Ward 2 hopefuls go at it in King City all-candidates' meeting
By Bill Rea
The two men seeking to represent Nobleton, Laskay and points in between on King Township Council faced each other in their

Peter Grandilli and Jeff Laidlaw recently debated issues in the Ward 2 council campaign.

second all-candidates' debate in King City last Thursday.

Incumbent Peter Grandilli and challenger Jeff Laidlaw faced each other in the session hosted by the King Township Chamber of Commerce.

Grandilli, who spoke first, stressed his years of involvement in the community, including living in Nobleton for 21 years and running a business there since 1973. In that time, he's supported a number of organizations and was a founding member of the Nobleton Business Association. He stated he's familiar with the needs of the community and very passionate about addressing them.

He pointed to his work in starting a flower program in Nobleton, which has spread throughout the township. He also commented on the beautification work that has been done at the intersection of Hill Farm Road and Highway 27, with local businesses putting up much of the labour and materials, along with reducing speed limits on local roads, adding crosswalks and putting in signals outside the junior campus of Nobleton Public School.

Grandilli stressed that Nobleton and Laskay are part of his ward, so they're his top priority. He added there will be a number of issues in the coming term, and he vowed to address them all one by one.

Laidlaw said he's been going door-to-door in the campaign, and has heard a number of people ask what they are getting for their tax dollars. He said he's heard about culverts and ditches that need cleaning, chlorine smells in the local water supply, costs related to sewer hook-ups, drainage on roads, mosquito control, traffic on Ellis Avenue, bypasses, etc. he said he's been particularly bothered that these people don't seem to be able to get answers.

"I want to be able to bring the answers to the people," he declared. "I want them to know what's going on."

He also said he's heard a number of residents complain that Nobleton gets nothing. While he didn't think that was entirely fair, Laidlaw did say he would want council to consider creating a ward-specific improvement budget, that would be directed by people within the ward.

He also commented on the Slokker Canada development slated for Nobleton, stating construction of the first 400

homes has been approved, with no additions or improvements to the local water system. He said that's a point of concern, adding the Township doesn't seem worried by it.

He also promised to provide honest, open, transparent and timely communication. "You have paid for and have the right to expect no less," he declared.

Slokker was on the minds of many in the audience. One man said he had heard the Slokker proposal didn't comply with the Nobleton Community Plan, and that the plan was amended to accommodate the developer.

Not so, Grandilli countered, stating there were no amendments and everything conforms.

Laidlaw said there was a minor amendment which allowed for sewers to be installed, with a bit more density. As for whether the development complies with the community plan, Laidlaw said "that's a matter of interpretation." He didn't think it fits in with the character of Nobleton.

Grandilli countered the plan allows for certain densities if the developer takes certain steps, which were taken in the case of Slokker, and still the densities are not as high as they could have been.

"You show me any other developer in York Region who gave away so many benefits," he declared.

Despite his concerns, Laidlaw said he wouldn't be likely to try and fight the Slokker development if elected. "It is essentially a done deal," he commented.

Grandilli continued to praise the development, calling it "one of the best things that could have happened in the town of Nobleton."