This past weekend, the York Region Pride Fest Committee put on a terrific event in downtown Newmarket. This is the fifth time the committee has held Pride Fest but a first for Newmarket.
Pride is a month long global event (at least in the Western world) to demonstrate inclusivity and diversity for all peoples regardless of sexual gender or orientation. The Toronto Pride Parade is among the largest in the world. Indeed, it is among the largest cultural events in North America.
While holding Pride events in big cities is important, it is even more critical to host them in smaller communities such as Newmarket. We still live in a time when LGBT youth often feel isolated and alone in expressing their sexuality. That can lead to a difficult experience in a large urban centre but at least there is a sizeable LGBT community in cities like Toronto to offer support and acceptance. In a town like Newmarket, there just isn't the same community experience for LGBT youth.
Holding a Pride Fest event in Newmarket is an invitation to all to be true to yourself. Thank you to the York Regional Police, the local unions, and other supporters who are providing outreach and support.
Thank you to all the Pride Fest organizers. Hopefully Newmarket earned your faith and trust and you will bring the event back to Newmarket next June.
Tuesday 20 June 2017
Friday 2 June 2017
Property taxes for 2018 - How political are employees at the Town of Newmarket?
How do we know a municipal election year is coming?
Well, if you are Newmarket resident, you can tell by the property tax increase schedule released by our "non-partisan" civil servants.
In any non-election year, the schedule of public hearings and council meetings result in the property tax increase being passed by Council in or around February of the year that the budget takes effect. For example, the property tax increase for 2017 was approved by Council on February 13, 2017.
But a February 2018 approval for the 2018 property tax increase would likely be too fresh in voters minds. So here comes our "non-partisan" bureaucrats to save the day for our incumbent Mayor and Council. They are suggesting that an October/ November 2017 date for property tax increases (approximately 1 year prior to election day) will bring many benefits to the community.
If there were benefits to rushing the approval process for property tax increases to be completed several months in advance, then perhaps staff could explain why they don't follow this process each year? Why is the rushed property tax increase approval dates only used when there is a municipal election looming?
One of the campaign platforms I'd like to see in 2018 is a frank discussion of how blatantly partisan the employees of the Town of Newmarket have become in favour of the status quo. This not only involves when tax increases are voted on, but also what information is available to the public via freedom of information requests, and even who is going to face thousands of dollars in bylaw fines (ahem, not Tony Van Bynen despite flagrant disregard for the election signs rules).
Maybe we need a candidate to come forward to suggest it is time to clean house at Newmarket Town Hall?
Well, if you are Newmarket resident, you can tell by the property tax increase schedule released by our "non-partisan" civil servants.
In any non-election year, the schedule of public hearings and council meetings result in the property tax increase being passed by Council in or around February of the year that the budget takes effect. For example, the property tax increase for 2017 was approved by Council on February 13, 2017.
But a February 2018 approval for the 2018 property tax increase would likely be too fresh in voters minds. So here comes our "non-partisan" bureaucrats to save the day for our incumbent Mayor and Council. They are suggesting that an October/ November 2017 date for property tax increases (approximately 1 year prior to election day) will bring many benefits to the community.
If there were benefits to rushing the approval process for property tax increases to be completed several months in advance, then perhaps staff could explain why they don't follow this process each year? Why is the rushed property tax increase approval dates only used when there is a municipal election looming?
One of the campaign platforms I'd like to see in 2018 is a frank discussion of how blatantly partisan the employees of the Town of Newmarket have become in favour of the status quo. This not only involves when tax increases are voted on, but also what information is available to the public via freedom of information requests, and even who is going to face thousands of dollars in bylaw fines (ahem, not Tony Van Bynen despite flagrant disregard for the election signs rules).
Maybe we need a candidate to come forward to suggest it is time to clean house at Newmarket Town Hall?
Sunday 7 May 2017
How safe is Newmarket water really?
