This election is about values. Your values and community values. Here I would like to outline my priorities and why you should vote for me today.
MY PRIORITIES:
1) TRANSIT is the biggest, most pressing issue for the Town and the Region. Currently the VivaNext rapid bus system is being built up Yonge Street from Hwy 7 to 19th/Gamble Road. Completion is expected in 2018. The Vaughan subway is expected also to be in service by 2018 and that alone will be a huge game-changer for the GTA, but we need a Yonge St. subway to Hwy 7. Residents and businesses are fed up with bumper-to-bumper rush hour traffic; fed up with red light runners; fed up with poor air quality. Now that the Province has set aside a $29 billion budget for transit across the GTA –
It is time to make the BIG MOVE!
I approved our Official Plan and policies for higher densities along transit lines to protect our investments in transit and offer improved service to our community. VivaNext is being built up Yonge St. Now we need an all-day, two-way GO Transit rail service. I continue to work with the Province and Metrolinx to achieve this goal.
2) AFFORDABLE HOUSING:
The average home in Richmond Hill is now over $600,000. There are 6,000 families and individuals waiting for affordable housing in York Region. Over 4,000 residents live in homes owned and operated by Housing York and more than 70% of those residents are seniors.
As a Director of the Board for Housing York Inc., I supported the building of affordable housing apartments at Mackenzie Green and the Community Hub which is now under construction.
Many of our young people are struggling with student loans and looking to find good employment. To help secure their futures, we need more housing options.
3) A STRONG LOCAL ECONOMY. As the Town’s liaison to the Chamber of Commerce, I have worked hard to protect the Town’s Employment Lands. I have also worked with the Chamber of Commerce and through the Town’s Small Business Enterprise Centre to support local businesses. With a little help, entrepreneurship in our community will thrive.
4) PROTECTION OF OUR ENVIRONMENT
In 2000, my campaign was encouraged by the support of Dr. David Suzuki to protect the Oak Ridges Moraine. The protective legislation which was so hard fought for is now under review and will be decided in 2015. We must continue to fight for the renewal of the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act and the Greenbelt legislation.
5) INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE:
We have come through the global recession of 2008 but our economy still requires work. Immigration plays an important role in keeping our economy strong. Financial success for both new and existing residents means encouraging full participation in the marketplace and society. Richmond Hill has a highly skilled and educated population which helps to support the continued health of our local economy.
The Region and Richmond Hill have Welcome Centres to help newcomers participate fully in the labour force and community. In order to build a healthy community, we need to interact. I support a combination of private investment and public dollars to encourage community events, programs, and services.
6) KEEPING OUR TAX RATE LOW:
As the Chair of the Budget committee since 2010, I have worked closely with Council, senior staff, residents, businesses, the Library Board, and the Chamber of Commerce to achieve a fair and manageable tax rate. All budget meetings are held in public.
It is important to provide our residents and businesses with the services which allow them to maintain the quality of life which they have invested in, and have come to expect. The challenge is to maintain a fair and competitive tax rate in this period of growth, change, and high expectations. In 2014, the Town’s tax rate increase of 2.04% was approved by Council. Our tax rate was measured against 27 other municipalities in the Greater Toronto Area and Richmond Hill had the 4th lowest residential tax rate. I can live with that.
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If you have any questions that would help you decide your vote, please contact me at my election email: Brendahogg@Rogers.com. I look forward to working with you and representing you over the next 4 years.
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Today you have two votes for Region.
Please give one of your votes to Brenda Hogg