November 17 2019
The Deputy Mayor's Exchange
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While it seems like we just finished Halloween and Remembrance Day, here's Christmas facing us head-on. Lights and decorations are up in many places and on Friday I attended the tree lighting ceremony at Markville Mall.
Please join me for the annual Unionville Olde Tyme Christmas Candlelight Parade on Friday December 6th at 7pm. I will also be at the Markham Village Santa Claus Parade next Saturday November 23rd at 11am. In Thornhill, please join us at Heintzman House on Sunday December 8th at 1pm and 7pm for a carol sing-along!
We usually don't face such an early snowfall of the magnitude that we did last week. The City was caught slightly off guard as many of our contractors still had gardening and not snow removal in mind!
On the business front, the City Budget process is winding down and things look promising for a "inflation only" increase. We are about to start on the Regional Budget, so hold on to your wallets!
For the average assessed home in Markham, the water rate increase looks like it may be about triple your City portion tax increase.
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In this issue
- York Region Update
- Santa Claus is Coming to Town
- Kennedy Road Open House
- YorkSafe
- Support Local Artists
- MPL - Wants Your Input
- Online Water Open House
- Plowing Through Winter
-
Community Meetings and Events
- Q & A - Water Rates
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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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Highlights of the most recent Regional Council meeting can be found
here.
A calendar of York Region meetings and other information is available
here.
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Santa Claus is Coming to Town!
The 47th Annual Markham Santa Claus Parade is the perfect way to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season.
Date:
Saturday November 23
Time:
11am to 1pm
Location:
Main Street Markham
This festive tradition allows us to believe in magic and lets us come together to show who we are as a community – warm, welcoming and spirited. The parade features 100+ floats including marching bands, local businesses, our cultural community, and of course, jolly Old Saint Nick.
More detail
On Friday the 22nd, stop by Markham Main Street for the 35th annual
Festival of Lights which is
Markham Village’s traditional kick-off to the holiday season!
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Kennedy Road from Steeles Avenue to Major Mackenzie Drive
York Region is conducting a study to review improvements to Kennedy Road between Steeles Avenue and Major Mackenzie Drive to address current and future needs of pedestrians, cyclists, transit users and motorists.
You are invited to attend an
Open House
to meet the project team, review the recommended plan and share your experiences.
The open houses will be held on:
Date:
Monday, November 25
- visit anytime between 6:30pm and 8:30pm
Location:
Milliken Mills Community Centre, South Hall, 7600 Kennedy Road, Markham
Date:
Monday, December 2 - visit anytime between 6:30pm and 8:30pm
Location:
Markham Pan Am Centre, Multipurpose Room 3/4, 16 Main Street Unionville
Please
let us know
if you need any accommodation to participate. Can’t attend?
Visit
york.ca/KennedyRoad
to view the proposed improvements and complete the online survey. Information will be posted on November 25, 2019.
To submit a comment, question or be added to the mailing list, send an email to
roads.ea@york.ca.
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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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Are you looking for some unique gifts for Christmas? The Markham Group of Artists is hosting an art and gift sale next weekend.
The Markham Group of Artists is composed of artists that have been active in the Markham area since 1981.
The group includes artists from beginners to professionals, working in a variety of media and styles. Today the group of about 100 artists offers an array of workshops and lectures by distinguished artists and stages a variety of juried and non-juried shows in the community. More information can be found
here.
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The Markham Public Library (MPL) is committed to providing the best possible library experience to you and the entire community. By participating in this customer satisfaction survey you can help identify areas where they can improve services and better understand the community's needs. The survey will help identify where there are gaps between your needs and expectations and your actual library experience.
Let MPL know what’s important to you.
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If you missed out on the recent York Region Water Open House held in Markham, you can "dive" into the water system through the
online Open House
! Have a look at the presentation boards which outline the Master Plan Update and also provided your thoughts. Visit the online Open House -
here
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Get Ready To Plow Through Winter
While it seems a little early for the arrival of winter weather, the snow has already started to fly and the cold weather is here.
The Road Departments at both the Region and the City are now prepared for the severe weather and ready to tackle the snow and ice on our roads. Are you ready too? A little preparation could make a big difference. Follow these winter storm tips, and be prepared for another blast of winter weather:
Motorist Safety
- Give yourself extra time to get to your destination
- Stay off the roads, if possible, during extreme weather conditions or perhaps take public transit
- Make sure your windshield fluid and vehicle fuel is topped up
- Clear snow, ice and frost from all windows, headlights, tail lights and roof
- Have winter tires on your vehicle
- Carry a roadside emergency kit
- Drive a safe distance behind plows and only pass snow removal vehicles on the left when a safe passing area is available and the lane is clear
- Leave plenty of space between you and the vehicle ahead
- Slow down, avoid sudden turns, braking and accelerating
- Be mindful of pedestrians and drive according to the road conditions
- Turn on your vehicle's full headlight system
Pedestrian Safety
- Obey stop signs and traffic signals when crossing an intersection
- Make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street
- Dress to be seen; wear bright, reflective clothing in order to be better visible to drivers
- Be aware that there could be ice under the snow
- Do not wear earphones or text while walking
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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 hear that water rates are going up again. Is that true?
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Answer: Yes. In spite of best efforts by some members of City and Regional Council to reduce the increase, water rates are going up.
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Working together to make Markham better!
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