Schulte shares goals for New Year

January 7, 2014
Vaughan Weekly
By Angela Gismondi

Regional Councillor Deb Schulte has a busy year ahead.

Her list of priorities for 2014 include improving services,  transportation, green spaces in the city and working on projects such as the Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital and the Highway 427 extension.

“Transportation is number one with our residents,” she explained. “I will continue to promote the expansion of Major Mackenzie Drive and the joggle elimination at Highway 27, work on key intersection improvements (Weston and Rutherford Roads), promote the extension of the 427 with the Province and promote the widening of key rail bridges to eliminate pinch points in our roads network.”

She also plans to work to keep taxes low while still providing high quality services. In particular, Schulte hopes to improve local government transparency and accountability through better access to the business of the City and to promote the availability of video recorded meetings online both during and after the meeting.

“With Council support I am hoping to have this available this year,” she stated.

As for major projects in the municipality, Schulte plans to continue to support the creation of the Vaughan Hospital, as soon as possible and the new Vaughan Metropolitan Centre.

“We have the opportunity to create a vibrant integrated residential/office/commercial downtown serviced by the subway coming in 2016,” said Schulte. “This is a huge undertaking and needs a real focus for it to develop properly to its full potential.”

With the recent ice storm and the Emerald Ash Borer infestation, the tree canopy in Vaughan  has been devastated, said Schulte.

“I will work with the Region, the City and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) to restore our very important green infrastructure (trees) and develop strategies to better maintain them,” said Schulte adding she is working to achieve significant progress this year.

Maintaining green space in the City is also a priority for Schulte.

“I want to work with TRCA to continue to foster better partnerships to enhance the access and use of our natural spaces, for example, the parking lot at Rutherford Trail Head and opening Boyd Park gates for cars during the winter,” she said.

Schulte registered to run for re-election yesterday (Tuesday).

“My priorities are not different because it is an election year, however the urgency to get some of them accomplished does increase,” said Schulte. “I have been surprised how long it takes to get projects accomplished at the City. Often it takes at least a year or more to be able to get budget and be prioritized in the long list of other projects that need doing. A growing City is a busy City and we are trying to make a lot of change.”

“There is still so much to do to build this great City and bring to realization the dreams of our residents,” she said.