Since ‘tis the season for report cards, as one of the most-faithful Barrie council watchers, I’ve believe I'm more than qualified to comment on the performance of our elected officials.

 Mayor Dave Aspden: D-

Aspden has stayed out of trouble this year, unlike last year, when he faced OPP and Ontario Civilian Commissioin on Police Services investigations.

We continue to wonder, however, what his priorities are. Two weeks ago, he should have been at a provincial meeting with mayors of communities affected by the auto sector’s struggles; instead, he was excitedly talking up Barrie being one of thousands of communities through which the Olympic torch will be carried. In his first year as mayor, he failed to see the strategic reasons why he should attend the Large Urban Mayors’ Caucus of Ontario – a lobby group focused on getting municipalities more money to renew infrastructure; we’re not sure whether he yet understands.

There is also ample room for improvement in the way Aspden chairs meetings; often, he does not understand procedure and turns to the city clerk for help. As a long-time councillor and now mayor, he should know the rules and be able use them effectively.

 

Ward 1 Coun. Mike Ramsay: B+

Ramsay is an effective speaker who stands up for his constituents and residents of the city at large; however, Ramsay could improve by working better with his peers, who consider every word he says a mayoralty campaign pledge. Ramsay does see the bigger picture and the need for vision and strategic investment, and he has effectively handled the east-end party issue, smoothed relationships with homeowners and college students and worked to renew the changing neighbourhood.

 

Ward 2 Coun. Jeff Lehman: B

Lehman is a first-term councillor who has had some challenges in his ward: drugs, traffic, fires and homelessness. He has handled these issues fairly well. He has improved this year by being more outspoken and not keeping his cards so close to his chest. He is a tireless advocate of downtown and community renewal and took the extra step of creating a Historic Neighbourhoods task force, a community-led planning group that’s sparked vision and creativity among residents living on the edges of downtown.

 

Ward 3 Coun. Rod Jackson: C

Jackson showed a lot of promise early in his first year, but seemed to lose steam in year two. He is a fiscal conservative – and unfortunately, fiscal conservatives often lack the creative vision and spark that are so desperately needed in a city council. He is too careful – with words and with money. He does not actively speak out in any committees, including General Committee and council.

 

Ward 4 Coun. Barry Ward: B+

Ward has been more outspoken and more of a leader this term than ever before; it’s unfortunate that the third-term councillor is still determined to pack in municipal politics. His comments show he has not only read staff reports but conducted additional research and applied additional thought; he was a key voice in tempering city council’s enthusiasm to merge Barrie Hydro with PowerStream, and he did so after taking a plenary session on the energy sector and reviewing specialty publications on the energy sector and mergers.

 

Ward 5 Coun. Lynn Strachan: B-

Strachan is just beginning to speak out more, and that’s good if she is still determined to run for mayor. She consistently considers the environment a priority, but could improve if she were not so conservative but instead more strategic and creative.

 

Ward 6 Coun. Michael Prowse: B

Prowse has a tough, growing ward, which includes some contentious developments, the prime one being a Pratt development on Ferndale Drive, not far from the Bear Creek Wetland. Prowse has diligently worked this file, and despite his commute to Toronto, he has taken on a variety of responsibilities. However, Prowse can come across as very establishment, which is surprising because he got into politics as an activist, as someone who fought City Hall on the Ferndale Drive extension issue.

 

Ward 7 Coun. John Brassard: B+

Brassard is perhaps the councillor who is most driven by vision; and it’s no surprise he’s considering running for mayor. This unanswered question, however, sets up unnecessary tension with his council colleagues (see Ramsay above). One of several councillors who works full-time in the GTA, Brassard is exceptional at returning phone calls and emails, and dealing effectively with concerns, especially the contentious ones that inevitably land on his Community Services Committee’s table; he helps find answers and build consensus.

 

Ward 8 Coun. Jerry Moore: C+

In the first year, Moore had to take the helm at the police services board, although he didn’t want the vice-chairman’s job. Moore is often too reserved, although he can be credited for lobbying for a different way of doing the city’s budget – a change that’s being implemented with programs and services being the focus, and having them costed, assessed and compared.

 

Ward 9 Coun. Andrew Prince: B-

New to council in 2006, Prince has shown he is a quick learner and a quick to respond to questions and concerns; he is one of the most accessible councillors. He thinks things through, although he could improve his marks by speaking out a bit more and a bit more forcefully.

 

Ward 10 Coun. Alex Nuttall: B+

A true keener, Nuttall is the youngest member of council but among the quickest students. He throws himself passionately into building effective working relationships and does not allow himself to be limited by partisan politics; he envisions what is good for the city and strives to make it happen. We would give him an A+ for effort, but he is still learning the ropes and perhaps whom he can and whom he cannot trust; he is consistent and caring and the only things Nuttall needs are time, mentoring and opportunity.