Mayoralty hopefuls square off in first all-candidate's meeting
By Bill Rea

Jim Scott moderated Monday's all-candidates' meeting, which included mayoralty candidate Steve Pellegrini going against incumbent Margaret Black.

There were plenty of comments tossed back and forth, and couple of verbal darts from the floor, but the first public square-off between candidates seeking to be mayor of King Township for the next four years was a tame affair.

Mayor Margaret Black and Councillor Steve Pellegrini faced each other Monday night at the all-candidates' meeting hosted by the Nobleton Schomberg District Chamber of Commerce. The other contender, Mark Healy, was not there.

There were very few heated exchanges, and even a couple of amusing moments, including one Nobleton woman who was pressing Black on issues.

"It's not a question," the woman commented to moderator Jim Scott. "It's more of an accusation."

Black, who spoke first, stressed her commitment to keeping King green, along with making sure the Township gets a fair deal and continues to be financially sound.

"Over the past 12 years, I have worked hard to preserve King's natural and cultural heritage," she declared. "I have encouraged our business and agricultural community. We have proven that you can preserve King as a prosperous oasis among high density municipalities. King is the perfect blend of our future and our past."

Black also stated the Township's planning documents, combined with the provincial legislation protecting the Oak Ridges Moraine and the Greenbelt have made King "a virtual Central Park in Southern Ontario," adding it's time for King to build on that foundation for future generations.

Black also pointed to successes over the years, including obtaining $4.7 million from other levels of government for a number of projects, including the acquisition of land adjoining the Slokker Canada property in Nobleton and assistance with the installation of the new water supply system in Ansnorveldt.

She also pointed to the accomplishments of last year's King Summit, stating there's been progress on many of the ideas discussed, including arts, protecting green space, attracting funds from other government sources and the establishment of a seniors' committee.

As well, Black said the Township has been well-run financially, with balanced budgets, increased reserves and shrinking debt

She also stated excessive growth in King is going to be prevented by provincial legislation, conservation authorities and the residents of the Township.

"There's no chance of rampant development taking over King," she declared. "It just can't happen."

Pellegrini, in his opening remarks, stressed his involvement in the community, including sitting on council for the last six years. "This has been a very rewarding experience," he remarked, also referring to his involvement with the Township's library board, King City arena board, King City Trails Committee, Communities in Bloom and Kingfest. As well, he cited his attendance record at council and committee meetings, stating he's never missed a meeting since being elected. "I think this is a pretty good indication of my commitment," he declared.

He referred to his professional experience, having worked for both the Cities of Mississauga and Brampton over the last 20 years, and the understanding of municipal management that has given him.

He said his biggest concern is the deteriorating financial health of the Township, including unprecedented debt being taken on to pay for growth-related infrastructure in King City and Nobleton. He charged the municipality owes $2.5 million from the purchase of the current municipal offices, and there's more than $1 million that has to be paid in sewer connection charges. As well, he said there's a Township contribution to the King City sewers of $2.5 million that has not been fully secured.

He also said there's an imbalance in the tax base, with the residential sector carrying too much of the load.

Pellegrini also charged Township staff is already working on a budget for 2007 with a proposed tax increase of three to five per cent that council has not given direction for. "Who is running this Township?" he demanded.

In terms of growth, he said some is beneficial, but it has to happen on the Township's terms. He said he supports the community plans, adding he opposed the Slokker development because of the increased number of units that had been proposed.

Both candidates responded to questions about seniors' housing.

Black pointed out Slokker has set aside medium density units that could handle them. As well, she said council has voted to establish a seniors' committee to address such issues.

Pellegrini said Slokker is planning townhouses, arguing seniors need bungalow-style housing, complete with progressive care. He also said transit is needed, and he took credit for bringing a York Region Transit line to King City, and said he would like to see it serve Nobleton and Schomberg as well.

There were questions raised about whether the Slokker proposal complies with the Nobleton Community Plan. Black cited the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) hearing officer's report which asserted that it does comply, adding it will put about $30 million into the community. Pellegrini countered council approved of the proposal, over his vote. The only people who opposed it before OMB were residents of Nobleton who didn't want it. He said the numbers were based on such things like fewer than two cars per household, which he said is not likely in a place like Nobleton. He also said development charges from the subdivision are not going to be contributing to such things as roads, libraries or the fire department.

As far as lands to the south are concerned, Pellegrini said they are to be estate lots because Slokker took up all the remaining capacity. The Township will have to be vigilant to make sure that's what goes there. Black agreed densities will be low, because of limitations with the capacity of the sewage plant.

There were questions about the costs to individual homeowners from the new sewers in Nobleton. "We're not there yet," Black replied, adding a public process on that is coming. Pellegrini cited a C.M. Watson report which said the cost will be about $13,000 per household, plus a $4,400 connection charge.

There were also people wondering about mandatory hook-ups to the sewers. Pellegrini said he opposed them in King City, and said he would support people in Nobleton hooking up when they're ready.

One man in the audience brought up rumors that Pellegrini was tied in with developers, something he emphatically denied, adding no one in his family is connected with them either.

For her part, Black denied she's pro development. "My record shows otherwise," she declared, adding King has had the slowest growth in the Greater Toronto Area since she's been mayor. She also said she advocated sewers in King City and Nobleton because of health concerns.

One man complained that King always seems to raise taxes by about five per cent, while Toronto doesn't. Black said Toronto gets about $90 million from York Region in pooling for social welfare, and there have been efforts over the years to get the province to eliminate that. If it was, York's taxes would drop by about 18 per cent, she said.

She also defended the Township's decision to relocate the municipal offices. Health concerns had been raised at the old building by the Ministry of Labour, so the municipality bought the plaza in King City. "It's been a great investment," she declared, adding the debt figures from it that Pellegrini had cited were inflated. She said less than $1 million is owing on it now.

Not so, as far as Pellegrini was concerned. "It's a bad deal for a bad facility that's talking up the only commercial space in King City," he declared, adding additions to staff have required renovations that are already some $400,000 over budget. "We have a hunk of junk there."

Black countered they have made more than $2 million from the investment, and had land for the local fire hall included in the deal. She said it's helped cut out problems caused by kids who had been hanging around the plaza.

Pellegrini responded that cleaning up matters like that is a job for police. He wondered if there are vandalism problems on Main Street in Schomberg if the answer is for the Township to buy the whole road.