November 10 2019
The Deputy Mayor's Exchange
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Lest We Forget
Remembrance Day is tomorrow and I hope to see you at the Cenotaph at Main Street and Carlton Road in Unionville at 11am.
The City and MBIA have cooperated with individual sponsors to erect beautiful
banners on Main Street Markham honouring family members who served to protect our great country. I would like to see the same for Main Street Unionville. We will be planning for this as part of the Main Street Unionville revitalization plan.
Winter like weather is heading our way so please remember not to leave your car parked where the snowplows need to access. If no one in your home is under age 60, you may qualify for
snow windrow removal. For assistance please call or email my EA Hermia at
hlui@markham.ca.
It's also flu season so now's the time to get your flu shot either from your doctor, local pharmacy or clinic.
I received lots of calls and emails this week regarding lead in water after recent news reports. Check below for
answers to your questions. City of Markham water pipes are
not made of lead but if your house is old enough, it may contain lead piping.
Coming soon will be an
education session open to the public on traffic, congestion and road widenings. People backing to Kennedy Road, 16th Avenue, McCowan Road should be especially concerned. More on this later. It could be controversial!
Have a good week and drive safely in the snow.
Click here
to read the last edition of
The Deputy Mayor's Exchange.
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In this issue
- Markham Salutes Veterans
- Kennedy Road Feedback Wanted
- YorkSafe
- Leave the Leaves
- Winter Parking
- Breakfast with Santa
- Make a Splash
- Yikes - Snow!
- Flu Shots are Now Available
- What's on in the Park
- York Region Food Network
- Winter Program Registration
- Fire Safety Display
- November is CPR Month
- York Region Updates
- Community Meetings and Events
- Q & A - Lead in Water Update
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Please forward this update to anyone that may find it of interest.
Make sure you are on the list for future updates.
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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.
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Have you seen the new banners lining Main Street Markham? T
his Remembrance Day, for the first time, Veterans’ Memorial Banners will line the street to honour our local heroes including both former and active service members.
It is a small way that Markham can honour our local residents who have selflessly served their country.
The forty banners tell the stories of Markham veterans with each banner including the veteran’s photograph, their Allied flag, their service position and era of service, and the banner sponsors.
Please join us in remembering at one of these ceremonies on November 11th:
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Kennedy Road from Steeles Avenue to Major Mackenzie Drive
York Region is conducting a study to review improvements to Kennedy Road between Steeles Avenue and Major Mackenzie Drive to address current and future needs of pedestrians, cyclists, transit users and motorists.
You are invited to attend an
Open House
to meet the project team, review the recommended plan and share your experiences.
The open houses will be held on:
Date:
Monday, November 25
- visit anytime between 6:30pm and 8:30pm
Location:
Milliken Mills Community Centre, South Hall, 7600 Kennedy Road, Markham
Date:
Monday, December 2 - visit anytime between 6:30pm and 8:30pm
Location:
Markham Pan Am Centre, Multipurpose Room 3/4, 16 Main Street Unionville
Please
let us know
if you need any accommodation to participate. Can’t attend?
Visit
york.ca/KennedyRoad
to view the proposed improvements and complete the online survey. Information will be posted on November 25, 2019.
To submit a comment, question or be added to the mailing list, send an email to
roads.ea@york.ca.
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Find the current listing provided by YorkSafe health inspections
here. Again there are some Markham establishments on the list.
You can review all locations in York Region
here.
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While the leaves on my lawn have already been covered in snow this week, for a healthier lawn it is better mulch your leaves and your grass than rake. During the winter months, leaves provide a protective blanket for your gardens. Grass clippings decompose quickly and create a natural fertilizer – helping keep weeds away.
As a friendly reminder, don't to rake or blow leaves or grass onto the street. Help keep the storm drains clear to prevent street flooding.
From November 1 to December 13, yard material collection will occur weekly. See the
collection schedule
for more information on what
yard waste
will be collected.
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All parking on both sides of all City streets is prohibited during snow clearing operations. Existing parking permits and overnight exemptions held by residents are not valid during snow clearing operations.
Residents can expect snow clearing to begin at the start of any snowfall and continue for up to the next 24 hours. Check the
Winter Operations webpage
to find out when snow clearing operations have started and ended. On-street parking can resume in accordance with City parking regulations once snow clearing operations are complete.
Vehicles parked on a city street during snow clearing operations may be ticketed and/or towed with the fine being $150.
Between November 15 and April 15, and only when snow clearing operations are not in effect, vehicles may only be parked on the odd numbered side of City streets, unless posted signs indicate otherwise.
