Longtime cottager and community advocate Charles Cooper is in the running for Lake of Bay’s next mayor.
According to his website, Cooper’s campaign will focus on strengthening local infrastructure, enhancing the community, and increasing government efficiency.
As a Lake of Bays cottager for 24 years, Cooper has been involved in the community in many roles including volunteer firefighter, co-founder of the Dwight Winter Pantry food bank, and president of the Tasso, Toad, Camp and Blue Lake Cottagers Association.
One of Cooper’s main priorities is improving local roads. He is proposing a 10-year funding plan aimed at bringing all township roads up to standards required for year-round maintenance, which he says would help provide more equitable services for residents and ensure emergency responders and essential workers can travel safely.
Cooper is also advocating for changes to Muskoka’s two-tier municipal government system. He argues there is significant overlap between responsibilities handled by the Township of Lake of Bays and the District Municipality of Muskoka, particularly in areas such as road maintenance, stormwater systems, planning, mapping, and permitting.
He says moving to a single-tier government structure could reduce administrative costs and generate savings for taxpayers across the region.
“You as a ratepayer deserve better, that includes stewardship of existing resources, personal accountability, and financial discipline,” Cooper said.
Cooper also said elected officials must remain accountable to residents and ensure ratepayers have a voice in municipal decision-making.
As of June 1, Cooper is one of two mayoral candidates registered in Lake of Bays.
Candidates have until Friday, August 21 to file their nominations.
The municipal election is Oct. 26.
