Several issues tossed around at mayor's debate on marsh
By Bill Rea

Two of the people running for mayor of King Township discussed sewer costing figures among other issues at their third allcandidates' meeting Oct. 23 in Ansnorveldt.

Incumbent Margaret Black and challenger Steve Pellegrini squared off in the session hosted by the King Township Chamber of Commerce. This was also the third meeting that challenger Mark Healy did not attend.

Black focused her opening remarks on issues pertaining to the Holland Marsh, including her successful efforts to get funding from other levels of government for such projects as the new water supply for Ansnorveldt and culverts in rural areas.

"King has always been led by its residents," she declared. "I will continue with this process because it's effective and it's the right thing to do."

She also commented on Hydro One's desire to build a transformer station near Ansnorveldt, stating council has unanimously opposed that. "We have conducted a peer review that indicated serious flaws with the proposal and recommended that the township could request an environmental assessment, and we have done so," she said.

As well, Black called for the establishment of an agricultural advisory committee to help the municipality address such issues as nutrient management, water quality (a complicated issue in light of Walkerton), canal management and safety, and provincial and federal assistance to farmers.

Black also commented on the need for more affordable housing for seniors, as well as modern nursing homes with staged care which enhances their lives.

In addition, she pointed to the establishment of the seniors' advisory committee, which grew out of the King Summit she called in June 2005.

Black also commented on the financial management of the Township, declaring budgets have been balanced, with auditors stating the Township is low risk in every category.

Pellegrini reiterated his position that it's time for change and new leadership in King. He also hammered away at the costs involved with the sewers in King City, charging the expenses the township has been put to have not been fully secured.

As well, Pellegrini commented on the need to follow established policies and procedures, including those spelled out in the

Township's planning documents, charging that wasn't the case when the Township approved the relocation of the Holland Marsh District Christian School.

He also stressed the need to secure provincial funding for rural infrastructure, including the required work on the canal in the Holland Marsh. He said he knows how to lobby to get the Township's share.

Some of the people at the meeting wondered about the possibility of having responsibility for certain roads in King, like the 15th, 17th and 18th Sideroads uploaded to the Region. Both candidates voiced their opposition to that.

Another woman from Snowball commented on the development occurring in Aurora and Newmarket, pointing out traffic is going to come, whether roads are uploaded to the region or not.

Pellegrini said steps are being taken to address the situation, such as the widening of Bathurst Street and plans for a connection to Highway 400 at Teston Road. In addition, he said public transit needs to be encouraged, including more GO. He also said he was instrumental in getting transit service to King City, and he stressed the need to keep that up and encourage people to get out of their cars. He also said he supports a King City bypass running south of King Road.

Black quickly pointed out that all of council supported that position on the bypass. She also promoted transit, pointing out she's chair of York Region Transit. "It's the way to go," she declared.

As well, she said she was vice-chair of transit when the service was approved for King City, and she didn't recall Pellegrini doing any lobbying.

The state of the marsh canal came up, with one woman pointing out work on it is overdue. She wondered what was being done to get money from the federal and provincial governments to take the financial burden off the marsh farmers.

Black said a lot of lobbying has gone on, as she has done extensive work with her counterparts in Bradford over the years, trying to get money from the other levels of government. She added this is a very complicated issue, with Bradford and King, along with Peel and York Regions, Simcoe County and other municipal jurisdictions being involved. Black also said this matter has a high priority, but the other levels of government have to be involved.

Pellegrini said the cost will be very widely dispersed around the watershed. He also pointed out the province has recently announced some $75 million will be available for infrastructure renewal, and they need to lobby for some of that.

On issues of urban sprawl, Black stated the population in King will be increasing in accordance with the official and community plans. There will be about 12,000 more in the next 15 to 20 years, with it confined to the three main villages in King. Population in the rural areas is actually expected to drop. The population in the Golden Horseshoe is expected to increase by upwards of 2.5 million in the next 15 years. Black also observed that the 12,000 King is expecting is a set figure for ever because the community plans provide little room for growth.

Pellegrini countered the first test of community plans was with the Slokker development in Nobleton, which was supposed to have about 400 units, but Black supported it getting 698.

Black responded the projected population of Nobleton is not slated to change. Slokker was able to get more units because of provisions in the community plan, which she said Pellegrini supported. A developer adding amenities in the public interest was entitled to build some more units.

She also said she supported the work of the community liaison committee, which came up with an even split decision on the proposal.

Pellegrini remarked there are other developers in Nobleton who are going to want greater densities,and he wondered how the Township will be able to turn them down. "How are we going to say 'no' to Baldesarra?" he demanded.

He added the members of the liaison committee who favoured the proposal did so on conditions that have not been met.

There were questions about whether Pellegrini would be able to balance the duties as mayor with his professional obligations to the City of Brampton. He explained he oversees business systems for community services, meaning he has flexible hours. As well, he gets two weeks vacation, which he's been devoting to his municipal duties.

"I will make the time," he promised.

"Being mayor is more than a full-time job," Black declared, adding she's only able to devote about three or four hours per week to her law practice. She added there are obligations as a Regional councillor, as well a numerous functions the mayor has to attend. She pointed out she was able to secure some $4.7 million in funding from other levels of government, and it took a substantial time commitment to establish the relationships she used to do that.

She also warned Pellegrini a mayor's schedule can suddenly change at any time.

Pellegrini was also attacked for his comments that he's concerned about the Township's finances, but still advocated spending large sums of money in his first term on council in a fight against the King City sewers, that one man charged went nowhere. "Can I have trust in you not to get carried away?" the man asked.

Pellegrini replied he had been representing the wishes of his constituents, adding voters in the village have

voiced their opposition to the sewer plans in the last several elections. He added most of the members of council from 2000 until 2003 agreed with him in fighting the sewers. It was Black who kept the fight going, by going to the Region behind the backs of council. He also advised people not to be fooled, pointing out the sewers were supposed to cost $34 million two years ago and the cost is now up to $52 million.

"Who is wasting money?" he demanded. "It wasn't me."

Both candidates denied ever accepting campaign contributions from developers.