It’s a street where new condo developments are juxtaposed with old shops and homes.

And to many, Woodbridge Avenue, or Market Lane as it is known to locals, signifies the meeting of old and new Woodbridge.

Tom’s Barber Shop is one of the anchors in the area, an institution that’s been in the same location for 39 years.

Owner Tom Lazenkas has seen many politicians come and go and he even takes the scissors to Vaughan politician Tony Carella’s curly locks.

He also cuts Mayor Linda Jackson’s father’s hair like clockwork every few weeks.

Just as easily as he measures the next snippet of hair, he can measure the political climate in the city from chats with his customers.

The latest chapter this week which saw Vaughan politicians agree to pursue charges against Ms Jackson for apparent contraventions of the Municipal Elections Act has elicited much talk amongst the community.

“It’s unfortunate. I feel bad about what’s going on. There’s certain rules we have to go by. You have to face the consequences if you break the rules,” Mr. Lazenkas said. “It’s not very good news for the City of Vaughan. You don’t hear this about Richmond Hill or Markham.”

But while he is disappointed in the latest turn of events, he does believe good could come from it. Candidates will be more careful about these things in the future, he said, adding he hopes the mayor doesn’t have to leave office.

While some residents are more forgiving, others say if rules were broken, action should be taken.

For Michael De Pinto, it is just that simple.

“It should be investigated and if she’s found guilty she’s got to take the rap,” Mr. De Pinto said, adding Ms Jackson should pay all costs for the proceedings.

Ms Jackson’s fate is now in the hands of Kingston lawyer Timothy Wilkin, who has the authority to lay charges.

Should the mayor be found guilty of spending over her legal campaign limit, she could be removed from office.

Council has the option of holding a byelection or appointing someone to the seat. That option is good until March 31, 2009, city clerk Jefferey Abrams said.

In the meantime, Regional Councillor and acting mayor Joyce Frustaglio would hypothetically serve as interim mayor, as she garnered the most votes among regional councillors in the November 2006 election.

But Ms Frustaglio also faces an audit of her campaign finances.

Despite that, she is confident her audit will not produce the same results as Ms Jackson’s.

“I’m not worried in the least,” Ms Frustaglio said, adding she is confident there was no overspending in her campaign.

The veteran Vaughan politician said she is “saddened” by what happened recently and equated it to having council painted with a black brush.

“I’m so deeply saddened that all of council is being talked about. People are not just talking about the mayor. I think that’s unfair and unjust,” Ms Frustaglio said. “We’re (council) getting a bum wrap.”

As for taking a shot at the mayor’s seat should it become vacant, Ms Frustaglio admitted every politician thinks about running for the highest office at one time or another and she is no different.

“There have always been circumstances why I haven’t, but circumstances change,” Ms Frustaglio said, adding it’s an uncomfortable topic to talk about.

For the time being, however, her priority is to clear the air over council.

The possibility of Vaughan’s top job opening up has led to many whisperings about contenders, including former Thornhill Liberal MPP Mario Racco.

Mr. Racco dismissed the rumour, saying the matter at hand has to be dealt with first.

“If someone breaks the law, the fact cannot be ignored. Quite frankly, the law is quite clear. Nobody can say they didn’t know,’ said Mr. Racco, who served on Vaughan council for 18 years.

He admitted things have changed since he was there.

“We used to solve the problem by blasting each other, but we still sat at the same table,” Mr. Racco said. “If we don’t shine, it’s because of the non-professional behaviour of the politicians.The fault is with the politicians,” Mr. Racco said.

While he didn’t want to say anything outright about his interest in the mayor’s seat, he didn’t discount it either.

“If I come back, it’s because the people voted for me,” Mr. Racco said.