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07 12 1990 Township of Oro History Committee - MemoTHE CORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF Office of the—pjistory Committee To the Reeve and Members of Oro Council: July 12, 1990 Further to the Township of Oro History Committee attending a meeting of Oro Council on July 9, 1990, to discuss matters of concern of the Committee with Council regarding Township History Books, advertising, sale and display of same and other items of historic nature as well as the recently finished Chain of Office for the Township of Oro which was worn by the Reeve for the first time at this meeting. (the design of the Chain of Office was re- commended by the Hiatory Committee as requested by Council) After consideration of the aforementioned matters with Council the History Committee expressed a major concern that has been foremost on their minds since the proposal and implementation of the Restructuring of the County of Simcoe by the Province of Ontario. Rumours and speculations of the proposal are frightening and of serious concern of the Committee Members. Therefore the History Committee of the Township of Oro as a Volunteer Committee of the Township wish to submit the follow- ing data and reasons why the Township of Oro should remain as a viable Unit as a Township within the proposed Restructured County of Simcoe: 1. The Township of Oro has more than the required population and Assessment for a viable Unit within the proposed Restruct- uring, and Oro is based on a strong foundation as a Unit from the time of the Pioneers and early Settlers of Oro and cont- inued as such generation asfter generation - people of Oro have always been progressive, careful, independent and proud of their Township. The foundation of Oro was built by the early Settlers for the people of the Township. 2. Oro is 'The Heart of Simcoe County' and the heart should not be destroyed. 3. Oro has always been fortunate to have Council's elected who have put Oro first and foremost and in their wisdom based their decision of development and regulations for the better- ment of the people of Oro. Accordingly taxation was kept to a minimum to the ratepayers over the years. 4. Oro has basically always been 'Debt Free' and still is. Early Council's in the past based their finacial management on a pay as you go basis. Only Short Term Debentures were used for Schools and/or Community Centres and Services. This policy continued to exist with recent and present Council. Decisions based on what is best for the ratepayers of Oro and hopefully will continue. page - 2 Oro Station, Box 100, Ontario, LOL 2E0`",�� J"� Telephone (705) 487-2171 page - 2 5. The Education system was carried out from the system est- ablished by the Early Settlers and School Boards progressed gradually from a one room School to Area Schools under an Area School Board until taken over by the County School Board System. A History of Oro Schools was published by the Area School Board and Council. (Summary of which is included in the Story of Oro) 6. Larger Units are not necissarily better and definitely prove more costly. Examples of this readily became evident immed- iately once County School Boards and Regional Assessment came into effect. Taxes increased rapidly to the ratepayers since it was no longer a grass root system, by locally administered Boards and local Assessors that related to the local people. Many other reasons or argumentive submissions could be sub- mitted to substanuate the need to have Oro remain and retain its identity as a the Township of Oro within the proposed Restructured County of Simcoe. As it would appear that larger Units often tend to lean towards a destructive rather than a constructive nature under a bureaucratic system which -is con- trary to the policy and wisdom of our forefathers who placed the concerns of the ratepayers first and foremost.(i.e. Government of the people by the peeple) Some of the more recent proposals of Government would appear to by pass the concerns of the people, so let us hope that the County Restructuring Committee will bear this in mind when consid- ering the Units within the proposed County Restructuring and not tear apart working viable Units. Oro being one of the four larger Municipalities in the County of Simcoe at present. 7. The Township of Oro have over the years produced and published a number of History Books, which were prepared and completed by volunteers consisting of members of various Women's Inst- itutes within the Township and other local members including past and some present members of the History Committee, who assisted Councils in the preparation and publication of the books, again a local effort by dedicated people of the Town- ship. A number of former members of Council actively part- icipated in the gathering of information for these publications. The following Books are available: Bavview Memorial Park - published in 1951 at the dedication of Oro Memorial Park (A, pamphlet prepared for the Official opening of the Park - consisting of a Historical Sketch of the Township and listing members of Council from1836 to that date, as well as Clerks and Treasuers, Assessors, Tax Collector (prepared by the Clerk, W.B. Tudhope and Council) The Story of Oro - published in 1972 -by Volunteer Groups Also produced film slides for presentation of various subjects, such as - Communities; Agriculture; Schools; Churches, etc. Kith 'n' Kin - published in 1978 - Editor - Joanna McRwen former member of Council and History Committee, serv- as the Chairperson for many years. Second Edition of the Story of Oro - published in 1987 - Editor - Joanna McEwen Also other publications such as 'Knox Presbyterian Church History - A Histoic Building. page - 3 cont'd page - 3 Historic data on file of the African Episcopal Methodist Church. An Historic Building and Cairn erected at the Site. Maintained by the Township over the years. 8. Oro has been fortunate in having a Historic record of Clerks and Treasurers, the Tudhope family of Clerks for 124 years - Grandfather (George) father (Henry) and Son (Wesley B.) for 50 years. He was well known throughout the County and beyond by Municipal Governments. These men were dedicated to their work and to the ratepayers of Oro and guided many Council's in their tasks. He also greatly assisted in the early pKblic- ations of the History books through the Township files. 9. A number of Cairns and Plaques have been erected in the Town- ship in memory of noted persons, buildings, streets and events, etc. Once again through the efforts of dedicated people of Oro Township. 10. Oro Township has survived two proposals for Annexation by their submissions to the Ontario Municipal Board on the two separate occasions. 11. Oro Township has records available from 1835 to date - 1835 - 1851 - known as the Municipality of Oro and South Orillia 1851 - Oro Township was incorporated as the Corporation of the Township of Oro. Records such as By-laws; Minutes; Assessment and Collector's Rolls are available for the information of the ratepayers. Oro has built two Municipal Buildings (both debt free) Prior to 1956 the Administration work was carried out in the homes of the Clerks and Council meetings were held at the Oro Town Hall. Also the Machine Shed for Roads Department was constructed and an addition thereto, again from funds on hand. 12. The Council of the Township of Oro over the years have always endeavoured to make provisions for Parks, Recreational faci- lities, such as an Arena, Community Centres and when the Official Plan was presented for approval, it included the provisions for Parks, Lakeshore facilities and Community Centres. In addition the Township Councils for the benefit of the people have encouraged and supported private facilities such as Golf Courses, Ski Resorts (both Down Hill and across country.) Conference Centre at Horseshoe Valley. Trusting that the Council of the Township of Oro will be able to make use of this submission of the Township of Oro History Committee in support to their presentation to the County of Simcoe Restructuring Committee on their stand to maintain the Status of the Township of Oro as a Township within the pro- posed Restructured County. The foregoing is hereby humbly submitted to the Council of the Township of Oro by the concerned members of the Township of Oro History Committee. More elaborate history and facts to substantiate the foregoing may be found in the History publications aforementioned. The History Committee could continue to listnore reasons to maintain the Township of Oro as a Municipality within the County of Simcoe. page - 4 Thank you for taking the time to read the submission of the Township of Oro History Committee. Henry Nfeid, Secreta y, Township of Oro History Committee You ‘very truly L '-reen Ricer airperson of the Township of Oro History Committee.