Concord, Thornhill candidates tackle traffic, taxes, health

Yorkregion.com
Sept. 25, 2014
By Adam Martin-Robbins

The Vaughan Citizen asked all municipal election candidates four local issues-related questions. Today, we publish the answers of candidates in wards 4 & 5 (Concord/Thornhill and Thornhill).

The candidates are as follows: Ward 4 (Concord/Thornhill) - Jonathan Gorenstein, Styles Q. Weinberg and incumbent Sandra Yeung Racco. Ward 5 (Thornhill) candidates include Josh Martow and incumbent Alan Shefman.

Please find below are questions and each candidate's answers in turn to the four questions can be found below the questions, as follows:

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?

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?

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?

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?

Here are the candidates' answers in 50 words or less:

JONATHAN GORENSTEIN (Concord/Thornhill)

A1. 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?

I think it is important to look at which areas are causing the most issues, and then try to address them. I don't think you can really put a value under you determine which ones are the most considering.

A2. Many residents say property taxes are too high and cringe whenever an increase is announced, but they don't want programs or services to be cut either. How would you deal with this?

It is important to find ways we can be more efficient, and not just throwing money any these problems. Let's look to see if there are more efficient ways of doing things, and that would lead to saving money and not raising taxes.

A3. 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?

Helping local business leads to better paying jobs, which in the end just helps the community.

A4. 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?

We need to create programs that get people involved and aware of their health. People who are aware will make healthier choices.

STYLES Q. WEINBERG (Concord/Thornhill)

1. TA1. Traffic Congestion
Limit high density high rise building in areas that cannot handle the traffic such as the proposed development in the Bathurst/Ner Israel area. I have opposed this project from the start. Expand the Rutherford GO Train schedule beyond rush hour. Negotiate seamless transit fares.

A2. Taxes
The new Vaughan City Hall exceeded its budget by over $15 million, a deficit that was passed along to taxpayers. Income from new home construction continues to increase in Vaughan. We should be able to benefit from this and provide excellent programs and services without having to increase taxes.

A3. Seniors and New Immigrants
We should be looking into ways to help seniors and new immigrants make ends meet such as giving them free access on certain days to public transportation and free use of our community centres.

A4. Preventative Health
To promote a more active and healthy lifestyle in Vaughan we need to: Create pedestrian malls to get people walking; Set up weekend farmers’ markets so that people are more inclined to buy fresh produce and; Build proper bike lanes that are safe for cyclists and motorists.

SANDRA YEUNG RACCO (Concord/Thornhill)

A1. I was instrumental in getting the Spadina subway extension to Vaughan and advocated for the Hwy. 427 extension to Major Mackenzie Drive, the VIVA Next Rapid-way and the Yonge subway line extension into York Region - which will all help move people around the city in less time. We must also expand our transit system so I will advocate for more funding from other levels of government to help ease gridlock on our streets.

A2. I recognize no one is happy about paying taxes, but I believe people only get angry when they think their money is being wasted. I feel it is my job to ensure: City projects are thoughtfully prioritized; We are meeting our residents’ needs, both now and in the future and; We offer explanations for our decisions, so constituents understand - and hopefully appreciate - how their tax dollars are being used for the benefit of the community.

A3. I’m committed to enhancing the quality of life of all residents. For me, that means supporting organizations and initiatives that make a difference for people in need, whether it be a toy drive, a fundraiser for the new Vaughan hospital or our annual United Way campaign.

A4. In the past four years, we have made strides in this community, including building and expanding neighbourhood and district parks along with a community centre. I pushed hard to preserve as much greenspace as possible so residents can enjoy the great outdoors while getting active with their family and friends.

JOSH MARTOW (Thornhill)

A1. I aim to reduce the continued high-density development that contributes to our worsening gridlock. Rather than spending public money on traffic-constricting bus lanes, I will work to reallocate these funds to the Yonge Subway extension to Highway 7. Providing the rapid transit that people want will reduce our gridlock.

A2. Residents pay taxes for services including snow clearing, park maintenance, etc. Most Thornhill residents aren’t even aware that we have built a new city hall - at a cost far surpassing the budgeted $89 million. I will ensure that taxes are spent on services and programming, not grandiose projects.

A3. I would support the many local charities and organizations, while working with them to provide programming to help new immigrants and engage our seniors in the community.

A4. I believe in walkable communities. Walking not only provide obvious health benefits, but a constant flow of pedestrians also makes neighborhoods safer. This is one of the many reasons I do not support the Hwy. 7 Viva Rapidway bus lanes diverting onto Bathurst and Centre with its non-pedestrian-friendly wide thoroughfares.

ALAN SHEFMAN (Thornhill)

A1. The solution to congestion is a GTA-wide issue that cannot be solved at the local level. A comprehensive rapid transit network throughout the GTA will make the biggest impact. This is a long range, expensive undertaking, costing over $100 billion. We need action including providing funding and strong, non-parochial leadership.

A2. I would continue to inform and educate residents about the value received for our tax dollars. The goal is to maintain the highest level of service possible while limiting tax increases. The city must review and reassess our services and programs to ensure they’re needed and as efficient as possible.

A3. We need to ensure outstanding institutions, such as the Vaughan Community Health Centre, remain strong and supported. As well we need to make sure our community centres provide programs seniors need. Finally, we need to communicate with the wide diversity of residents to fully understand and respond to their needs.

A4. We need to continue expanding our park and community centre system. In Ward 5, we need a comprehensive program of updating and rehabilitating our parks and community centres. And we need to expand the community garden program so residents can grow food for themselves or to donate to food sharing programs.