July 16 2019
The Deputy Mayor's Exchange
|
|
|
Enjoy Summer Safely
I hope that you and your family are enjoying this glorious summer weather.
The YorkSafe article below lists more eating and food preparation places that have not passed inspection. This doesn't necessarily mean that the particular establishment is not safe to eat in, it may just mean that it had a "fail" on one particular aspect of the inspection. Rest assured that York Region inspectors will close any business that isn't safe for the public.
We had a dryer fire just this week in Markham Village because the lint trap had not been cleaned after use. It's so easy to do ... so please do it! Don't risk losing your home or family.
In a recent Economist & Sun article, Regional Councillor Heath was advocating for a ban on "flushables" that aren't really flushable. See what you can flush down your toilet in the article below.
I'm very pleased to support the new work being done on the Don Mills channel and in Thornhill. This has been a long time coming and is vital to dealing with increased storm water management issues. Check out the article below.
Enjoy the rest of summer!
Click here
to read the last edition of
The Deputy Mayor's Exchange.
|
|
In this issue
-
YorkSafe
- Is Your Dog at Risk?
- Check Your Lint Trap
- Volunteers Wanted
- Stormwater - A New Approach
- Small Business Grants
- Markham Cycles Upcoming Events
- Helping Wildlife in Your Yard
- Your Ideas Wanted
- What to Flush
- Experience York Region
- Community Meetings and Events
- Q & A - All About Speed Boards
|
Please forward this update to anyone that may find it of interest.
Make sure you are on the list for future updates.
|
Looking for more information?
Any of the blue text, blue buttons and most of the graphics have links to further detail.
|
|
|
Here
is the newest report from YorkSafe and there are some Markham locations on the report once again.
The YorkSafe program inspects and reports on the health safety of
food establishments, recreational water facilities, small drinking water systems, personal service settings, recreational camps, childcare centres including before and after school programs in York Region.
|
|
If you would like to see the report for a place you frequent, you can check out their latest report with just a
click
.
|
|
While leptospirosis isn't a new disease, there have been increasing cases in York Region.
It is spread through contact with urine from infected animals. The bacteria can get into the water or soil and remain active for weeks, if not months. This disease can affect humans but it may be deadly to animals. Infection is spread through contact with contaminated water, soil or food. Speak with your vet to see if your pets are properly vaccinated.
More information about leptospirosis can be found
here
.
|
|
One of the City's Fire Prevention Officers found this clogged dryer lint trap during an inspection.
Lint traps should be cleaned out after each dryer load to keep your home safe. Clogged lint traps are a fire hazard.
|
|
More fire safety tips can be found
here.
|
|
This annual festival is a success through generous sponsorship and the great work of many volunteers.
Do you or someone you know need community service hours for school? Be a part of the fun by becoming a volunteer for this event or other City special events.
Click here
for more information.
|
|
As mentioned in the last edition of the DME, there was an announcement about a new Markham program that has been launched to help control flooding. This initiative will see part of a developed industrial area returned to back to green space to create natural infrastructure including a new stormwater management pond along with upgrades to existing culverts. This 5 acre parcel (about the size of 4 soccer fields) will help to protect the area's buildings and roads including Highway 404 and Woodbine Avenue.
Markham was awarded $48,640,000 from the federal government's
Disaster Mitigation and Adaption Fund
for the City's Stormwater Management Strategy and Flood Control Program, which includes the Don Mills Channel, West Thornhill and Thornhill Community Centre and Library projects.
These projects will increase the capacity of an overloaded storm sewer system, will protect neighbourhoods from potential flooding and sewer backup, while reducing both property damage and the devastating effects on residents and business owners.
Learn more
about Markham’s stormwater management strategy and flood control program.
|
|
Don Mills Channel Project before naturalization
(current)
|
|
Don Mills Channel Project after naturalization
(proposed)
|
|
Do you know a small business that would benefit from the guidance and mentorship by a small business advisor and the chance to receive a $5,000 grant?
More details about the program are available
here
.
|
|
After the successful recent launch party for the Community Bike Hub in Milliken, Markham Cycles is gearing up for more programs this summer.
According to the 2016 Transportation Tomorrow survey, over one quarter of
all daily trips in Markham are less than 5km and could be made by bicycle.
Learn how to fix your own bike, route planning, and other bike related skills through their fun and education
al workshops. Events include:
There are other upcoming events and opportunities to participate in their programs. Check out their website for
more information
.
|
|
Trying to help protect and foster backyard biodiversity this year? Providing a clean, fresh water source for visiting wildlife is a big draw. However you need to remember to wash out birdbaths and water pans at least twice a week to ensure the water remains clean and fresh.
Other ideas
to help with backyard biodiversity include:
- plant a garden for wildlife
- create a more welcoming landscape
- ensure the safety of wildlife
- break up reflective surfaces
- provide a habitat that makes everyone happy
|
|
York Region is looking for your input as they work through their Municipal Comprehensive Review to update the Official Plan for the Region. This plan looks at social influences, economic factors and the natural environment and the impact that these factors have on planning and building communities.
|
|
The Official Plan helps to foster healthy communities and the well-being of people who live and work in York Region by offering options for transportation, housing, recreation including natural areas, employment, education and other services.
Have your say and
|
|
A reminder from York Region
- Over the last several years, York Region has noticed an increasing number of issues in wastewater infrastructure caused by improperly disposed items such as “flushable” wipes. As well, items such as fats, oil and grease, paper towels and wipes cost the Region approximately $1 million per year for these to be removed from the sewer system.
York Region is taking a multi-pronged approach to address these issues, including:
- Advocating for provincial and federal governments to take action to improve product design and labelling
- Working with the Canadian Water and Wastewater Association and Municipal Enforcement Sewer Use Group to advocate for a Canadian standard for “flushable”
- Strengthening the Sewer Use Bylaw to further protect wastewater infrastructure
- Educating residents the only flushable product is toilet paper
It is important to remember that we all need to keep products out of the sewer system that shouldn't be flushed.
|
|
Looking for something to do? There's plenty going on around York Region. Check out
this site for festivals and events happening this summer in the area.
|
|
|
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 noticed the lit speed display boards around my neighbourhood. How do I get one put up on my street?
|
Answer: The
speed display boards are placed by the City's Traffic Department. They are intended to remind drivers to slow down and watch their speed. There are 3 signs per Ward and are rotated through various high traffic high speed streets. Please contact your local Ward Councillor to make a request.
There is a similar program available for Regional roads too.
Click here for more information.
You could also contact York Regional Police to report aggressive drivers through their
Road Watch Program
.
|
|
Working together to make Markham better!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
