BarrieToday asked members of city council five questions and all of them responded to each one.
This is the final installment in a five-part series of stories on their answers, which are published verbatim — except for spelling, grammar and style corrections.
In Part 1, we asked council members whether they planned to run for re-election, which can be read by clicking here. In Part 2, we asked council members about the most pressing issue that has faced council this term. In Part 3, we asked about the most significant challenge facing council in its final year, and in Part 4, we asked what issue has council been unable to solve and why.
Today’s question is: How would you describe the functionality of this group of councillors during the last three years? In other words, how well did councillors get along, why, and what effect did this have on council’s ability to solve important issues in this city?
Mayor Jeff Lehman
“Well, we certainly have a much broader range of ideological positions on this council, from left to right! This is a good thing, it strengthens our democracy. Where it’s been problematic is when ideology, particularly populism, on both the left and the right, takes the place of pragmatism.
I’ve always thought one of the best things about local government is that we’re about actually getting things accomplished in our communities, and when council focuses on that rather than making speeches or personal differences, we do well. Some of the rookie members of council have really stepped up in the last year or two as well and made a real impact on the city with their leadership.”
Deputy Mayor Barry Ward (Ward 4)
“I think we have managed to get a lot done as a council although we did get bogged down and, one could argue, become dysfunctional on a few specific issues, such as the supervised consumption site and the harassment complaint against a councillor, although they were eventually settled. Maybe not satisfactory from everyone’s point of view, but they were settled.
Certainly, the city’s integrity commissioner has never been busier, which isn’t a good thing. I’d like to think councillors have put these things behind them and are working together on good things, such as the three task forces now underway on affordable housing, downtown revitalization and a performing arts centre.”
Coun. Ann-Marie Kungl (Ward 3)
“There has been a lot of focus on the dynamics of council based on how we have presented ourselves at meetings and on social media, and moving into a virtual setting for the majority of this term has contributed to a more challenging forum for conducting business and making personal connections. Since the strategic planning session, I have noticed improved communications between members.
I think the collaborative review of our strategic directions gave us a chance to reset how we were going to work together to achieve our goals, and I believe it was taken seriously and I see us working more from a place of good intention and curiosity. We are moving forward into our last year of this term better and stronger.”
Coun. Robert Thomson (Ward 5)
“When dealing with 11 personalities with all different skills and knowledge in a variety of areas, great deliberation and debate can occur. This does not mean that it impacts the functionality of council — maybe long meetings, though.
We have actually done some great work around the table. I have worked very hard to find and focus on commonalities among my colleagues when dealing with the issues, trying to move the needle forward for the greater good of our city.”
Coun. Mike McCann (Ward 10)
“There has been an ebb and flow of functionality amongst councillors during this term. Ineffective leadership has been the main contributor to this lack of cohesiveness. Ideally, leaders create a vision and then empower their team to rise to achieve levels of greatness together instead of a top-down approach. Barrie city council has suffered due to lack of leadership and clear vision.
My fellow council members each have strong, intelligent personalities, and each councillor identifies the way Barrie should grow very differently. This has resulted in smaller groups working together for the common good of the community.”
Coun. Gary Harvey (Ward 7)
“This council is very functional, however it does have a broad range of differing views on some matters. These differing views are not necessarily a bad thing. Having a variety of opinions or views around the table can make it difficult to come to a consensus on a matter, however it can also bring different viewpoints to the table that otherwise would not have been explored.”
Coun. Sergio Morales (Ward 9)
“I’ve seen good ideas voted down and bad ideas passed because we, myself included, assume the worst of other councillors’ intentions. We need to pick up the phone more, and approve or vote down ideas on the merit of the idea, not on our opinion of the councillor.”
Coun. Keenan Aylwin (Ward 2)
"This term saw several of the most progressive people who have ever been on council clash with a traditionally conservative old boys club. There is an entrenched power structure in Barrie that hasn’t been questioned for quite a few years. When this term brought different ideas, increased scrutiny and accountability, there was bound to be a reaction to that.
But that is what democracy is all about. We are a changing and growing city. It’s time the power structures changed to reflect that new reality.”
Coun. Clare Riepma (Ward 1)
“When you put 11 people in a room you will get a variety of opinions and approaches. That should come as no surprise.
Remarkably, council got a lot done in spite of differing views and, generally, I think we got it right.”
Coun. Jim Harris (Ward 8)
"From my perspective during this term, council members have exhibited a clear passion and commitment to address and debate the important issues facing our community. This council has been active, energetic, engaged, and prepared.
One of the positives of this group has been the different experiences and perspectives represented around the table. At times, this has created challenging discussion, however when used to our advantage has allowed us to make comprehensively vetted and balanced decisions that consider both the short-term and long-term impacts on our city.”
Coun. Natalie Harris (Ward 6)
“Over the past three years, this city council has had so many serious topics to address with a high level of emotion attached to them by both the city councillors and the public — such as Black Lives Matter marches, the opioid crisis, supervised consumption sites, police policies, etc. This has caused some conflict among city councillors at times. At first, it seemed like high-stress votes were the norm, not the exception, so it took a while to develop our debating skills and at times prevented fluid collaboration.
But, as time has progressed, I feel that the respect for each other’s opinions has improved. It is sometimes difficult to separate yourself from an emotional vote — I have experienced this personally — but together we have grown as a cohesive group and truly possess zero hard feelings for differences in opinions now.”
