Through several meetings I have with the BIA and its participants, this has been a fractured relationship for several years and business are split on the direction of the BIA and their marketing efforts to date. Not everyone agrees on its promotions and activities and how those marketing dollars are spent. With a limited budget to work with that comes through taxation (a levy), it’s good to have all members on the same page and that is fair for all businesses not just a few as some business owners have said. Some businesses are hesitant to join because it makes no difference in their bottom line and don’t see the benefits of group marketing. A better balance between retail & restaurants is encouraged and having their own parking spaces for their own business tops major concerns. The selling off parking spaces, which the town eliminated in 2010 in The Cultural Master Plan. Equal weight for all businesses.
If elected I would encourage all businesses open to participate in the decision making process and work with one another to market the downtown beyond just events. The town should do more to (or even the chamber which lags in this area) promote the downtown outside of Newmarket at conferences, etc. Whether through by-laws, and/or from reserve funds, only the stakeholders on Main can formulate a future business plan works for all with guidance from the town. The town must be more involved, instead of offering band-aid solutions and fiscal & policy restraint. Be something more than just a restaurant district, to be more like a tourism centre with its rich history not only in the Region but throughout Ontario & Canada. A balance boutique stores and unique restaurants with a visual backdrop of history. We are not known for anything like our other neighbouring towns & cities are. The Clock Tower issue resolution will go along way in future economic viability of the area. The Town Hall experiment has yet to be realized. Thanks
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Ian Johnston - Community Driven Leader for 50 years 