"Frank Jonkman got into politics very much the same way that he got into the greenhouse business - to meet a need. Jonkman started by building greenhouses for his father's farming operation, using recycled materials that included old television aerials. In the 1970s, other Marsh farmers began to call on him for help with putting up their greenhouses, as his reputation gre for getting the work done at a reasonable cost..."
Description : It was a magnificent effort: for 4 years, volunteers with the Bradford West Gwillimbury Local History Association and the community at large worked together as the "WEGWHIST" team, putting together a History of West Gwillimbury. The result was a 2-volume set, Governor Simcoe Slept Here: The Legacy of West Gwillimbury, containing the stories, records and photographs of the families that settled the Township. MP Peter Van Loan flew in to attend, and praised the book as a "remarkable and strong community project - a gift from older generations to younger generations. I commend you all, and I congratulate you all." The book was published by Friesens Corporation of Altona, Manitoba, thanks to seed money provided by the Municipal council, an Ontario Trillium Foundation grant, and contributions from Patrons. George Jackson, who chaired, co-ordinated and drove the process from the beginning thanked a long list of those involved.
Article about the amalgamation of the Bradford and Innisfil Police Departments; the previous defeated vote was reexamined after Innisfil Town Council voted for the bylaw, and BWG Town Council revisited the proposal.
Description : Calling it the "single biggest issue or event that's come to Council, as far as having positive impact," Councillor Marty Toombs announced a gift of property to the municipality by Mike Orsi, principal of Mod-Aire Homes Ltd. A committee comprised of Toombs, Councillor Ron Simpson and Mayor Frank Jonkman had apparently approached a number of developers regarding a possible acquisition of land for a new civic centre. The Town is conducting a Consolidation Study, looking at the feasibility of bringing all Town departments under one roof. To their surprise, Orsi offered to hand over the deed to 6 acres fronting on County Road 88, just east of the former Mod-Aire offices, which were destroyed by fire. There are two conditions. The Town can't sell the property, but is free to "exchange" it for other lands closer to the centre of town, if desired. "I think his entire goal was to start a new relationship with the people in town," said Toombs.