Gordon Prentice at Large - Politics in Newmarket
- Details
- Written by: Gordon Prentice
Tom Vegh’s latest post on Facebook is inaccurate and misleading. (see right and below)
Vegh says:
“York Region Official Plan protects 71% of all York Region from residential, industrial or commercial development and does not allow these types of developments on environmentally-sensitive lands.”
The York Region Official Plan says:
“York Region contains some of the most significant and environmentally sensitive geological landforms in Ontario, of which the most predominant is the Oak Ridges Moraine.”
Vegh voted for the development of Oak Ridges Moraine land in Whitchurch and Stouffville.
He says:
"The York Region official plan allows municipalities to build parks, playgrounds, sports field and trails on environmentally sensitive lands."
But only because he voted to change the official plan - which has now been submitted to the Province for approval.
Newmarket's Mayor, John Taylor voted to reject amendments which would allow prime agricultural land to be converted to other uses such as tennis courts and soccer pitches. Vegh voted in favour.
Vegh voted to open up over 12 square miles of open countryside for development. Taylor voted against.
Gordon Prentice 19 October 2022
- Details
- Written by: Gordon Prentice
Regional Councillor Tom Vegh, a former Executive Director of the Inn From the Cold, sits on his hands and refuses to speak in a debate at York Regional Council last month when his own Mayor, John Taylor, is making the case for a $1M capital grant to the homelessness organisation.
What is going on?
What's the story?
Gordon Prentice 18 October 2022
- Details
- Written by: Gordon Prentice
The population of York Region is bigger than five Canadian Provinces: PEI, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, and it’s rapidly closing on Manitoba. Yet the person who leads York Region, Wayne Emmerson, is indirectly elected by 20 people.
He is now seeking a third term from his 20 strong electorate.
He steers policies and strategy. He can declare a state of emergency.
And his vote has the same weight as the directly elected Mayors and Regional Councillors who serve on the Regional Council.
He should be elected by the voters at large not by a tiny group of his colleagues.
In March 2016 I made the argument to a Committee in Queen's Park. The case for direct election is as compelling as ever.
Here is my take on it all.
Gordon Prentice 19 October 2022