Underhill and Durbano face each other in first all-candidates' meeting
By Bill Rea

It's sort of a rematch in Ward 5 in this year's municipal election in King.

Incumbent Jane Underhill, who handily won the seat three years ago,is again facing James Durbano, who finished third in 2003. Margaret Smithyes, who was second in the race, has moved out of the area.

The two candidates got to face each other and the

voters for the first time in last Monday's allcandidates' meeting which was hosted in Nobleton by the Nobleton Schomberg District Chamber of Commerce.

"King Township is very special to me," commented Underhill, who spoke first in the debate. She added she's lived in the area 47 years and believes it takes action to get things done.

Underhill said both Wards 1 and 5 take in King City and are on both the Oak Ridges Moraine and provincial Greenbelt, and she stated it's everyone's duty to protect these valuable resources.

She said the area depends on well water, but added York Region officials told council the week before that only 9,000 people in King City can be accommodated with the groundwater there, contrary to assurances the Region has been giving over the years. Underhill also said the water-taking levels are not sustainable, pointing out plans are under way to provide water from lake Ontario to Aurora and Newmarket, and she wondered if King City would be getting some of that.

"This insanity has simply got to stop," she declared, adding it's irresponsible to impose this level of development on such a limited and precious resource.

Underhill also said she voted against approving the Slokker Canada development in Nobleton, pointing out they didn't know the size of the proposed sewer pipe or of the treatment plant.

She also called for action to improve safety at the intersection of the 17th Sideroad and Keele Street, especially in light of the double fatality that occurred there in July. "I was absolutely devastated when I heard of the deaths of those two people," she commented, adding they need either a caution light on Keele, or a stop sign. She added the intersection doesn't need to be a fourway stop; a southbound sign would be sufficient, and she couldn't understand why one can't go in.

Durbano opened by commenting on his 16 years in public life, which included time as a school board trustee in Metro.

He stressed the need to get rid of over taxation and increase commercial assessment to reduce the imbalance in King. He also said, "Thank God," that King now has an economic development officer.

Durbano said he's a developer and a builder. "I'm in favour of planned growth," he stated, adding he wants the municipality to be able to live within its five-year projections, yet is doesn't seem to be able to.

He also charged the Township seems to spend a lot of money on court cases to fight issues the region is responsible for.

Durbano also said he has respect for Underhill. "I'm not here to take shots at her or anyone else," he remarked, but did say she had spent more than $500,000 fighting the sewers in King City.

He also commented on the senior housing issue, stating community care is an important part of that. With an aging population, he said action is needed. "If we don't do something now, I say 'Shame on us,'" he said.

On the topic of mandatory hook-ups to the sewers, Durbano said he didn't think it was fair to force people to get their homes connected right away if they can't afford it.

"I'm not here to win a popularity contest," he concluded. "I'm here to win votes."

The two candidates are slated to take part in the allcandidates' meeting planned for tomorrow (Thursday) night at King City Community Centre and Arena, starting at 7 p.m.