It's budget time across Simcoe County.

With the start of the new year it must mean the start of the whole budget process in the towns that make up Simcoe County. I've read some very interesting postings from our friends in the south end of the riding about the budget process, and how every town is facing a tax increase of anywhere from 2.5% to as high as 7%.

In my neck of the woods, the Town of Collingwood is facing about a 5% tax increase with Wasaga Beach looking at a 2.9% tax increase. What caught my eye is a news report suggesting that Wasaga Beach bow out of the NVCA - Nottawasaga Conservation Authority. This suggestion was made by newbie member of council, Morley Bercovitch, and was shot down right away by Mayor Patterson. Now I would not normally comment on this, but let's play a little game to connect the dots.

Former Mayor of Essa, David Guergis, along with his brother the former Mayor of Springwater, Tony Guergis tried to get the NVCA dissolved, and replaced by another group. The Guergis brothers were the ones who voted to move forward with Site 41, and we all know how well that worked out for them. Now we all know that the Guergis clan are strong Conservative supporters. Morley Bercovitch is also a strong Conservative supporter as he's the Vice-President of the Provincial PC riding association in Simcoe Grey. Mr. Bercovitch also acted as Jim Wilson's CFO in the 2007 Provincial election. Jim Wilson was very silent on the whole Site 41 issue. The major backers of the local Conservative party, both Federal and Provincial is the Ainley Group, who's President, Simon Ainley is the President of the Provincial PC riding association. The Ainley group donated either via the company or Simon directly the max allowed under provincial law to several candidates in Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Springwater, Clearview and Essa.

Anyway I just find it funny that Mr. Bercovitch would ask that the NVCA not be funded by the Town of Wasaga Beach as I'm sure if the NVCA was dissolved, and new group would pop up that indirectly had ties to the Conservative money machine in Simcoe-Grey. Money truly does buy access in rural Ontario.

Until next time!