Vaughan mayoral candidates weigh in on traffic, taxes, social programs
YorkRegion.com
Oct. 23, 2014
Adam Martin-Robbins
The Citizen asked Vaughan's mayoral candidates the following three questions. Here's what they said:
Q 1: Traffic congestion costs residents and businesses time and money — and it’s getting worse every year. What’s your plan to tackle this issue, how much would it cost and how would it be funded?
MAURIZIO BEVILACQUA
My plan calls for continued investments for traffic relief through transit improvements including TTC subway extension, VIVA Rapidway, Hwy. 427 extension and a strategic plan that supports GO service expansion. Through cooperation with other levels of government significant progress has been made on this important issue.
DANIEL DEVITO
My plan for addressing congestion involves improvements to the public transit system to encourage citizens to choose publicly funded transportation methods thereby reducing the number of vehicles on roads. Funding would result from an in-depth cost analysis of the existing transit system to promote spending productivity and infrastructure development at the municipal level.
PAUL DONOFRIO
We need to set up a transit committee that works. I will chair this committee to reassure we have the best transit system that works for Vaughan. We will look to the province and private sector for funding.
Q 2: Many residents say property taxes are too high and cringe whenever an increase is announced, but they don’t want programs or services cut either. How would you deal with this?
MAURIZIO BEVILACQUA
Program Review is a measure I implemented for the budget process to ensure the best value for residents’ hard earned tax dollars.
Fiscal responsibility is a top priority. I believe in maintaining excellence in service through affordable and responsible taxation levels.
DANIEL DEVITO
Property tax increases are generally the result of non-specific, convoluted value assessment procedures followed by institutions responsible for ascertaining them. As a result, the distribution of property values in reference to increasing development and population growth is widely and subjectively misrepresented/distributed requiring corrective policy evaluation for more accurate value representation and accountability.
PAUL DONOFRIO
We will start by being accountable for taxpayers’ dollars. Over the last four years there has been millions of dollars of waste and unaccounted for. This is why taxes are on the rise under the watch of Mr. Bevilacqua.
Q 3: Vaughan residents, on average, are fairly well off, but there are people — especially seniors and new immigrants — who struggle to make ends meet. What new initiatives, services or programs would you champion to ensure no one gets left behind?
MAURIZIO BEVILACQUA
As an immigrant to Canada, I strongly endorsed York Region’s Immigration Settlement Strategy as a way to support and facilitate the integration of newcomers. For seniors, we must continue providing and improving on health care and recreational services.
DANIEL DEVITO
Property tax increases are generally the result of non-specific, convoluted value assessment procedures followed by institutions responsible for ascertaining them. As a result, the distribution of property values in reference to increasing development and population growth is widely and subjectively misrepresented/distributed requiring corrective policy evaluation for more accurate value representation and accountability.
PAUL DONOFRIO
Provide jobs within our city and a tier tax rate (reduced) for longtime residents of Vaughan and seniors.
*Mayoral candidate Savino Quatela did not respond to The Citizen's request to participate in this Q & A.