Another spring and, like clockwork, Newmarket's municipal water works is advising residents that another round of "swabbing" is needed to make our drinking water safe to drink again. (You can read about it here),
Swabbing is a process by which chemical agents are added into our drinking water to dissolve microorganisms, such as algae, molds, bacteria and other life forms, that accumulate on the pipes. While this process is underway, residents are asked to shut off the main water valve to their home for a period of 10 hours.
If your household needs water during this period, the township recommends filling a bath tub prior to the swabbing process and then using the saved water for washing, cooking, flushing toilets and so on.
Once the swabbing process is complete, the chemical will be flushed out through a neighbourhood fire hydrant to run off into the storm sewers or the local streams and water ways. If the town officials know how many hundreds of thousands of litres of water is being purged this way, they aren't making that number available to the public. Officially, they have told the public that they just don't know how much chemical laced water is being pumped into the environment through the fire hydrant.
Town residents are already familiar with the yellow-ish-brown discoloration in the water after swabbing occurs which the town assures is perfectly safe to drink. However, if you use the washing machine with discolored water, it will stain your clothes a yellowy-brown tinge.
I have found instances of other towns that will swab their drinking water system. I have never found another example of an Ontario town that does it annually like Newmarket does. Such a frequency begs the question if we can trust our Town when they insist our drinking water is as safe as other York Region municipalities?
Swabbing is a process by which chemical agents are added into our drinking water to dissolve microorganisms, such as algae, molds, bacteria and other life forms, that accumulate on the pipes. While this process is underway, residents are asked to shut off the main water valve to their home for a period of 10 hours.
If your household needs water during this period, the township recommends filling a bath tub prior to the swabbing process and then using the saved water for washing, cooking, flushing toilets and so on.
Once the swabbing process is complete, the chemical will be flushed out through a neighbourhood fire hydrant to run off into the storm sewers or the local streams and water ways. If the town officials know how many hundreds of thousands of litres of water is being purged this way, they aren't making that number available to the public. Officially, they have told the public that they just don't know how much chemical laced water is being pumped into the environment through the fire hydrant.
Town residents are already familiar with the yellow-ish-brown discoloration in the water after swabbing occurs which the town assures is perfectly safe to drink. However, if you use the washing machine with discolored water, it will stain your clothes a yellowy-brown tinge.
I have found instances of other towns that will swab their drinking water system. I have never found another example of an Ontario town that does it annually like Newmarket does. Such a frequency begs the question if we can trust our Town when they insist our drinking water is as safe as other York Region municipalities?
Saturday 6 May 2017
Is it "Three Strikes You're Out" with the Newmarket-Aurora PCs?
Things at the Newmarket Aurora PC Association just keep going from bad to worse.
Current EDA president Derek Murray, with the blessing of former MPP Frank Klees, is disputing the outcome of last month's candidate nomination vote. (See here for The Auroran article).
While Murray won't say publicly what the irregularities are, it's well known that Charity McGrath, who won the vote, acted improperly to attain victory. Abuses of the local membership lists and brazenly handing out $25 'gift' bags to her PC member sign-ups - who were bused in - are among the allegations I have heard from outraged members.
It's well known that this isn't the first time the Richmond Hill resident has courted controversy. McGrath's failed 2016 nomination in Oshawa, which she lost to now MPP Lorne Coe, included several similar irregularities. In that fiasco, it was rumoured she purchased over 1,000 memberships from people who never signed up. Some PC insiders have openly questioned how she and Mr. Coe could work together in the same caucus if she ever gets elected.
Her husband, Joe Di Paola, was a former Richmond Hill councillor who was booted out in the last election. Readers have to look no further than this story to see how the McGraths/DiPoalas are among one of the most embarrassing couple in Ontario politics.
If you notice in the above article, the McGraths/DiPoalas have a penchant for changing their addresses depending on where they're running. McGrath continues to lie to residents here that she lives in Newmarket - until a journalist exposed her.
Murray's complaint is now the third investigation conducted by the Ontario PC Party into shenanigans in Newmarket-Aurora since January 2017.
The party was well warned about the potential of controversy relating to the Newmarket Aurora nomination several times during 2015 and 2016. For reasons unknown, the Ontario PC's decided to ignore all the sound advice, and instead chose the perilous route which courted disaster.
