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?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)