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Todd Taylor shares aspirations as Orangeville’s new deputy mayor

November 3, 2022   ·   0 Comments

By Constance Scrafield

Newly elected deputy mayor in Orangeville, Todd Taylor explained, “Four years ago people elected me but they didn’t really know what they were getting, but after four years, things came up and there were issues and I told people in really blunt short sentences on social media what I believed and I think people really appreciate that. You only have one shot at your integrity.

“The more honest I am,” he said, “The more I do to what I say, the better. And it’s fun – this one’s fun. To be re-elected has been an approbation.”

Running for a higher office, there were surprises at the debates. Mr. Taylor told the Citizen that he was “completely over-prepared for them.”

When they went to that debate, he had studied the background on information to be discussed and he wanted to make sure that he could explain things in an easy way for someone who has not followed certain issues but, as he was rather puzzled to note, “some others didn’t even come with notes.”

The dust has settled and now down to business, to plan priorities. Every five years, Council needs to write an official plan, Mr. Taylor is sure. People may wonder why and the answer is it has to be finished; it keeps the focus on what are the initiatives of what council is doing as it is going on.

Also, to keep developers tied to environmentally sound standards, that must be defined in the Official Plan.

Next up are to look at the short-term things and moving forward with one of them is, after the election, it seems clear the town’s sign bylaw needs to be revised. During the campaign, Mr. Taylor had only 30 picture signs and 200 lawn signs, on supporters’ lawns.

He laughed, “Someone put a moustache on one of the pictures and I can’t grow one. So, I put on social media that it was nice to see how it looked. You can’t take yourself too seriously.”

A noise bylaw to dim down cars with modified mufflers that roar and backfire might calm that nuisance.

For the capital projects, the bridge at the end of Hansen going into Veterans’ Way, crossing a small river is an important priority. The development there has only one way in and one way out. The idea is the town works with the developer. 

The reality is it should have been done 13 years ago, says Mr. Taylor. One council refused to allow the developer to build more houses until the bridge is done.

“We tried to do that and there were threats of lawsuits,” he commented, to which this writer questioned the wisdom of the parties paying lawyers to sue with money that could have built the bridge.

There are challenges for next year: the problem of finding truck drivers by paying them more; everything adds to the increased cost of supplies and goods.

Moving forward with the taxes, there is a war on talent.

Mr. Taylor made the point, “If you’re someone with a designation in a municipality, a CAO, or other executive; municipalities are fighting each other to get those people. At the town, we need two general managers and a CAO.”

Orangeville has no more space for expanding its borders, which presents issues with development in particular for businesses to come to Orangeville.

Said he, “There are higher taxes because we don’t have enough businesses in town. If you want businesses to come, you need development; there are corporations and other businesses wanting to come here.”

The town should be looking at land purchase, he surmised, which is a major challenge.

If a large property of land came up for sale in our town, Todd Taylor thinks council should consider that.

On an individual level, as councillors, he suggests they cannot expect the public to watch a three-hour meeting. How else are they going to connect with people?

His solution, “It’s up to us to communicate with social media. I have thousands of people on my social media.”

As for the Tony Rose Memorial Sports Centre, there are many issues with programs “taken away and no committee; there was a hockey team of players 55 and over, who found their play hours cut.” However, Mayor Lisa Post is determined to help seniors.

“I will be there to support Mayor Lisa Post,” said the Deputy Mayor. “I will be there to help.”

Of council meetings, he commented that there can and should be disagreement but did we do it successfully and with respect? In terms of development on the land east of Greystones, he feels that has to have a small-town charm, to find a way to gentrify the space. 

Speaking of development, the issue of sustainable construction was raised.

Mr. Taylor praised former councillor, Grant Peters who “mentored all of us. There are things now that we have to approve and that’s his legacy. Newly elected councillor, Tess Pendergast, she’ll be our environmentalist,” claiming, “She’ll do a great job.”

The next big thing is Orangeville sold its railway assets for $32 million, which is “sitting in a bank account collecting interest” and the council is asking itself what is it going to do with it to benefit Orangeville?

Two other matters: Orangeville needs a recreation plan for the town. In the Tony Rose arena, the audio does not work; it is hot in summer and cold in the winter; there is a need for a place for lacrosse; the pool is “an abomination.”

Like a toothache, that Hansen bridge must be completed.

“If it’s not done in four years from now, we’ve failed,” said Mr. Taylor.

In the long run, Todd Taylor does aspire to lead the town but not until he can commit “150%” to the job and also, he “would be hard pressed to run against [Lisa Post],” convinced as he that she is going to do a great job as mayor.

“I’m happy to say I have the utmost respect for Lisa Post. Lisa is going to do great things for us and my job is to support her – I have a lot of faith in her.”

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