Local PC supporters are telling me that they are just fed up and won't support either Patrick Brown or whomever ends up being the local Newmarket-Aurora candidate. As with other ridings, many are openly complaining that Patrick Brown is on course to re-elect a Kathleen Wynne government through his own ineptitude.
Current EDA president Derek Murray, with the blessing of former MPP Frank Klees, is disputing the outcome of last month's candidate nomination vote. (See here for The Auroran article).
While Murray won't say publicly what the irregularities are, it's well known that Charity McGrath, who won the vote, acted improperly to attain victory. Abuses of the local membership lists and brazenly handing out $25 'gift' bags to her PC member sign-ups - who were bused in - are among the allegations I have heard from outraged members.
It's well known that this isn't the first time the Richmond Hill resident has courted controversy. McGrath's failed 2016 nomination in Oshawa, which she lost to now MPP Lorne Coe, included several similar irregularities. In that fiasco, it was rumoured she purchased over 1,000 memberships from people who never signed up. Some PC insiders have openly questioned how she and Mr. Coe could work together in the same caucus if she ever gets elected.
Her husband, Joe Di Paola, was a former Richmond Hill councillor who was booted out in the last election. Readers have to look no further than this story to see how the McGraths/DiPoalas are among one of the most embarrassing couple in Ontario politics.
If you notice in the above article, the McGraths/DiPoalas have a penchant for changing their addresses depending on where they're running. McGrath continues to lie to residents here that she lives in Newmarket - until a journalist exposed her.
Murray's complaint is now the third investigation conducted by the Ontario PC Party into shenanigans in Newmarket-Aurora since January 2017.
The party was well warned about the potential of controversy relating to the Newmarket Aurora nomination several times during 2015 and 2016. For reasons unknown, the Ontario PC's decided to ignore all the sound advice, and instead chose the perilous route which courted disaster.
Local PC supporters are telling me that they are just fed up and won't support either Patrick Brown or whomever ends up being the local Newmarket-Aurora candidate. As with other ridings, many are openly complaining that Patrick Brown is on course to re-elect a Kathleen Wynne government through his own ineptitude.
Wednesday 3 May 2017
Newmarket's Town Drunk Named Citizen of the Year
Has it really been 40 years?
A frantic call came into the municipal offices urgently demanding to speak to Mayor Ray Twinney.
The caller had a complaint to make. One of the local town council members showed up at his house and this councillor was completely boozed up. Drunk like a skunk. Three sheets to the wind.
It was demanded that the mayor drive over to pick up this plastered politician and make sure he ended up at his home to sleep it off.
What an embarrassment.
Well yesterday it was announced that the infamous drunkard was named Newmarket's Citizen of the Year.
I wonder if they'll tell this story at his induction ceremony?
A frantic call came into the municipal offices urgently demanding to speak to Mayor Ray Twinney.
The caller had a complaint to make. One of the local town council members showed up at his house and this councillor was completely boozed up. Drunk like a skunk. Three sheets to the wind.
It was demanded that the mayor drive over to pick up this plastered politician and make sure he ended up at his home to sleep it off.
What an embarrassment.
Well yesterday it was announced that the infamous drunkard was named Newmarket's Citizen of the Year.
I wonder if they'll tell this story at his induction ceremony?
Saturday 8 April 2017
PC strategy of opposing Mulock GO is off the rails
They say all politics is local.
Which is why the Ontario PC Party wants to weigh in, here in Newmarket. PC MPP transportation critic Michael Harris believes he has a strategy of winning the next election in our riding. He wants to oppose the Mulock GO Train station.
In this week's Era newspaper, MPP Michael Harris has declared that the proposed Mulock GO station doesn't make sense.
Full disclosure, I also oppose the new GO station for Mulock and have written about it last October. But in response to that blog post, I heard a unanimous chorus in support of the new station that would be built in the Steven Court area. It is going to be financed with Metrolinx money and it will bring jobs to Newmarket through construction,
The Ontario PCs are also running against new public transit projects in Vaughan and Hamilton. From accounts that I have read, the PC view has been soundly rejected by municipal level politicians and the general public.
