Let’s Talk: Stouffville’s Town Hall Series Returns This Month

• Stouffville’s next round of town hall meetings offers residents a chance to engage directly with Mayor Iain Lovatt and local councillors.
• The first meeting is set for April 15 at the Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum and Community Centre with Ward 1 Councillor Hugo Kroon and Ward 2 Councillor Maurice Smith.
• Latcham Hall will host the second meeting on April 23, featuring Ward 3 Councillor Keith Acton and Ward 6 Councillor Sue Sherban.
• The final town hall will take place on April 29 at 6240 Main Street, with Ward 4 Councillor Rick Upton and Ward 5 Councillor Richard Bartley.
• All three meetings will begin at 7 p.m.
• Mayor Lovatt reaffirmed his commitment to an open forum where concerns are heard and addressed.

Residents of Stouffville will soon have another opportunity to engage directly with local leaders as the next round of town hall events approaches. The meetings provide a forum for residents to share concerns, ask questions, and receive updates on key municipal issues.

The town halls will also continue Mayor Iain Lovatt’s commitment to an open format, where there is no fixed agenda beyond listening to residents.

“Town halls are one of the easiest ways to speak directly with me and your ward councillors. Staff are also on hand to take notes on every concern spoken, with a promise to get an answer if it can’t be given at the time,” Lovatt said in comments to Bullet Point News. “We haven’t missed one to date.”

Since launching these events, Lovatt has hosted two rounds of town halls each year—one with local councillors and one with just the mayor. The format ensures all parts of the town are represented.

The first meeting will be held on April 15 at the Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum and Community Centre with Ward 1 Councillor Hugo Kroon and Ward 2 Councillor Maurice Smith. The second will take place at Latcham Hall on April 23 with Ward 3 Councillor Keith Acton and Ward 6 Councillor Sue Sherban in attendance.

Ward 4 Councillor Rick Upton and Ward 5 Councillor Richard Bartley will join the final town hall on April 29, which will take place at 6240 Main Street. All three meetings will begin at 7 p.m.

Lovatt emphasized that one of the most pressing topics he has heard about recently is the Town’s Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) program. “Residents are equally happy and upset with our ASE program, as expected. Some are very unhappy with getting tickets, and others want to see more cameras in town to help slow cars down.”

“I’ve seen a noticeable difference driving along Main Street and Hoover Park,” Lovatt added, noting that traffic concerns raised at past public meetings helped reinforce the need for ASE cameras.

As the next round of town halls approaches, residents are encouraged to attend and make their voices heard. The meetings offer an important platform for civic engagement, allowing community members to play an active role in shaping decisions that impact Stouffville.