In a year punctuated by negativity, the Gravenhurst Business Improvement Area (BIA) is marking the start of the coming year with a renewed sentiment of unity and optimism.

At the BIA’s annual general meeting, held at Gravenhurst Opera House Thursday, there was an apparent atmosphere of frustration mixed with a target on a brighter future.

The meeting was a chance for the organization to gain a fresh start after it experienced a year of resignations and infighting.

President Robb White was remorseful and positive as he accepted responsibility for his own actions that contributed to the challenges the board faced this year.

“To anyone that I offended or anyone who thought I didn’t have best interests of the downtown at heart I apologize. (The best interests of Gravenhurst) is why I joined this board,” he said. “If we can refocus and put aside our differences — all of us, those that are on the board and members. . . . Look at attendance tonight and I’m sorry it’s the same people who have been here in years past. You cannot blame it all on this year’s board. We tried.”

White will continue with the BIA as a past-president, he said.

Expense budget numbers were based on the town’s calculations even though former treasurer Frank Wear, who resigned three weeks earlier according to a BIA director, disputed the numbers, saying they conflicted with his information. With outstanding expenses and contributions not added, the BIA has a surplus of $59,935.

Vice-chair Frances Garner gave her report concentrating on the positive.

“I don’t think anybody in this room needs to be told the past BIA year has been a daunting one, but a rehashing of the events is only going to keep us from moving quickly during this meeting and into the future toward a stronger downtown core. If no one on the BIA has agreed on anything, one thing keeps coming out. The BIA must look toward future opportunities and strategic planning to meet the changing face of Gravenhurst. Not only has development come to town, but also much more development is on the way,” said Garner. “We in the downtown have a fantastic opportunity to benefit from new businesses. Business brings business and it’s time for us to embrace the fast-approaching future of our town.”

Garner, using the metaphor of the body where the core is the strength said, “It’s the same with Gravenhurst. Downtown Gravenhurst is the core of the town and without our strength, building and turning the downtown into something that is viable where people want to come, I don’t think the other efforts of other things that are happening in town can be as strong and thriving as they want them to be.”

Garner, before the report, read a letter from the Greater Gravenhurst Residents’ Association. It outlined support and extended a hand for co-operation in future efforts in Gravenhurst.

“It’s nice to know there are groups who want to band together and to work toward a one common goal,” Garner said.

April Drane, who was visibly frustrated with the past year’s events, gave the marketing report for the year that included the promotion of events such as the Bloomin’ Fashions Fashion Show, Spooktactular, the third annual Steamship Festival and Sidewalk Sale, the farmer’s market and efforts to decorate the downtown for the Christmas season.

White has immediate concerns, but knows the BIA is ultimately an integral component to the downtown’s success.

“Above all I hope we find the BIA has an integral place in the community. It is the core of the community and that hopefully we can be key in making Gravenhurst thrive in the long run,” White said.

Directors Drane and Ardena McKelvey resigned at the end of their reports, leaving the board down to four executive members (Garner, White, Brandon McGregor and Gerry Vrieswyk) and the meeting in a state of uncertainty.

However it quickly recovered its positive start when Bob Hutton, a longtime member, told the BIA to start anew and recommended they all “kiss and make up.”

This followed an obvious frustration over the year’s happenings. The coined phrased was followed by a laughter of acknowledgement as it was repeated by a few others, including Gravenhurst Mayor John Klinck, the council liaison.

Recent executive members Irene Humber and past-president Judy Terry, both resigned a few months ago, but accepted their nominations for the coming year’s board.

Terry is returning because she feels there is work left to do, she said.

“I feel I had something to offer. I’m excited about some of the new people who have joined. Not necessarily that they are new to town, I think there is a good mix of people that are seasoned business people that have been here a while who are enthusiastic to moving forward positively,” she said.

Nominations were also extended to Peter Woods, Colleen Knapp, Connie Johnston and Penny Varney. Their acceptance of the nominations is a signal for a brighter future, but the return of Humber and Terry means they “are willing to work with the remainder of the board,” White said.

Although Woods has only been a business owner for two years in Gravenhurst (with a business in Bracebridge for five years), he hears a lot of rumours bandied about in his business and added he understands small-town politics.

“I’ve gotten used to hearsay and conjecture. It doesn’t scare me,” he said, adding knowing each too well can lead to personal disagreements.

Woods is a new BIA member and wants to bring more people to the downtown, including in the evening hours that he sees as a specific challenge for Gravenhurst.

“There are obvious conflicts that need to be just forgotten about. I guess it’s difficult,” he said.

Mayor Klinck didn’t officially finish the AGM, but he had the most comforting words of encouragement and support, acting as the representative of the town and council.

He suggested a meeting this coming week for the remaining board members and an additional meeting during the week before Christmas with town staff about who will do what in the BIA.

Due to Bill 130, there is a deadline for protocol bylaws by Jan. 1. The BIA must have a board of six members ready and in place to draft them.

“It’s the board who decides how you’re going to operate. It’s the board who decides how you’re going to take nominations, how you’re going to vote on who is going to be what, so we need to sit down and almost start from scratch,” Klinck said. “Let’s make sure you’re functioning. Let’s make sure we take the first step and we’re all ready to go.”

Town council is expected to approve the new board at its meeting Dec. 18. Before the council meeting, a review of the draft procedural bylaw will be conducted.

White believes the BIA will continue and be integral to the town of Gravenhurst.

“We not only need to focus in bringing business into town, but making sure we keep customer attention, our locals stay here and think of shopping here first,” White said. “Everything is here. I very seldom leave Gravenhurst to shop. I’m one of the few people that has not been into Wal-Mart.”

Klinck expressed his support for the board, but outlined the reality of the current challenging situation facing the area, with competition from outlying areas such as Orillia, Huntsville and Bracebridge.

“I don’t think anyone has anything to feel ashamed of,” he said. “It happens at all levels of organizations. You go through periods where in spite of your best efforts it seems like you’re banging your head against the wall . . . the concept of being positive. The media will write about it if you give them something positive, so let’s be positive.”