Newmarket Ward 5 byelection: Most candidates admit traffic is one of the important issues in the area

YorkRegion.com
Sept. 29, 2016
By Chris Simon

Ask a candidate for their opinion on the most important issue facing Ward 5 and, almost inevitably, they pick roads and at least one other topic of personal interest.

For filmmaker and event producer Tom Pearson, his ‘other’ area of concern is crime. He wants the Town of Newmarket to focus on developing programs that give youth an outlet for expression, like graffiti wall murals and road hockey.

“I have established relationships with York (Region’s housing department) and sit on a committee that advises on youth engagement programs; I plan to continue on these paths and create new more broadly used programs,” he said. “Traffic concerns vary from street to street, but I'd like to explore a staggered lane system, such as what is used in parts of Thornhill, to effectively slow down local traffic. Signs are an OK addition but not enough to slow down the increased traffic due to construction.”

Flight attendant Tracee Chambers also notes the lack of affordable housing needs to be addressed. If elected, she’d like to push Newmarket’s economic development advisory committee to explore the issue and come up with viable recommendations to council.

“If we are going to live in a vibrant, inclusive community then we need to ensure housing is available to all,” she said. “Our youth and seniors face being squeezed out of the housing market. I want my children to be able to call Newmarket home and to consider being our future. And our senior population should not have to think about moving out due to lack of housing options. I believe we need to bring forward a summit with a wide variety of stakeholders to engage in this compelling social issue.”

Traffic safety advocate Ian Johnston agrees on the need for more diverse housing options.

“(The) town must partner with developers to commit to also building affordable housing units in their applications for development projects in our town. With the current housing market the way it is, many can’t afford to live in our town anymore,” he said, noting most traffic issues can be addressed through driver behavioural changes and educational campaigns. “We have seen the safety of kids on town property in front of schools jeopardized because of every parent driving their kids to school and parking on neighbourhood streets obstructing buses and homeowners trying to get out of the driveways in the mornings and afternoons. The schools aren’t going to build anymore parking. This is not a (police) problem but a behaviour problem done through research.”

Darryl Wolk, who ran unsuccessfully for the regional councillor seat in the 2014 municipal election, agrees. But he blames cost-of-living increases on government “waste”.

“Hydro and water rates are skyrocketing,” he said. “Transit fares and sports user fees are too high compared to our neighbours. Our property taxes are second highest in the (Greater Toronto Area). We need to respect taxpayers, cut waste and reinvest the savings into priorities that matter to people such as more festivals, outdoor hockey rinks, splash pads and traffic safety measures. I will work hard to make Newmarket affordable again for those struggling with the cost-of-living."

Both Ron Eibel and Johnston are pushing for stricter safety measures on local roadways.

Specifically, Eibel says the town needs to focus on side streets, which have seen an increase in speeding because of the construction on Davis Drive and Yonge Street in recent years. New signage and rumble strips and modified speed bumps could be quite effective.

“Sadly, the speed of our major roads' traffic is being moved onto our side streets,” he said. “In speaking with people in the industry, rather than bringing in the latest and greatest from roundabouts and traffic calming islands, they actually suggest a far more economical plan. New bright signs placed optimally in conjunction with rumble strips and fresh line/chevron painting is a way to get traffic safety moving forward without the delays involved with the construction of speed islands and so on.”

Eibel supports the concept of photo radar, but admits technology is expensive and needs to be purchased in bulk to be effective.

Traffic around school zones are certainly an issue, says real estate professional Peter Geibel. However, ward residents have also expressed their concern over the relocation of the Newmarket Food Pantry and sidewalk maintenance.

“I have noticed sidewalks not being properly maintained in both winter snow and summer, making it challenging if not impossible for those with mobility issues to traverse the community safely,” he said. “I see most of these problems being solved through a joint effort of municipal government and our residents.  Drinking and driving has become taboo not because of a change in laws or by-laws but rather a paradigm shift in thinking.  We need to look at ways to make the same paradigm shift in thinking in regards to speeding in our neighbourhoods, about caring for our public spaces.”

Bob Kwapis did not provide a comment.