Carella focused community improvement for 2014

Vaughan Weekly
January 29, 2014              
By Angela Gismondi

Councillor Tony Carella has a busy year ahead.

Carella is focusing a number of priorities for 2014 and transportation is at the top of his list.

He’s particularly interested in the Highway 427 extension.

“It will have a great impact on my ward and specifically on transportation in my ward,” said the Woodbridge West councillor.

In terms of transit, Carella is also looking forward to the completion of the subway extension to the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre in the next few years.

“It’s absolutely going to change the character of how we get around town tremendously,” said Carella.

What is critical, he added, is making sure there are easy ways for people in the city to access public transit.

“Once the subway is here, there has to be connections across the city,” Carella explained, adding taking two or three buses to get to the subway won’t be good enough. “It’s got to be a direct connection that would get people out of their cars and onto public transit.”

Carella is also involved in the development of the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre, the City’s future downtown core, which will start to take shape over the next few years.

“That’s going to be quite incredible,” said Carella. “Once the subway arrives I think we’re going to see a lot of development there. It will be a real City with a credible downtown. Vaughan will be able to hook up with Toronto in a way that no other municipality can.”

As for more local issues, Carella is keeping a close eye on the expansion of a number of community centres across the city, especially the Father Ermanno Bulfon Community Centre in Woodbridge.

“Fitness centres have become popular in the last number of years,” said Carella. “I am very happy about bringing Father Bulfon (Community  Centre) up to date.”

Carella is also hoping to see the cell tower behind the Al Palladini Community Centre in Woodbridge relocated to the Boyd Park area by mid-year.

“Demands for service translate into the need for more and more towers,” said Carella. “Trying to find a location that is generally acceptable is becoming increasingly difficult. It’s a huge issue.”

Because cell towers are regulated by the federal government, the City often has no say in the matter. However, residents are concerned about health impacts and impacts on the landscape.

“We don’t have a role to play in addressing those concerns,” explained Carella.

In terms of healthcare, Carella is also looking forward getting shovels in the ground for the new Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital.

“Hopefully the contact for construction will be let out by the end of the year,” said Carella.