I have been watching the ongoing saga of the constant unfair criticism of Mayor Claude Doughty and some of the members of council since the past election. Most of this criticism and negative attitude seems to be coming from supporters of the former Mayor Hugh Mackenzie and former finance chair Sven Miglin. Maybe one day all these people will realize the election was over a year and a half ago, the people have spoken and they will get over it and get on with life. Mayor Doughty won by a large majority, so obviously the voters in this community decided it was time for a change.

I was surprised to see Miglin writing a letter to the editor criticizing the present mayor and blaming him, saying Mayor Doughty bears full responsibility for the financial situation the town is in at this time, with very high debenture costs and very low municipal reserves (i.e. no money in the bank).

To the best of my knowledge, the new council did not enter into any major financial commitments in 2007 so, Mr. Miglin, how can it be Mayor Doughty’s fault? Mr. Miglin indicates that staff have perhaps taken their instructions directly from the present mayor. Was that not even more the case with the previous mayor and yourself as finance chair?  Did you and the mayor not run the show? It is my opinion, and that of many others, that the very poor financial situation the town is in right now, with very high debenture costs and very low reserves, is strictly the responsibility of the previous mayor, finance chair and the council that followed every recommendation made by the mayor and finance chair, without question.

The previous council did not have a revenue problem. In fact, they enjoyed perhaps the largest increase in new assessment and taxation in their terms of council than any previous council has enjoyed. In my opinion, Mr. Miglin, your council had a major spending problem.

The readers of the Forester may remember that over two years ago I wrote an article in the Forester, at their request, and at that time did a summary review of the town’s financial situation and of the Strategic Plan funding. At that time, I indicated that I believed the debentures for the town could be close to $700,000 per year and that the cost to the taxpayer could be $700,000 to $800,000 per year in 2007 and onward for the debentures and other costs relating to the strategic plan.

I also commented on the fact that I believed reserves were being depleted and that this was not a good situation for our town. I indicated at that time that this was quite an ambitious undertaking that the councillors had committed the taxpayers of Huntsville to. I also stated that I hoped that future councils were not going to be inhibited by the spending and debenturing of what is now the previous council.

I also commented that future councils may not be as lucky to have the tremendous assessment and taxation growth as the Mackenzie/Miglin council enjoyed. Mr Miglin responded at that time that I was wrong, and that things were going great. Well, now we have over $700,000 in debenture payments and low reserves, reserves so low the municipal affairs have put Huntsville on notice, and assessment growth at a much lower rate. I might ask who was correct?

The previous councillors, in my opinion, were not all aware as to what the total financial commitments were that they were committing the town to, and that is quite unfortunate. I believe the previous council left the present council in one hell of a mess. One of the interesting items that I noticed was quite a bit of creative financing by the previous council. One item was a $25,000 revenue from taxation for the River Mill Park project that brought the payments down $25,000 per year for a number of years. This item was from taxation from the proposed townhouses that were to be built adjacent to the park.

How can you count on revenue from a source that is hypothetical and may not have been built, and as we find out now, never will be built? Thus, no source of revenue. Another item was $100,000 of new taxation directed totally to the strategic plan. Many of the taxpayers might like to have shared this revenue to repair the potholes and bumps on our roads, and improved snowplowing. Rumours are still around indicating that money slated for the fire department and public works was diverted to the strategic plan.

I would like to compare councils for the readers: Mackenzie/Miglin council: Large increases in revenue from taxation, larger increases in spending. Large increases in debt and debentures, and a large decrease in reserves. Theatre built and completed, Park started and not completed.

House/Clark years 1991 to 1997: Very small increase in revenue; we were in slow times. Small increases in spending. New fire hall and library built and completed, with no debenturing or debt. Reserves increased.

Mr. Miglin, did you do a good job? Let the readers and taxpayers decide.

In my opinion we should support the mayor and this council. For those of you who want to be negative, think about it. Research the situation for yourself. Look at the past council’s record. Find out if you are being led astray. Please talk to the mayor and see what is truly happening, or did happen. Look for the truth. It might be helpful for all concerned.

Also, I believe the conflict charges against Mike Greaves are total crap, again coming from the unhappy supporters of the former regime. Greaves is not perfect, but as a new councillor he has worked very hard and does his homework. He, as a businessperson, is allowed to continue to work and make a living in this town. That is what the conflict of interest guidelines are all about, so councillors can continue to do business in their community. He declared his conflict at the council table and left the room, as he should have. Greaves voted on nothing.

In closing, my final comment to the people of Huntsville is that, considering all the issues that Mayor Doughty has had to deal with, I believe he is doing a good job. I believe the council will be quite productive and do a good job for the town of Huntsville in their four-year term. I understand that the River Mill Park should be completed this spring, considerably under the original budget, the King William corridor will be finished with new trees and landscaping, we have new street lighting in the downtown area and, as most of you should have noticed, we have had much-improved snowplowing and snow removal the past two winters.

Huntsville continues to be the leader in Muskoka and area. We all should be proud to call Huntsville home.

Ron House,
Huntsville