Bruce Davis, candidate
What do you see as the key issue(s) facing BWG at this time?
“I feel the key issue facing Bradford West Gwillimbury is the rapid growth. While this growth is necessary, I feel that it must be handled responsibly, in a controlled, well-planned fashion. An affordable fashion.”
Do you have a solution in mind?
“Taxes are high, and we simply cannot ignore our residents. We must listen to the people who pay these taxes. We must explain why things are so expensive, and why certain costs are required, all the time working at finding efficiencies – saying ‘No’ to the frills, in order to get the must-haves in building the infrastructure and hard services required to support this growth. Consultation with our constituents is necessary. We must bring their issues and concerns forward, and have them adequately dealt with through consultation and finding common-sense solutions in a timely fashion. They must be heard, but we must also listen. We are and must be accountable to them. Transparent partnerships with corporations and developers may help us achieve our goals.”
Are there any other issues or concerns you want to highlight?
“I would be remiss if I did not mention traffic. This is an urgent need to be addressed now. We must lay the cornerstones for the future, with things like the (Highway) 400-404 (Connecting Link) – five to seven years out, by best information, but with the Line 5-Highway 400 interchange opening and Canal Road closing down there are new concerns. We need a multi-pronged approach to deal with traffic around and within the town to relieve the congestion. Photo enforcement, educational initiatives and combined efforts by town department and police (are needed), with better co-ordination among all town departments and council, as well as local organizations. More areas of affordable housing, for young and old, are urgently required. We must work on combining our urban areas and growth while not forgetting our agricultural areas.”
What inspired you to run in this election?
“I have spent 40-plus years serving the residents of this community, keeping them safe, and I wish to continue to keep their best interests paramount. This is where my family lives, where my ancestors put down roots, and I feel I can make more of a difference for my descendants – and everyone – to live and work here. It is my home.”
Marion Fischer, candidate
What do you see as the key issue(s) facing BWG at this time?
“Lack of accessibility for the handicapped, and bad sidewalks. And a lack of a handicap door opener on the only door of the X-ray and ultrasound clinic. It was legal at the time.”
Do you have a solution in mind?
“Yes – fix it!”
Are there any other issues or concerns you want to highlight?
“Yes. The town should buy a handicap-accessible bus and make it available to transport the handicapped, like Wheel-Trans. It takes us as drivers off the road, it takes us places… Some of us can’t afford CHATS. It should be free – we’re seniors. We’ve paid our taxes all our lives. The town needs more money for these services. We need the money to come from the province, and if the province doesn’t have it, we need it to come from the federal government.”
What inspired you to run in this election?
“I believe with my over 30 years experience as an award-winning realtor I can add a lot to council. As a woman, I can multi-task. I want more of us to co-operate.”
Gary Lamb, incumbent
What do you see as the key issue(s) facing BWG at this time? Do you have a solution in mind?
”The key issue in this election is finishing the infrastructure projects – roads and services that will help to ease traffic issues and also allow job-creating commerce to locate here. The Official Plan defines where future development will take place, thereby protecting green space and farms from development. We need to vigorously defend land-use policies, to provide for a lifestyle and a good future and to continue to grow the food that we eat.”
Are there any other issues or concerns you want to highlight?
“We need to assure the next generation that they don’t have to leave, to obtain opportunity. Bradford West Gwillimbury should be a place where families can live, work and play. Employment lands can provide jobs, recreation facilities provide spaces for leisure activities. Important services such as fire, police, transit, health and seniors housing - we can’t rest on our laurels…. Traffic safety is on the minds of everyone these days. A portion of our residents don’t feel the rules of the road apply to them. As chair of the Traffic Committee, I helped explore new safety options. Traffic calming measures, public education and enforcement are part of the strategy. We are doing traffic counts and measuring speeds to better focus on problem areas. All solutions require public input and co-operation.”
What inspired you to run in this election?
“I am running for re-election in Ward 3 because I can still make a difference. I can work with a team and still maintain an independent voice for Ward 3. I have the energy to continue. I am asking voters in Ward 3 to send me back to council so that we can deal with the needs of residents. I have the experience to bring to the council table ideas that will allow us to prosper. Seven terms on council, plus other boards, give me a heads-up on the issues.”
Candidate Shah Malik did not respond or supply a photo.
