Seven Highligts from the First 100 Days of Council Term

100 days into this new Newmarket Council term.  Let's summarize some of the highlights thus far.

1)  Council continues to vote as a "Bloc"

During the election race, there were comments that certain candidates were "recruited" and had their campaigns paid for by the Gruesome-Twosome.  So how have new Council members Christina Bisanz and Kelly Broome Plumley demonstrated their independence?  By voting 100% "In Favour" of all motions (in lockstep with the Gruesome-Twosome).  The application on the Town of Newmarket is easy to use and I recommend it to voters to keep tabs on their elected representatives.  Here is the link:  http://www.newmarket.ca/en/townhall/agendaapp.asp

2) First things first, Council hikes Water Rates.

Yes, right out of the gate, Council decides to hike your cost of living in Newmarket by raising water fees.  The motion passed with no real debate, outside of a few residents complaining before Council.

3)  Yes, your property taxes will be hiked too.

Ever since he has been Mayor, Tony Van Bynen has raised property tax rates in Newmarket.  While the budget has yet to pass, Council let us know that they are coming for more of your dough.  Today the mill rate for Newmarket taxes are among the highest in the GTA, (second highest in York Region).  Only Georgina's is higher and Georgina residents voted to replace their mayor in the October election.  Given enough time as Mayor, and local residents will have an opportunity to say Newmarket is #1 again, (with the highest property taxes around).

4)  Council bought themselves some "council member" clothing.

I have seen a figure of $2700 spent on "council member" branded clothing for the new Council members.  This reckless spending shows where Council's priorities lie.  The only thing that could have topped the audacity of this wasteful spending would have been to embroider "Top 10 Places to Live" onto their new clothing.

5)  Opposition is mounting

John Taylor has been exposed and so has has the code of conduct.  The Council had a "come to Jesus" moment when the code of conduct political charade was spotlighted.  Score a win for residents when Council was forced to address the code of conduct failings (scheduled for mid-April).  Ordinary citizens are joining groups and/ or asking for Freedom of Information reports.  I get a real sense of momentum building that is going to make for a very bumpy ride for Newmarket council members.

6)  Tony Van Bynen has been exposed

The Clinton campaign had a slogan, "It's the economy stupid".  That will be the theme for this term of Council too.  The Gruesome Twosome believe that either broadband or spending more money on Main Street will turn the corner for them on the zero growth job numbers.  It is a long shot gamble at best.  Council has thrown money at Main Street for 30+ years and nothing has happened.  Even if Davis Drive is completed in time for 2018 (and I have my doubts), Yonge Street construction (which starts within a few weeks) won't be.  Newmarket's economy will be stuck in neutral for many years to come which should make for an interesting council term.

7)  Newmarket's economy has been exposed.

Not only has the Newmarket economy job creation rate stalled at 0.03% over the past 5 years. with the prospect of 2000 York Region jobs uprooting from Newmarket for Richmond Hill being considered, and with approximately $1,000,000+ spent by the municipal government on "economic development" since 2009, our Council is on the hot seat.  Unfortunately for them, none of them are entrepreneurial enough to dig themselves out of the whole they find themselves in.