October 4 2020
The Deputy Mayor's Exchange
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Oh Rats!
One of this week's featured stories in the Economist and Sun newspaper had to do with rats (the 4 legged kind) in Markham. The City encourages everyone to store their garbage, Blue Bin and Green Bin materials securely in their garage until collection day. Putting it out the night before is an invitation to a feast for rats, mice, raccoons, cats, etc. There are many good tips to stop the spread of the rat population - read the article.
At our Council meeting this past week, we took decisive action toward the restoration of Swan Lake in Markham. Dealing with geese and their droppings is becoming an ever increasing problem.
Markham Council has requested the Provincial Government, through the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC), to offer emergency relief to the hotel sector. While I support this move, I asked that the request also be extended to all business sectors that have been seriously affected by the pandemic.
If your Blue Box contains masks, gloves or wipes it may be left behind and not emptied. Those items go into the garbage not the Blue Box.
There is some confusion over styrofoam recycling. For now, food trays and take out containers made of styrofoam can still go into clear bag garbage, but the City appreciates those residents who clean it and drop it off at their local recycling depot. Styrofoam from fridges, washers, dryers, electronics (the big stuff) cannot go into the garbage and must be taken to a recycling depot.
Go for a walk in the forest this week and see the beautiful fall colours before they are all gone.
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In this issue
- Help Stop the Second Wave
- Serving Up Fire Safety
- Trimming Thanksgiving
- Should I Get a C19 Test?
- 120,000 Blue Box Mistakes
- Curb Appeal
- Keeping Markham Beautiful
- Wondering About Riding GO?
- MGA Upcoming Workshops
- Golden Gala Goes Virtual
- Enjoy a Fall Walk
- Langstaff Area Road Extension
- Small Business Month
- PPE Reimbursement
- Public Health Recruiting
- Upcoming Meetings
- York Region Update
- Community Meetings and Events
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Please forward this update to anyone that may find it of interest. |
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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Click here to read the previous edition of The Deputy Mayor's Exchange.
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This week the City has launched a new campaign to help mitigate the second wave of COVID-19 - learn more here.
Want to get back to normal? It's up to you to stop the spread of COVID-19 and to keep yourself and others safe.
Keep your friends and family safe. Don’t put yourself and others at risk. We are all in this together. Take action, wear a mask, keep your 6 foot distance and wash your hands frequently. More information is available here.
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This week is Fire Prevention Week. This year's theme is Serving Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen and it is a great time to discuss fire safety with your family and friends.
Did you know that cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires in Markham? Unattended cooking is the leading cause of fires and fire-related injuries. Whether you are learning to cook or you are an experienced chef, the first thing to know is how to prevent a fire!
- Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, boiling, grilling or broiling food and check it regularly. Consider using a timer to remind you to check on the food. If you must leave, turn off the stove.
- Have a kid-free zone, or at least 3 feet (1 metre) space around the stove and areas where hot food or drinks are prepared or carried.
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Find more kitchen fire safety tips here
In honour of this year's Fire Prevention Week, Markham Fire and Emergency Services has partnered with some of our local restaurants to help serve up fire safety in the kitchen. These local restaurants have also shared some of their delicious mouth watering recipes for you to discover their amazing cuisines at home in your own kitchen while cooking safely - see if your favourite restaurant is here.
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Make sure you have a working smoke alarm outside the kitchen area and on each floor in your home. Every detector needs to be tested monthly.
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Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate and reflect. While it is tradition for many to invite family and friends to the table to feast on turkey, the fixings and each other’s company, this year the guest list should be trimmed.
Gatherings and private social events held at private dwellings in the Province of Ontario are restricted to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors.
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Social Circle Size
It can seem harmless to give a loved one or friend a hug and a kiss, but it is important to remember you are potentially being exposed to every person that person has had close contact with. For example, if five people with five separate social circles of 10 people gather for a festive meal, those five guests are potentially exposed to 50 close contacts, increasing the risk of COVID-19 exposure.
