- The Stouffville Chamber of Commerce packed the Spring Lakes Golf Club’s banquet hall for their first Mayor’s Dinner since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
- The nearly 200 attendees consisted of a wide range of community members, politicians, developers, local business owners and employees, and Chamber members.
- Past Chair Steven Borlak emceed the event, with speeches from Chamber Secretary Sonya Torres, York Region Chairman Wayne Emmerson, and MPP Paul Calandra leading up to the presentation by Mayor Iain Lovatt.
- The Mayor’s speech covered a wide range of issues affecting Stouffville, including recent economic growth, local infrastructure investments, and industrial, commercial, and institutional development.
- “It goes without saying that we are one of the most attractive municipalities in the GTA,” Lovatt stated.
- Mayor Lovatt praised the Chamber for their efforts supporting Stouffville’s downtown businesses. “The Chamber acts as a champion for the Village, supporting entrepreneurship and investment. For that, we are very grateful,” he said.
- Lovatt also addressed Stouffville’s continued residential development, saying the Town “needs to start embracing appropriate density by growing up and not out.”
- “I am going to stand up very hard against NIMBYism,” Lovatt proclaimed to applause. “We have to create opportunities for our kids and grandkids to get into the housing market.”
- Lovatt ended his presentation by thanking local businesses for their commitment to the Town and for the perseverance they showed through the pandemic.
- “This is a time of great promise and opportunity for our town,” he concluded.