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Woodruff questions intensification in bid for regional chair's job by Tim Whitnell Metroland West Media 9 | Thursday, October 23, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Greg Woodruff is intensely interested in, and frustrated by, intensification. He is keen to talk about the province's legislated, long-term land development and population growth directive, called Places To Grow. He says it often negatively impacts many aspects of municipal planning and by extension the lives of many Ontarians, including those in Halton. Woodruff, 40, a married father with a young daughter, is running for the regional chair seat. He was born in Russell, Ont. (southeast of Ottawa) but has spent most of his life in Halton. Following university, he moved back to the Burlington area and spent time working for IBM, Eli Lilly and Unisys. He started his own business, Comexton Corporation, which builds management and e-commerce applications for other businesses. Since 2008, he has lived in Aldershot. Woodruff likes to talk about land use intensification and residential infill but doesn't necessarily like what he's seen. "The idea is OK if done properly. It could work ... but we don't have the (right political) mechanism in place. "We're stuffing so many people into the area (that) we'll be in massive violation of our own planning standards." "You hear from people, they want local access to shopping. I'd love to live in a place where I could walk everywhere or bike," he said. Wo o d r u ff mockingly describes Halton's transportation plan as "walk, bike or stay home." He says he Greg Woodruff follows land development and zoning issues at the local level. "I was struck by (how) you go to these meetings and the requests of the people are the opposite of what the city is doing." Woodruff lays much of the blame on Places To Grow. "What people miss with intensification (is) the process has been perverted from what the citizen wants to what the provincial government wants. "Why do we need residential buildings above six storeys.... The people's request is not to jam (them) everywhere and block out the sun," he said, referring to downtown Burlington. Woodruff wonders why Oakville has been more successful than the City of Burlington in challenging the plans of land developers at the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB). Although he hasn't run for political office before, Woodruff says the reason he's bypassing being a city council candidate and aiming for the top Regional political post is about getting the ears of those in power. "Unless you can get in a position to talk to the provincial government, we need help to pull it off." Woodruff believes policing and public health are functioning well and that the competency of municipal staff is high in Halton. However, he has concerns that land intensification will put even more pressure on the ability to provide affordable housing and reliable infrastructure, pointing to the repeat flooding of some homes. One thing people won't stand for, he said, is increased property taxes. "People will not accept tax increases. If you vote for that, it will be the last vote you will cast." Claude's vaCuum shop Nilfisk Supreme 100 with Deluxe Air Package Sales · Service · Parts 15 year warranties on Motor & Parts Supreme 100 & 250 Free Estimates on Repairs Serving Oakville for over 30 years Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday · 9am - 6pm Wednesday · 9am - 5pm Saturday · 9am - 4pm sale $39999 Supreme 100, 10 Years Warranty 128 Kerr St., Oakville, ON L6K 3A7 905.842.5658 | claude2@cogeco.net www.claudesvacuum.com visit www.clanmore.ca www.oakville.ca Join a Town of Oakville committee or board and make a difference Oakville Town Council invites and encourages you to apply to serve on a town committee or board and help make Oakville the most livable town in Canada. We are currently seeking volunteers to serve on the following committees and boards for the 2014-2018 term of Council: · Accessibility Advisory Committee (up to 10 positions available) · Committee of Adjustment (up to 5 positions available) · Community Spirit Awards Selection Committee (up to 4 positions available) · Heritage Oakville Advisory Committee (up to 9 positions available) · Oakville Public Library Board (up to 9 positions available) · Property Standards Committee (up to 3 positions and two alternate positions available) Further details, committee descriptions and application forms are available at oakville.ca/townhall/boards-committees.html. Applications will be accepted until November 14, 2014. For more information about the appointment procedure, please contact the Clerk's department at 905-815-6015, or email townclerk@oakville.ca.