We know the moments when our lives change. Sometimes we choose those moments such as when we marry, divorce, or change careers. Sometimes the moments choose us like when we suffer a life-altering accident or the death of a spouse. We recognize the moments as pivot points that split before from after.

Countries experience pivot points. They are sometimes sudden such as when 9-11 quickly changed how we swap inconvenience for security. Sometimes national pivot points arrive in slow motion like when the Great Depression led to new regulatory policies and social programs.

Communities experience pivot points too. Lakefield is at a pivot point right now. The Official Plans of Peterborough County and Selwyn Township both state that Lakefield will grow through building homes in the current Village and in the area known as Lakefield South — between the water tower and 7^th Line. Plans now with the current council will, when completed, see the addition of people to our community approximately equal to Lakefield’s current population.

We are fortunate to have fine Township staff and that Triple T, a good, experienced, local company with good people, is presenting the largest of the currently proposed developments. A lot of good work has already been done.

The next council will be responsible for ensuring that growth happens in a way that is in the best interests of those now living in Lakefield — all of whom, after all, chose to live in a village and not a city or suburb. The next council must also consider the best interests of those who live in the rest of Selwyn and those who will be our new neighbours.

The next council must navigate the pivot point by ensuring that the next steps are informed by a clear vision of what Selwyn and Lakefield are and what we want our community to be. That vision must include acknowledging the climate crisis, the importance of a walkable, bikeable, community built for people and not cars, and the importance of parkland containing active elements for kids and families. The vision must include how those in the current village, on the 7^th line, and in the new neighbourhood will interact as one community. The vision must include how the safety, lifestyle, and character of Lakefield will be positively enhanced and not negatively impacted by more people, traffic, and strains on already taxed infrastructure, police, fire, education, recreation, and healthcare services.

We cannot surrender our agency and forfeit our responsibility by saying that it will be years before the developments in and adjacent to Lakefield will be completed. Rather, we must acknowledge that decisions made by the next council will shape our community for generations.

Leaders recognize a pivot point when they see it. Leaders see the challenges and opportunities that pivot points represent. Leaders humbly seek to learn, understand, and consult, and then, with genuine, transparent communication, to lead.

Lakefield is at a pivot point and, consequently, needs strong leadership on Selwyn Township Council. I am doing my best to earn the support needed in the October election to become that leader as Lakefield Ward Councillor.

(I hope I can earn your vote. Please contact me with questions, suggestions, or offers of support at boykolakefield@gmail.com)