August 2 2019
The Deputy Mayor's Exchange
Are there rats in Markham?

One of our Councillors asked that question recently as apparently there were sightings of these vermin in her Ward.

Our staff have reported that indeed there are rats in Markham. Why do we have them here?

Some people keep their green bin in their garage and the green bin material is attractive to many types of rodents. Keep your garage door closed and the green bin lid closed tightly!

Restaurants often have waste bins outside their premises. This attracts many types of dumpster divers. These critters may also try to enter the premise via an open door during the warmer weather. Keep the doors closed. Install a tight fitting screen door for fresh air.

Some residents believe that garbage bins in parks and other outdoor public locations make an ideal place to put their smelly garbage especially in the summer. No no no! Dispose of this garbage in your own green bin. If you are worried about the smell put the items in the freezer until waste collection day. Nobody wants rats, raccoons, mice, birds and other vermin to be finding their meals in our parks.

Some people put meat scraps, bread and other food items in their outdoor composter. No no no again. Only plant material, garden waste and grass clippings should be in your garden composter. Rats love to nest close to a composter that's regularly replenished with yummy edibles.

Let's think and act responsibly in order to reduce vermin in our City.

In this issue
- Unionville GO Station Construction
- Seniors' Hall of Fame Nominations
- YorkSafe
- Contribution Rebate Update
- Networking Breakfast
- Terry Fox Run
- Varley Art Gallery Programs
- York Region Matters
- York Region Food Network
- Outdoor Water Use By-Law
- Fore the Love of Golf
- Update from Alectra
- Rouge National Park Events
- International Day of Friendship
- Community Meetings and Events
- Q & A - Are Ticks in Markham?
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.

If you are a Unionville station GO Transit user, you should take note of construction that is slated to begin August 6. The parking will be altered as improvements are made to the lot and the station. This work is being done to eventually add more parking, enhanced accessibility features and a second track and platform.

These improvements will help support future 15-minute, two-way all day service between Unionville and Union Station. Learn about more service and planned improvements for the entire line at  Metrolinx.com/Stouffville . You can sign up for email and text alerts to stay in the know about the construction that may impact your GO Transit travel.

More detailed information on Unionville station changes is available here .

Do you know a senior who’s made an outstanding contribution to the Markham community? Help us show your appreciation! Submit a nomination to recognize them for this prestigious award. To qualify, the nominee must be:
  • A Markham resident who has lived here for at least 7 years
  • At least 60 years of age (as of January 1, 2019)
  • Done volunteer work in Markham

Markham has a long, strong and proud history of volunteerism and seniors make a unique and outstanding contribution to our community. Celebrate these dedicated senior volunteers for their years of service, passion and leadership. Learn more about how to nominate an exceptional senior  here. The nomination deadline is Friday September 6.

Here is the most recent updates from York Region on their YorkSafe health inspection program.

There are some local establishments on the list.

You can review all locations in York Region here.

Did you contribute to a candidate's campaign last fall during the municipal election? The City Clerk's Office advises that applications are currently being processed and the first round of rebate cheques will be issued toward the end of August 2019.

In the event of any discrepancy between the information supplied by candidates and/or a contributor, details will be checked causing a slight delay.

As a reminder the maximum rebate a donor may receive is $350.
 
Questions regarding the payment of contribution rebates may be directed to vote@markham.ca or 905.477.7000 x8683 (VOTE).
Markham Board of Trade
August Networking Breakfast

Have you been to a MBT event? Their next one is a morning of networking with a delicious breakfast at Angus Glen Golf Club.

Date: Thursday, August 8th, 2019
Time: 7:15am to 9:00am
Location: Angus Glen Golf Club, 10080 Kennedy Road

Registration details are available here

Before you know it, September will be here and the annual Terry Fox Run will be taking place. There are short and long routes. The event is also wheelchair accessible. Bike, walk, run, push a stroller or even bring your dog (must be on a leash). Please support this event. I will be there! Further details are available:


Looking for something to keep the kids busy? Perhaps you've always wanted to take an art class. Now's the time to explore programs that are offered at the Varley Art Gallery. There are summer camps and classes for both children and adults. Why not try your hand at something new?

Here is the latest edition York Region's publication to update on topics including the regional governance review and public health mandate, enhancements to the Regional road network and an invasive species update.

Help to make York Region Matters better and complete the survey  for a chance to win a $50 gift card to your favourite York Region shopping mall or a $200 gift certificate for a tree planting or garden kit from Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests (LEAF).

