A year in the political life of Vaughan

2010

October

Municipal election throws out embattled mayor Linda Jackson, along with four incumbent councillors Joyce Frustaglio, Mario Ferri, Peter Meffe and Bernie Di Vona.

Former MP Maurizio Bevilacqua is elected mayor, along with four new councillors: Deb Schulte, Marilyn Iafrate, Rosanna DeFrancesca, and Jackson’s predecessor, Michael Di Biase. Keeping their council seats are Gino Rosati, Tony Carella, Sandra Yeung Racco and Alan Shefman.

December

The new council is inaugurated and takes office in a new city hall, with Mayor Bevilacqua proclaiming a “new era”.

The new council freezes councillor salaries, voting to forego a scheduled pay raise.

Ontario’s former police head Julian Fantino wins Liberal Bevilacqua’s former Vaughan seat for the Conservatives, but cites his victory as resulting from the same local desire for change. He commits to work to get federal funding for the Vaughan hospital. Fantino is elevated to the federal cabinet with Thornhill MP Peter Kent.

2011

January

Council members sign Mayor Bevilacqua’s one-page Vaughan Accord, pledging civility and setting ethical standards for councillors and city staff. With its 12 resolutions, Vaughan representatives promise to act as responsible stewards of the city’s finances, provide stable government and act constructively.

Upon a resolution by Bevilacqua, council orders city staff to launch a line-by-line budgetary review of city programs and expenditures.

February

Council orders an audit to determine how the building of a new civic centre, projected to cost $107 million, went $15.6 million over budget.

March

Charges against both Di Biase and Jackson arising from their 2006 election fight are dismissed. Court actions in neither case are appealed by the current city council.

However, the city is still after Jackson to pay $113,000 in legal and other costs.

April

Council unanimously passes a new budget calling for an increase in propery tax of nearly two percent plus a levy to help pay for the land on which to build a hospital.

June

Council passes a resolution calling for a more definitive partnership between the city and the Vaughan Health Campus of Care, in effect seekng oversight of the property on which the long-awaited new hospital is to be developed.

Facing a proposed GTA “superhighway” passing through northern Vaughan, council asks the province to prove this corridor would have less of a negative impact on the social and natural environment than an atlernative route across the Oak Ridges Moraine.

July

An audit shows the building of the new city hall went $15.6 million over budget mainly due to a lack of planning.

The provincial government of Dalton McGuinty announces it will help fund the anticipated hospital in Vaughan. The Vaughan Healthcare Foundation is to contribute $200 million to the project, while $117 million is to come from York Region and $80 million from the city.

September

The new city hall is officially opened. Smiles all around, except for critics who question the cost and overruns.