Michael Harris - who is from Kitchener but somehow knows the Newmarket political landscape - publicly railing against the new train station is a god-send for local Liberal organizers, as it is bound to tip support towards current MPP Chris Ballard.
Which is why the Ontario PC Party wants to weigh in, here in Newmarket. PC MPP transportation critic Michael Harris believes he has a strategy of winning the next election in our riding. He wants to oppose the Mulock GO Train station.
In this week's Era newspaper, MPP Michael Harris has declared that the proposed Mulock GO station doesn't make sense.
Full disclosure, I also oppose the new GO station for Mulock and have written about it last October. But in response to that blog post, I heard a unanimous chorus in support of the new station that would be built in the Steven Court area. It is going to be financed with Metrolinx money and it will bring jobs to Newmarket through construction,
The Ontario PCs are also running against new public transit projects in Vaughan and Hamilton. From accounts that I have read, the PC view has been soundly rejected by municipal level politicians and the general public.
Michael Harris - who is from Kitchener but somehow knows the Newmarket political landscape - publicly railing against the new train station is a god-send for local Liberal organizers, as it is bound to tip support towards current MPP Chris Ballard.
Friday 7 April 2017
How many investigations of Newmarket Aurora is Rick Dykstra conducting?
For the second time in two months, Ontario PC Party president Rick Dykstra is promising to launch a serious investigation into allegations of wrong-doing involving the local Newmarket-Aurora PC membership list. In the latest series of complaints, dozens of people have contacted PC Party head quarters as personal information was given to a third party company without the party's consent.
All three candidates on the local PC nomination ballot, (Charity McGrath, Tom Vegh, and Bill Hogg), have been connected to serious allegations of past misconduct. For local members, it is a veritable rogues' gallery on the ballot.
As of this time, all three candidates have been OK'd by party screeners and the nomination vote will proceed as planned.
Local members learned the extent of today's latest PC controversy when Bob Stanley, the Executive Director of the Ontario PC Party, contacted each member by phone this morning through robo-calling to confirm the anonymous company was not affiliated with the party.
Noting that I cannot link him to this present controversy, it is curious to note that Court documents show that Bill Hogg was found to have lied in a filed affidavit while he was sued by a pharmaceutical business for having taken their client list without permission.
But it could have been any one of the current candidates.
All three candidates on the local PC nomination ballot, (Charity McGrath, Tom Vegh, and Bill Hogg), have been connected to serious allegations of past misconduct. For local members, it is a veritable rogues' gallery on the ballot.
As of this time, all three candidates have been OK'd by party screeners and the nomination vote will proceed as planned.
Local members learned the extent of today's latest PC controversy when Bob Stanley, the Executive Director of the Ontario PC Party, contacted each member by phone this morning through robo-calling to confirm the anonymous company was not affiliated with the party.
Noting that I cannot link him to this present controversy, it is curious to note that Court documents show that Bill Hogg was found to have lied in a filed affidavit while he was sued by a pharmaceutical business for having taken their client list without permission.
But it could have been any one of the current candidates.
Water issues in the Newmarket Public Library
Innocent questions about the location of the Newmarket Public Library's only water fountain deserve an answer.
Currently, the sole water fountain is located in the Children's Department. This is convenient for families who use the Library, But concerns have been raised that the Library may be putting young children at risk by requiring strangers (without accompanying children) to visit the Children's area. Should this area be restricted to young children and accompanying adults only?
Why aren't there any other options?
Would it not be simpler to install a second water fountain in the main lobby on the first floor?
I would like to point out that a plug in water cooler can be purchased from Canadian Tire for a very reasonable cost. See this link
For less than $200, the Library can address the safety concerns that have been raised.
What are they waiting for?
Currently, the sole water fountain is located in the Children's Department. This is convenient for families who use the Library, But concerns have been raised that the Library may be putting young children at risk by requiring strangers (without accompanying children) to visit the Children's area. Should this area be restricted to young children and accompanying adults only?
