BARRIE - The only thing standing between seniors crossing the road to a park is a lack of will, says Ward 10 Coun. Alex Nuttall.

Barrie’s capital plan calls for a sidewalk linking the Gables Park with Tollendal Village – once the park’s master plan is complete.

But, said Nuttall, seniors are asking for a crosswalk now. And he’s willing to take the money out of his $3,000 annual expense account.

“Obviously, it’s needed. There are 450 seniors living there today and they’d like to walk across the street and enjoy the natural heritage in Gables Park. They figure a crosswalk is what they need,” said Nuttall.

Instead, councillors shot down Nuttall’s idea.

“No doubt this is an extremely good gesture, to use part of your expense account,” said Mayor Dave Aspden.

“As I look at it, expense accounts, they’re not to be used for that purpose. Some of us find the expenses we have may be low. I’ve always understood expense accounts to be used for travel, meals, conferences and perhaps newsletters.”

If the rules had allowed that and had he had enough money, Aspden, the former Ward 2 councillor, said he would have considered repairing Gunn Street – which got nixed from this year’s budget despite its sewers and water mains risking failure, topped by a poor road surface.

“I’d have had Gunn Street paved years ago. Our expense accounts don’t allow that to be done and chief, if I’d had the money, I’d have bought you a new fire truck.”

Community Services Committee chairperson Coun. John Brassard also didn’t support Nuttall’s offer since his committee nixed the crosswalk.

“The committee made a decision that a crosswalk be considered when the trail plan is being considered,” Brassard said.

Nuttall, a member of that committee, missed the meeting because he was chairing Heritage Barrie, a job he took on after Ward 9 Coun. Andrew Prince went on medical leave.

He said the crosswalk is not included in the city’s 10-year capital plan. “That will mean people at Tollendal Village will never use a crosswalk. Something needs to be done,” he said.

He added he didn’t buy Aspden’s argument that the project, which would cost no more than $500 for paint and two signs, is an inappropriate use of his expense funds.

Aspden, however, said the city would have to amend a bylaw to install a crosswalk – which costs staff time.