Archives October 2021

Jonathan Pita — Adjala-Tosorontio Ward 2

My name is Jonathan Pita. I recently moved to Adjala-Tosorontio because I fell in love with its beauty and small-town feeling. I am currently an electrical apprentice and I live with my girlfriend, who is a high school teacher. We both appreciate the history in this township and enjoy exploring its corners and meeting its residents. We also look forward to raising a family here, sending our children to school here, and working together to keep our home town an excellent place to be.  

According to Adjala-Tosorontio’s website, the main role of council is to “represent the public” (www.adjtos.ca/council). I believe Ward 2 has not had its interests fully represented, especially in key votes. I, however, pledge to listen to the constituents of my ward. My vote is not mine alone. It represents the concerns of Ward 2.  

I look forward to an efficient and transparent council. I am committed to maintaining positive relationships with residents, fellow councillors and municipal staff. This also involves the wise use of tax dollars toward responsible development and municipal planning.

I also intend to maintain Adjala-Tosorontio’s rural and small-town atmosphere. This means overseeing controlled development that does not place a burden on existing residents. It also means ensuring that all Ontario Municipal Board/ Local Planning Appeal Tribunal guidelines are followed during development. One of the major concerns is well water sustainability. It is also important to maintain our roads and bridges, many of which are below ministry standards.  

Residents should also have access to an affordable lifestyle. I am interested in keeping water rates low. I believe that future water and sewage connection to new or existing infrastructure should be optional. I also intend to work toward bringing high speed internet to our municipality.  

I am always interested in talking to and meeting with residents. They may call me at or email at

Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit joins call for decriminalization of substances

As opioid overdoses continue to reach crisis levels, the Simcoe Muskoka District Board of Health has endorsed the recommendations of the Canadian Public Health Association for decriminalization of personal use of psychoactive substances.

Criminalizing personal use amounts, historically, hasn’t worked, Janice Greco, manager of injury and substance misuse prevention program for the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, said.

“We’ve had a criminal approach: that person is left with a criminal record and that’s quite damaging,” Greco said. “It hasn’t decreased use. If anything, we have increasing use.”

The choice to use illicit substances often transcend deterrents and are rooted in social, cultural, and economic factors.

Decriminalizing illegal substances wouldn’t be a cure-all for the opioid epidemic, but part of a larger support system.

Problematic use and addiction, according to a briefing note by the SMDHU, accounts for only 11.6 per cent of illicit drug use.

“If a person is found with illicit substances on them, they won’t be given a criminal record, but instead will be offered health and social support to help them move forward,” Greco said.

A criminal record and incarceration can affect a person’s ability to get a job, impact their risk of overdose, HIV, hepatitis, and tuberculosis.

In Portugal and other European countries where decriminalization has been introduced, overdose cases and drug-related crimes have decreased.

In the current system, Greco said, a conservative estimate of the cost of enforcement, the judicial system, and incarcerations, cost $2-billion, with a large number of offences in Canada being possession.

Diverting that money into health and social services could lead to governmental savings.

But Greco said decriminalization in Canada still has a long way to go.

“It’s a conceptual drug policy,” Greco said. “We’re suggesting the federal and provincial government move this way. In terms of operationalizing it that would take a fair bit of work.”

For decriminalization to be successful, public health policy would incorporate a broader range of treatment options, improve harm reduction methods such as safe-injection sites and drug purity testing services.

In relation to the Simcoe Muskoka Opioid Strategy, the enforcement strategy is choosing to focus on drug trafficking rather than possession.

Take a hike! Explore trails in Bradford and beyond

There are plenty of great hiking trails in and around Bradford where you spend an hour or two, or more, getting exercise while enjoying the great outdoors.

Here are five:

Nokiidaa Trail

Part of this trail network includes an easy 4.5-kilometre on the west side of in East Gwillimbury. It starts on the south-west side of a dam and winds along the Holland River through mixed bush, meadow and a small wetland.

Scanlon Creek Conservation Area Trail

A moderately challenging, 3.5-kilometre, located just north of Bradford, takes you along rolling terrain, across the creek, through a wetland and forest.

Spring Creek Trail

This two-kilometre, , accessed off in Alliston, follows Spring Creek. Along the route you’ll pass a wide variety of trees including beech trees, hard sugar maples, Manitoba maple, red pine, red dogwood, hemlock, cedar and white ash.

Thornton Bales Conservation Area

Want a challenge? Nicknamed this King conservation area, off west of Bathurst Street, offers trails for the physically fit. Part of the Oak Ridges Moraine, it has an elevation that drops 54 metres. A side trail provides access to the Koffler Scientific Reserve at Joker’s Hill.

