De Vries and Rupke face each other in Ward 6 council race
By Bill Rea

It's two long-time residents of Ward 6 who are vying for the local council seat in this year's municipal election.

The two men seeking election, challenger Clayton De Vries and incumbent Jack Rupke, have faced each other twice in all-candidates' debates; last Thursday in Schomberg at a session hosted by the Nobleton Schomberg District Chamber of Commerce, and then the following Monday in Ansnorveldt. That meeting was hosted by the King Township Chamber of Commerce.

De Vries, who spoke first at the Schomberg meeting, stated he's lived most of his life on Dufferin Street, on land that's been in his family for some 150 years.

"Business as usual is not working well for us in Ward 6," he remarked, pointing out growth has arrived, bringing with it many issues, including increased traffic numbers, bylaws that don't work, water problems, the prospect of hydro installations, hazards connected with traffic on Highway 9, etc. He also pointed to the growth anticipated in York Region. "Imagine Newmarket reaching as far as Dufferin Street," he said, wondering who would lobby on King's behalf.

He also pointed out last Monday in Ansnorveldt, that the provincial Greenbelt legislation is keeping development out, but he wondered what happens when that comes up for review.

He also commented about the lack of facilities in the ward, pointing out kids have to travel outside to swim and play hockey.

He also stated the voters in the ward deserve a serious debate this election with two serious contenders.

Rupke opened in Schomberg by pointing out he's lived in the area 64 years, having raised four children and now having four grandchildren. He also said he's a member of the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority, Chamber of Commerce and the Holland Marsh Drainage Commission.

Rupke also said he successfully sought money for the new water system in Ansnorveldt, from both the Township and the Region, and it was up and working in his first year in office. The last three years has also seen paving of some local roads, as well as the library parking lot in Ansnorveldt. He also said there's better lighting and signage along the local roads.

The challenges still facing the area include the need to upgrade the canal in the Holland marsh, as well as dealing with the move to install hydro installations in the area.

Rupke also read an endorsement from Ansnorveldt resident Ed Sikkema, who he defeated in the 2003 election, "Jack has been a good ambassador for the Township of King and Ward 6," he was quoted as saying, adding Rupke's been "dedicated, passionate and enthusiastic."

In Ansnorveldt, he stressed his "deep understanding of the people who call this community home," adding he had made it a priority to speak to people in the area to make sure he's providing the best representation possible.

He also commented on the number of decisions that have to be made on council. "These decisions come from hours, days, weeks and sometimes months of education, consulting with many members of the community , outside our Township," he said.

One of the big issues in the ward is the relocation of Holland Marsh District Christian School. One woman in Schomberg charged Rupke with voting against the majority of the local residents, adding the process didn't follow proper protocol regarding the site plan for the proposal and, as a real estate agent, had a conflict of interests on the matter.

Rupke countered the proposed new location for school is in a settlement area, where this is a permitted use. He added people in the area were involved in the process and kept informed all along. As well, he said the school has been in its current Dufferin Street location for some 60 years and has outgrown the available space. The last expansion was in the 1980s.

"This was the logical location, taking into consideration where the pupils were coming from," he remarked. "This is a central location."

He also pointed out a facility like this pays property taxes and the parents who send their children there pay education taxes, from which they don't benefit because it's a private school.

As for the conflict of interests suggestions, Rupke said he had been involved in the negotiations before he was on council, but his lawyer had told him he didn't have a conflict because he hadn't benefitted personally. Rupke subsequently went to see a municipal lawyer, at the request of Township staff, and was told that while he may not have benefitted, the broker for whom he was working would have, so he was

advised to declare a conflict and he didn't vote on the final decisions involving the school

The future of Bathurst Street was on the minds of some of the people in Ansnorveldt. De Vries said he's talked to some officials from the Region and learned there's been talk of extending the road through the road allowance north of Green Lane, calling it "somebody's definition of progress."

Addressing improvements needed in the canal, Rupke said it's a long-term project, adding it's complicated, complex and involved. He stated the drainage commission has devoted a lot of energy toward getting the required certificates in place so the work can start. He added if they had come from the federal department of oceans and fisheries, would could have started two or three years ago. He added most of the funding for the project will be coming from farmers throughout the marsh, although it's possible money can be obtained through the Canadian-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF).

"I'm the new kid on the block, so I don't know a lot about bureaucracy," De Vries declared, "but I learn quickly."

Rupke also asserted he doesn't support a hydro transformer station going in the ward, but if it is imposed on the municipality, it has to go in according to King's terms. He added the solution will not be simple, stating council and staff will have to negotiate for the best deal possible.

De Vries, in his final remarks, reminded voters of increasing traffic, residents not feeling like full partners

in the process and not being visited by politicians, hydro corridors, a library being closed a lot of the time, a community where the school, church and library have been working well together and one of those partners wants to move, people who have trouble accessing Highway 9 because there are no intersections with signals and Durham and York Regions looking for places to burn garbage.