October 14 2019
The Deputy Mayor's Exchange
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Happy Thanksgiving!
We really do have a lot to be thankful for. We have the right to vote, we can worship as we please, our weather is fairly predictable and stable, our homes keep us safe from the elements, our green spaces are plentiful and clean, we have good health care if we get sick, and we have a huge variety of quality food available.
Regardless of your party affiliation, I urge you to get out and exercise your
vote in the Federal election. Would a minority government be such a bad thing? Imagine all parties
working together
for a better Canada!
My wife and I went for a lovely walk through the
York Regional forest. There are many different forest walks to take. Enjoy the fall colours while you can.
Watch for another big hike in your water bill as the Region builds its water infrastructure reserve account. I support strong reserves, but on a slower accumulated basis. The
City's water is bought from York Region so our costs are also affected.
The
City Budget continues to be refined and the committee is working diligently to try and keep your taxes low.
Accelerated road widenings are back on the agenda for discussion. Specifically 16th Avenue from 404 to 9th line. A work shop is being proposed to discuss alternatives to road widenings. What do think about about reversible lanes?
Don't forget to book an appointment to get your summer tires off and winter tires on. Mid-November is when we usually get our first snowfall. Poor Alberta and Manitoba have already had snowfalls causing power outages.
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In this issue
- Upcoming Federal Election
- YorkSafe
- Scaryfest 2019
- Enjoy Fall!
- Vibrant and Healthy Markham
- Rouge National Park
- Parenting is Tough
- Hindu Heritage Month
- Walk with Art
- Water Plan Open House
- Strategic Plan Twitter Town Hall
- City Budget Meetings
- Community Meetings and Events
- Q & A - Tree Trimming
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Please forward this update to anyone that may find it of interest.
Make sure you are on the list for future updates.
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Looking for more information?
Any of the
blue text,
blue buttons and most of the graphics have links to further detail.
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Click here
to read the last edition of
The Deputy Mayor's Exchange.
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Find out more about the upcoming federal election and check to make sure you are registered to vote. More information is available
here
.
There were several All Candidate meetings this past week. There is one slated for the Markham-Thornhill riding on Tuesday. It is your chance to hear what candidates have to say before the election
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Find the current listing provided by YorkSafe health inspections
here. Again there are some Markham establishments on the list.
You can review all locations in York Region
here.
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Join the fun at the
Markham Museum
, if you dare, for a Halloween scare. The Museum will be transformed into a ghoulishly grand spook-tacular town on October 26 and 27!
With your treat bag in tow, trick-or-treat around the grounds. Have your fortune told, dance the day away at our Monster Mash and more. Come in costume, have fun and enjoy the family activities. Pictures from last year's fun can be found
here
.
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There's lots to do around Markham. It is a great chance to get out and enjoy the lovely fall weather. This weekend we went out for a walk in the
York Region Forest. Have you ever done that?
Get out and explore York Region and all that it has to offer. Here are just
a few ideas.
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On Wednesday October 23, the City of Markham's Operations, Public Realm section, is hosting an upcoming event with
Gil Penalosa
. He will be
delivering a lecture entitled:
A Vibrant and Healthy Markham for All.
Gil Penalosa is passionate about cities for all people. He advises decision makers and communities worldwide on how to create vibrant cities and healthy communities for all, regardless of age, gender, ability and social, economic, or ethnic background. His focus is on the use of parks and streets as great public places, as well as the promotion of sustainable mobility: walking, riding bicycles, using public transit, and new use of cars.
Daytime Event
- Markham Civic Centre - Canada Room - 12pm -
register
Evening Event
-
Aaniin Community Centre -
7pm -
register
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Have you been to the Rouge National Park yet? Fall is a great time to get out and explore all that it has to offer.
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from York Region Health
Whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned pro, each pregnancy, and child, is a whole new ballgame …and so is how you’re going to feel.
Life with a new baby is not always easy and the adjustment to parenthood can be challenging for new parents and their families. Anxiety, depression and other mood disorders during pregnancy and after the arrival of a baby are realty for many expectant and new moms. Maternal mental illnesses like anxiety and depression impact nearly 20% of pregnant and postpartum women. This can affect physical health, emotions, actions, relationships, baby and partners.
York Region offers a number of
supports
to soon-to-be and new parents to help you through this new phase in your life.
