At a recent luncheon, Owen Sound Mayor Ruth Lovell-Stanners spoke to a group of over 105 attendees about her vision for the city's future, expressing development, health care and education as vital keys to economic recovery.

When asked what she sees as the key to future business development and economic recovery in Owen Sound Mayor Lovell-Stanners said “ I think the strength of our city is its diversity. It's why we've weathered the recession as well as we have, but I think it's important to recognize...the kingpins of our community and see if we can encourage them to grow. The health sector, we are the regional health centre. There are opportunities for partnership and growth there with universities and the hospital is pursuing those, and hopefully over time we will become a very active teaching hospital and I think it's very important that we encourage that. Georgian College, another success story...I see this as being a centre for marine navigation. It's just a center of excellence in the making...University courses. We need that in this area...The intellectual field a little bit more, IT and university coming into the area...”

The Mayor's luncheon is an annual event, which was held this year at the Stone Tree Resort and Country Club on Friday, February 19th. The gathering was made up of concerned and interested members of the community representing a wide variety of businesses and regional organizations.

“Last year I spoke about the speed and depth of the economic downturn and how it was affecting us locally. It does continue to affect us, and I'm sure many of you can attest to that.” Mayor Lovell-Stanners said to the group. “The good news is that the turnaround appears to be building steam...for the most part we have retained our manufacturing center...we will see a new 9th street bridge and a new recreation centre. These investments in infrastructure are a major boost to our community and will have a positive economic effect.”

In her speech the Mayor referred to several community projects in the works as signs of progress, including wireless internet in the downtown core, a new harbour area doctor's office, a new kitchen in the farmer's market, corporate branding and marketing excercises and plans to encourage waterfront development. Mayor Lovell-Stanners credited the Owen sound Chamber of Commerce as being a vital resource in providing a number of networking and fund raising opportunities for local businesses and organizations. She also touched on the topics of taxes, public transit, economic recovery and the perception of the city on a larger scale.

“The CFIB published a survey not too long ago placing us last in being business friendly, primarily because of tax ratios, which only tell part of the story.” Mayor Lovell-Stanners stated “The city of Owen Sound is moving in the right direction on taxes. For example the shopping centre tax class was eliminated and shopping centres are now taxed as straight commercial rate.”

One attendee who seemed to take exception with the Mayor's view on taxes was Andy VanDolder, owner of VanDolder's Custom Exteriors.

“...when my children, that I've bright into the business... said 'Dad can you do an estimate of taxes for us?' ...I said 'We're paying $120 a week in the municipality of Meaford, but I'm guessing we're gonna pay $1000 a week in Owen Sound.' Last year I paid $1900 a week in Owen Sound. That sort of takes the entrepreneurial spirit out of a guy when he has to open his door and have a $1900 tax bill every week to pay.” Van Dolder stated. “That isn't the worst part, now I read your 6% increase and I look at my impact study and I'm getting a 10% increase yearly in value. So on top of your 6% I've got a 10% every year to face. I don't know if you know how serious this is for business.”

“It sounds horrible, that's shocking. $19