Why aren't there any other options?
Would it not be simpler to install a second water fountain in the main lobby on the first floor?
I would like to point out that a plug in water cooler can be purchased from Canadian Tire for a very reasonable cost. See this link
For less than $200, the Library can address the safety concerns that have been raised.
What are they waiting for?
Saturday 25 March 2017
Top Ten Earners at Newmarket Town Hall - 2016 "Sunshine List" Released
Did your salary keep pace with the bureaucrats who work for you at Newmarket Town Hall?
The Ontario Government released the details of how much the senior management at the Town of Newmarket earned in 2016. Here are your Top Ten earners:
- CAO Robert Shelton continues to earn the most in Newmarket bringing home $247,641.16.
- Commissioner Peter Noehammar brought home $182,403.22.
- His colleague, Commissioner Ian MacDougall saw a salary of $179,553.30 in 2016.
- Rachel Prudhomme, the Director of Engineering, earned $165,492,19 in 2016.
- The Town's Director of Public Works, Chris Kalimootooo, he earned $162,769.62 last year.
- Commissioner Esther Armchuk took home $153,814.55..
- The Director of Finance was the next highest earner. Mike Mayes earned $149,889.10 in 2016.
- Wanda Bennett, Director of Corporate Communications, earned $146.453.27.
- Susan Chase, the Manager of of IT, was the Town of Newmarket's 9th highest earner at $146,453.27.
- Karen Georgeff, the Director of Human Resources, rounds out the Top Ten list bringing home $146,453.27.
With just one exception, this year's top ten earners are the same as last year's. No new blood has been injected into the senior management team of the Town of Newmarket.
It is impossible to compare year to year increases because the way the Town of Newmarket publishes information seems to change with each edition of the Sunshine List. Based on the published data without any context leads us to believe that most of the top ten earners had a pay decrease from 2015 but we don't know if the same factors were included in these two years. It seems far more likely, that the Town of Newmarket did not count all the apples in their basket which makes the pay seem lower.
Conspicuously absent from the Top 10 list is our Mayor, Tony Van Bynen. According to the Sunshine List, Mayor Van Bynen earned $117,162.21+ in 2016. The Sunshine List reported sum does not appear to include the $54,337.92 he earns as one of Newmarket's representatives at York Region Council. Nor does it appear to include the $12,004.00 he earned as a board member of the Newmarket Tay Hydro Board (a position he holds automatically, because he was elected Mayor). We should also make special note that $31,398.12 of his earnings is not subject to income tax by virtue of a vote by the Gruesome-Twosome Council which deems 1/3 of his municipal pay to be "tax-free".
It is impossible to compare year to year increases because the way the Town of Newmarket publishes information seems to change with each edition of the Sunshine List. Based on the published data without any context leads us to believe that most of the top ten earners had a pay decrease from 2015 but we don't know if the same factors were included in these two years. It seems far more likely, that the Town of Newmarket did not count all the apples in their basket which makes the pay seem lower.
Conspicuously absent from the Top 10 list is our Mayor, Tony Van Bynen. According to the Sunshine List, Mayor Van Bynen earned $117,162.21+ in 2016. The Sunshine List reported sum does not appear to include the $54,337.92 he earns as one of Newmarket's representatives at York Region Council. Nor does it appear to include the $12,004.00 he earned as a board member of the Newmarket Tay Hydro Board (a position he holds automatically, because he was elected Mayor). We should also make special note that $31,398.12 of his earnings is not subject to income tax by virtue of a vote by the Gruesome-Twosome Council which deems 1/3 of his municipal pay to be "tax-free".
As with previous years, because of the discrepancies between the various published reports and lack of an explanation forthcoming by the Mayor and his administration, the public still cannot say how much Mayor Van Bynen actually earns from taxpayers. These contradictions between the published reports creates a confusion that has led many to believe that Mayor Van Bynen is among the highest paid elected officials in Canada. But just like Donald Trump, Mayor Van Bynen isn't going to release his T4 slips any time soon despite the fact that his paycheque is funded exclusively by public money.