Whether you are hosting a Thanksgiving meal or attending as a guest, it is important to keep the health and safety of everyone in mind and ensure celebrations create happy memories. You can find more tips for Thanksgiving hosts and guests here. For more information, visit york.ca/covid19
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The trajectory of the pandemic has changed, which has resulted in Ontario adapting its guidelines to COVID-19 testing. As of September 25, publicly funded COVID-19 testing is only be available for those who meet one of the following criteria:
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You are showing symptoms of COVID-19
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You have been exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19, as informed by either Public Health or an exposure notification through the COVID Alert app
- You are a resident or work in a setting that has a COVID-19 outbreak, as identified and informed by Public Health
- You are eligible for testing as part of a targeted testing initiative directed by the Ministry of Health or the Ministry of Long-Term Care
This change in testing criteria is to ensure the people who need access to testing the most will be able to receive it in a timely manner, which will also help York Region Public Health with contact tracing and case management. More information on these changes can be found here.
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Just a reminder that single-use masks, gloves and wipes go in the garbage – not the Blue Box or the green bin. Starting this week collection crews in Markham will leave behind all Blue Boxes with masks, gloves or wipes at the curb and will place a warning sticker on your Blue Box as a reminder.
While most people are responsibly putting their masks and gloves in the garbage, York Region has seen over 120,000 masks and gloves each month arriving at their materials recovery facility where recyclables are sorted.
If you do happen to get this sticker, remove any masks, gloves and wipes from your bin and place them in a plastic bag to go in your garbage. You can then put your Blue Box back out the following week or if you have too much to store you can also drop your recyclables off at one of the City's recycling depots.
If you have tested positive for COVID-19, you should place all disposable items that have come into contact with your mouth, nose or eyes into the garbage. This includes recyclables such as plastic water bottles, drink cans, milk cartons amd compostables such as facial tissue or paper napkins.
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Curb Appeal
It's a great thing if you are trying to sell your home. However, does your home have curb appeal for thieves?
York Regional Police shared this graphic for you to consider areas around your home.
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Stay safe. Report any suspicious activity through their online link. For immediate emergencies, call 9-1-1.
For non-urgent calls their non-emergency line is 1.866.876.5423.
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Let’s keep Markham beautiful and enjoy our parks together! Please make sure to bring garbage and pet waste home for curbside collection. Please don't take your household garbage to the park and put it in a garbage receptacle there. I know that this happens and it shouldn't be done. Household garbage should be placed by your curb based on collection schedule.
Garbage and pet waste left in our parks can be harmful to pets and wild animals. Remember, garbage and non-recyclable items go in your garbage, compostable materials and pet waste go in your green bin. Play your part - If we all do our small part and work together, to be good neighbours, we can all be proud of our community and enjoy our outdoor spaces. More information here.
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If your commute had previously involved a trip on either the GO train or bus, have a look at this video to see how your next trip will be different. |
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Wi-Fi has arrived on all GO buses and approximately half of the train fleet. That’s destination-to-destination online connection for free. And to celebrate its launch, here’s a preview video that gives you a virtual tour of what GO Wi-Fi Plus has to offer. More information on these digital changes as well as making your ride more convenient, more productive and maybe even educational - details here.
Also, there are some upcoming service changes on the Stouffville line - more information.
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The Markham Group of Artists continues to adapt to the new realities of COVID-19 and have moved a number of their upcoming workshops online.
Figure Drawing - Wednesday October 28 from 7pm to 9pm - Learn to draw the human body or practice skills you already have. During this Zoom workshop, you will use proportions to draw the human body in various poses including gesture drawing and simple clothing.
Portraiture - Wednesday November 4 at 7pm to 9pm - Learn to draw the human face or practice skills you already have. During this Zoom workshop, you will use proportions to draw the face in realistic representation, cartoons, and caricatures.
