Candidates provide lively debate in Ward 2
By ALAN LICZYK Staff Reporter

It was the second opportunity for Ward 2 candidates and third chance for the mayoral candidates to win over voters at an allcandidates meeting put on by the Valleywood Residents Association at Brampton Christian School on Thursday night.

The candidates gave opening and closing remarks, and in between took questions posed by the VRA and the audience.

Area councillor

Gord McClure said he wants to serve his neighbours and friends. He's a practical person who wants to do good work in the community wherever he can.

Stephen Townsend has been retired since 2004 and attended the council meetings for the last year and a half. He has a background in business and thinks he can really make a difference.

Regional councillor

Donna Cragg has a background in business and will focus on growth, the environment and good planning.

Dave Tatla said he's a team player and will take council to a better direction than the current council. He believes they need better planning and council has failed badly. He added they don't need Highway 410 through people's backyards.

The incumbent, Allan Thompson, said he will work as hard as he can. He was proud to have a permanent library in Valleywood.

Mayor

Garry Moore spoke in favour of a road network, stopping the raising of taxes, environmental protection and sound financial management.

Incumbent Mayor Marolyn Morrison said she's represented the community with good intentions and provided open, honest and transparent government. Specifically to Valleywood, she was proud get the traffic lights at Highway 10, the fire hall and the library.

Norm Calder, who was Caledon's mayor from 1992 to 1994, said the Valleywood community faces a serious issue with Highway 410. He plans to alleviate their concerns without a long delay.

VRA questions

The candidates were asked what were the top issues facing Valleywood.

McClure replied Highway 410, the future overflow of the urban area and overcrowding of schools were at the top of the list.

Townsend said the top issues include traffic, growth east of Valleywood, services for seniors and a recreation centre for youth.

Cragg responded quality of life, real estate values, Highway 410, services, recreation and avoiding urban sprawl were big issues.

Tatla also mentioned Highway 410 and its environmental impact as the top issue. He added transportation could have a huge impact on Valleywood.

Thompson wants to make Highway 410 as safe as possible. He would also like to see a sidewalk finished between Valleywood and Snelgrove.

Moore said they have to continue with the Caledon Community Work Plan, improve economic development, transportation and environmental protection.

Morrison the mitigation of Highway 410 for safety and noise, vandalism, democratic rights and aggressive driving were among her priorities.

Calder said rolling back tax increases, getting Highway 410 to bypass the subdivision, youth services and supporting publicprivate facilities were things he's in favour of.

Audience questions Things livened up during audience questions with the mayoral candidates being taken to task.

Morrison was asked why she broke a tie vote on the Mayfield West development proposal in favour of her campaign manager. She replied she voted for the east side development proposal based on recommendations

from consultants in 1997, 2005 and 2006. She added her campaign manager doesn't have lands in the area to be developed.

Moore clarified the questioner wasn't part of his campaign team and he encouraged everyone to read his campaign literature.

Moore was challenged about his attendance record at council meetings by one of Morrison's campaign workers. He replied it's important they try to recruit people to council with different backgrounds.

Morrison was asked why the Town is building a single ice pad in Caledon East when two studies show they lose between $80,000 and $100,000 per year. She replied they looked at how to twin some existing arenas, but the Albion Bolton Agricultural Society said too much land would be taken up twinning Don Sheardown Memorial Arena in Bolton and Town staff said it wasn't feasible to twin Mayfield arena because it was too old. She added the only place the Town owned land was in Caledon East and staff believe the Town won't be in the hole that much financially.