December 8 2019
The Deputy Mayor's Exchange

I hope that you were able to attend this years Unionville Main Street Olde Tyme Christmas Candlelight parade. A great time was had by all. Thanks to the Unionville Main Street UBIA for once again hosting. Don't forget the local merchants as you plan your Christmas shopping. A personal thank you to BMW Markham for the loan of their convertible. They are always there for our community!

It was also great to have Tom Brown CTV's weather reporter host Toy Mountain at the Millennium Bandstand just before the parade started. Our community continues to show its caring and supportive nature for less fortunate kids.

Happy 100th Birthday to long time Unionville resident Branch Duncan. It was nice to see her and the other ladies of the Union Villa Auxiliary honoured for their years of dedicated service on behalf of the residents of Union Villa.

Our final City Council meeting for 2019 will be this Tuesday starting at 1pm. Things will be quiet until mid-January when we will resume our regular schedule of meetings. Our last Regional Council meeting is on December 19th with the main item being the approval of the Regional Budget.

If you are a skater, have you tried the Civic Centre ice rink for a pleasure skate. It's FREE of charge if you have your own skates. Rental skates and helmets are available at a nominal charge. The rink is located behind the Civic Centre.

Have a great week!

In this issue
- Skating at the Civic Centre
- YorkSafe
- Happy 100th!
- Annual Toy Drive
- GO Transit Schedule Change
- Winter in the Rouge
- There's Lots to do in Markham
- Holiday Hours
- Healthy Lunch Challenge
- Do You Know About MSBC?
- York Region Budget
- York Region Update
- Street Plowing
- Community Meetings and Events
- Q & A - Letters to Santa
Please forward this update to anyone that may find it of interest.

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Looking for more information?

Any of the blue text, blue buttons and most of the graphics have links to further detail.
Click here to read the last edition of The Deputy Mayor's Exchange.

Have you skated at the outdoor rink at the Markham Civic Centre? It is one of the largest outdoor rinks in the GTA. It is a great way to enjoy a winter day, have some fun and exercise and its free!

As it is an outdoor rink, skating days are subject to weather conditions. As long as it is cold enough to keep the ice, the rink is there to be used. For everyone's safety, it is a pleasure skating rink only. Hockey is not allowed.

Hours of Operation
  • 10am to 10pm - daily except Wednesdays (weather permitting)
  • 12pm to 10pm - Wednesdays (weather permitting)
Skate and helmet rentals are available
  • Fridays - 4pm to 10pm
  • Saturdays - 10am to 10pm
  • Sundays - 10am to 8pm

Find the current listing provided by YorkSafe health inspections here. As this list is constantly being updated, the establishments are changing all the time.

To view all locations in York Region and to find out if they have had a YorkSafe violation, click here.
Branch Celebrates 100! 🎈🎉🎈

Happy 100th Birthday! Long time Unionville resident Branch Duncan celebrated her 100th birthday on Saturday afternoon with many family and friends in attendance.

Branch is a founding member of the Union Villa Ladies Auxiliary. These ladies have been funding raising for the seniors' residence for more than 50 years. To commemorate her birthday, Branch was surprised when the Gift Shop that the ladies run was renamed in her honour along with a nod to the other ladies in the Auxiliary for their hard work and fund raising efforts on behalf of the residents of the Villa.
Annual Toy Drive

 Markham Fire and Emergency Services is hosting the 33rd Annual Toy Drive in support of the Salvation Army and M arkham Stouffville Hospital Children's Centre.

New unwrapped toys, mitts, hats, gift cards, diapers, baby formula, may be dropped off at any of our Stations until December 19.

You can help build Toy Mountain and join Markham Fire when CTV's Tom Brown visits at the Pride of Canada Carousel in Downtown Markham on December 17th.

Metrolinx will be performing maintenance and upgrade work that can only be done when the trains aren't running. They are coordinating several projects to occur during a single weekend to minimize the disruption.
 
The last three evening Stouffville GO trains will not operate on Friday December 13 and over the weekend so that Metrolinx can complete upgrades along the corridor. They will be repairing tracks, a bridge and making other infrastructure upgrades.
 
