Ward 5 candidates meet and debate in King City session
By Bill Rea

Jane Underhill and James Durbano were chatting after last Thursday's all-candidates' meeting in King City.

King City residents got to see their two Ward 5 council candidates face each other in town last Thursday.

Incumbent Jane Underhill and challenger James Durbano squared off in their second all-candidates' debate at a session hosted by the King Township Chamber of Commerce.

Durbano, who spoke first, stressed his background in program development, as well as 16 years he served as a Catholic school trustee in Toronto. He also pointed out he's been a taxpayer in King for 36 years. His other areas of community involvement include sitting on the executive committee of the Canadian Red Cross and the Canadian National Exhibition, as well as service on the Metro Toronto Planning Board. As well, he said he's president of 15 multi-diversified companies, including some located in King.

Durbano did pay respects to Underhill, but stated at the meeting she did cause some $500,000 to be spent fighting the sewers in King City.

"King Township is very special to me," Underhill declared in her opening remarks, as she stated she's lived here 47 years. She also pointed to her two terms on council and the support she received when she ran for mayor in 2000.

Wards 1 and 5 are entirely on the Oak Ridges Moraine, and Underhill stressed the responsibility of people to preserve these resources.

She also pointed out the area depends on well water, and she cited statements from York Region staff that the village aquifer only has enough water to serve a population of about 9,000. She said that contradicts previous assurances from the Region.

She also said current water-taking levels are not sustainable, and the last 15 years have seen a drop in the levels of the Yonge Street aquifers. As well, she said additional water capacity is to be given to developers. "I did not support this at council, and couldn't see how anyone could," she remarked.

There were a number of people at the meeting concerned about the sewers, and the mandatory connections.

"It should be optional," Underhill maintained. "It has not been proven that there is a health concern."

Durbano stated all will have to hook up, but advocated for some more flexibility in the timing to allow residents to set money aside to pay for it.

He maintained there is a health concern, that has been identified by the Region, and that Underhill advocated spending money to fight that. "That's not an uncharitable remark," he said. "It's a factual remark."

Underhill denied it, saying she never put forth a motion to spend that kind of money.

"Very few of my motions have ever been approved by council," she added. "That's ridiculous. That's a joke."

There were also concerns expressed from the floor about traffic issues, including the situation at the intersection of the 17th Sideroad and Keele Street. One woman stated there had been another accident there the previous week.

Underhill said she received a number of calls about that, adding people are "incensed" about it. She also said the Region has started another study of the situation, with an eye towards more signage and speed reductions. She said a report will be going to council, and added the public will have input. "Hopefully, we'll solve this problem once and for all," she said.

One man wondered what could be done to develop a community that would encourage young families to build lives here.

Durbano said there's a need for lots of choices in housing, including affordable seniors' housing, complete with care and aging in place.

Underhill said there will be a range of housing types, adding there are young families moving into her subdivision. She also said seniors' housing is needed and will be provided, although she couldn't say how affordable it will be.