Shefman shares priorities for the new year

Vaughan Weekly
January 15, 2014
By Angela Gismondi

Councillor Alan Shefman will be focusing on a variety of local and city-wide issues in 2014.

The councillor recently told The Weekly his top priority for the New Year is to continue to serve the needs of his constituents.

“Responding quickly and effectively to issues from residents has been my number one priority since I was first elected in 2004,” explained Shefman.

The Thornhill councilor has priorities for both his ward and the City as a whole. One of his main goals in Ward 5 is controlling the build out of Bathurst/Centre Street area, including the Thornhill City Centre and Promenade area.

There is a need to properly address the continuing intensification of the area, he said.

“Over the last year most of the applications received have been too high and too intense,” said Shefman. “Although I am not against intensification, I believe this area has more than its fair share already. I will do everything possible in the future to ensure that the area west of New Westminster is developed with a low rise profile.”

He would also like to see progression in the Yonge Street development, which he calls “the other key development area for the City.”

A secondary plan for this area has already been developed.

“I would like to see this area begin develop as a key gateway into the City,” Shefman said.

He also plans to focus his energy on safety on local streets.

“Too many people are ignoring our traffic signs and are driving too fast in residential areas,” Shefman said.

“I will be implementing a program with our schools and the police to address these issues.”

In addition to safety, Shefman has also been working with staff to develop a rehabilitation plan for parks in the area.

“Ward 5 has a significant number of older (25 to 30-year-old) parks that are desperately in need of rehabilitation,” Shefman pointed out.

“For the last number of months I have been working with staff to develop a format to assess each park and to develop it rehabilitation plan. I am hoping to begin implementation this year.”

He is also committed to working with the Beverly Glen community and VivaNext to address concerns raised regarding Rapidway on Centre Street. The project is expected to be tendered early in 2014.

“I will be working with the community and VivaNext to bring the community’s perspective to the design,” he stated.

In terms of Citywide issues, at the top of Shefman’s list is the Yonge Street Subway extension and continuing work with colleagues from Markham and

Richmond Hill councils to support the development of this critical rapid transit link into the community.

He is also looking forward to the next step in the development of the Mackenzie Vaughan

Hospital, which is to finalize an arrangement with Mackenzie Health and to begin construction toward the end of the year.

Shefman also wants to work to connect and unite the residents to the City. One of his ideas is to implement Vaughan Day as an annual event to celebrate the municipality.

Shefman said his priorities remain the same despite the upcoming election in October. Shefman is seeking reelection and filed his papers last week.