Wednesday 22 March 2017
No Search Warrant? No Problem for Town of Newmarket Investigators
What would you do if you arrived home from work this spring to find a stranger poking around in your backyard? What if this stranger was peering into the windows of your home?
Would your first reaction be to call the police?
Well the Gruesome-Twosome Council of the Town of Newmarket is about to make it legal for its bylaws officers to enter your property without a search warrant to investigate whether homeowners are cutting grass or have an illegal accessory dwelling unit (ADU) such as a basement apartment.
These extraordinary powers for bylaws officers go well beyond what the real police have the authority to do. If the police suspected a drug lab in a basement, they would first need to go before a Justice of Peace to get a search warrant before they could legally breach the homeowner's right to privacy.
We need to think of what is in the public's best interest when it comes to law enforcement. Are people in imminent danger? Is an indictable offense being perpetrated? Of course not.
So why can't our bylaws officers simply knock on your door and make an appointment with the homeowner to view the property? Wouldn't common courtesy and respect for privacy trump the need to creep around and snoop without the homeowners consent? If there was an urgent need to inspect a property, shouldn't the bylaw officer justify their case (just like police officers do) and get a search warrant?
Instead of being decent and respectful, our municipal government is considering Gestapo tactics to deal with alleged rule breakers, such as people who don't cut their grass in their own backyard to the standards of a nosy neighbour. This change is to be considered by Council on March 27th,
Would your first reaction be to call the police?
Well the Gruesome-Twosome Council of the Town of Newmarket is about to make it legal for its bylaws officers to enter your property without a search warrant to investigate whether homeowners are cutting grass or have an illegal accessory dwelling unit (ADU) such as a basement apartment.
These extraordinary powers for bylaws officers go well beyond what the real police have the authority to do. If the police suspected a drug lab in a basement, they would first need to go before a Justice of Peace to get a search warrant before they could legally breach the homeowner's right to privacy.
We need to think of what is in the public's best interest when it comes to law enforcement. Are people in imminent danger? Is an indictable offense being perpetrated? Of course not.
So why can't our bylaws officers simply knock on your door and make an appointment with the homeowner to view the property? Wouldn't common courtesy and respect for privacy trump the need to creep around and snoop without the homeowners consent? If there was an urgent need to inspect a property, shouldn't the bylaw officer justify their case (just like police officers do) and get a search warrant?
Instead of being decent and respectful, our municipal government is considering Gestapo tactics to deal with alleged rule breakers, such as people who don't cut their grass in their own backyard to the standards of a nosy neighbour. This change is to be considered by Council on March 27th,
Wednesday 1 February 2017
Should I continue?
My blog is now in its eighth year. I started it as a way to inform Newmarket taxpayers about the lies and distortions published by the Newmarket Era while the paper continues to ignore more serious news.
After publishing 50+ blog postings each year, and slowly chipping away at the credibility of the Newmarket Era and the exaggerated fluffing of the gruesome twosome, I see that, (on social media at least), people are coming around to my perspective.
The Newmarket Era has continually betrayed our community's trust to report honestly and factually on the affairs of our Town Council.
I remain embarrassed for the Newmarket Era each time it arrives at the end of my driveway.
I am angered each time I think that my exorbitantly high property taxes are handed over to the Newmarket Era as a form of corporate welfare to keep it afloat. I get angry even still when I recall that John Taylor's wife's gets an executive salary to take home as a result of this corporate welfare. And when I think of the additional garbage pick up costs we all assume as a result of the Newmarket Era filling our blue boxes each week with unwanted, unnecessary junk flyers (why aren't they distributed on line only?) I am frustrated even more.
But do I need to continue to beat this dead horse? Has my blog run its course? If we all know agree that the Newmarket Era has lost its credibility by becoming the propaganda arm of the gruesome twosome, then what role is there left for the Newmarket Town Hall Watch blog?
After publishing 50+ blog postings each year, and slowly chipping away at the credibility of the Newmarket Era and the exaggerated fluffing of the gruesome twosome, I see that, (on social media at least), people are coming around to my perspective.
