Recplex All Candidates Meeting

opening remarks

Question Period

Question Period

Closing Remarks

Video with thanks from MIKE JABLONSKI

http://www.wasagabeachtv.com/

Wasaga Sun, candidate profile.

Wasaga Sun, candidate profile.

Robert Bortlisz — Wasaga Beach councillor

I'm re posting this because you now need a Torstar account to access our local stories on Simcoe.com.

I grew up spending a lot of time in the beach. My parents moved and then retired here as did I.  

The sandy shores and natural beauty drew people just like you and I here. We brought our energy, skills, expertise and slowly but surely built businesses, tourist attractions, cottages and homes. We grew into a town.

Together we built a good community. Some years were better than others. We moved forward, often named as one of the fasted growing towns.

But in the last 20 years a number of self interest groups came here telling us "we’re doing it all wrong." They come with outside experts (that often we have paid for) to convince us of this. They talk of Monaco and Miami Beach. They wanted you to sell your hydro.

They promise “big change.” They do not value your expertise and experience.

If we want to move forward then we have to get back to being a fun, friendly, relaxed community, where you can raise a family, do business or retire, have a garden and enjoy the natural amenities.   

We need to stay diverse, open to all cultures, income levels and remain an affordable town where young people can find a good start in life.

We need to make it easier to start or operate a business to create jobs and wealth. We need to get the best value of services for our tax dollars. We need to start thinking like a small tourist town again, not a big city!

I believe if ‘we’ do things wisely, issues like a high school, better medical access, parks and recreational facilities can be tackled, improved and resolved. Prudent financial planning has worked for us in the past. Prudent financial planning will take us where we want to be in our future.

I look for your support. 

Let’s move forward in the right direction.

Thank you.

https://www.simcoe.com/news-story/8849435-robert-bortlisz-wasaga-beach-councillor/#.W4RKRrC8mHI.facebook

Recently Friday Harbour was added to the list of "we can do that here". Miami Beach, Monaco etc etc. Let's be realistic. We do not have a sheltered harbour. Friday Harbour is 20 to 40 minutes away from 3 of Canada's wealthiest communities, Markham, Unionville and Vaughan. It appeals to people with big boats worth more than a condo in Wasaga. The cheapest unit they have is 533 sq ft 1 bedroom at about $350,000. Friday Harbour is more than half the distance to Toronto, away from Wasaga. Friday Harbour is close enough to it's market that owners can easily make it a round trip, day visit.

Why do we keep trying to compete with stuff like this.

 We need to list our assets and strengths and work off of that. Then we will have a unique product. We have 20 minutes any direction wonderful things to do and see. We are the center of the world when it comes to comfy, cozy, wild, natural, scenic, colorful, adventures. Wasaga is home base for fun. 
https://www.fridayharbour.com/lake-simcoe-condos-for-sale/homes/highpoint/overview

 An example of what we can market:  2 days, 1 night in any of our better motels. Breakfast at a local cafe, a trip down to Miller's Dairy, see cows milked and sample the ice cream. Then to Creemore visit the worlds smallest jail, & the log Cabin. Sample beer at Creemore springs. Then back to Blueberry Trails for afternoon snow shoeing. Dinner at Catch 22.    

Voter Pin Numbers are out today.

If you have not received them yet check with the town.
In the mean time, I want to suggest that everyone hang on to them and keep them in a secure place. I am investigating the possibility of using a "poll feature" on the town website for important issues. I feel we can get much greater participation and better idea of a true majority input to help guide council in decision making using this method.

  AWARE Simcoe is a citizens’ group that works for transparency and accountability in government and to protect water, the environment and health. They recently sent out a survey to all candidates on a number of issues. To date I am the only one from Wasaga that has responded. Here's the direct link:

http://aware-simcoe.ca/2018/09/wasaga-beach-candidates-municipal-elections-2018/

From that point you can visit the rest of the website to learn more about local environment issues.

Here's the Candidate Videos

From Rogers TV cable 53.

https://www.rogerstv.com/media?lid=237&rid=72&gid=298444

My speech starts a minute 17.02 there's a little slider

 on tho bottom. Whole show is about 55 minutes if you want to watch them all!

Health and Community

Many of you know, I have a love affair with good food, the outdoors, and a simple life. All candidates got an email the other day from the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit. It was to encourage us to add health concerns to our platform. 
From my perspective, it has been, long before I became a candidate. I've done many Facebook posts on affordable housing, food and gardening initiatives, walk-able communities, parks & play grounds.
On the Subject of Doctors and walk-in Clinics, there is not much we can do, as that's under the control of higher authorities.
What we can do is promote health fitness to reduce the need. 
We could also put all available resources into one place like a Town web-page or printed brochure.

Out on the campaign trail the other day, the subject of a walk in clinic came up over and over. It surprised me how many are unaware that non emergency help is just a phone call away....please share the link with your family and friends...
https://www.ontario.ca/page/get-medical-advice-telehealth-ontario

Here's a couple of other links...
http://www.simcoemuskokahealth.org/Promos/Election-Primer

http://www.simcoemuskokahealth.org/

https://www.ohcc-ccso.ca/