Check out this free session and learn about Pollinator Planting! coming Saturday, May 4, 2024 1-3 pm. at Gold Point Wildlife Reserve, FREE, but Note that registration is required! www.yourleaf.org/event/may-04-2024/community-pollinator-planting-gold-point-wildlife-reserve-oshawa
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Below, on two pages, is my item summary of the agenda for tomorrow's Council meeting. Full agenda details are on the City website here: https://pub-oshawa.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx... The meeting sequence has, after O Canada and the Land Acknowledgement, Council members may make ANNOUNCEMENTS, then the order of the Agenda is:
1. Community volunteer and 2. City employee RECOGNITION AWARDS, then PRESENTATIONS: 3. Ontario Hydro re Darlington; and 4. Watson consultant re Oshawa's potential new DC Charge rates; followed by DELEGATIONS: 2 registered + 4 requests (which require Council 2/3rd votes to be heard), then 1. Board of the OSCC choice naming Oshawa' Senior of Year; and PUBLIC CONSENT AGENDA Items, which I've numbered 2. to 45.
INFORMATION PACKAGE: the one on the Agenda being Picton County's request for a Provincial Accessibility Fund -which I pulled for Oshawa Council hopefully to endorse. When the Public Consent Agenda is fully passed and the required by-laws enacting approved changes, Council moves on to the CLOSED AGENDA There are 3 CLOSED items which any member of Council may PULL. At the end of the meeting are the Notices of Motion, The April 29, 2024 agenda includes four: 1. CNCL-24-40 e-scooter by-law amendments proposed by C. Nicholson CNCL-24-40; 2. CNCL-24-51 poet laureate program proposed by C. McConkey; 3. CNCL-24-52 speed limit reduction on Burk St. proposed by C Giberson; 4. CNCL-24-53 review of City policy for property tax relief to seniors and those with disabilities proposed by C Nicholson. Not many, but a few times an email has completely slipped by me. I am bothered when it happens. Please if you haven't heard back from me, send another email or phone me at the office 905-436-5615. If I'm not in, know this number is call forwarded to my cell.
One email slipped by me this month, concerning Traffic and speeding problems on Arborwood Dr. Fortunately a constituent drew my attention to this on a community Facebook page and I found it today. A word of thanks to both constituents! . Many know Arborwood Drive's road safety concerns and the need for more traffic calming measures. I have been advocating for flex posts since my first year on Council (see motion attached) The missed email reminded me that staff had agreed late last summer to install a flex post on Arborwood at Arborwood Park. I was prompted to investigate why it has not been installed yet. The good that has come out of the missed email is that I'm full on this and requested senior staff to report back on steps to expediate the installation of flex poles on Arborwood, both north and south of Coldstream. Sharing here for opinions on best Arborwood locations. For some details, please know according Oshawa traffic technicians: 1/ "calming may be considered if the 85th percentile speed (the speed at which 85% of motorists are travelling at/or below, also referred to as the operating speed) on the roadway is a minimum 10 km/h above the posted speed limit. The follow up speed data collected fronting Arborwood Park, found that the 85th percentile speed was 50 km/h, 10 km/hr over the posted 40km/h therefore meeting the warrant criteria for traffic calming." 2/ "The flex posts create a lane narrowing which slows vehicles as they travel between them...and staff noted that "due to the limited spacing between the residential driveways along this street, this was the only suitable location for flex posts on Arborwood Drive between Salmers Drive and Woodstream Avenue. Any other locations would require the flex posts being installed too close to a driveway, which would make it difficult for residents to access their driveways." 3/ Staff collect speed data after the installation to measure the flex posts effectiveness on reducing the speeds along the road." When complex and controversial matters come before Oshawa Council - such as the 4 political and community issues listed below, which will be on the Monday April 29th 2024 City Council Agenda, Oshawa Council must be open to reconsideration. Problem solving can benefit by a delving into alternate answers.
