Steve B.
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City councillors force special meeting to deal with McIsaac's use of strong mayor powers
OrilliaMatters
4After second thoughts, Don made a decision to save the city a salary of $175K and promote an internal employee from within. I don't understand the negative feedback? He only had a few days before the new guy started to pull the trigger on this. Bottom line he does not need the councils permission to do this. He has seen the "managing by committee" results in the past and decided to make a decision and live with it. Any other moves to save the city some money is welcome by me.
40- Steve B.
Orillia mayor, who spent years in U.S., unfazed by Trump's threats
OrilliaMatters 7Don, you really need to stay in your lane and not comment on International policy issues. I don't think being a past resident of the USA gives you the knowledge to share your opinion. You are now a public servant to the citizens of Orillia, let's focus on the issues here.
18- Steve B.
City antes up $315,000 to aid affordable housing complex downtown
OrilliaMatters 9And there lies the problem, social assistance pays more than minimum wage providing no incentive to go out and find a job.
10- Steve B.
Why is a tugboat doing laps around the Port of Orillia in the snow?
OrilliaMatters 11As painful as the $1.6MM expense is for this "dredging" effort, the City of Orillia cannot have the marina (which is the showcase) of the port and area looking like a frog pond with weeds. This area, including the grass park areas (benches, boardwalk, cemented sidewalk, trees, etc.) has to be maintained with 100% laser focus on tourism dollars.
1- Steve B.
Still reeling from ice storm, Orillia keeps 'getting punches in the face’
OrilliaMatters 10The city asked people to be prepared knowing this was coming yet 5 of the city's 10 backup generators were out of service due to lack of maintenance. Just ask your city water works department employees. True story.
1- Steve B.
Council gives green light to new 5-year economic development plan
OrilliaMatters 10Here is the major issue this paid consultant left out or did not mention. Based on Orillia's own demographic metrics as outlined on the Orillia web site from a 2021 census survey, it has an aging population. Out of 33,411 people living here 15,655 are over 50 years of age - 52%. Furthermore what is left of the "working" population average has less than a post secondary education. Even a Bachelor's degree these days does not attract much attention in HR departments. So I would question the simple fact this report states that "Orillia is the envy of many outside of this area and has a relatively stable workforce" - doing what job? Orillia's geographical location is not desirable for major fortune 500 investment either. Bottom line is to focus on what the city has to offer, two beautiful lakes with the wealth of a retiring population. Start planning around this audience as the other wishful thinking is for great discussion purposes but is never going to be obtainable. Be realistic.
- Steve B.
City councillor gets OK to claim AMO expenses despite not seeking approval to attend
OrilliaMatters 8Whitney represents my ward and is useless. She brings unwanted attention to herself and is self serving with blatant disregard for her constituents concerns. This is another example of her "asking for forgiveness" after the fact. If she feels the need to educate herself and add a gold start to her resume she should do it on her own dime. Doesn't she run or own a "private investigation" company that could help her with self improvement expenses and not use taxpayers money? What was the cost for her paid vacation anyway?
2- Steve B.
Council shoots down Lauer's bid to scrap Orillia's ward system
OrilliaMatters 5Can someone please explain to me the advantage of having two councilors per ward? These are part time positions as I understand as well. We all know the city needs to start to cut costs, here is a good place to start.
4- Steve B.
'Ding ding': Could bicycles peddle ice cream on Orillia streets?
OrilliaMatters 7There used to be a company called "Dicky Dee" that did this. They used dry ice to keep the items rock hard solid. Ralph you don"t know what you are commenting on and you make a recommendation before doing your homework. Their items were so cold coming out of the cooler it would stick to your tongue. The Tiger Tail and Cream Sickle items were the best.
1- Steve B.
'Very sad': Orillia's Peavey Mart store to permanently close
OrilliaMatters 5That store was so run down and old. You had to smash your cart in and out of the store as the doors were completely manual. And I mean smash your way in and out. The countertop at check out was worn out as the tile around the floor. They had old dusty candy bars around at check out as well. It needed a total rebuild to compete in today's market. Head office put no money into the store which left you with a terrible shopping experience. I does not surprise me they are pulling this store out of service.
3- Steve B.
'Balancing act': Orillia Mayor reflects on first two years at city's helm
OrilliaMatters 4"We messed up some stuff and need to fix that" try starting with the public launch ramp disaster you signed off on during your watch. One way in and out with trailered boats, tables in the middle of the parking lot taking up parking space which encourages people to be in an area they not knowingly pose a risk to others (move this to the north side grass are beside the launch ramp out of the way), pedestrians STILL able to walk behind trailers with boats backing up (show me any other location in the northern hemisphere that has a boat launch ramp where people can walk around in that have nothing to do with boating), parking area/driveway within the lot with no exit (what is that all about). You can do better than this Don can't you? After all they are easy things to fix that will not cost a ton of money.
