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POLITICS
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Ban developers’ contributions from campaigns: expert Group calls for end to union, corporate donations election campaign in 13 municipalities straddling the Lake Simcoe watershed, including Aurora, Bradford West Gwillimbury, East Gwillimbury, Georgina, King, Newmarket and WhitchurchStouffville.
BY LISA QUEEN
W
lqueen@yrmg.com
ith land-use planning arguably the most important role of municipal councils and with developers making millions of dollars when subdivisions on their lands are approved, municipal election campaign donations from developers should be banned. That is the recommendation of York University political science professor Robert MacDermid, who contributed to a report released this week from Campaign Fairness calling on the province to prohibit corporate and union donations to municipal campaigns. The report, called If It’s Broke, Fix It, looked at campaign finances during the 2014 municipal
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For more stories on this issue, go to: bit.ly/25LaJ3i
Of the 70 per cent of candidates who responded to a poll sent by Campaign Fairness and the Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition, 79 per cent pledged not to accept corporate and union contributions. Still, the report found developer campaign donations played a significant role in the election. “Candidates getting financial support from the development
STAFF PHOTO/NICK IWANYSHYN
Stephanie Uprichard, from Studio Forma Interior Design, tours a location in virtual reality during the Newmarket Home & Lifestyle Show Friday at the Ray Twinney Recreation Complex. Thousands of people filed through the arena to view all the newest trends, goods and services for your home and garden. For a story on last weekend’s landmark 20th anniversary event, go to yorkregion.com or use this link: bit.ly/1S80GLl
See page A9.
SPORTS & LEISURE
ELECTION NEWS
Politicians open to ranked ballot concept
Town set to play ball on ‘exciting’ strategy BY CHRIS SIMON
Province leaves it up to municipalities to choose their own voting system BY CHRIS SIMON
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csimon@yrmg.com
he game plan is set, now it’s time to execute. Newmarket council gave permission this week for staff to implement the second phase of the Recreation Playbook, the 38-page, long-term recreation and leisure strategy adopted by council last year. This second phase includes the design and construction of spray pads at Frank Stronach and Arkinstall parks ($400,000 per site), the building of outdoor skate parks at Bonshaw Park and the proposed York
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csimon@yrmg.com
e’ll wait to see if it’s at their peril in a few years, but local municipal politicians are at least intrigued by the concept of electoral reform. The province announced proposed changes to the Municipal Elections Act that — if passed and implemented in towns and cities across Ontario — would overhaul the way we elect politicians to local councils. While it appears each individual municipality will be allowed to choose which changes it wants to adopt, there are several intriguing aspects contained within the propos-
For another story on this issue, follow the link: bit.ly/1PUg0K9
Region snow dumping facility on Harry Walker Parkway ($300,000 per site) and the securing of a structure on the former Glenway golf course for use as a maintenance building for a satellite park (cost not yet determined). The design and construc-
See page A8.
TONY VAN BYNEN: Newmarket mayor supports ranked ballot system.
VIRGINIA HACKSON: East Gwillimbury mayor not sure change feasible in at-large communities.
al. Municipalities, for example, would be permitted to use a ranked ballot system in future elections and the campaign calendar will be shortened substantially, with the nomination period opening May 1 of an election
CHRIS BALLARD: Newmarket-Aurora MPP says province’s move ‘good one.’
year, instead of the current Jan. 1. The province also hopes to change campaign finance rules, See page A4.
COMMUNITY
TRANSPORTATION
Former Goodwill site cleaned up — for now
‘Final touches’ added to Davis Drive corridor
Town, property managers urge residents to cease dumping at site
S
Pedestrians to cross to south side near Southlake
BY CHRIS SIMON
csimon@yrmg.com
top dumping your used goods at the former Goodwill Newmarket store, residents. That’s the message from the Town of Newmarket and the property managers at 20 Davis Dr., who have been working to clean up the site that was left STAFF PHOTO/SUSIE KOCKERSCHEIDT vacant when Goodwill Toronto Despite the facility being closed down since January, residents have closed 16 stores, 10 donation centres and two offices across the been dumping off clothes and trash to the site. It was cleaned up province in mid-January. this week. Since that time, mounds of visual unsightliness,” Councillor items — ranging from furniture to Christina Bisanz said, during a clothing and toys — have been left town council meeting Monday at the side of the building, where night. drop-offs were once accepted for ❑ We care what you think. To Town clerk Andrew Brouwer years. This created an eyesore and comment on this issue, email believes the situation may be potentially dangerous dumping tkibble@yrmg.com resolved soon, because Goodwill ground that violated town bylaws. representatives have agreed to But over the past few days, the remove store signage from 18 items have been removed and the from rebuilding new piles. side of the building is now fenced “It’s been quite messy and I’ve off. ‘No dumping’ signs have also had a number of residents express been erected to deter residents See page A2. concern about the safety and
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Y
BY CHRIS SIMON
G
csimon@yrmg.com
et ready for more roadwork along Davis Drive. ‘Finishing touches’ — including sidewalk completion and the planting of trees and shrubs — will take place along the corridor over the next few months, beginning this week. Crews will begin the tree planter installations on the north side of the road, between Patterson Street and 665 Davis, next week and that portion of the project is expected to continue until April 15.
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During this phase of construction, pedestrians will need to cross to the south side of Davis at Patterson or the intersection at Southlake. The westbound curb lane will be closed for the duration of the work, from just east of Patterson to the 665 driveway. Driveway access to businesses in the area will be maintained. For more information, visit vivanext.com.
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