Gravenhurst Council Considering Younger Members for New Ideas
Gravenhurst Council discussed the potential of having younger members in their July 19, 2022, meeting.
Councillor John Gordon discussed the potential engagement of younger generations as a productive option for Council, with the intention of “looking for younger people for new ideas.”
Council members discussed meeting times as a factor that can attract or deter younger people.
Councillor Steven Klinck suggested day-time meetings as a potential deterrent, saying, “Drawbacks are earlier start times of meetings. People have to work. Later might encourage younger people to get involved.”
Deputy Mayor Heidi Lorenz shared that when she was younger and had a job “it was a huge barrier that meetings were during the day.”
Lorenz added, “Unless you’re working for yourself or own your own business, it’s extremely difficult.”
At the other end of the spectrum, Councillor Joanne Morphy added, “People don’t want a 9 or 10pm meeting.”
Lorenz suggested that any changes to meeting times should be done before the upcoming election, “so people know what’s asked of them before they run.”
Council concurred that the point of today’s discussion was to gather ideas, and “having a desire to investigate and impact changes,” said Scott Lucas, CAO.
