Original:  As a result, we ’ ve had about a $240,000,000 capital shortfall every year – which we’ve “solved” by increasing debt and seeking handouts from other orders of government. This is unsustainable and unacceptable. Increasing development charges is the first step towards solving the infrastructure shortfall. Protection and preservation of neighbourhoods: The density explosion puts great pressure on our stable residential neighbourhoods. The City’s Official Plan directs growth to specific places in the City – particularly those serviced by rapid transit. But the development industry continues to seek growth in those areas of the City which are NOT targeted for intensification, as well as over-intensification in those areas identified for growth. This has immediate negative impacts on neighbouring single-family homes. While we have made gains in improving policies of the Official Plan to protect these neighbourhoods, it will be the job of the next Council to ensure that Planning Staff interpret and enforce these policies to really protect them. Election Finance Reform: While Council has indicated its intent to reform how candidates raise money for election campaigns, it does remain a serious problem that must be fixed. VoteToronto, an independent organization, has documented the problems at www.votetoronto.ca of the influence that can result from election contributions of special interest groups. The new City Council must finish the job of election finance reform. Q: What one election issue do you feel is most relevant to your ward in this election? A: In Ward 25, the key issue is protection of neighbourhoods. For most people, their investment in their homes is their single biggest investment. Intrusive nearby development can have major negative effects. For example, at 1000 Mt. Pleasant Road, an application for a 13-storey apartment building which would tower over and impact neighbouring single-family homes was deemed, by City planners, to be contrary to the City’s Official Plan and should be refused. City Council did refuse the application. But, on appeal, the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) overturned the City’s decision. City Council must re-enforce policies and processes which protect our stable residential neighbourhoods and must demand OMB reform from the provincial government. Q: Why have you chosen to involve yourself in the political process? A: As President of a community association for 12 years, I saw the threats and challenges faced by one stable residential community. They ranged from inappropriate and intrusive development to a property assessment system which resulted in unstable annual reassessments. Through my colleagues, presidents of other community associations, I learned that the problems were not isolated in my community. They were systemic across the ward, the City – and indeed, across the province. I saw cases of unfair impact on homeowners who had previously believed that the Official Plan and the zoning by-law would protect their quiet enjoyment of their homes, apartments and their investment in the community. In every case, I felt there were ways for governments – particularly Toronto City Council – to protect our stable residential communities. In conversation and discussion with people in Ward 25, I found it resonated. Many people were and are impacted by inappropriate development. People want a planning process which serves them. I developed an election platform in 2003 around protection of our stable residential communities. Once elected, I set out to implement it, against entrenched interests – with considerable success in many aspects, for example: Official Plan amendments, changes in the Committee of Adjustment, and new freedom for people to access previously withheld building permits. There is more to do. The new harmonized zoning by-law coming before Council will require provisions to close existing loopholes. The planning process reform must be completed – to ensure that people are engaged earlier and meaningfully consulted on development applications in their community. Q: Why do you want to represent this particular ward on council? A: My wife Liz and I have lived in Ward 25 for 21 years, raising our three sons, Neil, Scott and David here. Ward 25 is a vibrant, wonderful place to live, work and enjoy life. Ward 25 residents are proud and protective of their neighbourhoods. Our employment areas on Leslie and Scarsdale and our commercial areas are thriving - but some are at risk from purchase and conversion to residential uses. Our parks and natural areas are magnificent. The ravines of the Don Valley are life-giving ribbons of green that benefit the entire City. Ward 25 is a jewel in Toronto. I want the best for it. Q: How are you currently involved in the community? A: To be a conscientious Councillor is to be deeply involved in the community. It requires very frequent attendance at local events and meetings. It is critical for a Councillor to hear what people have to say about matters affecting their communities, about their hopes and desires for their communities. I attend many evening meetings with ratepayer groups, with tenant groups, with school organizations and with other community groups. Doing that is more than a full time job. Consequently, I’ve temporarily deferred most voluntary activity – particularly my long-time involvement in my own ratepayer association where I was President for twelve years. I’ve also been a junior boys’ baseball coach and junior boys’ curling team advisor. My wife Liz, however, maintains her volunteer work. For many years she was active in Home and School associations as our kids worked their way through school – serving as President from time to time. As well, she was a volunteer for many years at Tennis Canada – rising to the position of Volunteer Co-ordinator for the annual men’s/women’s Canadian Open Tennis Championship. And now, she is a volunteer at Sunnybrook Hospital. And lastly, it runs in the family – all three of our sons have had and continue to have volunteer activities. Q: What does Toronto mean to you? A: Toronto truly is a city of wonderful neighbourhoods. It is an economic engine that must continue to create jobs. While creating these jobs and as Toronto continues to grow, we need to ensure that our infrastructure and services support that growth. We must provide infrastructure and services in a resilient and cost-effective manner. And we must never forget who we are seeking to serve – the residents of Toronto who live in our wonderful neighbourhoods. We must provide them with a safe, robust and clean city – one where they can continue to live, work and enjoy life. Q: Which council decision (since the 2003 election) do you feel the city/your ward should be most proud of, and which was least desirable? A: Council’s least desirable decision was its failure to increase development charges to the maximum permitted under provincial law. Development charges are intended to pay for new infrastructure required to support the population growth of the City. While Council did increase development charges to achieve annual revenues of approximately $ 50million - $60million.
