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All posts by Philip Alves

NDP subway message also veering off track

The brows of Vaughan’s subway supporters furrowed during last week’s televised leaders’ debate when provincial NDP leader Howard Hampton said the Spadina extension should end at York University. Hampton’s position is not new, but it is contrary to what his Vaughan candidate, Rick Morelli, is on the record as saying.

Thornhill hopefuls head to school

Hoping to make political hay out of a stage trick, challenger Peter Shurman conjured up images of a “magic subway” and a “magic hospital” and then tried to convince 100 students at St. Elizabeth Catholic High School that it was all a figment of Mario Racco’s imagination.

Memory of mother’s charity drove kids to help hospital

Sonia Facchini was carrying a $1,900 cheque when she walked into the Hospital For Sick Children last Friday. She says the journey was both inspired by and in honour of her late mother’s legacy as a tireless supporter of charitable causes. When Maria Facchini died in June 2006, son Michael and daughter Sonia decided the best way to remember their mother was to carry on in her footsteps.

The referendum no one refers to

The first referendum question asked of Ontario voters in 83 years has yet to grab the attention of people in the ridings of Vaughan and Thornhill, observers say. On Oct. 10, voters across the province will not only get the chance to pick who gets into government, but also the very nature of the government they want.

Windmill breezes through first year

Standing like a candle on a cake, a precedent-setting Vaughan landmark celebrates its first birthday this week.

On Sept. 20, 2006, Maple Honda officially unveiled the 50-kilowatt windmill generator, the result of a partnership between local utility PowerStream, Honda Canada and Zanchin Automotive Group, owners of the dealership.

Letting the good times roll in Maple

It could’ve been a scene right out of a Simpsons episode. On Saturday, dozens of people descended on the stretch of Major Mackenzie Dr. between Keele St. and Eagle Rock Way to watch kids race their home-built cars in fierce competition at the Great Maple Cart Derby.

Election sign war gets serious in second week of campaign

Across the ridings of Vaughan and Thornhill, election signs are popping up like dandelions on lawns and road sides. With the Oct. 10 provincial election only weeks away and a bylaw skirmish between Thornhill Progressive Conservative Peter Shurman and the City of Vaughan settled, candidates are racing to get their party colours up.

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Come and knock on our door

Having received the endorsement of the Vaughan Professional Firefighters Association on Sept. 10, incumbent Liberal and Thornhill candidate Mario Racco knocked on some local doors with the help of a few firefighters.

He and his yellow-clad firefighting friends were in the Bathurst St. and Clark Ave. neighbourhood Tuesday trying to win over undecided voters like Sarah and Doris. From left to right, Jerry Nicosia, Sarah, Doris, Racco and Rick Greenfield.

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31 candles for Thornhill fest

The old Village of Thornhill looks back and celebrates its history for the 31st time on Saturday with something for everybody. The annual Thornhill Village Festival takes over the neighbourhoods around Yonge and Centre on both sides of the Vaughan-Markham divide between 9 a.m. and

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City recognized by green award for urban trees

A recent award given to Vaughan confirms that the city is succeeding in bringing a bit of paradise back to its parking lots. Green Streets Canada, a program of the Ottawa-based non-profit Tree Canada Foundation, has recognized Vaughan for its urban forestry programs. Neighbouring community