Tom Imrie
Tom Imrie has been coming to Manitoulin Island since 1978, spending summers at Norm’s Park, and then retiring to Kagawong nine years ago. What attracted him to the area was the friendly, helpful and supportive people. A strong sense of community, the feeling of comfort and safety and spiritual strength is what brought Mr. Imrie and wife Kathy here all those years ago and feels this is the case even more so now. Mr. Imrie has been on council for six years and feels the twice-monthly meetings are run in an appropriate manner for the community. One of the challenges faced is that they are limited to some degree by the Municipal Act in the way business is and must be conducted due to restrictions and legislation. One of the things Mr. Imrie has on the top of his priority list is the waterfront improvement plan which is part of the township’s five-year substantiability plan (2012-2017). He has seen the project initiated and is eager for the real work to start. Acquisition of the lighthouse from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans is also on Mr. Imrie’s radar. Drawing more businesses to the community is key. 4Elements Living Arts moved into town in June and has created two jobs as well as a new taxpayer to the village. “It is consistent with the flavour of the community,” he said. It is his goal to represent the wishes of the majority of taxpayers in the township when it comes to the businesses that are added. Ongoing negotiations with Split Rail Brewery is a good example of this, said Mr. Imrie. When asked if there is anything he would change about Kagawong, Mr. Imrie responded by saying he would pursue only “things wanted by the people.” Seeing potential in the downtown core he would like to encourage improvements that are consistent with the existing appearance. Tourism dollars are the future for and our community. As a retired police officer from Toronto, Mr. Imrie keeps busy and involved both as a representative of council and personally. He currently sits on the museum board, waterfront improvement, is the community emergency coordinator and is chair of the Provincial Acts Board of Management. He has also been involved with the Community Police Advisory Committee, library board, Gore Bay Fish and Game Club, Art of Being Billings (partnering with LAMBAC) and the Manitoulin Island-wide Cultural Development Committee. He feels young people are attracted to the area when they move from an urban centre and can stay connected or continue to work via long distance. The Island “promotes a healthy active lifestyle,” he said, including sports, fishing, hunting, hiking and biking and “access to healthcare is there when you need it.” Considering additions to the township, such as a playground for young children, could be a good fit in the waterfront development plans, he added. In addition to a restaurant and other amenities such as trails, signage and lighting, there is an endless list of possibilities. Mr. Imrie would like the voters of Billings to know that he is “committed to maintaining the spirit and will work with members of the community to move forward with things that are appropriate and beneficial to the town.”
