Former Barrie mayor Jeff Lehman has a new political position in cottage country
Former mayor Jeff Lehman has a new position in politics as the leader of the District of Muskoka just over a month since leaving the Barrie office.
On Monday, a newly-elected 22-member district chose Lehman in a secret ballot to manage the six municipalities in cottage country.
"I'm so excited, I know there's a ton of work ahead, and I'm delighted that the district council gave me this opportunity to serve them," Lehman said shortly after the announcement was made Monday.
He vied for the job against several locals with various political backgrounds, including former Gravenhurst councillor Terry Pilger and Bracebridge councillor Don Smith.
Lehman served 12 years as Barrie's mayor but shifted his focus to provincial politics in the spring rather than seeking a fourth term.
He lost the seat at Queen's Park in the June election but vowed his political career wasn't over. However, questions were raised Monday on whether Lehman will serve the entirety of his four-year term as district chair.
"What that question gave me the opportunity to do is make that commitment very clear to everybody standing in this room today that I want to serve the District of Muskoka, and I won't be phoning it in," Lehman says. "I'm going to be here, and I hope to bring my experience and accomplish a lot while I have the chance."
He takes the district chair position after John Klinck announced he would retire after nearly three decades of public service.
Now that its new chair has been selected, council members are looking forward to getting to work.
"We are a growing community, but we don't want to grow too fast, but we do want to grow environmentally friendly," says Sandy Cairns, a Gravenhurst district councillor.
The mayor of the Township of Lake of Bays says internet access remains a top concern that he would like to see addressed.
"One issue that was never talked about was improvements to broadband and cell service," says Mayor Terry Glover. "I've been working on that a lot, and it was a priority for the Lake of Bays, and it's a priority for the district, so I'm hoping to get that fire up again."
Last month, Lehman announced his intention to continue his political career in cottage country, noting his strong ties to the area.
"My family and I believe this will be a great way to put our love for Muskoka and my municipal experience to work close to home. We've been part of the District since the 1990s at our place in Huntsville/Lake of Bays," he shared on Twitter in a November post.
Lehman will serve as Muskoka District Chair for the next four years. His first official day of work is Tuesday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.
Auston Matthews skates ahead of Game 7, status unclear with season on the line
Auston Matthews was back on the ice with his teammates Saturday.
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
Snakes almost on a plane: U.S. TSA discovers a bag with small snakes in passenger's pants
According to an X post by the Transportation Security Administration, officers at the Miami International Airport found the small bag of snakes hidden in a passenger's trousers on April 26 at a checkpoint.