Meetings with the various stakeholders in our riding continue. We have now met with members of the Russian community; the Korean community; and representatives of most of the ratepayer associations in Thornhill. And those are just the roundtable discussions which will continue to reach out and include every element of our constituency that wants to be heard. That should, ultimately, include everyone?because everyone has issues.
The remarkable thing is that the range of issues is large and, yet, there are commonalities. These are the general complaints that government doesn?t hear what people are saying about the need for change. The specifics are, however, pretty interesting. Take, for example, the issue raised by the Aileen-Willowbrook Ratepayers Association about storm runoff; land drainage concerns as more area is developed; and sewage capacity. This group is worried about the proposed widening of Bayview because, as drainage capacity is eliminated, water has nowhere to go. Development of that area was not much of a concern 30 years ago but, with all of its rivers and streams, that has become a concern. And, if their studies are to be accepted, the slope from Leslie westward is a downslope as is the slope eastward from Yonge?result? Bayview becomes the receptacle. And, I am told, that?s now being looked at by the Region.
On the other side of the riding we find a similar concern about the widening of Dufferin on the part of Glenshields ratepayers. There, drainage isn?t the problem. The traffic ?balloon? created by widening a street that isn?t going to be modified south of Steeles will mean a larger bottleneck. Toronto?s attitude on Bayview is the same. These are not technically the concern of a Member of provincial Parliament because they are municipal/regional matters. But I am finding, more and more, that my job is that of facilitator as much as it is Queen?s Park representative.
Another interesting meeting recently was with the people who run the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce. They find that their membership is weighted to the west meaning that they have a number of people from the Woodbridge area, for example, but not much representation from Thornhill. This is an active, vibrant organization and, as with most Chambers, is there to help its member businesses. If you are a Thornhill business person, give them a call and check out what they have to offer and consider what you can bring to the table?united we stand is still a viable approach!
Finally, a word on the much talked about Vaughan Hospital initiative. I have met with the key members of the foundation behind this effort and I support it fully. They are currently in the middle of final public meetings and will wrap up studies within the next few months so as to submit the proposed specifications and request for a green light to the Ministry of Health. We all need to get behind this effort and try to move the McGuinty Government forward as quickly as possible just as soon as we can finally determine the scope of the project. Make sure to get your views on record by attending a public meeting or writing/emailing via my office.