The race for Muskoka District chair picked up a very prominent new candidate this afternoon.
Jeff Lehman, the former mayor of the city of Barrie, announced today that he will be seeking the position of District of Muskoka Chair.
“Today, I filed my papers with the Clerk to put my name forward for District Chair in Muskoka! I’m excited to offer my services to District Council, who will choose the Chair on Dec 5th. I believe I have the experience to make a positive impact and represent the District,” said Lehman via Twitter. “On housing, economic development, governance, and environmental stewardship, I hope to bring my background to serving the residents of the District. Many if the challenges facing Muskoka are those I believe I can bring my experience to addressing…My family and I believe this will be a great way to put our love for Muskoka & my municipal experience to work, close to home. We’ve been part of the District since the 1990s at our place in Huntsville/Lake of Bays. It would be a great honour to serve as District Chair.”
Lehman was a city councillor in Barrie between 2006 and 2010. He was elected mayor of the city in 2010 and remained in that position until this past election when he announced he would not be seeking re-election. Lehman also ran for the Liberal Party in the 2022 provincial election but was defeated by the incumbent PC candidate Doug Downey.
Layman now joins former Gravenhurst councillor Terry Pilger and current Bracebridge District councillor Don Smith in the race for District Chair.
Nominations for District Chair close on November 15, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. and the District Chair will be appointed by the incoming council at its Inaugural meeting on Monday, December 5, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber at the District’s administration building at 70 Pine Street in Bracebridge.
The District Chair performs a number of duties at the upper-tier municipal level, most notably acting as the Chief Executive Officer of the District Municipality. The Chair is also tasked with providing overall leadership on the affairs of council and its committees and acting as a spokesperson for the District Municipality on major issues of policy and direction. The Chair is also responsible for the District’s external relationships with other organizations and levels of government.
Dopper will endeavour to speak with all of the candidates once the nomination period has officially closed.
A formal meet the candidates/debate event is scheduled for Monday, November 28 at 3:00 p.m. Jean Polak will moderate the event.
Members of the public, including councillors-elect are encouraged to submit questions that may be considered during the event. The Moderator for the event will be selecting the questions from those submitted. Proposed questions are due to be received by the Clerk by 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 24, 2022. You may submit your question(s) in writing by e-mailing the Clerk at [email protected] or by dropping written questions off (addressed to the Clerk) at 70 Pine Street, Bracebridge.
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