- Transition to Parenting is a 12-week course offered every six weeks for mothers with babies up to one year and pregnant women who are experiencing mood changes or are looking for support while adjusting to parenthood.
- Health Connection provides up-to-date, accurate public health-related information to York Region residents, organizations and health care providers.
- Chat Live with a Public Health Nurse offers expectant and new parents the ability to ask a registered nurse health questions confidentially and anonymously through online chat.
Sign up for our free newsletter,
YorkParent
, to receive useful tips and resources on topics such as: breastfeeding, prenatal health, parenting, positive discipline, child growth and development. You’re not alone in this. We’re here to help.
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Hindu Heritage Month Celebrations will take place at the Markham Civic Centre on Sunday November 3 from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm.
5pm - 6pm - Coffee Meet & Greet in the Great Hall
6pm - 7:30pm - Main program in the Council Chambers including:
- Ceremonial lamp lighting
- Music and dance
- Key note address
- Presentations and awards and more
Check
here
for more
information on this event
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Join MAC for a leisurely walk around Toogood Pond, a partially naturalized pond in Unionville. Enjoy the fall colours and afterwards discover a wide array of Watercolours by artists from Dynasty Watercolours Association at the historic McKay Art Centre.
Date:
Sunday, October 20, 2019
Time:
2pm - 4pm
Location:
McKay Art Centre
Light refreshments will be served.
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York Region has started an update to their
Water and Wastewater Master Plan
(WWMP) and they are seeking input from the community.
A water perceptions survey over the summer garnered over 1,600 responses. Were you one of the responses as the survey had been included in prior issues of the DME?
Another opportunity to provide your input is available at one of the planned community open houses.
The WWMP Update will identify a water and wastewater servicing strategy to meet current and future needs to 2041 and beyond, including improvement and growth of our infrastructure system. The first round of public Open Houses will:
- introduce the WWMP Update project
- offer residents an opportunity to learn more about their water and wastewater system and the Region’s water and wastewater programs and projects
- collect resident feedback
Feedback received will help shape the Plan, as well as existing and future water and wastewater programs, initiatives and public communications. The Markham Fall 2019 Open Houses will be held at:
Location:
Thornhill Community Centre
Date:
Saturday November 9
Time:
11am - 3pm
In addition, Open House content will be available online providing a convenient alternative for residents unable to attend in-person. This “Online Open House” will be open from October 26 – November 30 on
york.ca/waterplan
.
For project updates,
subscribe to the Splash Newsletter
. Results and project updates will be shared along with information on environmental topics, contests and events.
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Join the
Twitter Town Hall
next week to provide your input on Thursday October 24 at 7pm.
Building Markham's Future Together (BMFT) is the strategic plan for the 2020 – 2023 term of Council. It provides a framework for City decisions and plans. The Plan is reviewed at the start of each Council term to update priorities for the City.
Help build Markham’s future together by letting us know what’s most important to you! We want to hear from Markham residents, business owners, workers, students and community stakeholders. Complete the
online survey
for a chance to win.
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The initial meetings for the 2020 Budget have started and there is still time to provide your input. More information about the meetings can be found
here.
Understand your City Budget and stay informed. The Budget Committee and General Committee discuss the draft budget during this series of meetings. All meetings are open to the public.
More information can be found here:
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Community Meetings and Events
All City of Markham meetings are listed on the City's website at
Upcoming Council and Committee Meetings
. Unless noted differently on the link above, meetings are held at the Markham Civic Centre and are open to the public. If you aren't able to attend in person, meetings are live streamed.
The calendar of York Region meetings is available
here.
You can listen to meetings on line. The details from past meetings are available online.
- Upcoming Markham Public Library Events - here
- Upcoming Varley Gallery Events - here
I'd be pleased to highlight other community meetings in future newsletters. Please forward the details to
dhamilton@markham.ca
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If you have a question that you would like answered, please send me an email with your question.
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Question: I have a tree in the front of my property and also one in my backyard that are very close to power lines. How do I get them trimmed?
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Answer: The City tree on the front of your property will be attended to through
Alectra Customer Care at 1-877-963-6900. Your backyard tree is your responsibility but please contact Alectra Customer Care to temporarily disconnect the electrical supply to your property before trimming.
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Working together to make Markham better!
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