Revised:  As a result, we ’ ve had about a $240,000,000 capital shortfall every year – which we've "solved" by increasing debt and seeking handouts from other orders of government. This is unsustainable and unacceptable. Increasing development charges is the first step towards solving the infrastructure shortfall. Protection and preservation of neighbourhoods: The density explosion puts great pressure on our stable residential neighbourhoods. The City's Official Plan directs growth to specific places in the City – particularly those serviced by rapid transit. But the development industry continues to seek growth in those areas of the City which are NOT targeted for intensification, as well as over-intensification in those areas identified for growth. This has immediate negative impacts on neighbouring single-family homes. While we have made gains in improving policies of the Official Plan to protect these neighbourhoods, it will be the job of the next Council to ensure that Planning Staff interpret and enforce these policies to really protect them. Election Finance Reform: While Council has indicated its intent to reform how candidates raise money for election campaigns, it does remain a serious problem that must be fixed. VoteToronto, an independent organization, has documented the problems at www.votetoronto.ca of the influence that can result from election contributions of special interest groups. The new City Council must finish the job of election finance reform. Q: What one election issue do you feel is most relevant to your ward in this election? A: In Ward 25, the key issue is protection of neighbourhoods. For most people, their investment in their homes is their single biggest investment. Intrusive nearby development can have major negative effects. For example, at 1000 Mt. Pleasant Road, an application for a 13-storey apartment building which would tower over and impact neighbouring single-family homes was deemed, by City planners, to be contrary to the City's Official Plan and should be refused. City Council did refuse the application. But, on appeal, the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) overturned the City's decision. City Council must re-enforce policies and processes which protect our stable residential neighbourhoods and must demand OMB reform from the provincial government. Q: Why have you chosen to involve yourself in the political process? A: As President of a community association for 12 years, I saw the threats and challenges faced by one stable residential community. They ranged from inappropriate and intrusive development to a property assessment system which resulted in unstable annual reassessments. Through my colleagues, presidents of other community associations, I learned that the problems were not isolated in my community. They were systemic across the ward, the City – and indeed, across the province. I saw cases of unfair impact on homeowners who had previously believed that the Official Plan and the zoning by-law would protect their quiet enjoyment of their homes, apartments and their investment in the community. In every case, I felt there were ways for governments – particularly Toronto City Council – to protect our stable residential communities. In conversation and discussion with people in Ward 25, I found it resonated. Many people were and are impacted by inappropriate development. People want a planning process which serves them. I developed an election platform in 2003 around protection of our stable residential communities. Once elected, I set out to implement it, against entrenched interests – with considerable success in many aspects, for example: Official Plan amendments, changes in the Committee of Adjustment, and new freedom for people to access previously withheld building permits. There is more to do. The new harmonized zoning by-law coming before Council will require provisions to close existing loopholes. The planning process reform must be completed – to ensure that people are engaged earlier and meaningfully consulted on development applications in their community. Q: Why do you want to represent this particular ward on council? A: My wife Liz and I have lived in Ward 25 for 21 years, raising our three sons, Neil, Scott and David here. Ward 25 is a vibrant, wonderful place to live, work and enjoy life. Ward 25 residents are proud and protective of their neighbourhoods. Our employment areas on Leslie and Scarsdale and our commercial areas are thriving - but some are at risk from purchase and conversion to residential uses. Our parks and natural areas are magnificent. The ravines of the Don Valley are life-giving ribbons of green that benefit the entire City. Ward 25 is a jewel in Toronto. I want the best for it. Q: How are you currently involved in the community? A: To be a conscientious Councillor is to be deeply involved in the community. It requires very frequent attendance at local events and meetings. It is critical for a Councillor to hear what people have to say about matters affecting their communities, about their hopes and desires for their communities. I attend many evening meetings with ratepayer groups, with tenant groups, with school organizations and with other community groups. Doing that is more than a full time job. Consequently, I've temporarily deferred most voluntary activity – particularly my long-time involvement in my own ratepayer association where I was President for twelve years. I've also been a junior boys' baseball coach and junior boys' curling team advisor. My wife Liz, however, maintains her volunteer work. For many years she was active in Home and School associations as our kids worked their way through school – serving as President from time to time. As well, she was a volunteer for many years at Tennis Canada – rising to the position of Volunteer Co-ordinator for the annual men's/women's Canadian Open Tennis Championship. And now, she is a volunteer at Sunnybrook Hospital. And lastly, it runs in the family – all three of our sons have had and continue to have volunteer activities. Q: What does Toronto mean to you? A: Toronto truly is a city of wonderful neighbourhoods. It is an economic engine that must continue to create jobs. While creating these jobs and as Toronto continues to grow, we need to ensure that our infrastructure and services support that growth. We must provide infrastructure and services in a resilient and cost-effective manner. And we must never forget who we are seeking to serve – the residents of Toronto who live in our wonderful neighbourhoods. We must provide them with a safe, robust and clean city – one where they can continue to live, work and enjoy life. Q: Which council decision (since the 2003 election) do you feel the city/your ward should be most proud of, and which was least desirable? A: Council's least desirable decision was its failure to increase development charges to the maximum permitted under provincial law. Development charges are intended to pay for new infrastructure required to support the population growth of the City. While Council did increase development charges to achieve annual revenues of approximately $ 50million - $60million.
Edit intent: clarity