Peter Barbati

The no-growth scenario is unlikely, due to Provincial mandates and the need to expand the tax base to offer relief to existing tax payers, while also allowing for growth for area business and service providers. It is a tricky balance; growing and still maintaining the character of a smaller town. The downtown will stay much the same as the buildings are historical and architectural controls can be put in place for homes and storefronts (to a degree). I have visited other communities where franchise operations are housed in buildings which blend with the area architecture (parts of North Carolina, Niagara region, etc.). This is not new. One of the best ways to maintain the character of a smaller community is to have walking trails and alternative passages to parts of town, lessening the need for vehicles.

The growth targets can become overpowering, but by placing strict architectural guidelines in place, even the builders of entry level homes can build homes which fit the cultural environment.

A difficult topis as many homeowners, seniors or not, are having trouble with municipal taxes (and expenses in general). By freezing taxes for one segment, we increase the overall debt on another. This needs more discussion. In the meantime you can refer to the Provincial Land Tax deferral program. Use this link for my website, click on button #3. There is also a Municipal Tax review link for instances when your property use has shifted to a lower tax tier or if the assessment can be lowered due to needed repairs, etc. Please refer to button 9.

peterforward7.ca

Continued consultation with C.N. regarding improvements to the crossing will help. Quite zones can be established, but not by only one interest; the Municipality. If improvements are made to the signaling system, the Municipality and C.N. can agree to a quiet zone, but that will only apply to a specific crossing or area.

I would request to reexamine the possibility of improvements to the signaling system and request a "Quiet zone" be established during overnight hours, when road traffic is minimal.

I do not believe licenses are currently required. There is a large hole in the "rules" involving E scooters and bikes. The products have speed limiters, which are often overruled. legally, you must be 16 or older to use an e-scooter, and helmets are required under 18. Over 18, they are "suggested" . Parents should strongly reconsider purchasing these for their kids, and if they choose to purchase them, must also purchase appropriate head protection. But we know some parents won't, and some riders will ride in an irresponsible manner.

E bikes and scooters are not allowed on Municipal property. On roadways, they are a risk to the users and drivers. On sidewalks they are a risk to pedestrians. In bike lanes, they also post a risk to pedal bike riders.

Municipalities have the option to "opt -in" and establish bylaws which can ban use of scooters and bikes on municipal property (including roads, trails, sidewalks), but generally, these are Provincial issues, and Municipalities do not have the power to issue license requirements.

Many E bike users do so to commute to and from their employment and operate the items in a responsible manner.

This is a complicated issue in that the products arrived quickly and before thoughtful legislation could be established.

Establishing a license will be

I am not a candidate for the Mayoral position. However, the condition of the road system is an ongoing concern. With a rough cost of .6 to 1.5 million to repave a common road, budgets are stressed fairly quickly. Consider that increased traffic will reduce the life of road surfaces, Continuing (needs qualified...those in greatest need to maintain safety) maintenance is ongoing.

The high school is not a municipal-only concern, and although we must ensure the construction is done in a timely manner, you may want to reach out to the School board trustee candidates for more information on the proposed facility timeline and other factors.

1. Ontario colleges have cut approximately 600 programs amid $1.8B in losses since the 2024 international student visa cap.

Ontario colleges have cut a number of programs, not just skilled trades programs.

1. New Tecumseth is within Georgian College’s catchment area. Georgian closed its Orillia and Muskoka campuses in August 2026, consolidating programming in Barrie, and has reduced its full-time workforce by approximately 22% with projected losses of 45M and 15-25M next fiscal.

The campuses closed offered a varied curriculum, not one solely based on skilled trades.

1. Honda’s $15B Alliston EV expansion is permanently suspended, removing a major source of projected local skilled-trades demand.

Permanent suspension is not permanently cancelled. It was a business decision, and if trade issues are solved, and with newer battery technology, Honda may consider reestablishment of an EV facility if a business model can be made.

1. Meanwhile, The Province’s Regional Technology Development Site for Simcoe County, Barrie and Orillia is already funded and includes Georgian College, Lakehead University and Honda. New Tecumseth is not currently part of that initiative.

For each candidate:

1. Do you support proceeding with this feasibility study? Why or why not?

Considering the curriculum which was offered at the closed campuses, we have to ask if there is growth in the skilled trades sector, and if there is, a feasibility study to address accessible education options for New Tecumseth students should be considered. Prior to requesting a study, we can survey employers and existing education facilities. If employers indicate a need for more skilled trades employees, and if the education facilities have a healthy enrolment, we will be ab le to reasonably come to a conclusion, an then determine if a more comprehensive study id required.

1. Why pursue a separate facility rather than seek a role in the regional initiative already underway? As home to the region’s anchor automotive employer, should New Tecumseth be pursuing a seat in the existing RTDS network instead, and would you support that approach?

Perhaps, but we also have to look at the ability of our students to travel to training facilities out of our area. In many cases, that is not an option for many students who are attempting to seek continuing education on severely restricted budgets.

The cost of the Collingwood pipeline and pump system added a noticeable cost increase to municipal water and sewage users.

Sounds like a good idea. Most traffic lights are timed to coincide with changes in traffic, which explains those rubber tubes you sometimes drive over (traffic counter).

From 2-4 am, lights can be switched to double yellow and double red flashing (red stops, yellow proceeds with caution) but just a small percentage of inattentive drivers, or carless ones can cause a disaster.

An active traffic light system, one that monitors the number of cars at a light and changes the order and length of red/green may work, and the combination of Flock cameras and programming will allow this, but Flock cameras bring up other issues.

Carbon neutrality is a difficult topic in that we have to balance that against job losses, etc. Industries have to comply with carbon regulations and any new industry will have to do the same.

Can we add more chargers to public spaces? That may help, but not if EV are out of reach of many would be buyers.

From a vehicle perspective, more affordable EV will have a positive impact. Expansion of transit between our communities may also help reduce the number of gas vehicles.

I am not certain I have specific measures and prefer not to throw a wide net over ambiguous solutions.

Not a bad idea, if the residents commit to cleaning up the refuse. I have seen many parks littered with dog feces (not the one in Beeton but I am not a user of that facility). When the field reverts to sports use, I don't think users want to run through that stuff.