Making East Gwillimbury open for business top of priority list

Take a look at East Gwillimbury councillor priority lists for the next 4 years

Yorkregion.com
January 10, 2019
Amanda Persico

Growth is a big issue for East Gwillimbury’s new council.

Homes and residents are already here, with more to come in the near future.

The town welcomed about 6,000 new residents over the past two years and can expect to see the same number moving in over the next few years.

Now, the focus turns to bringing employment opportunities residents.

“One job for every two residents is and must be achieved to ensure our vision for the future is met,” said Mayor Virginia Hackson.

East Gwillimbury’s new team of ward councillors each mirrored the sentiment, with creating employment at the top of the list.

Bringing in jobs, jobs and more jobs, will help the town “remain a self-sufficient community and not a bedroom to the GTA,” Hackson added.

Ensuring there plenty of employment opportunities within the town’s boards also means partnering with the East Gwillimbury Chamber of Commerce as well as the town’s economic development committee.

That also means moving forward on the town’s employment land plans.

There’s more to being open for business than just attracting employment.

There are a number of ancillary issues to tackle including the connecting link between Highway 400 and Highway 404, ensuring adequate broadband services are available throughout town as well as attracting more doctors and medical offices.

But balancing growth goes hand-in-hand with balanced finances and spending.

“My priority will continue to be one of strong fiscal responsibility,” Hackson said. “We enter this term having our financial house in order with a debt free status and a history of low taxes.”

While managing growth is top of the list, here is a list of key priorities for the new East Gwillimbury council:

Mayor Virginia Hackson

• Construction and opening of a new operations centre on Woodbine Avenue;
• Development of the Health and Active Living Plaza, which includes an aquatics facility, program space and new library;
• Addressing the broadband challenges;
• Working to advance the connecting link between Highway 400 and 404;
• Establishing an East Gwillimbury Arts Council; and
• Closing the Holland Landing Lagoons.

Coun. Terry Foster -- Ward 1: Holland Landing:

• Effectively managing growth -- heard much of this during the election;
• Trying to preserve the history and heritage of East Gwillimbury and its many communities;
• Working toward more balanced growth -- retail and industry is needed to go along with the residential boom we are seeing; and
• Employment for our residents.

Coun. Loralea Carruthers -- Ward 1: Holland Landing

• Deliver a high quality of life;
• Ensuring taxes remain as low as possible through responsible budgeting; and
• Improving downtown Holland Landing and investing in parks, trails and public amenities throughout Holland Landing.

Coun. Tara Roy-DiClemente -- Ward 2: Sharon/Queensville

• Seeing the Health and Active Living facility with an aquatic centre completed;
• Continue to manage growth responsibility and find ways to connect new residents with the community;
• Enhanced focus on culture, heritage and economic development; and
• Deliver good jobs, grow the business community and create an enhanced quality of place to ensure a prosperous future.

Coun. Joe Persechini -- Ward 2: Sharon/Queensville

• Continuing to work on the many projects planned to improve the community;
• Work to have the best team possible in place to provide the necessary programs and services for East Gwillimbury residents;
• Continue to update bylaws that need reviewing; and
• Making East Gwillimbury a great place to live and work.

Coun. Scott Crone -- Ward 3: Mount Albert

• Dealing with speeding along town streets and supporting first responders;
• Establishing a broadband advisory committee and ensuring adequate internet speed and access across East Gwillimbury;
• Development and zoning: development in residential areas need to be done in a manageable fashion that minimizes the impact on neighbouring residents and attracting more businesses to town;
• Keeping taxes low and aligned with the cost of living; and
• Address the quality and pricing of water services.

Coun. Cathy Morton -- Ward 3: Mount Albert

• Entice doctors and a medical building to open in East Gwillimbury;
• Dealing with speeding throughout the community;
• Ensuring taxes are kept low; and
• Keeping development under control while providing services to residents.