The Newmarket Era has continually betrayed our community's trust to report honestly and factually on the affairs of our Town Council.
I remain embarrassed for the Newmarket Era each time it arrives at the end of my driveway.
I am angered each time I think that my exorbitantly high property taxes are handed over to the Newmarket Era as a form of corporate welfare to keep it afloat. I get angry even still when I recall that John Taylor's wife's gets an executive salary to take home as a result of this corporate welfare. And when I think of the additional garbage pick up costs we all assume as a result of the Newmarket Era filling our blue boxes each week with unwanted, unnecessary junk flyers (why aren't they distributed on line only?) I am frustrated even more.
But do I need to continue to beat this dead horse? Has my blog run its course? If we all know agree that the Newmarket Era has lost its credibility by becoming the propaganda arm of the gruesome twosome, then what role is there left for the Newmarket Town Hall Watch blog?
Sunday 22 January 2017
Council members can no longer be silent on questions of corporate corruption
The allegations of corporate cheating to influence the outcome of the last Town of Newmarket municipal election appear to be highly credible.
But remember that no corporation would risk their brand's reputation just to get one of its employees another part time job as a Town Councillor. This cheating wasn't about obtaining a $40,000 per year job for Kelly Broome. These corporations have their own self interests in play and are expecting a much higher payback.
For example, let's look at the new Mulock GO Train Station. Back in October 2016, Council voted for a resolution that encourages Metrolinx to fund development plans of a new GO station on the south-east corner of the train tracks on Mulock Drive. This same resolution promised to support amending Newmarket's Official Plan to support changes to land use provisions of the neighbouring properties of the train station. Changes to the Official Plan could potentially be worth millions of dollars to landholders in the area if developers seek to cash in on developing within the vicinity of the new train station.
Did anyone consider which car dealership is located at 349 Mulock Drive (located on the north-west corner across from proposed train station)? Or which Council member is employed by the owner of that dealership? And did that Council member declare a conflict of interest prior to casting her vote?
How about another Council member who is also the president of a controversial charity that used to operate right next door to the dealership located at 349 Mulock Drive? What is the relationship between that dealership and the charity belonging to the Council member? Did he declare a conflict of interest prior to voting in favour of the new train station?
And should we forget that other members of Council received "support" in their election from the owner of this dealership? Did that corporate donation weigh into their decision to vote in favour of this Mulock train station?
The public deserves answers from our members of Council to these important questions. When Council decisions could lead to real estate transactions valued in potential millions of dollars involving a Council member's employer, or the member's charity sponsor, or their campaign campaign "supporters", shouldn't every measure be taken to ensure complete transparency and openness?
I truly hope that the Council members will speak openly about their vote. To remain silent (like they are apt to do) only increases the speculation that our democracy is at risk of being sold to the highest corporate bidder.
But remember that no corporation would risk their brand's reputation just to get one of its employees another part time job as a Town Councillor. This cheating wasn't about obtaining a $40,000 per year job for Kelly Broome. These corporations have their own self interests in play and are expecting a much higher payback.
For example, let's look at the new Mulock GO Train Station. Back in October 2016, Council voted for a resolution that encourages Metrolinx to fund development plans of a new GO station on the south-east corner of the train tracks on Mulock Drive. This same resolution promised to support amending Newmarket's Official Plan to support changes to land use provisions of the neighbouring properties of the train station. Changes to the Official Plan could potentially be worth millions of dollars to landholders in the area if developers seek to cash in on developing within the vicinity of the new train station.
Did anyone consider which car dealership is located at 349 Mulock Drive (located on the north-west corner across from proposed train station)? Or which Council member is employed by the owner of that dealership? And did that Council member declare a conflict of interest prior to casting her vote?
How about another Council member who is also the president of a controversial charity that used to operate right next door to the dealership located at 349 Mulock Drive? What is the relationship between that dealership and the charity belonging to the Council member? Did he declare a conflict of interest prior to voting in favour of the new train station?
And should we forget that other members of Council received "support" in their election from the owner of this dealership? Did that corporate donation weigh into their decision to vote in favour of this Mulock train station?