There are a number of programs run by YRFN which helps to promote their vision "food for health, food for all".
Don't have the time to attend one of their events? Recipes from their programs are available online here.
Outdoor Water
Use Bylaws
Do you know the summer outdoor water use restrictions in the City of Markham? The City's Water-Use Bylaw applies to water for lawns and gardens. Houses with odd numbers may only use municipal water outdoors on odd numbered days of the month and even house numbers may only use water outdoors on even numbered days of the month. Visit york.ca/waterfortomorrow  for tips to keep your lawn and garden healthy while saving water at the same time.
  • Outdoor water-use is allowed between 6am and 9am or 6pm and 9pm on odd/even days, but not both
  • Industrial, commercial and institutional properties follow odd/even, permitted for three hours only between midnight and 6am
  • Two-month grace period for new sod and seed
  • Water-use bylaw is in effect from June 1 to September 30

Did you know there are more than 50 private and public golf courses in York Region? There's a course for golfers of all skill levels. York Region is home to more than a third of all courses in the GTA.

The Women's Canadian Open is coming to the Magna Golf Club in Aurora. More detail on the CP Women’s Open  taking place August 19 to 25 is available here . Take the opportunity to go out and see some of the best women golfers in the world.

Alectra has provided the following summer update about the local utility. The update also provides information about energy-related developments from the provincial and federal governments impacting Markham. In this update:

Have you been to the Park yet? There's still lots of summer left and plenty of time to get out and explore this National Park that is right in Markham. Here are some of the events that are happening:
Even if there isn't a scheduled event when you are looking to go, there is more information on the website about planning your visit. The details are available here.

While I'm a bit late in recognizing the International Day of Friendship , I thought it would be appropriate to include a piece that was recently released from York Region in honour of the day. Here it is:

At York Region, we understand the value friendship plays in delivering our core services and programs. Working closely with our nine local cities and towns, York Region bring services and supports to the homes of residents to improve their day-to-day experiences in the communities they call home.

Recognized on July 30 each year,  International Day of Friendship  was proclaimed in 2011 by the UN General Assembly with the idea that friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities.

We’re sharing the top five ways York Region is a good friend in our community by delivering services residents know and enjoy:
  1. We keep litter out of your communities: Your local city or town is responsible for collecting your residential garbage and recycling, and delivering it to York Region facilities for processing. Most garbage collected is sent to an energy-from-waste facility. In 2018, York Region diverted 94% of waste from landfill through the Durham Energy Centre and other energy-from-waste contracts. Learn about York Region’s role in garbage processing at york.ca/waste
  2. We keep our beach waters clear: York Region monitors the water quality at local public beaches beginning in mid-June and continuing until the end of August to make sure it is safe for swimming. A minimum of five water samples are collected from each beach once a week and tested for bacteria. During periods when high levels of bacteria are estimated, York Region posts warning signs at the beach advising residents the water is unsafe for swimming. You can check the water quality and bacteria level of beaches in York Region at york.ca/beaches
  3. We supply fresh, clean drinking waterYork Region is responsible for supplying water to residents in all nine local cities and towns. Water comes from Lake Ontario, Lake Simcoe and groundwater sources. Local municipalities deliver water to residents, commercial, industrial and institutional users in their town or city and collect money for the service. Working together, York Region and your local city and town make sure you have access to safe, clean drinking water. In the 2018 Drinking Water Systems Report, York Region achieved over 99% for the combination of high quality drinking water and Ministry inspection scores. Find out more about how water gets from our lakes and rivers to your taps at york.ca/water
  4. We connect you to family and friendsYork Region manages over 4,200 lane kilometres of regional roads. York Region’s roads are maintained and improved regularly, assisting in the safe and efficient transport of goods and people between urban and rural areas. In addition, York Region Transit offers local and rapid transit services in all nine York Region cities and towns. Almost 130 routes keep residents connected within York Region, as well as connecting services in the City of Toronto and the Regions of Peel and Durham. In addition, Mobility Plus provides door-to-door, shared-ride, accessible public transit service for people with disabilities.
  5. We maintain forests to get you outsideYork Region strives to protect our forests through careful management and conservation, promoting tree planning and controlling invasive species. The York Regional Forest stretches across 2,300 hectares of protected land and offers trails, events and an accessible trail for residents to enjoy 365 days a year at no cost. Plan your next walk in the forest at york.ca/yrf 
 
Find out more about all of the services that are provided by York Region at york.ca/regionalservices
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.


I'd be pleased to highlight other community meetings in future newsletters. Please forward the details to dhamilton@markham.ca
As an ongoing section in these email updates, I would like to provide answers to some commonly asked questions by residents.

If you have a question that you would like answered, please send me an email with your question.
Question: I've seen on TV that "ticks" are in Canada. Are they here in Markham too?
Answer: Yes they are. Ticks can spread Lyme disease. Enjoying the great outdoors has to be done with caution. If you're walking through tall grass or in a forest area wear long pants and a long sleeved shirt. Always do a "tick check" after your walk ... on you and any pet that accompanied you. Tuck your pants into your socks to be extra careful.
Working together to make Markham better!