SPRINGWATER CANDIDATES FACE QUESTIONS AT ELMVALE MEETING
First of three election meetings draws approximately 200 residents
By Kari Belcourt
North Simcoe Springwater News
Approximately 200 residents filled the Elmvale Community Hall on September 17 for the first of three Springwater municipal election candidate meetings.
The meeting brought together mayoral candidates Jennifer Coughlin and George Cabral, deputy mayor candidates Anita Moore and Liz Grummett, Ward 1 candidates Matt Garwood, John Spring and Dave Barnett, and Ward 2 candidates Danielle Alexander and Gregory Davidson.
Questions from the floor covered environmental protection, affordable housing, development charges, the Barrie boundary adjustment, strong mayor powers and relations between council and Township staff.
The boundary adjustment produced some of the strongest exchanges. Coughlin defended the decisions made during the process, saying, “As difficult as it’s been, I would do it all over again.” Alexander, Spring and Cabral offered differing views on the negotiations, information provided to council and the financial outcome.
Strong mayor powers were another major point of disagreement. Alexander described them as “an erosion of democracy,” while Cabral questioned their transparency. Davidson defended their use, while Grummett questioned how council can build consensus without relying on them.
Questions surrounding council conduct and its relationship with municipal staff were also raised, with candidates offering differing perspectives on respect, disagreement and the ability of council to work together.
THE POLITICS BEHIND THE MEETING
While the evening was presented as an opportunity for residents to question candidates, the political positions expressed by the organizing committee provide additional context.
The meeting was organized by an ad hoc committee headed by Roy Monk, with Steve Holder and Rick Hubbert among those involved. Two additional organizers have remained anonymous due to ongoing legal concerns involving an elected official. Katie Harries served as moderator.
Speaking on behalf of the committee, Monk has stated that the group opposes Mayor Jennifer Coughlin and councillors Matt Garwood, Gregory Davidson and Liz Grummett, while supporting candidates Hale Mahon, Alex Saldana and John Spring.
The committee has also taken a strong position against the use of strong mayor powers, with Monk describing them as a “dictatorship.”
Monk also referred to what he called “Coughlin’s Cabal,” identifying Coughlin and what he described as Garwood’s endorsements: Grummitt, Garwood, Davidson, Chapman, Spellman and Campbell.
When explaining the word “cabal,” Monk described it as a small, secretive group that conspires to promote private interests, gain power or influence a government or organization. He said the term carries a negative and underhanded connotation associated with political intrigue and conspiracy.
The term “Coughlin’s Cabal” is Monk’s characterization and is not a description adopted by the North Simcoe Springwater News.
The committee’s stated opposition to several candidates, support for others and strong language concerning members of council raise questions about the political perspective from which the meeting was organized.
NSSN ALSO TARGETED
The political dispute surrounding the meeting extended beyond the candidates.
The organizing committee publicly criticized the North Simcoe Springwater News after the newspaper declined to advertise the September 17 event, characterizing the decision as “undemocratic.”
The NSSN operates independently of political candidates, campaigns and election organizing groups. The newspaper declined the advertising arrangement based on its own business and editorial considerations, including outstanding advertising invoices from a previous election that were ultimately written off.
Declining an advertisement did not prevent the meeting from taking place, nor did it prevent any candidate or resident from attending.
The criticism nevertheless became part of the public discussion surrounding the event, placing the newspaper itself into a political dispute during an election campaign.
RESPONDING TO THE “CABAL” COMMENTS
The NSSN asked the candidates identified by Monk for their response to the organizers’ stated positions and the characterization of them as part of what he called “Coughlin’s Cabal.”
Mayor Jennifer Coughlin said she was aware of the organizers’ position before attending.
“I am well aware that the organizers of these events have been publicly vocal in their opposition to me. That doesn’t change my decision to attend. Anyone can organize an all-candidates meeting, and just because their goals, views and intentions may not align with mine, does not make it wrong. I sincerely thank the organizers for putting the evenings together, and everyone who took the time to attend.”
Ward 1 Councillor Matt Garwood said he was also aware of the organizers’ views.
“I will never back down from answering questions residents have, even when our versions of the truth differ. While some choose to focus primarily on legislation implemented by the provincial government, I choose to focus on safer communities, care closer to home, strong community spaces where families can gather, a local economy where businesses can grow, responsible stewardship of Orr Lake, and a Council we can all be proud of, because this is what is within our control, and what residents deserve and expect.”
Garwood said he attended because residents deserve opportunities to hear directly from candidates.
“Disagreement is not the issue, dysfunction is. I am not looking to build consensus for the sake of agreement; I believe in building a team that can work with one another respectfully, debate facts, and avoid spreading misinformation. We can disagree respectfully, not attack personally. We can compromise to get things done, not disagree simply because of who is championing the idea.”
Garwood added, “Using terms like ‘cabal’ proves the point that a change is needed in the way we do politics as residents are tired of the chaos.”
Ward 2 candidate Gregory Davidson said he had seen the organizers’ comments before the meeting.
“I saw the comments and dismissed them as hype.”
Davidson said he attended the September 17 meeting “to connect with residents by hearing and responding to their questions.”
Deputy Mayor candidate Liz Grummett said she was not aware of the organizers’ views before the meeting.
“I was disappointed by the use of the word ‘cabal.’ I’m running my own campaign and making my own decisions, and I’m proud to have a great team of people supporting me. To me, good leadership means listening to different perspectives, making your own decisions and still being able to work with others. Council won’t always agree, and that’s okay. What matters is how you handle those differences and whether you can continue to work together for the community.”
Grummett said she attended because she was invited as a candidate and understood it to be an opportunity for residents to ask questions and hear directly from the candidates.
“I came prepared to listen and answer whatever people wanted to ask. I believe part of public service is showing up, being accessible and having conversations, even when the questions are difficult. That’s how you build trust, and that’s what residents should expect from the people who represent them.”
The question remains to residents to continue to evaluate and decide what is happening behind closed doors – there is a clear political divide in our township with the contentious point seeming to point towards the Barrie boundary adjustment the politics, decisions and information that has been relayed and informed during that period. Clearly minds are already made before a meeting takes place but for the majority of the township they are left wondering what groups and forces are really at play behind the scenes? When a meeting has clear opposite to candidates is it non-bias? The contention will likely continue was residents continue to be informed about all angles- at the next meeting hosted by the NSSN September 24th 2026