Editor's Note: We asked Midland council members for their take on the first two years of their mandate as well as how they see the future unfolding. A few didn't respond, but we're delighted to offer you insights from those who did.
Today, we hear from Ward 2 Coun. Cody Oschefski.
Question 1. What are you most proud of, personally as a councillor, that you/council have been able to accomplish in the first half of your mandate?
I think this council and our team have done a great job on responding to the pandemic while maintaining our service delivery levels. I believe the communication has been good, the morale is as good as it can be right now and we are continuing to push forward on a lot of the initiatives that we are able to, tourism and events aside.
Question 2. What is your biggest disappointment as it relates to a council decision/direction or issue?
My biggest disappointment this term is our lack of ability, for obvious reasons, to be the amazing four-season host we have been for events or just general tourism.
We have a pretty incredible and welcoming downtown to show off now and some eager merchants who would love the opportunity to host visitors from all over, but instead are struggling to find ways to stay open through online retail and other creative measures. We have some brand new businesses open that the residents won’t even be able to step inside until the numbers get to a level where the province feels safe to reopen.
The team building we had done with the previous council ('Team Midland' initiatives) were part of our strategic plan for this council, but unfortunately have been eliminated as well. I think building strength in council, and trust between council and staff is so critical to maximizing the success of the strategic plan. I look forward to future opportunities to build relationships and trust with new councillors and new staff members.
Question 3. Nobody saw the pandemic coming. Specifically, as a councillor, what is the biggest challenge the pandemic has created and how have you tried to tackle that challenge?
I have been known to host events, run fundraisers, mob stores with support or helping people from our community in need.
This has totally transformed over this term. Between code of conduct rules and our pandemic it has become extremely hard to do things like this, especially any events or gatherings.
I will say HUGE kudos and respect to the people who put the Santa Claus Parade together, for which I can take no credit aside from voting to approve. It was very well done, safe and was a great attraction and a small taste of the magic that we love to see in the kids during the holiday season.
Our biggest challenge will be coming out of this with the momentum we had going into the pandemic. Midland is building a reputation as an amazing waterfront destination and our list of attractions grows every day. I miss the cruise ships already.
Question 4. What is your vision for the area known as Midland Bay Landing (i.e. a full park, half a park and the balance development, mostly development)?
I love the Waterfront masterplan. I think it is a great document and I encourage every resident or anyone interested in the area to take a look. This is the most important project in my lifetime here, in my opinion, and I’m very proud to be part of the decision making.
What is important to me is that the entire waterfront remain public, as it is in the plan. Public features like a splash pad or amphitheatres would be amazing, but also something to offset costs and bring in tax revenue long-term. Some retail stores with residential above, perhaps an education centre.
I think it is important to get safe public access there as soon as possible while working towards finding a dance partner for the plan. There will be plenty of public input throughout the multi-year adventure that this project will undoubtedly be.
Question 5. Are you doing enough as a council to be transparent, to encourage public input and to listen? How so? How could that be improved during the second half of your mandate?
I think we are doing a great job being transparent.
Now that a lot of our committee meetings are on Zoom, it is easy to share these meetings publicly, and we have been. The website is improving, there are new tools to express concerns or to take polls on different ongoing topics.
More councillors are engaged in social media than the previous terms and I credit our Communications manager for doing a great job balancing the information, especially in a time where people can be SO negative.
If there was anything we could improve, I would say, perhaps, doing more virtual public meetings on issues that aren’t necessarily legally bound to be public meetings, but because we respect the opinions of our residents. Although we were elected to make these decisions, there are some things that are incredibly hard to gauge public support on. For example, Yonge Street being two lanes or four, sequences of certain traffic lights, Percy’s peaks, ATVs on roads, etc.
Question 6. What is the biggest challenge council faces in the second half of its mandate (ie. Staff retirements, promised tax freeze, capacity) and what are your top priorities?
Our budget this year will be the largest challenge.
With new costs around the pandemic and the integrity commission bills, we will have some challenges trying to keep the increase under the rate of inflation, which we have done 5+ years in a row.
We have some lost revenue streams and some new bills, as I mentioned. Transitioning out of this pandemic will be a huge challenge and will be all of our top priorities, whether we like it or not. I pray that we get that opportunity in this term and we can go back to life as it was.
There is a lot that has to happen to undo the transformation our town has gone through and we will have to revisit our strategic plan, in my opinion, and discuss as a group what we still have the time and resources to complete in our term. Opening Midland Bay Landing to the public, beautification for the return of our guests, playgrounds, COVID-is-over celebration party? I can dream.
Question 7: Lastly, do you intend to seek re-election? Why or why not?
Yes, I do intend on running in the next election.
It is my intention to run for Deputy Mayor, but I will see what life looks like by then and who else is planning to run and in what positions. I don’t feel like I am even close to tapped out, lots left in the tank, tons of enthusiasm and I believe I have been a great cheerleader and advocate for Midland, and a fair and reasonable councillor.
I think that is the first nice thing I have written about myself since the last election. Feels good. Thanks for the opportunity.
