"Municipal Government
The powers of municipal governments are determined by the provincial government. Municipal governments in Ontario are responsible for providing many of the services within their local boundaries that you rely on daily such as:
- Airports
- Ambulance
- Animal Control and By-law Enforcement
- Arts and Culture
- Child Care
- Economic Development
- Fire Services
- Garbage Collection and Recycling
- Electric Utilities
- Library Services
- Long Term Care and Senior Housing
- Maintenance of Local Road Network
- Parks and Recreation
- Public Transit
- Planning New Community Developments and Enhancing Existing Neighbourhoods
- Police Services
- Property Assessment
- Provincial Offences Administration
- Public Health
- Side Walks
- Snow Removal
- Social Services
- Social Housing
- Storm Sewers
- Tax Collection
- Water and Sewage "
Do you know what's missing from this list?
Parking.
Yet the Town of Newmarket has become obsessed with paving over green spaces, like Fairy Lake, to create more and more parking spots. Have they confused "parks" for "parking lots?"
Who benefits when green spaces Fairy Lake are paved over? Certainly not the public.
Local businesses in the Main St. area might like to have more parking for their customers but their wishes should not supersede the public's need for green space. Besides, if a Main St business is really dependent on more parking, then I'd suggest that there are plenty of vacancies along Davis Drive and Yonge Street corridors that could use a new tenant. These near empty plazas, the casualties of the VivaNext construction, provide plenty of parking opportunities.
Our trail systems and bike lanes all connect commuters to Riverwalk commons. So does YRT transit. People traveling to the Riverwalk Commons, Farmer's Market, Old Town Hall or Library should consider alternative modes of transit that have been promoted by our "green" town. We won't be green much longer though if our Mayor and Council pave over to make way for more automobiles.
There is a place for the automobile but it is up to private businesses to concern themselves with parking needs of their patrons. I agree with the AMO. The Town's business is to preserve our parks for people, not cars.
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