The former mayor will continue as a Springwater councilor in the Barrie border talks

Depending on who you listen to, Tony Guergis’ history lesson for the Springwater Township board was either a waste of time or incredibly beneficial.

A former Springwater mayor and Simcoe County warden, Guergis was hired as a consultant by the township to provide a training and education session on the township’s history.

Guergis made his presentation Wednesday night during a special council meeting.

Four council members — Vice Mayor George Cabral and Councilors Danielle Alexander, Anita Moore and Phil Fisher — said they found value in Guergis’ talk. Three others — Mayor Jennifer Coughlin and Councilmen Matt Garwood and Brad Thompson — not so much.

“Personally, I didn’t find the history lesson very valuable,” Thompson said. “It’s more like a fireside chat.”

Thompson’s sentiments were echoed by Garwood, who was against Guergis introducing the history lesson from the time the idea was introduced.

“I’ve been very vocal about my opposition to holding this meeting in general, spending taxpayer money where it doesn’t need to be spent,” Garwood said. “We don’t need to spend any more taxpayer dollars on these ongoing history lessons.

“I will not support further discussions,” added the aide.

Coughlin was just as direct.

“This forum is not something that I personally consider beneficial for the locality,” said the mayor.

Cabral, on the other hand, compared Guergis to a Formula 1 racing driver, the pinnacle of the sport.

“He was the principal, he was the mayor and he was part of the annexation with Innisfil and Barrie,” Cabral said. “I’m sure he has a very good perspective on the whole process — what missteps this board could make and what advantages this board could get.

“It’s relative information,” added the deputy mayor.

During his presentation, Guergis talked about his time as mayor and director, how he got his start, the city merger and Barrie’s annexation of the Innisfil land. He fondly remembered the relationships he made and the people he worked with. He gave a shout out to his mentors and shared inspirational quotes.

Like Cabral, Alexander said he thought Guergis did a good job.

“It was pretty interesting with a lot of things I didn’t know,” Alexander told Guergis as he finished his presentation.

Where she went signaled that the history lesson was over and the council was about to enter uncharted waters.

“When we look at the situation we’re in right now with Barrie, what do you see the role of the county being able to help us with so that we don’t end up in a situation where they just come and take what they want from us and we’re struggling with them alone, given that we are…”

His voice died.

He was motioned to stop.

“Am I not allowed to ask this question?” Alexander didn’t tell anyone in particular.

“Conf. Alexander, I apologize,” Coughlin said. “During the discussion when we approved this presentation, some information was provided about the city of Barrie, but the resolution that is before council, the reason we are sitting here, is that this is going to be a history lesson.

“We don’t need to look to the consultant for guidance,” the mayor added.

Coughlin reminded the board that an agenda had been posted and stated that the meeting would be an information session about a history lesson.

“Nowhere in that resolution did it suggest that there would be any discussion about the city of Barrie,” Coughlin said. “If this council chooses to have discussions or take advice on negotiations with the City of Barrie, I think it’s appropriate to let our citizens know.”

Coughlin said if council members wanted to go in that direction, it would take a resolution to do so.

Cabral seconded and suggested the following amendment: “Council directs that the Tony Guergis consultancy be retained to assist the City as needed in the ongoing discussions regarding potential boundary adjustments/annexation in relation to the City of Barrie, with a meeting to be scheduled. once the requested staff reports on the subject are presented and that any future special meetings be scheduled in closed session, if the subjects meet the permits of the municipal act and if necessary.”

In a recorded vote, the motion carried, with Cabral, Alexander, Moore and Fisher seconding. Coughlin, Garwood and Thompson voted against.

It has not been decided when Guergis will return before the board.