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Private members bill sparks regional election deba BY DAVID FLEISCHER He may be the public face of York Region but chairperson Bill is not elected and some are suggesting its time that changed Late last month Liberal MPP David tabled a private members bill seek ing amendments to the Municipal Elections Act that would require regional chairpersons to be elected The former infrastructure minister spent a lot of time dealing with regional govern ments while crafting the growth plan for the GTA and he was surprised to find the power ful chairpersons with whom he dealt with were not elected by voters 1 dont have a quarrel with any individu als and have incredibly high regard for Bill he said Its more the democratic concept York University political science professor Robert MacDermid agreed This person is in some ways the face of the region but they dont really represent anyone if they havent been elected said Mr who closely folloVs GTA elec tion and accountability issues But Richmond Hill Mayor isnt convinced change is needed I dont know that theres a disconnect between the people and the chair he said adding he doesnt see how things would be any different if the chairperson is elected Hes accountable to us because we elect him Mr Barrow said of the regional council its worked pretty well But it probably needs some retooling I see it more as a role of connecting us to higher levels of government than being mayor of the entire region Mr Barrow said Unlike most of those who elect him Mr doesnt have to begin the battle anew at election time He was acclaimed unani mously in 2003 and 2Q06 This years municipal elections are being held Monday Oct 25 Both Hahon and Waterloo regions elect their chairs but chairpersons of York Dur ham and Peel are selected by the regional councillors and mayors Before amalgamation Metro Toronto had a chairperson who was initially appointed by the province Over time the position evolved and candidates had to first run in a focal ward race I like the idea of a regional chair being someone who is already an elected member of council I think it gives it more credibility Geor- Mayor Robert Grossi said Mr Grossi vied for the position in 1997 along with then- Richmond Hill Mayor Bill Bell and Mr Fisch who served as a Markham regional councillor at the time A bigger issue for Mr Grossi was how little residents appreciate what the regional government actually does and how focal gov ernance works think its worked pretty well he said of the current system But it probably needs some retooling Mr Fisch can speak and vote at commit tee but only votes at council in the event of a tie He still has more power than many mayors Mr MacDermid said Mr earned last year he according to Ontarios Sunshine about more than Toronto David Miller Private members bills rarely become taw but Mr has seen some of his other ideas picked up by the government and thinks this one could be too When I introduced the bill I had col leagues from across all parties come up to me and say things like long overdue said I hope to see change Mr bill would apply wide but Conservative leader Tim Hudak tabled a similar motion for Niagara in 2007 and supported another Conserva tive MPP ferry Oullettes bill advocating the same for Durham Region Durham has been a particular hot spot for debate and councillors there recently voted to add a referendum question on whether the regional chairperson should be elected to this years ballot During the last election four years ago per cent of voters in Pickering and Oshawa said they wanted the chairperson elected of the Thornhill Square Mall Bayview and John and invites you to an Bly Blyth Academy Thornhill OPEN HOUSE Thursday April 29 from 7 to 9pm Blyth Academy an established private high school with three GTA campuses offers enriched academic courses in full time part time and international programs wwwblytheducationcom or Thornhill Campus 9058898081 Bereaved Families of Ontario 905 8986265 Immigrant Information Services In your community you bo a In your community Connecting newcomers and immigrants to the services they need Our Outreach Team will be meeting with newcomers and immigrants at Newmarket Public Library Park Ave at Main St Tuesday April 1 000 am p m Aurora Public Library Tuesday April 27 pm 330 pm Volunteer Fair Ray Twinney Recreation Complex Lounge Eagle St Newmarket Thursday April 29 1 HO pm pm They ml help you connect wo the end prog you Check the SSI III Do you need help getting mm Canada Would you fcke to learn Do you need help findmg work