that follows from that in key areas like Housing and Economic Development and, of course, climate change and protecting that the watershed. And so the action plans are all important and that is the next step,” Lehman said.
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Why even have an official plan if a developer can just go to the Local Planning Approval Tribunal and bypass local government?
Do our MPP or MP even care?
John Whitty is correct.
Furthermore, our airport is infrastructure and not something to be pawned, sold or placed in the hands of a Municipal Corporation. Given the present circumstances, the latter -in particular- would be a near instant catastrophe.
It is remarkably easy to make an airport lose money. Creative bookkeeping is just one of many ways.
Permanently closing east-west runway 09- 27 would be a total -absolutely unnecessary- disaster.
Even the safety of the long paved runway 18-36 now suffers due to airport mismanagement.
Keeping runway 09-27 open will save the airport and do much for job creation and Muskoka’s future economic success.
The competence of many aviation professionals writing to oppose closure of runway 09-27 is beyond question.
May Heaven preserve us -all of us- from those elected into power over us!
Search “Muskoka Airport decision mind-boggling, says reader.”
Three times in the last two years it appeared council would take proper action and reopen the grass runway 09-27 at the airport.
As it stands, unlike an earlier enlightened council, this council will be known as the one that destroyed the airport’s future, destroyed the historic Norwegian grass runway, reduced safety and usability forever and reduced the viability of existing businesses at the airport that have operated here for 50+ years.
A massive mistake.
For no reason.
Simply build beside instead of on top of a runway.
This was the 1st time it appeared the grass runway was to reopen.
https://doppleronline.ca/huntsville/district-council-to-apply-for-aviation-standards-exemption-to-open-grass-runway-at-the-airport-this-summer/?
2nd time was TetraTech’s (the latest consultant) presentation to council.
Overall long term costs favour Strategy 2, maintaining runway 09-27
Video of TetraTech presenting the correct solution.
https://vimeo.com/709871769/1b1a27b637
3rd time was July 2022 when councillors became aware their time was wasted for two years by airport staff talking about a new alternate grass runway, 12-30.
It never was a viable option.
Nothing to do with cost.
Video of July 2022.
https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/784981370/3e538e4e18
Council must direct airport staff to reopen the grass runway to prevent further accidents and preserve the Muskoka jewel entrusted to them from the federal government.
To be fair, not all councillors were fooled by the nonsense.
Just the majority.
“It takes a big man to admit a mistake.”
Is District Council big enough?
We will see.
Are all District decisions based on bunk?
https://doppleronline.ca/huntsville/speak-up-huntsville/
Scroll down.
Three times in the last two years council almost took proper action and reopened the grass runway at the airport.
As it stands this Council, unlike an earlier enlightened council, will be known as the one that destroyed the airport’s future, destroyed the historic Norwegian grass runway, reduced safety and usability forever and reduced the viability of existing businesses at the airport that have operated here for 50+ years.
This was one of the times it appeared the grass runway was to reopen.
https://doppleronline.ca/huntsville/district-council-to-apply-for-aviation-standards-exemption-to-open-grass-runway-at-the-airport-this-summer/?
As stated to council in an email the Report 8(2021)-1 – 2021 Options for Runway 09-27 (Grass Runway) makes no sense to me so I asked Transport Canada about it.
It makes no sense to them either.
The regulations cited in the report have nothing to do with a grass runway.
The regs require a Safety Management System and Emergency Response Plan. No exemptions obviously.
That’s just one example of the plethora of nonsense that has been presented to council by airport staff.
Council must ignore the nonsense and direct airport staff to reopen the grass runway to prevent further accidents and preserve the Muskoka jewel entrusted to them from the federal government.
To be fair, not all councillors were fooled by the nonsense. Just the majority.
“It takes a big man to admit a mistake.”
Is District Council big enough?
We will see.
For more details and proper airport layouts from the latest and an earlier consultant go to:
https://johnwhitty3.wordpress.com/2023/07/11/snake-oil-salesmen-selling-to-the-gullible/