Woodbridge East candidates debate traffic, taxes, health, seniors and new Canadians
YorkRegion.com
Oct. 2, 2014
By Adam Martin-Robbins
The Vaughan Citizen asked municipal election candidates in Vaughan's Ward 3 (Woodbridge East) four questions about local issues of concern. Here's what they said:
Q1: 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?
ANSWERS
Lorenzo Catuzza
Let’s complete the connections in Vaughan’s road network so drivers stick to main streets instead of using neighborhood roads. Too many cars use Vellore, Weston Downs, and East Woodbridge as bypass roads. Simple, effective solutions don’t have to be costly, like improved traffic signaling, turning restrictions and traffic calming around school zones and parks.
Rosanna DeFrancesca
I tabled a resolution in 2010 asking the province to consider affordable Hwy. 407 tolls, which would relieve east and west commuter gridlock. I believe good planning and continued transit investments will help relieve local traffic problems. If elected I will continue working on sound planning strategies and dialogue with provincial and federal governments.
Francesco Ferraro
Unfortunately, the current traffic congestion is an inherited problem from past administrations. If elected, I would work to mandate infrastructure projects be complete prior to development projects being allowed to proceed. It would cost the taxpayer nothing. Funding would be collected and allocated at time of application approval.
Nick Lima
We must work with all three levels of government for sustainable funding (Region of York) (Provincial) and (Federal) to fully decongest some of the city’s congestion and use public transportation to reduce cars on the road which will not only reduce traffic but will help the environment.
Q2: 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?
ANSWERS
Lorenzo Catuzza
We can’t continually dip into taxpayers’ pocketbooks. We need to work smarter, too. For example: The truck clearing blue-bins weekly won’t stop to collect litter from super-mailboxes. It’s all paper; it shouldn’t cost more to keep those areas clean. In a time of restraint, we must demand more from existing contracts.
Rosanna DeFrancesca
The answer, in one word, is efficiency. If we stop the waste of hard-earned tax dollars then everything else will follow. I have initiated a comprehensive strategy, along with my colleagues, to stop departmental budget increases and improve efficiencies for improved services.
Francesco Ferraro
Services and current programs are valuable to all Ward 3 residents. We must aim to keep taxes stable during this time of economic uncertainty. I propose better management of city resources to achieve tax stability without tax increase.
Nick Lima
I would like to get to the bottom of what programs and services are most beneficial for our community and what can be cut by bringing the city together so everyone gets a say about what should be implemented. Also we could freeze council members’ salaries for the next term.
Q3: 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?
ANSWERS
Lorenzo Catuzza
In 2007, I proposed the Ontario Senior’s Property Tax Grant. I’d like to see the city adopt a similar formula, expanding it to include adults with disabilities and parents of minor children with disabilities. We must recognize some families face added budget constraints and do our part ease those pressures.
Rosanna DeFrancesca
I am working with federal programs for funding allocations to Vaughan for the improvement of services and programs. I am also personally involved with groups designed for helping young teens and mothers with the financial challenges of making it on their own, which I am proud to be involved with.
Francesco Ferraro
I would work with secondary schools to pair a student looking to satisfy their volunteer hours with a senior in need to help with chores - yard work, grocery shopping and other activities. This program could transition to include new immigrants with students teaching them English or helping complete employment applications.
Nick Lima
The economy is still struggling and families are working very hard to make ends meet. We must seek to look at all avenues to listen to senior and social service agencies to understand the critical needs to ensure positive change within the community and self improvement.
Q4: The Vaughan hospital will help alleviate the city’s health-care crunch, but with the population continuing to grow there’s a need for more preventive health measures such as access to a healthy environment; fresh, healthy food and opportunities to live an active lifestyle. What steps would you take to ensure these are available to all residents?
ANSWERS
Lorenzo Catuzza
Poor planning is the biggest barrier to the healthy enjoyment of public and green space. People want to be active, but parents worry about their children cycling on neighborhood roads or walking to school. If council respects the integrity of our neighborhoods, active and healthy lifestyle choices become much easier.
Rosanna DeFrancesca
I am excited about our future and my involvement in our city’s evolution. The Vaughan hospital and other healthcare investments and good planning for future development for a vibrant city, with community living at the crux of our planning, will provide the lifestyle we want as a growing world-class city.
Francesco Ferraro
As a health professional, I realize health issues are fundamentally important to all citizens in Vaughan. As leaders, it is our duty to promote healthy eating and exercise. If elected, I would organize family fun days in the park to teach our young people the importance of healthy living.
Nick Lima
I would promote proactive lifestyle programs and education for seniors so they can enjoy a vibrant and dynamic social and cultural quality of life. I hope to ensure and teach about the new developments to embrace a health conscious lifestyle to live the longest life in the beautiful City of Vaughan.
*Candidate Anthony Liberio did not respond to The Citizen's request to participate in this feature.
