Dump, recreation, bypass, taxes dominate debate
By MARK PAVILONS Editor

The future of waste disposal, the controversial Bolton bypass, local property taxes and recreational needs provided the fodder for discussion for Wards 3/4 candidates at the debate sponsored by the Kinsmen Club of Bolton Oct. 25.

Area Race

Current councillor Nick deBoer said he's spent the last three years meeting with constituents, discussing the issues and finding solutions. He was pleased to support and bring Project Lifesaver to the area - a combined effort with the OPP to monitor and help locate missing persons. The unique program will have seven individuals outfitted with monitors by Christmas. He also praised the efforts of the Town and Albion and Bolton Agricultural Society to provide the Bolton Wanderers with mini-soccer fields at the fairgrounds.

DeBoer said he's also been concerned with road safety, traffic and assisting farmers with viable sources of income. He's looking forward to the new Catholic high school planned for the north hill, noting there's a real need for a grocery store to service those residents.

In Don McNeil's maiden speech, he urged residents to get out and vote, pointing out that voter turnout has been in a "death spiral" for decades. He asked voters to select a candidate with vision, and ask themselves whether they want the "same old, same old," or whether they want change. He said it would be a real honour to serve the Town of Caledon for the next four years.

Questions

Questions from the audience were scarce, to the point where moderator George denHaan had to come with some of his own.

When asked whether they would support a public/private partnership for transit, deBoer said he understands youth concerns and that's why he supported the construction of the skateboard park and addition to the Wellness Centre. With regards to transit, he'd like to see what the costs are to the community and he would support a more regional, GTA-wide initiative. However, he would be willing to look at any proposal.

McNeil said he would consider any proposal put on the table, and made it clear he didn't want the "taxpayers scorched." The Town can reach out to youth more often than it does, he observed.

When asked about the cost of the mini-soccer fields donated by the agricultural society, deBoer said it's shared with the Town, who will supply an estimated $70,000 worth of landscaping, etc. There is still a very real need for a 100-acre property for meet the long-term recreational needs in Caledon.

McNeil said he supports the work being done by the volunteer-driven Bolton Wanderers and he would support their needs.

DeBoer said they've already begun talks with the separate school board to look at land near the new high school on the north hill.

When asked about the progress of the BAR and bypass, deBoer said land acquisition will be done by Christmas on the west side and Hydro is on board. Approvals are now in place for the northern leg and engineering work will begin soon.

Both deBoer and McNeil said they wanted Palgrave protected from any potential increase in truck traffic.

When asked about the area's growth, deBoer said he supports slow, controlled growth. He observed the province has limited growth in the area with the Greenbelt and Oak Ridges Moraine plans. Nothing will move very quickly over the next four years, he observed, adding council will have to create a game plan and consult with the public in a long-term growth strategy.

McNeil said there has always been two camps on the issue of growth and councillors need to look at the long-term effects and examine the impact of provincial policies.

When asked to outline their top priorities, McNeil said his biggest concern is voter apathy and he again urged them to exercise this privilege. Beyond election day, he will sit down with ratepayers to collect their input.

DeBoer said he would like to ensure the economic viability of the area's farmers and this requires more options in the Greenbelt, ORM and NEC jurisdictions. He would also like to see services being filled in around Bolton, including some retail on the north hill, pointing out a recent retail study indicated the need for a store on the north hill. The community at large deserves to be served and he whole-heartedly supports such a plan.

McNeil said this issue needs to be discussed and he also said the Town needs a stronger voice at the Ontario Municipal Board.

Regional Race

The three candidates for the regional council seat provided a more lively discussion.

Incumbent Nancy Stewart said she's been privileged to serve for the past nine years, asking the tough questions and ensuring a high return on our tax dollars. She wants Caledon to retain its unique qualities and not be driven by the plans of developers. She enjoys her grass-roots community involvement, especially with fund-raising and beautification projects. She knows the value of living here and she's been a strong voice for the residents. She's proven that she's a hard worker who's always there to listen. She's got a proven track record with no empty promises.

Former regional councillor Richard Whitehead said Caledon is overtaxed and underserviced and needs to get back on track. With a good cash flow and no debt, he wants to reverse the trend that led council to increase taxes more than 12% over the last term.

Needed improvements such as community safety, street lighting, signage and the completion of the bypass are all affordable. Many of the needed projects have lingered during the last term and the public needs effective government to pay attention to the "little issues." He vows full-time representation, adding voters

need the strongest voice on both Caledon and Peel councils. He asked voters to return him to office to "get the job done."

Tony Viola, chair of the Bolton BIA and volunteer on local committees, said he's proven he has what it takes to represent the people. The other two candidates have had a lot of time to improve Caledon (Whitehead served for 17 years and Stewart 9). Their combined earnings of $1.5 million over the years has led to nothing being accomplished, he charged. Caledon needs focussed planning and not makeshift subdivisions and tax increases. We still have poor roads, no transit and no fulltime Caledon-wide fire department.

He noted Stewart stopped the proposed dump in Caledon years ago, but pointed out there's still no long-term waste solution.

"Should we pay for another four years of inactivity?" he asked. The wards need action and he urged the public to vote for change.

Stewart mentioned with a looming garbage crisis, Caledon could be the focus of yet another dump issue and she asked her opponents to comment on that.

Whitehead said he sat on the committee that opposed the dump and they found there is no suitable site in Caledon that isn't effected by groundwater. His position remains the same - he's absolutely opposed to the notion of a Caledon dump!

Viola agreed there's no suitable local site, adding we should be exploring incineration and green power.

Stewart noted Peel has no new dump policy and Mississauga will look at Caledon. Landfill sites are permitted in the Greenbelt and she said she's ready for a fight.

Stewart also questioned Viola on his proposal for a full-time fire department, which would cost an estimated $6 million a year and lead to a 13% hike in taxes.

Viola said the Town has been wasteful, saying safety is not a monetary issue. The healthy reserves should be spent to provide proper services, he charged.

Both Stewart and Whitehead noted rural response times have been very good with no complaints. Caledon's fire department is both respected and admired and depleting reserves is not the answer.

Stewart said the BAR is being built and the new seniors' housing project in Caledon East is on its way.

Whitehead pointed out most important projects are not under way and for 10 years of his tenure, council came in with zero tax hikes. He was in office in 2002 when an agreement with the province indicated the bypass would be completed by 2007. He wants such commitments fulfilled.

Questions

When asked about the delay in the bypass, Viola said there hasn't been a push for it and we need a stronger vision.

Whitehead said he sat in on the talks for years and there's no reason the bypass can't be built on schedule.

Stewart countered the BAR is roughly half built, noting it's a 9-phase, $50 million project. The west bypass has been accelerated to 2011. The environmental assessment just wrapped up, but Stewart said despite guaranteed funding, it leaves the Town with a $30 million tab, something that's hard to swallow.