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WHY KEEPING THE MUSKOKA AIRPORT IS SMART FOR OUR POCKETS—NOT A WASTE OF TAXES
In July 2025, the District handed airport operations over to a new public company called Muskoka Airport Inc. (MAI). This was done to fix a big problem: the airport currently costs taxpayers about $2 million a year to run. This is the exact type of business model used by the Parry Sound Area Municipal Airport. By moving away from slow municipal management and aggressively renting out land to private businesses, Parry Sound successfully turned its budget around and is now acti
lelandgmaw
3 days ago2 min read
Our Hospitals
I Don't Have All the Answers, But I Will Fight for Us When out talking to people around town, I have been asked what is happening with the new hospital. Right now, Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC) has a massive, $1-billion plan to build two brand-new hospitals—one in Huntsville and one in Bracebridge. It is the biggest project our region has ever seen. But let’s be entirely honest: a lot of you are worried, confused, and frustrated. And you have every right to be. Between
lelandgmaw
4 days ago2 min read
Is Muskoka Council making a $17M mistake.......
Something to think about………. Let’s talk. Is Muskoka Council making a $17M mistake with our tax dollars? Everyone agrees we need affordable housing. But is spending $17 million on a government-owned robotic factory really the best way to do it? Before Council locks us into this massive bill, we need to look at faster, cheaper, and better options that are being ignored. Why take a huge gamble on a government-run manufacturing business when we could do these four simple thin
lelandgmaw
Sep 162 min read
Meet & Greet
Dear Residents, It was great to meet everyone who came out to the Sept. 9th meet and greet. I really appreciate you sharing your thoughts, frustrations, and hopes for our district. Good leadership starts with listening, and your feedback shows exactly what we need to work on together. I want to directly address the main issues you brought up: taxes, roads, housing, and how we share information. High Taxes Many of you said that taxes are simply too high right now. I hear you.
lelandgmaw
Sep 102 min read
Investing in Our Future
"We have a crisis. We have a major crisis in Muskoka: we desperately need to bring in younger people and families to keep our community alive, but I have to ask—where are they going to work? Right now, the big issue is that most of our jobs are seasonal, part-time, and low-paying. A large portion of our workforce only works part of the year. At the same time, we've seen a massive influx of wealth into the region. This outside money has driven up the cost of everyday items, gr
lelandgmaw
Sep 72 min read
Understanding Property Taxes in the Town of Huntsville
To address recent questions regarding property assessment rates, please review the information below detailing how your property taxes are determined. Property taxes in the Town of Huntsville are calculated using a structured formula based on your property's assessed value and a combined municipal tax rate (often referred to as a mill rate). Because Huntsville operates under a two-tiered government system in Ontario, your final bill combines three distinct tax layers. Core Fo
lelandgmaw
Sep 53 min read
Keeping Muskoka Viable for Everyone
Muskoka is a special place. People come here for the lakes, the forests, and the sense of community that small-town life can offer. But Muskoka only truly works when the people who live and work here can afford to stay. Right now, that’s becoming harder for too many of our neighbours. Seniors on fixed incomes, young families just starting out, seasonal and service workers, and low-income residents are all feeling the squeeze. Rents are rising, there are too few truly affordab
lelandgmaw
Sep 13 min read
Building Community Support for Local Government Initiatives
Local governments play a crucial role in shaping the communities we live in. From infrastructure improvements to social services, local initiatives can significantly impact residents' quality of life. However, the success of these initiatives often hinges on community support. Building a strong foundation of support within the community is essential for local governments to implement effective programs and policies. This blog post will explore strategies for fostering communi
lelandgmaw
Aug 204 min read
Donate Now: Support Our Local District Council Campaign
In a world where local governance plays a crucial role in shaping our communities, the importance of supporting our local district council cannot be overstated. These councils are the backbone of our neighborhoods, responsible for making decisions that affect our daily lives, from infrastructure to community services. As we embark on our campaign to strengthen our local district council, we invite you to join us in making a difference. Your contributions can help us create a
lelandgmaw
Aug 204 min read
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