With long-time incumbent Howard Moscoe out of the race, Ward 15 is poised to elect a new councillor to serve the ever-growing community.

And while the candidates vary from political rookies to seasoned elected officials, most are focusing on what they see are the two main issues facing the ward — the Eglinton-Crosstown light rail transit (LRT) and the Lawrence Heights redevelopment. After getting the green light from city council, Toronto Community Housing can now proceed with the revitalization of Lawrence Heights, set out in the Lawrence Allen Revitalization Plan.

The plan calls for a mix of rent-geared-to-income and market units in the same community. Some 6,000 units will be developed on 90 acres of Toronto Community Housing lands and will include the replacement of the existing 1,208 units in the Allen Road and Lawrence Avenue area, along with an additional 4,792 market units for sale. The plan will also include a neighbourhood park, retail opportunities and community facilities such as schools, child care centres and community centres. The plan is split into phases spread out over the next 20 years.

The $4.6-billion Eglinton LRT would replace bus service along Eglinton Avenue with light rail vehicles.

Within the central section between Laird Drive and Keele Street, the LRT would operate underground. The TTC is proposing an underground LRT through this 12-kilometre section because the width of Eglinton Avenue is too narrow to accommodate the LRT. For the rest of Eglinton, the LRT would operate at surface in dedicated transit lanes separated from traffic.

“The biggest issue is Lawrence Heights,” candidate Ron Singer said. “I would stand in front of a truck to stop this project. It’s a terrible idea. I agree the housing has to be improved dramatically but the infrastructure isn’t there. It’s been approved but (mayoral candidate) Rob Ford has told people if you don’t want it, you won’t have it.”

As for the Eglinton LRT, Singer favours subways over light rail transit.

“LRT means streetcars,” he said. “If they’re going to the trouble of digging a huge hole under Eglinton, put a subway in it.”

If elected, the insurance agent said he would stop the Lawrence Heights revitalization in its current form and focus on infrastructure repair in the ward.

“I’m going to hold the line on spending,” he said.

For Tony Evangelista, civil service is in his blood.

A former committee of adjustment director for the City, he is well versed in development projects and how they should be implemented.

“I believe the Lawrence Heights revitalization plan is flawed,” he said. “Lawrence Heights is near and dear to me and if you look at it, you have almost every built form of housing in there. There is no doubt in my mind some rejuvenation has to occur. The area needs some TLC and the City should be putting money back into the existing development. We need controlled, sustainable development.”

While Evangelista doesn’t believe one solution will solve Toronto’s transit woes, he is in favour of getting going on the Eglinton LRT.

“Let’s get going with some stuff now,” he said. “The (Eglinton) LRT has been approved and we have to get going.”

If elected, Evangelista said he would bring more accountability and leadership to city hall, coupled with his vision for a good transit system and safe streets.
Josh Colle is pushing hard for an LRT on Eglinton.

A former Toronto Catholic District School Board trustee and son of current Eglinton-Lawrence MPP Mike Colle, Colle said rapid transit is “badly needed” along Eglinton.

“The current plan is almost identical to the one proposed in 1995 and scrapped by the Tories,” he said, calling suggestions to build the Eglinton LRT line underground a “made up debate.”

Acknowledging the housing stock in Lawrence Heights is long past its lifetime, Colle said if elected he would organize a panel of area residents to address concerns and bring a cohesive plan back to city hall.

“Some mayoral candidates said they would scrap the plan but even with a dramatic turnaround, they still represent one vote,” he said.

Colle is also in favour of cleaning up city parks, cheaper TTC fare for families and seniors and setting up regular residential committee meetings in the ward.

Rob Davis isn’t a stranger to the political ring.

Elected to York City Council in 1991 and Toronto council in 1997 before he was defeated in 2000, Davis is hoping to make his political return in Ward 15.

If voted in as councillor, Davis said he would look at getting rid of the vehicle registration fee, rolling back the land transfer tax and freezing property tax for two to three years to allow people to play catch-up.

He would also reintroduce a gun buy back program, which he spearheaded years ago on council, which saw 2,000 guns surrendered for $50 each within the 10-day program.

Calling the Lawrence Heights revitalization “chequebook planning”, Davis said he favours lower density for the project.

“You need density to pay for infrastructure and you need infrastructure because it’s adding so much density,” he said. “There’s not one place of worship identified in the new plan, not one Catholic school, not one private day school. Traffic at Dufferin and Lawrence is already murder.”

A big supporter of the Eglinton LRT, Davis would advocate for the entire line to be underground.

Vowing to inject a business acumen into the political system, Giuseppe Pede said he would construct a poverty reduction strategy for the city, eradicate old schools and focus on beautifying green space.

Noting the Lawrence Heights project will be two decades in the works, he’s confident changes will be made to the plan.

Pede also believes the LRTs should be out of the TTC’s control and favours privatization.

In an emailed biography, Eva Tavares said she would implement tax breaks for Ward 15 small businesses and supports transitional housing for those released from prison.

Candidate William Reitsma did not return numerous requests for comment.

- Fannie Sunshine

Posted in News, North York - York