Please be sure to plan in advance so you that know your options: 
  • last train to leave Union station is at 8:15 p.m. GO bus service will be available from Union Station Bus Terminal to Unionville GO making all stops to Lincolnville GO - visit gotransit.com for schedules
  • Kennedy, Agincourt and Milliken passengers can take the TTC - visit triplinx.ca to help plan your trip
  • if you’re using PRESTO, tap on the device when boarding and exiting the GO bus. Please don’t tap on the machines at the station.
  • regular train service will resume Monday December 16 in time for morning rush 

Have you made it out to the Rouge National Park yet? While winter might not seem like the best time to go, why not consider taking one of the guided hikes this month? There is a range of hikes from family friendly walks to more strenuous trail running. If you are dressed properly, getting outside and walking the trails can be a great way to enjoy this time of year. Learn more here about upcoming guided hikes.

The following winter safety tips are provided by the Rouge National Park
  • Winter conditions can be hazardous - Trails in the park are not maintained in the winter. Please use at your own risk and exercise caution when out on the parks trails.
  • Emergency response is limited during winter and cell phone reception is not reliable in the park.
  • Make a trip plan and share it with somebody. Make sure to tell another person what you are doing, where you are going, and when you intend to be back.
  • Winter activity can be strenuous. We burn much more energy during the winter than in the warmer months. Remember to bring water and some snacks when you head out.
  • The days are shorter than in summer. Take the shorter days into account when you head out on your trip.
  • Be alert for exhaustion and hypothermia.
  • Trail conditions can be very icy, consider hiking with icers or other traction assisting devices.

Plan your trip to the Rouge. More detail here

While there isn't a shortage of things to do at this time of year, just in case you are looking to keep busy here are some things happening:

As the holidays are quickly approaching, find out what's open and closed if you are planning to visit a community centre, library, culture site or other City facility.


Calling all elementary schools!

Are you ready for the Healthy Lunch Challenge? This year’s Challenge focuses on the new Canada Food Guide . Register your class by December 13 at here

The Markham Small Business Centre is your one-stop source to start and grow your small business. The team at MSBC team can help you make the right decisions as you start-up your business venture and help develop your management capabilities as it grows.

They offer a number of events and seminars including:

There are many resources available that are only a click away.

York Region has tabled the 2020 budget . For 2020, the proposed $3.3 billion budget is comprised of $2.5 billion in operating spending and an $826-million capital component. The budget proposes a tax levy increase of 2.96% for 2020, equivalent to an additional $75 on the average residential property tax bill.

There has already been one Budget review meeting last week and there will be another one on December 12 starting at 9am. The finalized budget should be presented to Council for approval on December 19. All meetings are live streamed .

Highlights of the most recent Regional Council meeting can be found here.

A calendar of York Region meetings and other information is available   here. 
  • York Region Council Highlights
  • Don't let holiday stress affect your mental health - The holidays can be a magical time of year, but they can also be tough. If you or your family are feeling the stress of the season, don't be afraid to reach out for support. Taking good care of your own mental health is the best gift you can give your loved ones. Learn more
  • YRT's new Trip Planner makes it even easier to get where you're going using transit The new and improved Trip Planner tool offers real-time trip information, detailed and print-friendly bus schedules, quick search for the closest bus stops and much more. It's mobile and desktop friendly and easily accessible on yrt.ca. Learn more
  • When it comes to HIV, U=U - York Region Public Health is proud to endorse Undetectable=Untransmittable (U=U), a global campaign to raise awareness and support for those in the community living with and affected by HIV. Learn more
  • Brains aren't just born, they're built! Did you know early experiences shape our brains and can impact our future health? The first six years of a child's life have the greatest impact on their future learning, health and development. There's lots you can do to support your child while they're writing their brain story. Learn more
  • YR Paramedics partner with Wounded Warriors Canada - this partnership will offer additional mental health supports
  • Supporting Children with Special Needs - it is estimated that one in nine Ontario children have or are at risk for developmental delay

Some of the most frequent questions I receive at this time of year are concerning snow clearing operations. There is always confusion about how much snow needs to fall before the side streets get cleared and who is responsible for clearing the road. Below are the details of when and snow will be cleared.

