LOOKING FOR A MAYOR
Those seeking to fill the mayor’s chair, in the Town of Gravenhurst, this coming November, must be capable of binding together diverse interests and competing economics. It will necessitate a business moxy accentuated by a keen willingness to bring back a community identity that has been crushed by years of indifference. Infighting has taken a huge toll for the past twenty years or more, and this has come about, in many ways, due to a number of serious, large scale losses, such as the closing of the Muskoka Centre. Losses of business and provincial operations that were longstanding to this South Muskoka Community. No one has thought it of great value to tend the wounds that have never fully healed, and have been aggravated by the new commercial divisions foisted upon us, in a still-struggling economy.
As an historian, it bothers me profoundly that we are more concerned about the buildings of historic merit than the problems of general malaise about town identity. My concern is that the historic identity of a tough, cohesive, resilient town has been neglected and minimized for so long, that it will take years to recover. Before the town can rebuild its esteem, the residents need to be heard. They need to be taken seriously, and not fobbed-off on matters of old-town concern. One example is the shift of the Town Hall to a new, out of the way location, from its position in the mainstreet neighborhood. While some things have to change, and a new town hall is undoubtedly needed, changes to the way this town has operated since the 1860's, needs a little more compassion and appreciation......not all change is desired and positive.
A new mayor and council would be well advised to look at the history of Gravenhurst, and take the time to learn more about the folks who built this community, and continue to live here generation after generation. Their life-long investment here is worth greater consideration by those who impose change at their expense.....and then the "political will" in office, speaks only half-heartedly, of bringing the community together. There are a lot of hurt feelings in our community because the folks at town hall decided that force-feeding was infinitely better in the name of progress, than taking the time and effort to recognize Gravenhurst was a thriving, ambitious and successful town long before they were born. History can be a great ally. A huge source of enlightenment for those willing to ask questions of our senior residents, about what’s missing in our modern neighborhood.
It’s time for local politicians to appreciate that they represent us at council, and at District, but they don’t own the community. This is the way they have acted.