Steve Clarke helms one of his final meetings as Orillia mayor
After two terms as mayor, Steve Clarke helmed one of his final meetings in Orillia's council chambers on Monday afternoon.
Clarke, who announced earlier this year that he would not be seeking a third term as mayor of Orillia, led council's final meeting ahead of the upcoming municipal election on Monday afternoon.
"I will have nothing but fond memories of eight years in this job, and I quite mean that," says Clarke. "It doesn't mean there haven't been some challenging times and issues, but getting through some of those challenges with success can make it that much more rewarding."
One of the issues that has been on council's radar throughout the majority of his tenure is what to do with space at 70 Front Street, a topic that Clarke says the city is making progress on.
"That's a project that is culminating now after about six years of effort. "To, first of all, be able to drive down Coldwater Street and look right to the water and drive right to the water," says Clarke. "It will also add hundreds of people living there, which is one way to take a core of the city through a renaissance is to create more people living there, so that's also exciting."
Clarke notes that certain financial restrictions are imposed on councillors for decisions made close to an election.
After two terms in the city's top chair, he says he's expecting Orillia to continue to grow over the next decade. He's imploring his fellow citizens to show up at the polls to cast their vote for the next council.
"I remember my parents and especially my father drilling into me at a very young age that if you don't participate, if you don't vote, you don't have a right to complain or give your opinion later on, so I've taken that to heart and would encourage everybody to get out and vote!"
The municipal election will be held on Mon. Oct. 24.
The current session of city council will meet once more after the election before the new council is sworn in.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
'Secret report' or standard research? B.C. government addresses safe supply allegations
B.C.’s premier and one of his top lieutenants are pushing back against allegations by the Official Opposition that he covertly commissioned a report into the diversion of safe supply drugs onto the streets.
Video shows suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
She was too sick for a traditional transplant. So she received a pig kidney and a heart pump
Doctors have transplanted a pig kidney into a New Jersey woman who was near death, part of a dramatic pair of surgeries that also stabilized her failing heart.
What Canadians think of the latest Liberal budget
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.