On February 4th representatives of VOCO met with a special assistant to Minister of Municipal Affairs, John Gerretsen, to confirm the Minister's response to CKL Council's resolution demanding that the provincial government respect the outcome of the November 2003 referendum on de-amalgamation.

      "All restructuring proposals are still on the table and will be considered by the Minister, provided they meet the criteria outlined in his letter to Council," said VOCO spokesperson Lynne Boldt.

      "Based on our very productive meeting with the Minister's special assistant, we believe that the Mayor's interpretation of the Gerretsen response (to Council's resolution) is not accurate," said Boldt.

      "Minister Gerretsen's letter seems clear, and now it has been confirmed by his special assistant, that the Minister is willing to look at ALL restructuring proposals to replace the City of Kawartha Lakes," said Boldt. "On that basis, we will continue to demand that the Ontario government lives up to the commitment of the Premier and Minister Gerretsen."