Marketing seemed to be on everyone’s lips at last night’s All candidates meeting in Algonquin Highlands. Sarah Coombs, who’s running for ward one councilor said a study from the First Impression Community program showed Algonquin Highlands as the hidden secret. She wants to start thinking differently to market the area in all seasons and keep young people here.
Brian Lynch is running against her and said the township has worked well on the trails in the area, but would like to see more marketing efforts. Running against current ward three councilor, Marlene Kyle, Bob Buckingham said he wants to see marketing to youth to bring them into the community.
Residents at the meeting were also asking questions about partnerships with neighbouring communities. Coombs said her work with the Dorset partnership has shown her that every opportunity to work together should be taken.
Lynch said working together only makes the township stronger and he wants to see it become less fragmented.
A question from the Haliburton Highlands Chamber of Commerce asked each candidate what their long term vision for the township was. Lynch said he wants to see a township that is less fragmented and for each community to work together. Coombs said she wants to increase the marketing in Algonquin Highlands to bring more people in to what is seen as a hidden secret.
Buckingham said he wants to see money taken from the surplus and spent on infrastructure and marketing.
Kyle said council has been working on internal policies and wants to see that continue, but wants to focus on implementing the cultural plan that was put together by the community.
For voter information, contact the Algonquin Highlands office, voter kits will be mailed out next week.