Bill Roberts
Mayor Linda Jackson and daughter Carolyn greet guests at the annual Vaughan Mayor’s Gala Thursday at La Primavera Hospitality and Convention Centre in Woodbridge. The Broadway-themed event raised $700,000 for a new hospital for the city.
Vaughan
May 10, 2008 11:19 PM
$700,000 raised at mayor’s annual gala, meanwhile thieves make off with thousands
By: Caroline Grech
How much would you pay to be the mayor of Vaughan for a day?
Rudy Bratty of the Remington Group forked over $12,000 Thursday at the annual Vaughan Mayor’s gala.
But that wasn’t before much prodding from event co-chair Mario Romano, a local developer.
Few of the 800-odd guests ventured a bid once they learned the day would entail getting along with councillors during a regular council meeting, but this scenario did fill the theatre-themed ballroom with laughter.
Mr. Romano took hold of the microphone and had no problem shining the spotlight on some of the former politicians there to get the bidding going.
“C’mon Mario, I know you want to be mayor,” Mr. Romano said to former Thornhill Liberal MPP Mario Racco, as his wife, Vaughan politician Sandra Yeung Racco, tilted her head back with laughter.
Another item up for auction was dinner with Mayor Linda Jackson and husband Mario Campese, as well as event co-chair and TACC Construction owner Silvio De Gasperis, Mr. Romano and their respective spouses.
When Councillor Peter Meffe put forward the first bid, he got a word of caution from Mr. Romano.
“We take you out for dinner for free. You’re a politician. What are you, nuts?” he said.
Art Saccocia of Sky Homes made the winning 10,000 bid for the dinner.
The night made $700,000 for Vaughan’s future hospital.
“We’re here tonight to make a dream a reality,” Ms Jackson said, adding in the past five years, $2.4 million has so far been raised through the mayor’s galas.
The event stayed true to its Broadway theme with a performance by stage and TV personality Camilla Scott, who sung Someone to Watch Over me from Crazy for You and Winner Takes it All from Mamma Mia, amidst red-feathered centrepieces and red satin chairs.
While the night was a fundraising success, some unlucky guests returned to their cars in the underground parking of La Primavera Hospitality and Convention Centre in Woodbridge to find their cars had been broken into.
Windows were smashed to the tune of about $3,000 and between $12,000 and $13,000 in valuables, including wallets, purses and computer equipment was stolen, York Regional Police said.
Police say they have no witnesses or suspects, but are asking for your help. If you have information, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or go to crimestoppersyr.ca