At the end of two long days of budget deliberations, Bradford West Gwillimbury Councillors had a special surprise presentation for Mayor Rob Keffer and Deputy Mayor James Leduc, to express appreciation for their representation on Simcoe County Council.
The pair have had to field criticism at County Council for Bradford West Gwillimbury’s search for cost savings, that led to an investigation into Separated City status and even the possibility of joining York Region.
Although the idea of separation was not pursued, and was not supported by the Province's regional review, it created tension at the County level.
Bradford West Gwillimbury has had to fight for a share of county infrastructure dollars for approved projects, and has struggled to get approval for affordable housing proposals within the municipality.
Recently, Bradford West Gwillimbury staff and council members have fielded numerous complaints from local residents, over poor and missed Blue Box collection of recyclables - even though both garbage collection and the curbside Blue Box program are the responsibility of the county, not the town, and the issue has been county-wide.
At the end of Thursday’s meeting, Mayor Keffer and Deputy Mayor Leduc unwrapped their ‘gifts.’ Each received a toy recycling truck.
"We accept this with a big smile," said Leduc.
Keffer returned a thank-you to Town staff. "We feel badly for the amount of flak you have to take from residents for County issues," he said.
