RE: The Art of the Matter, Fall 2014
On behalf of the Tremont artists, I am writing to express a very heartfelt thank you for your coverage of this unique arts community and indeed, for the excellent feature, “The Art of the Matter” – so well done! Both the article and the accompanying photographs highlight the growing and vibrant arts scene in this beautiful part of Georgian Bay. Thank you again for featuring the Tremont Gallery in your Fall 2014 edition.
Kate Knox, Collingwood
RE: Think Tank, Fall 2014
I have been meaning to write you about the Think Tank article. Great story. Lots of ‘buzz’ on the streets. You grabbed it in the opening paragraph. Municipal election results across all of Southern Georgian Bay haven’t given me any wild expectations and I do believe that without some real change in the political structure and players, we will need the involvement of our entire community to move forward. Thanks for including me.
Joan Pajunen, Collingwood
We appreciate the very thoughtful and provocative article on the development of an Institute to foster community engagement and improve collaboration in Southern Georgian Bay. As a result of your article, we have received a significant number of inquiries from individuals wishing to get involved in the Institute. We have been very encouraged by the support and comments including responses from a wide range of people and organizations around the region. Those include new business owners, local entrepreneurs, a university professor, regional business executives, a retired city manager, long-time residents and young recently-arrived couples (see comments on facing page). They were all expressing support for the vision and looking to collaborate and contribute in some way. A smart community is a community that is connected and aware of its strengths and weaknesses. Our challenge is to operationalize a community volunteer organization to strengthen the various sectors and create greater opportunities for collaboration.
Southern Georgian Bay has incredible potential to evolve from our historic role as a gateway to the west to our new role: to be a gateway to the future – a place where innovation inspires opportunity. People want to live and work in an area that encourages an active and stimulating lifestyle. We need to build on our success as an active four-season tourist destination to also have businesses that bring additional employment and prosperity to the area for the benefit of all in our community. The municipalities, college, businesses and organizations need to collaborate to foster entrepreneurship. The Institute allows individuals within our community to provide mentorship, leadership and support.
On behalf of all those who are involved in the Institute we thank you for opening the dialogue within Southern Georgian Bay.
Don May & David Green, co-chairs
The Institute of Southern Georgian Bay
Editor’s Note: The comments below were passed along by Don May and David Green.
University professor, soon-to-be new resident
I teach recreation and tourism planning at U of Guelph … and have been part of a number of community projects over the years … I certainly am very passionate about community recreation and sustainable tourism and was intrigued by the potential of TISGB in the region. I currently live in Guelph but I am also in the process to relocate to Collingwood; hence my interest to get involved locally.
Long-time area resident:
Would like to learn more about your vision and how to contribute after reading the On The Bay article. I’ve recently been involved with a design innovation group centred in UK-IBI THiNK. Area residents for 25 years and agree with the potential … of the power of this place.
I have read the On The Bay article and am very interested in any more info you might have available on your project. It sure looks like a great idea. As well, if you have a circulation list I would appreciate being put on it.
Beaver Valley Outreach executive director:
I just read the article in On The Bay and I would be interested in receiving future emails. I am the executive director at Beaver Valley Outreach. We are very interested in collaboration and I support many of the concepts written about in the article.
New B&B business owners:
We are local new business owners with strategic acumen and passionate about the Georgian Bay community. Interested in joining the organization or being a part of its movement.
Small business owners/entrepreneurs
My family and I moved up to Collingwood three years ago from the city. We are small business owners and entrepreneurs. We recently read about the think tank and would like more information about how to get involved. I truly believe that collaboration and cooperation is one of people’s greatest assets. I am interested in the initiative of the Think Tank for Southern Georgian Bay as described in On the Bay magazine. Please let me know how I might get involved/volunteer.
Film producers from The Blue Mountains
We are passionate about Southern Georgian Bay, the place where we’ve built our business, our livelihoods. After reading the article “Think Tank” in the Fall 2014 edition of On The Bay, it is evident that our passion is shared by many creative thinkers and collaborators, like us.
We are interested in getting involved with this movement, and we would love to be a part of the discussion in any way possible.
Retired CAO/city manager
I read “single tier “unicipality” between the lines of the article in On The Bay” regarding the Institute’s initiative on collaboration in our region. I’m a retired CAO (aka city manager) in Sudbury and Hamilton where we successfully created single tier cities.
I’ve advocated for amalgamation of the multiplicity of towns and counties around Collingwood connected to Southern Ontario via an extension of Hurontario St. (Hwy 410 ). I would appreciate communicating with your group & participating next spring.
Young couple, just arrived
My fiancé and I just moved to the area a few weeks ago. Our intent was to stay with his parents in Clarksburg and find jobs in Toronto, but after arriving here and seeing the area, and how much it has to offer, we would love to stay in Southern Georgian Bay! I’ve just read the “Think Tank” article in On The Bay and I’m very interested in getting involved in the Institute of Southern Georgian Bay.
