During the past 16 years that Councillor Li Preti has been involved in municipal politics, he has focused his attention on maintaining and improving the conditions of living, walking, learning, driving and playing in the community which he represents. Peter believes that this community deserves the very best and strives toward that goal with city planners representing every department. He was a leader of PROJECT REBIRTH, a community conference held in the fall of 1989, which focused both on the needs within Jane/Finch and some strategies to address those needs. Attending this conference were 250 people who worked and/or lived in the local neighbourhoods. Part of Councillor Li Preti’s passion during the last ten years has been to move forward on a number of issues which were highlighted at that conference. His reputation for acting on promises which he has made, defines, in many ways, how this politician’s energy is directed. The following represents a brief description of his involvements, achievements and dreams for the future.

Over the years, as a City Councillor, Peter Li Preti has helped people in his Ward in many ways. He is probably the most approachable politician in the Greater Toronto Area meeting with thousands of constituents each year. He addresses many individual and community wide issues and can be counted on to get results. He has promised much and delivered much. Over the past several years, Li Preti was able to start and complete 100 different projects. Listed below are some but by no means all of his accomplishments

1. $4.2 million community centre at Jane St. & Oakdale.
2. Yorkwoods theatre – $3million performing arts theatre.
3. Over 5,000 tax appeals launched and 4000 tax assessments lowered on homes, condominiums & tenant buildings.
4. New library branch at Jane & Sheppard in the mall.
5. Elderbrook lands – reduced number of highrise units to be built from 7 to 2.
6. Project rebirth – $ 2 million for community upgrades at Jane and Finch. Streetscaping to continue in the 2001 phase.
7. John Booth Arena indoor bocce courts and Community Centre.
8. Founder of Norwester and Downsview Post newspaper.
9. Founder of Downsview symphony orchestra – classical concerts.
10. Computer scholarships & scrolls for graduating students.
11. Secured $500,000 from the city toward the cost of soccer fields in Jane/Finch.
12. Hurricane Mitch – 6 full truckloads of clothing, medicine and food sent to the Dominican Republic, El Salvador and Nicaragua.
13. Fundraising for earthquake victim in the Philippines.
14. Retention of Yorkwoods Community Centre – The Salvation Army.
15. $300,000 playgrounds at Shoreham park.
16. Sponsored and supported Computers@home program.
17. Driftwood, Shoreham and Edgeley Park redevelopment.
18. Murray Ross and Steeles Avenue West – traffic light.
19. Chairman of the Canadian Hispanic Day Parade Committee.

Many homeowners and tenants in the area of the ward closest to Jane and Steeles became infuriated when a developer brought ( to the city of Vaughan) a proposal to build a major crematorium on the northeast corner of this intersection. Councillor Li Preti made a promise to these constituents that he would support them in their fight against having this project imposed in such close proximity to the neighbours on the south. This struggle went to the OMB. While their decision, in the end, was to approve this proposal, the group was successful in limiting the potential size of the development. Further success is also pending however, for no construction is underway. The sense of power or powerlessness with which a community is faced can also become an opportunity for growth and new learning.