East York MPP's criticism of Vaughan unfounded, they say
By Nicole Miller (Vaughan Today)
MPP Peter Shurman says he's conducted his own investigation at the City of Vaughan. Residents unhappy with their elected municipal reps can take up their issues at the ballot box next year, he says. (Victor Aguilar/Vaughan Today)While opposition critic Michael Prue condemns Vaughan as being the worst example of when things go wrong, local councillors and Thornhill MPP Peter Shurman maintain it is indeed a well-run city.
?Michael Prue doesn?t know what he?s talking about,? said Shurman in an editorial board meeting with Vaughan Today last week. ?(Prue) thinks that because he was once the mayor of a little burg called East York he knows all about municipal politics.?
During an October Municipal Affairs Ministry committee meeting, Prue called on Jim Watson, minister of municipal affairs, to step in and make what he called ?much-needed changes? in Vaughan. He pointed to the 200 outstanding charges laid against members of council as a reason why the minister should intervene.
Watson maintains the city needs no intervention.
Shurman sides with Watson when it comes to drafting a solution to council?s woes.
Both say that rather than having the province step in, citizens should take up their issues at the ballot box next year.
?If Vaughan has any problems at the senior level, they are political problems, and if people don?t like the politics of Vaughan they should elect new councillors, or a new mayor,? Shurman said.
He said he?s conducted his own investigation into the City of Vaughan, which reassured him that ?Vaughan, as a city, is extremely well-managed and extremely well-funded.?
His investigation included meeting with senior officials.
Shurman said Vaughan is highly professional and run by a proficient staff, including planners, managers and money managers.
?It?s not the worst example of anything,? he said.
Local councillor Tony Carella agrees.
?I think the city is moving along and in some cases setting the standard,? Carella said. He points to Vaughan?s official plan review and environmental sustainability plan as examples of Vaughan?s proficiency as a city.
?Mr. Prue is incanting cheap political posturing for purposes I don?t understand,? he said. ?I think he?s completely off base.?
Carella said he found Prue?s comments offensive, while noting he could not speak on behalf of other council members.
Councillor Alan Shefman said he doesn?t think Prue really understands what?s happening in Vaughan.
He said Prue should look to things like the financial position of Vaughan, adding the city?s ability to manage finances is one example of why Vaughan works. This, Shefman said, combined with other factors like Vaughan having the third lowest tax rate in the GTA are all ?remarkable reflections of how well managed the city of Vaughan is.?
?On the one hand we have the nasty headlines, and on the other, we still have a well run city,? Shefman said.
While Shurman and local councillors rebuke Prue?s comments, they acknowledge the difficulties Vaughan councillors have had since the last election.
However, Shurman said infighting is inevitable at every level in politics.
With an upcoming election, ?people can decide whether they like what they have in Vaughan, or whether they want to change it,? he said.