When we were kids, the rule was "Be home before the street lights come on." Times have changed, but we all still have concerns about the safety of our kids and the well-being of our community. I've been contacted by a number of residents concerned about a group of youth, some in cars hanging out at some of the parks...possibly smoking pot then driving. That is a concern for sure. The youth are teenagers likely from Cornell area but ... Read More
Markham has rats as do most Cities and Towns in the GTA. Development displaces many creatures, as we know. Where do they go? We want to relocate raccoons because they get in our garbage. Squirrels break tree branches, ransack gardens and bird feeders. Recently we saw a bear walking through a subdivision, a moose in Unionville, and deer still hit by cars. Coyotes and foxes are killing rabbits but this is where they lived before we moved here. We ... Read More
Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti recently introduced a motion at York Region Council that would see the wearing of masks made mandatory in all public indoor places. This would include all shopping centres and retail locations, schools, daycare centres, libraries, community centres, and more. You can read more about the Mayor's motion here: York Region council considering law to make face masks mandatory In addition, much has been written on the subject of mandatory face masks, both for and against ... Read More
Do You Support Restoration of Swan Lake and Swan Lake Park? A local group of residents, the Friends of Swan Lake Park, are lobbying Markham Council to support the restoration of Swan Lake and Swan Lake Park. The group wants Council to address poor water quality issues in the Lake, the invasive plant species in Swan Lake Park and to commit to a long term restoration plan for all of the environmental elements in Swan Lake and Swan Lake ... Read More
Dear residents, neighbours and friends of Ward 5, Markham City Council has been asked by staff to consider a temporary measure that would see a selection of 4 lane roadways reduced to 2 lanes to accommodate dedicated cycling lanes. This issue will be discussed at the upcoming Development Services Committee meeting on Tuesday, June 8th. The full staff report can be reviewed at this link: Traffic Operational Changes Related to COVID-19 Markham Roads Being Considered Markham staff has ... Read More
The Great Outdoors...a cure to all that ails us 2020 has been very stressful and challenging for most of us. The year certainly has not been what we expected or hoped for. Though the weather has not been the greatest, the stay at home orders throughout Ontario, across Canada and most of the world has been upsetting and possibly frightening. We have certainly had to rethink the time we do leave the house, curbside pickup, shopping for groceries and even ... Read More
Dear residents, neighbours and friends of Ward 5, There have been numerous tragic consequences of the pandemic, namely many of our most vulnerable, our beloved seniors and special needs residents have been hardest hit. Many have lost their lives. We will mourn with the families who have suffered these loses. Thankfully Markhaven has announced there are no cases of COVID in their facility over the Victoria Day long weekend. We must continue to be vigilant to ensure it stays that way. For ... Read More
This is week 8 of the stay at home order. I am not sure we can thank our Health Care and Front Line heroes enough for all they are doing for us. Staying at home has brought new challenges and anxiety we have never experienced before, I know that some of our behaviours have changed as well. We're watching more television, Netflix, movies and with that goes snacking, eating, drinking. The nicer weather is almost on us, our kids will want ... Read More
Wikipedia explains the arts as the human application and expression of creativity through skills and imagination in order to produce objects, environments and experiences. Most of us have a in interest in some form of The Arts, a quiet or loud voice that enjoys music, film, theatre, dance, art, literature. We hang our children's finger paintings on the fridge, we doodle and sketch, we read, sway, dream in technicolour. With our busy lives managing our own and children's schedules, there is often no time to take ... Read More
Many of us are feeling overwhelmed, anxious and stressed by the demands of family and working from home OR from being laid off and perhaps not having enough money for payments and groceries. Our thoughts focus on getting through the day alone, missing family and friends or juggling our children's home schooling while working, possibly caring for seniors or worrying about seniors who are alone. For those of us who are still working, especially our Health Care professionals, in Hospitals and ... Read More