Some local politicians point to a particular project as proof of a productive council, but for Robert Kloostra, it's much more than that.
This council's cohesiveness on almost all fronts is its greatest achievement, the Ward 2 councillor said, adding that's why it has been able to complete the big-ticket projects.
"I'm proud that we're able to work together," he said.
Case in point: He and two other councillors voted against the recreation centre project, citing concerns with cost and location, but he still sees it as "a major accomplishment for council."
Despite the gains made by council, there is plenty of unfinished business and there were some missed opportunities, he admitted.
"I'm kind of regretting that we didn't bring the skate trail back for consideration," he said, referring to a part of the Orillia Waterfront Centre plan that was abandoned when council opted for a more scaled-back version of the project. "We need to bring people down to our waterfront. If we're going to have people living there, we need to give them something to do."
More activities at the waterfront, as well as more options for boaters who want to dock for the season, would be beneficial, he added.
Also on Kloostra's list of missed opportunities: transit.
Universal bus passes should be an option, he said. They are available to students at Georgian College and Lakehead University, but Kloostra would like to see the same option afforded to the general public.
A central transit hub would also be ideal, he said, though he's not yet ready to throw in the towel on that possibility. He'd like to at least get the wheels rolling on a hub before the Oct. 22 municipal election.
"We need a transit hub."
If that doesn't happen this year, residents can still expect to hear more from Kloostra on the matter.
"I'm definitely going to run for council again in Ward 2," he confirmed.
He also confirmed he is not interested in succeeding Mayor Steve Clarke.
"The mayor's been doing a great job," he said, praising Clarke for gathering council as a group before being sworn in.
By the end of this term, he hopes to see the economic development office back in the spotlight. When its director, Ian Bromley, left the post last year, it created a void that has not yet been filled.
"We've got to figure out what we're going to do with that," Kloostra said. "We've got to let people know Orillia's still in business."