Registration will start soon at markhamartists.org - $10 for members and $15 for non-members. Mark the dates on your calendar. All you need are drawing supplies or an iPad/drawing tablet.
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While I'm certain Union Villa never thought their 50th anniversary Golden celebration would be a virtual event, they are making the best of the current situation.
The plans for their annual Dinner Party which this year will celebrate 50 years of seniors' care will look different this November due to COVID-19. Their Dinner Party Committee and the foundation team have been hard at work reimagining their annual fundraiser and coming up with creative ways to celebrate.
The annual event helps to fund resident priorities and support the seniors entrusted to their care now and in the future. Call their Foundation Office at 905.477.2839 x4270 or email. |
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Looking for your next fall hiking adventure? Whether you're looking for an easy family friendly trail or more challenging, rugged terrain, there's a trail in York Region for you.
Here are 5 trails to check out while the fall leaves are at their peak including the Unionville Valleylands Trail pictured.
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York Region has completed an Environmental Assessment Study for the extension of Red Cedar and Cedar from Langstaff to High Tech. The report is available for review and comment until October 23.
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York Region's Staying Safe at School webpage contains important resources and information for parents.
You can also learn more about what Public Health does if COVID-19 is detected in a school.
Recently they've added some Frequently Asked Questions and Answers.
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Small businesses are crucial pillars of any healthy community. Find out how the Markham Public Library is supporting our local businesses, especially during difficult times - details here.
2020 has taught us that anything can happen. Join this workshop to walk through how to be proactive on what might be on the horizon and explore different ways to pivot or even reimagine your business.
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Central Counties Tourism would like to offset some of your PPE costs by offering to pay 50% of your expenses up to a maximum of $1,000 ($2,000 total expense). Regardless of whether your business was shuttered for months or able to stay open with modified operations you may be eligible if you are a local private or not-for-profit business in the hospitality or recreation sectors. More details and application form here.
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York Region is hosting a virtual recruitment information session for Public Health professionals on Wednesday October 7 at 12pm.
Registration details can be found here. Current career opportunities with York Region can be found here. |
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Upcoming Meetings
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October 5 - General Committee Meeting - 9:30am - details
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October 6 - Development Services Public Meeting - 7pm - details
- October 8 - York Region Council Meeting - 9am - details
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October 13 - Development Services Committee Meeting - 9:30am - details
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October 14 - Council Meeting - 1pm - details
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October 19 - General Committee Meeting - 9:30am - details
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October 21 - Special General Committee Meeting - 9am - details
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October 26 - Development Services Meeting - 9:30am - details
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October 27 - Council Meeting - 1pm - details
All meetings are now being conducted electronically and Council members along with staff are participating remotely. All facilities remain closed. As always, members of the public are encouraged to participate in these meetings. Written deputations can be sent by email to clerkspublic@markham.ca. If you would like to make a virtual deputation you can register here or phone the Clerk's office at 905-477-7000 x3638. All meetings can be viewed online by clicking the details noted above.
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York Region Council meetings and live streaming details can be found here. Details of upcoming YR meetings and past session is available here.
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YR Council meeting highlights details including:
- YR continued response to COVID-19
- YR increases Council with new member
- YR 2020 credit rating update
- Improvements on YRT
- Protecting Tenants Act
- Increases in development activity
- YR receives innovation award
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Community Meetings and Events
As new events are scheduled they will be added to the list.
- Fire Prevention for Older Adults - October 6 at 10:30am - details
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Varley Gala - Virtual Edition - October 16 at 7pm - details
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Evergreen Hospice Murder Mystery event - October 22 - details
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Main Street Unionville Walking Tours - October 18 and 25 - 10am or 12pm - email info@unionvilleinfo.com for more information
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Union Villa Golden Gala - November 4 to 6 - details
I'd be pleased to highlight other community meetings in future newsletters.
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Working together to make Markham better! |
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