Welsh Tract  

Dubbed , this 2.2-kilometre trail, off west of 5th Side Road, winds through old growth forest and boasts rolling hills plus a secluded pond nestled among a cedar grove and sumacs.


Reet Skelton — Springwater Township Ward 5

Reet Skelton: Accountable. Compassionate. Experienced

I am running for Council in Springwater Township, Ward 5. Now, more than ever, we need a Council that is committed to embracing the positive impacts while minimizing the negative outcomes of growth. I will bring a positive voice to future growth while ensuring safety, services and wise use of taxpayers’ dollars.

A Midhurst resident for 27 years, I’m also an involved Springwater resident. I sat on the Springwater Public Library Board for 15 years and held the role of chair. I was subsequently employed as CEO for 18 months, during which time I successfully led the library through vital transition and expansion. This gave me a unique perspective on the difference between Council and Township staff roles. I am a member of the Midhurst Community Recreation Association.  

My professional experience began after obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Rehabilitation Medicine. This led to a 35-year career working with persons with developmental disabilities, in capacities such as program development, volunteer management and public relations — all promoting inclusion. I was a founding board member of both OADD (Ontario Association on Developmental Disabilities) and PAVR-O (Professional Association of Volunteer Leaders — Ontario). As Municipal Council acts as a board of directors for their Township, I believe my varied board experience will greatly benefit Ward 5 residents.

Change is a constant. That Ward 5’s population will grow is a reality. With your vote, I will navigate us through this transition, working diligently with council, Township staff and developers to ensure that Ward 5 grows responsibly, methodically, and with respect and extreme care for the environment, without skyrocketing taxes. Responsible growth will bring economic benefits, diversity and enhanced services to our community.

I’m proud to be a Springwater resident and promise to be honest and transparent as Councillor of Ward 5. Vote for Reet Skelton as your voice of reason.  

If you’d like to share your thoughts, please contact me at or at .

Soldiers from CFB Borden performing training exercises until Aug. 18

Soldiers from CFB Borden’s Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RCEME) school will conduct a training exercise in and around the outskirts of the base until Aug. 18.

Approximately 100 soldiers will be familiarizing themselves with the conduct of military operations in a deployed context. They may be seen entering and exiting the gates around CFB Borden and driving around in convoys of eight to 10 vehicles on the main roads immediately surrounding the base.

The soldiers will be armed, but any blank or pyrotechnic ammunition will only be used within the confines of CFB Borden.

This course is designed to enhance the knowledge of tactics and administration as it relates to Maintenance Units in the Canadian Armed Forces.

South Simcoe police investigate Bradford home break and enter

South Simcoe Police Service is investigating a daytime break and enter July 24 at a Bradford residence.

Police were called to a home in the Holland Street West and Barrie Street area

about 7:30 p.m. after residents arrived home from work to discover a burglary. Numerous items valued at thousands of dollars were reported missing by the residents.

Anyone with information regarding this break and enter is asked to call

905-775-3311, 705-436-2141 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

Police remind that break and enters are often a crime of opportunity. The more difficult it is for thieves to access a home, the more likely it is that

they will move along. 

South Simcoe Police Service suggests a few basic steps residents can take to protect their property:

*Always lock your doors and windows as well as your vehicle doors and garage doors. Secure all basement and ground-level windows and patio doors.

*Do not leave keys or garage door openers inside of your vehicle when it is parked in the driveway.

*Do not announce your travel plans or absence from home on social media or your phone’s voice mail.

*Do not discuss the contents of your home with others or leave boxes and packaging for expensive items on display in recycling bins.

*Ensure your exterior lights are functioning.

*Trim all shrubs and trees so that doors and windows are in clear view.

If going away on vacation or an extended absence, police suggest asking a trusted neighbour to watch your house and make your home appear lived-in by observing these tips:

*Using timer-controlled lights.

*Having mail and/or paper delivery temporarily stopped or delivered elsewhere.

*Having trusted people periodically attend for lawn cutting and garbage can placement, etc.

*Arranging for neighbours to park in your driveway.

*Install deadbolt locks on all exterior doors and self-tapping screws in the upper track of patio doors and windows.

*Consider installing a home security system with an audible alarm and video surveillance and ensure that everybody in the house knows how it works.

*Consider storing valuables in a safety deposit box.

*When someone rings your doorbell or knocks on your door, make them aware that someone is home, even if you don’t feel comfortable answering the door.

For example, call out to the person that you are unable to currently answer the door right now.