Issues

Please Slow Down – Lawn Sign Request

Every day I hear from residents about drivers texting, speeding, and running through stop signs in our neighbourhoods. With playgrounds open, families out walking more, and school around the corner, we need to make an effort to drive with extra care and slow down. Police are out there enforcing road safety, but there are hundreds of streets in Ward 5 and they can't be everywhere at one time. Residents can help too, by marking down license plates if we see ... Read More

Andrew Keyes2020-12-19T14:27:56-05:00August 9th, 2020|

Cornell community outreach garden gives back

Have you seen the Blessed Frederick Oznam Community Outreach garden lately? It is gorgeous and twice so far, donations to families in the area have been made. Kale, swiss chard, zucchini, herbs and other delicious produce grown and cared for by Ward 5 residents for Ward 5 residents! What could be better. If you have not been by, please walk over to Bur Oak and White’s Hill, have a look at the incredible allotments, about 30 in total, growing ... Read More

Andrew Keyes2020-08-04T14:15:35-04:00August 4th, 2020|

“Do you know where your children are?”

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

Andrew Keyes2020-07-30T13:08:41-04:00July 30th, 2020|

Are you seeing more rats in your area?

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

Andrew Keyes2020-07-04T21:25:21-04:00July 4th, 2020|

Should wearing masks be made mandatory in public indoor places?

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

Andrew Keyes2020-06-29T21:40:58-04:00June 29th, 2020|

Restoration of Swan Lake and Swan Lake Park

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

Andrew Keyes2020-06-19T12:51:23-04:00June 19th, 2020|

Should Markham replace street lanes with temporary bicycle lanes?

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

Andrew Keyes2020-06-03T19:51:05-04:00June 3rd, 2020|

New Community Outreach Garden coming to Cornell

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

Andrew Keyes2020-05-24T19:47:16-04:00May 23rd, 2020|

Financial stresses hit residents, businesses, and the City of Markham

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

Andrew Keyes2020-05-18T20:10:41-04:00May 18th, 2020|

Who was that masked man?

Ward 5 Councillor Andrew Keyes was spotted pulling out household garbage from a beautiful wooded area in our Ward 5 community. He and his assistant Michelle were practising physical safe distancing while cleaning and greening. While they were able to collect a lot of trash, there were many items they couldn't collect ... bricks, concrete, tiles, yard waste, fencing, lumber FOLKS, we have to do better. We can not dump our household waste, renovation material, hazardous items (yes paint cans and ... Read More

Andrew Keyes2020-04-18T14:13:20-04:00April 18th, 2020|