Georgetown Mayor and Council

You know what I love about small-town politics? It’s where ambition goes to die. Take the Mayor of Halton Hills—she’s got her monthly column, and it’s packed with big ideas like… heritage designations. Ooooh. Revolutionary stuff! Because what Halton Hills really needs right now isn’t affordable housing or better infrastructure, but a ‘Save the Windows and Cladding’ initiative. Nothing says ‘progress’ like protecting 185-year-old trim.”

But wait, she’s got more! The new ‘Thriving Economy’ plan includes… wait for it… ‘a vision’ for revitalizing a street. A vision! I mean, how bold. Next, maybe they’ll plan a park bench. And that $750,000 bridge design? Love how they’re so proactive about something that won’t happen for years. Nothing screams leadership like approving blueprints for things you’ll never have to take responsibility for!”

And let’s talk housing. The Mayor says Halton Hills is ‘constrained’ by provincial regulations and builders’ demands. Oh, sure, let’s blame the province. Meanwhile, every new development gets bogged down in debates about keeping things semi-rural and how many units per hectare won’t upset the neighbors. Just build the damn houses! How many debates does it take to put up a wall and a roof?!

Then there’s her big move to ban private fireworks. Now there’s an issue dividing the nation—tiny explosions! Forget the economy, climate change, or homelessness. Nope, the problem of the day is Sparky the dog being terrified on Canada Day. That’s the leadership Halton Hills has been craving! Actually, I have a dog and I have managed to address this through training.

And can we talk about that electric Zamboni? $150,000 for a rink machine that eliminates natural gas emissions. Wow, groundbreaking. Let’s all applaud the Mayor for cutting 0.0001% of the town’s carbon footprint. If this is her idea of tackling climate change, I hope Halton Hills residents have life jackets because those creeks are still going to flood.

But hey, at least we’ve got a speed camera coming to a school zone near you. Because nothing restores faith in local government quite like a single camera, which will totally stop people from speeding on Mountainview Road. Yep, real needle-moving stuff here, folks!

Okay, lets get a little serious, the current mayor of Halton Hills, Ann Lawlor, has faced criticism regarding the content and clarity of her messages and plans. Observers have noted that her communication often reiterates well-known community events and initiatives, which some perceive as stating the obvious rather than providing new insights or actionable plans.

Key Points of Criticism

1. Repetitive Messaging:.
   Lawlor’s communications frequently highlight ongoing community events such as Doors Open and Culture Days, which, while important, may come across as repetitive to residents who are already aware of these activities.
2. Lack of Specificity:.
   Critics argue that her plans sometimes lack specificity and depth, focusing on broad themes like community engagement without detailing concrete actions or strategies for addressing pressing local issues such as infrastructure or economic developments.
3. Community Expectations:.
   Residents may expect more innovative or strategic insights from their mayor, especially in a rapidly changing environment where local governance faces complex challenges. The emphasis on familiar events might not meet these expectations for forward-thinking leadership.

Comparison to the Previous Mayor

In contrast, former mayor Rick Bonnette was recognized for his focused approach to infrastructure development and economic resilience. His communications often included detailed updates on strategic initiatives and measurable outcomes from his administration’s efforts, which helped build trust and engagement among residents

While Ann Lawlor’s commitment to community events fosters a sense of local pride and engagement, her messaging style has drawn criticism for lacking depth and innovation. As she continues her term, she can enhance the specificity of her plans and address more complex issues facing Halton Hills to better meet community expectations and demonstrate effective leadership.

I just did something most people would rather not—a deep dive into over a year’s worth of Halton Hills council meeting minutes. That’s right, I combed through every announcement, every resolution, every “O Canada,” and here’s the big takeaway: our mayor and council have mastered the art of looking busy while avoiding anything remotely bold or contentious. It’s like they’re operating with the motto, “Why make waves when you can just float?”

Let’s break it down. The minutes are full of announcements about festivals, tree giveaways, and Earth Week cleanups—which are fine, lovely even. Who doesn’t want a $50 tree voucher or a film about alternative agriculture? But let’s be honest, these are the municipal equivalent of rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic while ignoring the gaping hole in the hull. What about the real challenges facing Halton Hills in a turbulent financial climate? Where’s the urgency on housing affordability, fiscal sustainability, or innovative economic development? Nowhere to be found.

Instead, it feels like the council is on cruise control, prioritizing events like the “Sticker Map Program” and “Wines and Spines.” I mean, sure, we love our local businesses and libraries, but let’s not pretend that hosting a book club event is going to solve the town’s pressing infrastructure issues or address the widening gap in affordable housing. And if we’re being honest, all this fluff seems more like a PR campaign than actual governance.

Here’s where it gets eerily familiar. This play-it-safe approach reminds me of our last mayor, who, as retirement loomed, seemed perfectly content to sail into the sunset on a wave of goodwill and ribbon cuttings. And now? History’s repeating itself. It’s as if the current leadership team thinks, Why fix what’s broken when we can smile, cut ribbons, and pass the buck to the next council?

To be fair, not rocking the boat has its advantages—nobody likes unnecessary drama. But here’s the thing: Halton Hills doesn’t need drama; it needs leadership. Real leadership means taking on tough issues, risking unpopularity, and making decisions that matter in the long run, even if they don’t win you applause at the next festival.

Here’s my question to the mayor and council: Are you here to govern or just to keep the peace? Because from where I’m sitting, this council looks more interested in smooth sailing than steering the ship toward meaningful change. And while that may work for now, it won’t for much longer. Eventually, even the calmest waters reveal the rocks beneath.

Here’s a challenge to our mayor and council: stop worrying about keeping the waters calm and start steering the ship. Dig into the housing crisis. Talk about the real impact of immigration on our infrastructure. Address the issues that matter, even if they make people uncomfortable. Because if you don’t, someone else will—probably after we’ve already hit the iceberg. And by then, it’ll be too late.