Top priorities for Vaughan’s council: Easing traffic, keeping an eye on taxes
Councillors have plenty of work to do in the next 4 years

YorkRegion.com
January 3, 2019
Dina Al-Shibeeb

Easing traffic gridlock and keeping an eye on taxes were top priorities for Vaughan's councillors, according to speeches during their inauguration on Dec. 4.

So here is a list of what they have promised:

Ward 1: Councillor Marilyn Iafrate

Elected for the third time, Iafrate is set to ease traffic gridlock at Maple core, funding a north Maple regional park and sourcing land for a much-needed community centre and library for Kleinburg.

“I look forward to moving ahead with these issues including but not limited to improving traffic flow in the Maple core by pressuring York Region to construct that much needed centre turn lane that will leave residents and emergency services in a faster and safer manner towards the new McKenzie hospital.”

Ward 2: Councillor Tony Carella

In an email to York Region Media, long-time councillor Carella specified his three top priorities, which include: “Update our strategic direction for this term,” “Represent the interests of my constituents,” and “oversee and monitor corporate performance.”

Carella was elected to his fifth term last year.

Ward 3: Councillor Rosanna DeFrancesca

DeFrancesa said she is “determined” to bring “positive change” and most importantly “find innovative and economic solutions to our challenges” among them to make “life more affordable to our residents.”

“I am committed to work on building a Vaughan that supports good governance and ensures that your hard-earned tax dollars are spent prudently,” DeFrancesca said. “I have ensured that millions of tax dollars remain in ward 3.”

She added: “Traffic and gridlock remain a priority for the residents of Vaughan,” and it is time to “explore solutions” to bring “some relief to the daily commute.”

Ward 4: Councillor Sandra Yeung Racco

During the inauguration ceremony, Racco highlighted how “quickly” Vaughn as a city is growing. “It remains one of the fastest growing cities in Ontario and across the country. It is truly an exciting time, at the same time, it can be quite challenging.”

Yeung Racco reiterated the need to ease traffic.

“Finding solutions to fight traffic gridlock, creating more accessible and affordable public transportation, ensuring the variety of available housing options, securing funds to repair all the infrastructure, and build much need infrastructure in growing communities are all challenges,” she said.

She added: “And I am up to these challenges” while “maintaining cost effective municipal services.”

“Our interests of our taxpayers are looked after.”

Ward 5: Councillor Alan Shefman

Unlike others who talked about tangible issues, Shefman, who on Oct. 22 was elected for his seventh consecutive term, called for more integrity by politicians.

“When I was younger, political leaders were people you looked up to ... with someone who looked and acted in an honorable manner even though he might have time spoken harshly about his political opponents, they were not demonizing words or questioning his principles.”

He said he learned three lessons from his long political career, and that’s to “serve one’s community at any level is a good virtuous thing to do,” and, secondly, being elected to an office is an honour and, thirdly, to serve you must act based on a set of defined ethics and principles.

Sheftman urged that “now more than ever, we all need to act in an enlightened manner.”

“We are fortunate in the City of Vaughan to be in an extraordinary moment of great and positive change while the last number of years we were working tirelessly to get important projects off the ground,” he said. “This next term, we will be busy with ribbon cutting and the opening of significant infrastructure.”

Deputy Mayor: Mario Ferri

Ferri, Deputy Mayor, Local and Regional Councillor described “city building” as a top priority. “We will not let you down,” he added.

Local and Regional Councillor Linda D. Jackson

Jackson, Vaughan’s former mayor in 2006, said: “On the campaign trail, the residents of Vaughan resoundingly said that their top issues were traffic, taxes and public safety.”

She added: “I look forward to tackling those issues collaboratively with members of Vaughan’s council, my colleagues at the region of York and provincial and federal members of parliament.”

Jackson said she will “focus” her time on regional issues to make sure that Vaughan has “a strong voice” especially that the “majority” of Vaughan’s tax dollars go to York Region.

Regional Councillor Gino Rosati

Just like Shefman, Rosati said “much has been accomplished in the past years.” He added: “It’s reflective in our citizen’s survey indicating an overall satisfaction.”

However, he said “more needs to be done.”

“I look forward to working with my colleagues and other levels of government particularly in addressing and solving traffic issues in a very comprehensive way. As well as keeping taxes the lowest level while maintaining service level with special attention for seniors, families and special needs.”

He also promised he will “always be available and responsive for community needs and continue in the path of having a vibrant and caring city that we can prosper together, now and in the future.”