Council’s first lesson: learning from one another
With five newcomers and responsibilities ranging from road repairs to drinking water safety, the incoming council faces a steep learning curve. Some of its best teachers may already be at the table.
Imagine taking on a public position where one afternoon’s agenda could involve a multimillion-dollar road project, a controversial subdivision, a resident’s flooded basement and the safety of drinking water.
Now imagine being expected to make informed decisions about all four.
That’s the challenge awaiting the mayor and eight ward councillors elected Oct. 26 in Kawartha Lakes.
Mayor-elect Charlie McDonald wants to make the learning curve easier.
During the campaign, McDonald told Kawartha Lakes Weekly he would like municipal department representatives to explain their responsibilities to incoming councillors and when elected officials should contact them.
“That would save a lot of time for new people,” he said.
Five councillors have never held municipal office: Brian Bartley, Terry Blackmore, Guru Bhat, Jasmine Marshall and Tom Hickey.
But what if orientation went further than departmental briefings?
What if councillors first learned from one another, building the knowledge and relationships needed to question the administration they oversee?
The size of the responsibility
Kawartha Lakes covers roughly 3,000 square kilometres, with communities scattered across rural roads, lakes and waterways.
Its 2026 municipal budget totals $472 million. The city maintains more than 2,700 kilometres of roads, operates 21 drinking water systems and manages assets valued at $5.4 billion.
It also delivers emergency services, long-term care, housing and social programs.
A councillor elected in one ward must consider the needs of the entire municipality.
Those responsibilities carry legal consequences. Ontario’s Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002, for example, establishes a statutory standard of care for people exercising decision-making authority over municipal drinking water systems, including councillors.
Understanding those obligations matters when voting on budgets, infrastructure and service levels.
The faculty is already in the room
The incoming council brings professional experience that could complement instruction from municipal staff.
Mark Doble (Ward 5) is a former Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) assessor who could explain property valuation and taxation.
Mike Perry (Ward 3) is the executive director of the City of Kawartha Lakes Family Health Team and has been legal adviser to the Metis National Council. His experience could inform discussions about legislation, governance, healthcare and ethics.
Guru Bhat (Ward 4) brings experience in banking, insurance, financial analysis and customer service.
Tom Hickey (Ward 8) has a background in policing and justice studies relevant to public safety and conflict resolution.
Jasmine Marshall (Ward 6) has studied business administration and forensic psychology, offering perspectives on communication and organizational behaviour.
Eric Smeaton (Ward 7) was a longtime teacher and music instructor and so would have collaboration built into his DNA.
Terry Blackmore (Ward 2) has an air force background that includes instructional experience.
Brian Bartley (Ward 1) brings expertise in engineering, quality management and Six Sigma process improvement that could help councillors evaluate municipal performance and service delivery.
The council also has institutional knowledge. Perry and Doble were re-elected, Smeaton previously served on council, and McDonald has been a councillor and deputy mayor.
That experience could help newcomers understand how council operates beyond what appears in agendas and staff reports.
Councillors wouldn’t replace municipal lawyers, financial officers or department heads. They would share relevant experience while professional staff provided authoritative instruction.
The benefit could extend beyond technical knowledge. Teaching colleagues offers an opportunity to understand how others think, communicate and approach problems.