4- Steve B.
Mayor 'has a lot of explaining to do' over firing of CAO: councillor
OrilliaMattersDD I can't agree more with your assessment. In most situations regardless of what it is - just follow the money. Does the city need a CAO and a deputy CAO? He just cut out a $175K position saving the city money. As for the pissin and moaning from the councillors who' feelings are hurt by not being involved in the decision, it was Don's to make as he has the final say and will live with it. I wish Don would have come out and point blank said "after further consideration, I decided we do not need this position and I promoted from within. If we find it is required we can always fill it later". I think Don should keep going and look at other areas of spending cuts from within.
7- Steve B.
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Economic plan, councillor's expenses on Monday's city council agenda
OrilliaMatters 7How much is Whitney asking to be reimbursed? what did the taxpayers get for their money?
- Steve B.
City councillors force special meeting to deal with McIsaac's use of strong mayor powers
OrilliaMattersWell folks, there is a deputy CAO for a reason, if the current CAO leaves or needs to be replaced he steps in. Dropping the new guy is a good start. We are a city of only 35,000 people. How many captains do we need at city hall "guiding" the ship? Saving a salary in access of $175K plus benefits - what is wrong with that? And for those of you that keep mentioning a lawsuit over not hiring the new guy - where is it? At this time/today it has not cost the city any money. Incidentally, there are more people at city hall that we should not replace when their time comes to retire - noble titles but do not contribute to providing any meaningful services.
6- Steve B.
'Frustrating experience': Special council meeting on strong mayor powers cut short
OrilliaMatters 4Now Orillia can not have a council meeting without a lawyer present? It is like the chambers is a large interrogation room with a "person of interest" being questioned and needing a lawyer. It will ever be the same and nothing will ever get done with this "council verses the mayor's authority" always in question.
1- Steve B.
'We were blindsided': Ex-staffer says Fionn MacCool's won't reopen
OrilliaMatters 5The restaurant failed because the food was subpar at best. Great location but no standards when it came to quality control of the food and service. If you ordered the same dish it never came back the same as the first time you ordered it. They always seemed to be under staffed. We would have to wait and flag down a server just to replenish drinks. Ask where your order is and they would saunter away to check never returning with an answer. When the food did come it was usually just warm when served, knowing it sat at a window for a period of time. It was always a terrible experience and we tried it over four times. The servers were usually over whelmed and under experienced. There is a reason on why it closed.
- Steve B.
Women's shelter, turning people away, makes plea to city for funding
OrilliaMatters 1Tweedie, nobody works for free these days. Do you expect every position to be volunteer? Even if the salaries and administration costs were posted, who are you to say "that is to much money being spent?" Better yet donate or volunteer some of your time to the cause as I am sure you agree their/this cause or service is worthwhile and needed.
4- Steve B.
Council could OK townhouse plan for Mount Slaven site Monday
OrilliaMatters 3I can not agree more with you Brad. The designer of this boat launch area certainly could have put the "permanent/cemented in seating area in the middle of the parking" lot of the boat launch on the northside in the park so people can still watch the boats being launched and view the lake. This areas priority is for a BOAT LAUNCH with secondary consideration for the public, not the other way around as it has been designed. It is the first for me to see a "dead end" road within a parking lot as well. BTW this is not the only issue with this redesigned boat launch area.
1- Steve B.
Help on the way: City plowing money into new equipment to tackle giant snowbanks
OrilliaMatters 3Has the city looked at using outside trades to help with the snow removal? One such company is Hewitts as they have about 10 machines that could help remove snow removal using their commercial tractors with blowers.
- Steve B.
Future of 150-year-old local curling club on thin ice, official warns
OrilliaMatters 2Transformer Man, can you please elaborate on what you heard or at the very least provide an example. My wife and I were new this year to curling when we joined the club and had no expectations as we didn't know what to expect never playing the game before. We had a terrific time, were accepted as "newbies", people were patient to teach us, the social aspect was welcomed and all formats of play seemed equal to us. We did not find any type of old school "clicks" that we needed to try to fit into. So I do not understand how making "teams/games competitive" will encourage people to join or stay a member? At the very least can you provide an example of what you mean, that way the membership committee can make adjustments as required. StevePS: we will join again next year
- Steve B.