The public deserves answers from our members of Council to these important questions. When Council decisions could lead to real estate transactions valued in potential millions of dollars involving a Council member's employer, or the member's charity sponsor, or their campaign campaign "supporters", shouldn't every measure be taken to ensure complete transparency and openness?
I truly hope that the Council members will speak openly about their vote. To remain silent (like they are apt to do) only increases the speculation that our democracy is at risk of being sold to the highest corporate bidder.
Tuesday 10 January 2017
Mayor's Levee, By Election Update and Naming & Shaming
Mayor's Levee
"It was a small but enthusiastic crowd."
This is the way a small number of people will remember last weekend's Mayor's New Years Levee.
The weather was decent. The event was organized. Yet hardly anyone showed.
With the Town of Newmarket struggling to stay within its fiscal means, it begs the question whether the annual Mayor's Levee should be continued. Certainly, the event cost some money but couldn't that money be put to better use?
Most telling is that many of our Council members didn't bother to show up either.
By Election Update
After weeks and weeks of delay, the Town of Newmarket finally decided to post the Candidate campaign expenses.
The public can view the filed expenses here.
No word from the Town of Newmarket if there is a deadline for a member of the public to request a campaign finance audit.
All in all, a very sloppy display of election transparency by the Town of Newmarket.and certainly not to the quality that we have been accustomed to in the past.
Naming and Shaming
I have been critical in the past of the Newmarket Era's decision to publish restaurant health violations and it dismayed me to see these stories listed among the most popular articles posted on the www.yorkregion.com web site.
Yet, it surprises me that the newspaper wouldn't be consistent here:
Of course those arrested for drinking and driving ought to be named and shamed.
We have an open and widespread epidemic of drivers flouting the law with their reckless impairment and lives and property are needlessly placed at risk. Arrest rates are at record levels in York Region but the tide of drivers willing to risk your life and property due to their irresponsible intoxication doesn't appear to be abating.
The politicians haven't come to the table with suitably harsh prison sentences.
So the newspaper has a very important obligation to step up and provide the necessary deterrent. Make people think twice before getting behind the wheel after drinking. Let them know their reputation within the community, with their employer, and others is at stake. If someone can't govern themselves to act responsibly around alcohol, then the rest of us should know how dangerous they really are.
"It was a small but enthusiastic crowd."
This is the way a small number of people will remember last weekend's Mayor's New Years Levee.
The weather was decent. The event was organized. Yet hardly anyone showed.
With the Town of Newmarket struggling to stay within its fiscal means, it begs the question whether the annual Mayor's Levee should be continued. Certainly, the event cost some money but couldn't that money be put to better use?
Most telling is that many of our Council members didn't bother to show up either.
By Election Update
After weeks and weeks of delay, the Town of Newmarket finally decided to post the Candidate campaign expenses.
The public can view the filed expenses here.
No word from the Town of Newmarket if there is a deadline for a member of the public to request a campaign finance audit.
All in all, a very sloppy display of election transparency by the Town of Newmarket.and certainly not to the quality that we have been accustomed to in the past.
Naming and Shaming
I have been critical in the past of the Newmarket Era's decision to publish restaurant health violations and it dismayed me to see these stories listed among the most popular articles posted on the www.yorkregion.com web site.
Yet, it surprises me that the newspaper wouldn't be consistent here:
Of course those arrested for drinking and driving ought to be named and shamed.
We have an open and widespread epidemic of drivers flouting the law with their reckless impairment and lives and property are needlessly placed at risk. Arrest rates are at record levels in York Region but the tide of drivers willing to risk your life and property due to their irresponsible intoxication doesn't appear to be abating.
The politicians haven't come to the table with suitably harsh prison sentences.
So the newspaper has a very important obligation to step up and provide the necessary deterrent. Make people think twice before getting behind the wheel after drinking. Let them know their reputation within the community, with their employer, and others is at stake. If someone can't govern themselves to act responsibly around alcohol, then the rest of us should know how dangerous they really are.
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