More information
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Do you have someone in your family that would like to eat breakfast with Santa? Even though it is his busiest time of the year, the Jolly Old Elf will be stopping by Unionville Main Street for breakfast on December 1st, 8th, 14th or 15th.
Santa is a popular guy, so you had better get your
tickets
soon.
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Now Hiring Lifeguards & Swim Instructors.
Looking to get paid doing something you love while staying fit? Land a great job with flexible hours. Adults and youth wanted. Apply by December 1st and start this winter.
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Some of the perks you’ll enjoy:
- A flexible work schedule
- Free access to any aquatics drop-in program
- Exclusive discounts on a Markham fitness centre membership, YRT transit passes and qualification certifications or recertification
Not certified?
Visit our website to find out what you need to join Team Markham!
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While it seems a bit early, we saw our first snowfall this week. The City was prepared and had the roads ready for the morning commuters on Thursday morning. By the sound of the forecast, we will see additional snow over the coming days. More information about snow clearing operations including the windrow program can be found
here
.
Every year the City receives a
number of questions
about winter snow clearing operations. Here is an example:
I see private contractors plowing driveways and they often push snow across the road, making a mess, and pushing more snow onto my frontage. Is this allowed? No, this is punishable under the same bylaw above, and subject to a fine. If this is happening, please contact the City and a bylaw officer will be dispatched to the home of the resident creating the mess.
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The flu shot reduces the risk of serious flu complications and is free if you live, work or attend school in Ontario. Protect yourself and those around you who might be at an increased risk, including kids, seniors and pregnant women. Get your shot today at one of the many participating locations.
More information
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While the weather may have turned and it looks like winter out my window, there is still lots to do in the
Rouge National Urban Park
.
- New trail - A couple of weeks ago, we took the opportunity to walk the new trail. It is an easy family friendly full accessible linear pathway that could be navigated in a wheelchair and would be fun for families with wagons and strollers. It is the very first trail and day-use area in Rouge which opened in September. There are a number of other trails in the Rouge too - details here
- Weekly Guided Walks - Parks Canada runs free guided walks in the Rouge all year-long. These walks are mostly led by volunteers and cover topics as wide-ranging as agricultural and cultural heritage, birds, healthy living, native plants, park history, photography, water, wildlife and more.
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York Region Food Network works to promote a healthy, accessible and sustainable food system in York Region. They offer many programs across the Region including:
- Freestyle Cooking - Wednesday November 13 from 10am to 12pm at the Aaniin Community Centre - You don't need knife skills or copper bottom pans, you only need a little imagination. The whole point of freestyle cooking is to prepare delicious meals without the use of recipes. Register here
- YorkSafe Food Handler Certification - Thursday, November 21 from 9am to 4pm - This is a free training session, facilitated by a Public Health Inspector. Learn how to safely prepare, store and serve food. Obtain your Safe Food Handling Certification. Lunch is provided but spaces are limited. Registration details
- Good Food Box - packed boxes of fresh, high-quality vegetables and fruit. With the box contents changing monthly, each Good Food Box offers a convenient and affordable way to eat healthy, local food. Details
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Why not make 2020 the year that you learn a new skill, get back to sport you haven't done in a while or just get more active? Registration for
winter programs starts soon.
- November 12 for general programs - something of all ages and interests - learn more
- November 12 for fitness classes - learn more
- November 26 for Swimming Lessons - 25% off new swimmer discount - learn more
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Earlier this year, Markham Fire and Emergency Services partnered with teachers and students from Markham District High School, in collaboration with several community partners, to assemble a home fire sprinkler display. This unit is used for awareness and to educate the community on the benefits of home fire sprinklers.
The display is located by the Building customer service counter at the Markham Civic Centre until December 20.
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For home fire sprinkler safety and more information, visit
markham.ca/fire
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Do you know what to do if someone goes into cardiac arrest? Remember everyone can help. Doing hands-only
CPR
can help save a life.
Click
here
for more information and additional
video
.
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Highlights of the most recent Regional Council meeting can be found
here.
A calendar of York Region meetings and other information is available
here.
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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
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If you have a question that you would like answered, please send me an email with your question.
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Question:
We’ve seen the
reports on water quality
in various towns and cities in Canada, indicating high lead levels. Do you have more information about any potential lead in Markham water?
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Answer: I have received many questions recently about lead in drinking water. The City has provided a FAQ on this topic which can be found
here.
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Working together to make Markham better!
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