Parry Sounds ~ Ideas and Opinions, In and Around Parry Sound

The annual New Year Mayor’s Levee held at the Legion Hall was well attended and there surely will be coverage of the event in the local media. It was good to be reminded of the steps forward taken by the Town of Parry Sound in the past year. Much of the credit for these steps, particularly the big steps, should be shared with past councils. What was completed in 2011 in many cases started much earlier. That is not to take anything away from the current council as many served on earlier councils and the current group managed to get things over the finish line.

What I did miss in the Mayor’s presentation was a glimpse of what we can expect in 2012 and beyond. The mayor and council need to show they are capable of doing more than manage, they need to show they can lead. The same goes for town staff. Although not elected, a good town staff in partnership with council, committees and tax payers, can lead the town to new opportunities and improve the quality of life for all.

And let’s not lean too heavily on committees to suggest and lead the town as it enters 2012. I am reminded of an old saying “a camel is a horse designed by a committee”. This is the time for leadership. Who will lead, and where are we headed? If the mayor, council and staff focus only on managing we will enter 2013 much where we left 2011.