Donaldson said the re-establishment of a wharf board to organize events and deal

specifically with wharf-related issues is a step in the right direction. The group held
a holiday shopping event and tree lighting this month, which she said was wellattended.

Dec 16, 2016 |

She said the recent sale of prominently located 908 Bay St., which sat empty
since being built at the wharf, should also help, adding the plan for the building is
for six vendors to set up there.

Gravenhurst Mayor Paisley Donaldson reflects on

her current term -

Also in the works for the wharf area is a third condominium building, a seniors
retirement home, and two-storey boat houses with accommodations in Tin Alley,
which will be voted on Dec. 20.

Gravenhurst Banner
By Kelly Kenny

Donaldson said shes especially happy with the transparency of council overall.
"Just the way we do business is so different," Donaldson said, comparing todays
operations to when she first joined council 13 years ago.

GRAVENHURST - Halfway through her second term as mayor, Paisley

Donaldson says she feels things are right on track.
"Im really pleased with where we are
right now," she said. "I cant think of
anything in the past two years that
hasnt been positive ... Four years ago,
with the fires, I couldnt say the same
thing." In 2011, three buildings were
lost when a blaze erupted downtown.
They have yet to be rebuilt for various
reasons.

Mayor Paisley Donaldson

"My dream would be to one day have

those rebuilt," she said. Donaldson
said despite the hole the fire left in the
downtown, the business core continues
to thrive with eight new businesses
opening their doors this year.

In 2016, she said the town offered $62,000 through its community improvement
plan aimed at facade improvements. Donaldson said this year the program provided grants to 12 applicants. She said in 2017 there would a change in the criteria,
with the application process expected to begin in March.
The wharf has been a hot topic over the years and Donaldson said she has high
hopes for the location to become a year-round hub.
"I dont see it as a failure," she said. "Some things take longer than others to get
off the ground."

"How we communicate to the public has changed tremendously,"

said Donaldson. Since staff began putting an emphasis on
customer service, she has noticed a positive change in the towns
relationship with the community.
Donaldson said Jason Harnett, communications co-ordinator, has
been a tremendous asset to the town by helping create a more
transparent operation through an active website, social media
accounts including Facebook and Twitter, and constant contact
with local media.
Next up for council is budget deliberations, which began this month with the capital budget being approved. The operating budget will be reviewed in the New Year.
"(The budget) is one of the most important things council does," she said, adding
the town is focused on adding to its infrastructure reserves.
"There is so much infrastructure we own and need to maintain. It costs a lot of
money," she said.
On Dec. 13 council unanimously approved a 2017 capital budget of $5,385,555
with 83 per cent of this capital investment earmarked for roads, storm sewers,
bridges, facilities and parks.
Kelly Kenny is a reporter with the Gravenhurst Banner. She can be reached
at kkenny@metrolandnorthmedia.com . Follow her on Twitter and Facebook