Should you have any concerns about snow removal operations, contact the City at 905-477-7000, email the Contact Centre at contact@markham.ca or send an email to your local Councillor who is always happy to assist you.

  • Arterial roads carry large volumes of traffic; including transit and emergency routes for ambulance, fire and police are salted and/or plowed to achieve a ‘bare surface’ condition, 24 hours/day, 7 days/week throughout the winter season.
  • Primary roads distribute traffic to both City and Regional arterial roads. They provide access to schools, churches, community centers and industrial/commercial areas. Salted and/or plowed to achieve a ‘bare surface’ condition between the hours of 7am and 6pm, 7 days/week throughout the winter season.
  • Secondary roads distribute traffic onto to primary roads. They include roads with extreme hills, curves and access points. These are sanded or plowed as required to achieve center bare conditions between 7am and 6pm, 7 days/week throughout the winter season.
  • Local roads (generally carry very low volumes of traffic and are not intended to carry through traffic) and Lanes (provide access to garages and parking spaces at the rear of homes and business) - are acceptable in a snow packed condition. Plowing will be carried out only when snow accumulations reach or exceed 7.5cm. If the snowfall is continuing, plowing will commence once snowfall ceases or accumulations exceed 12cm. Normal plowing operations will take approximately 16 hours. Snow plowing will be continuous until completed. Cul-de-sacs are plowed to ensure access by residents, service and emergency vehicles. A follow-up cleaning using front-end loaders clears outside boundaries of the cul-de-sac, piling snow toward the centre of the circle. This snow remains in the centre until it exceeds the storage capacity of the cul-de-sac.
  • Sidewalks - All sidewalks are plowed within 24 hours of the end of a snowfall when accumulations reach 5cm or more. Priority service is provided according to the road classification. Special attention is given to sidewalks near schools and bus stops. Plowing and sanding takes approximately 14 hours to complete.
  • Municipal Parking Lots - Appropriate material will be applied to designated areas, in conjunction with environmental conditions (salt, sand or de-icing material). Plowing will commence when there is a minimum of at 5cm of snow cover.
  • Bus Stops - York Region Transit is responsible for maintaining all bus stop shelters and can be reached at 905-762-2100 or York Region Operations Dispatch can be reached at 905-762-1283 extension 5841 / 5842.
  • Windrow Removal Service - Windrow Removal Service is available for seniors age 60 and older and/or for physically challenged persons. Proof of identification and a valid doctor’s certificate is required for all persons living at the same address. The service includes clearing the centre portion of the driveway windrow (one car width) and does not include clearing the remainder of snow from private approaches to residence or driveways or the windrow left by the sidewalk plow. It may take up to 8 hours after the snowplow has plowed the street.
  • Super Mailboxes - Canada Post is responsible for maintaining all super mailboxes and can be reached at 1-866-607-6301.
Community Meetings and Events

All City of Markham meetings are listed on the City's website at Upcoming Council and Committee Meetings . Unless noted differently on the link above, meetings are held at the Markham Civic Centre and are open to the public. If you aren't able to attend in person, meetings are live streamed.

The calendar of York Region meetings is available here. You can listen to meetings on line. The details from past meetings are available online.


  • Upcoming Markham Public Library Events - here
  • Upcoming Varley Gallery Events - here

I'd be pleased to highlight other community meetings in future newsletters. Please forward the details to dhamilton@markham.ca
If you have a question that you would like answered, please send me an email with your question.
Question: I want to send a letter to Santa Claus. Where should I send it to?
Answer: While Santa is very busy at this time of year, he does try very hard to reply to all letters he receives. Letters to Santa require no postage and should be addressed directly to him:
Santa Claus
North Pole
H0H 0H0
Canada
Working together to make Markham better!
Don Hamilton - City of Markham
Deputy Mayor and Regional Councillor
905- 415-7549
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