So I ask why would the City not provide more consideration of its plans to: 1. ending the publishing of the City's Corporate payments list (Report CF-24-29) https://pub-oshawa.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx... To understand better what the City wants to discontinue publishing see the link here for the last published Corporate Payment Report for the 4th Quarter 2023 (Report CF-24-13) https://pub-oshawa.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx... Note how it is a transparent tracking practice, one which imo the City of Oshawa should be proud of and not plan to discontinue -(to see an example of the regular report contents pictured below is page 104 from the 110 page last Report showing 2023 Q4 ) There can be no accountability without transparency. 2. advance a 78 unit development with only one street access/egress from an already challenging entrance off Harmony Rd., Pinecrest Rd., which has only right-in right out access. (Report ED-24-42) ED-24-42 https://pub-oshawa.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx... (copy of page showing site location plan is pictured below with my red circle highlighting the only access (the right-in, right-out only turn to the development off Pinecrest Rd.) 3. advance the Harmony Creek trail extension which is known to present major difficulties complying with 1) accessibility requirements due to major slope variations, 2) sustainability due to major flooding issues; 3) commitment to environmental stewardship due to cutting trees that were planned a decade ago for slope stability and 4) questionable connectivity and road crossing safety plans related to future trail extensions north across Conlin Rd. E. SF-24-18 https://calendar.oshawa.ca/.../863a6fae-d01a-483a-bc16... 4. advance a scoped down design of the new Ward 2 community centre, which project, estimated at 150 Million$ has no funding strategy and which the City has not provided for any public discussion at any Council or Committee meeting prior to the construction tender, and regarding which the Oshawa Aquatic Club has raised major concerns about the pool now being reduced to 4 lanes from the planned 8 lanes (Report CNCL-24-24 ) https://pub-oshawa.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx... and INFO-24-89 being a 5 page letter from Julie Reid, President of the Oshawa Aquatic Club https://pub-oshawa.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx... Btw, the process to speak up and make your concerns known to Oshawa Council in writing and/or make a delegation is to write clerks@oshawa.ca as soon as possible (you will see that 4 pm Tuesday and Friday are deadlines for Monday meetings (and Friday before Friday noon for virtual delegation requests) Follow the process described here: https://www.oshawa.ca/.../correspondence-and-delegations... or call and inquire with the Clerks department at 905-436-3311 Starting Sunday, April 28, 2024, GO train weekend service will increase from every 30 minutes to every 15 minutes in the afternoon and evening on the Lakeshore West and Lakeshore East lines between Oakville GO Station, Union Station and Durham College Oshawa GO Station.
As announced yesterday the Province of Ontario is expanding GO Train Service Across the GTA, adding more than 300 new weekly trips to support two-way, all-day GO. https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1004441/ontario-expanding-go-train-service-across-the-greater-toronto-area news.ontario.ca/en/release/1004441/ontario-expanding-go-train-service-across-the-greater-toronto-area Last week the City of Oshawa's downtown outdoor planters were once again filled with SPRING FLOWERS! Wonderfully uplifting to see these bright displays of nature's colours! A big thank you to Oshawa staff for this work. I know many Oshawans appreciate the continued successes of City greenhouse staff in producing some of the most pleasing municipal flower displays in the GTA!! Sidenote: each year when I first see the spring flowers blooming in the planters along the sidewalks in Oshawa's downtown I whisper THANK YOU BARRIE, because when visiting the City of Barrie in the spring of 2021, on seeing how attractive Barrie's downtown planters looked with tulips and pansies, I spoke with their horticulturalist and then followed-up with a motion to Oshawa Council to initiate its own spring flower downtown planter program, which was approved
Below is my summary of the agendas for the two Oshawa Standing Committee meetings being held tomorrow. For more details of the 9:30 a.m. Community & Operations Committee meeting agenda see here: https://pub-oshawa.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=4d9a4f14-1abb-4770-8c98-e0c7a6fe85d4&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English For more details of the 1:30 p.m. Safety and Facilities Committee meeting agenda, see here: https://pub-oshawa.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?Id=68802d0d-e8eb-4336-973e-14c85c2fdf7e&Agenda=Agenda&lang=English Below are the Questions & Answers from PAGE 3, Report SF-24-16 re Link 3 trail, from Esterbrook/Arborwood/Woodstream to Conlin Rd. The following pictures were submitted with a petition signed by area residents very concerned about the proposed trail location flooding problems and trees that will be cut down, negative impact to natural heritage and eco system You are invited to a free skate session suitable for all ages!
Join this special occasion for a fun-filled celebration as Freedom Mobile becomes a sponsor of the Delpark Homes Centre! Date: Tuesday, April 16 Time: 4:30 p.m. to 5:50 p.m. Location: Delpark Homes Centre, Ice Pad 2 Regular leisure skating rules will apply. Children six years and younger are required to wear a C.S.A. approved hockey helmet and it is strongly encouraged for all other skaters. Learn more at Oshawa.ca/Skate. YARD WASTE PICK-UP starts in Oshawa this week -or next depending on which is your garbage pick up week! Also, check out how to arrange for Oshawa's Large Items Pick Up, which you can schedule FREE once a year.
NOTE OTHER UPCOMING DATES: During week of April 22, BATTERY PICK UP with your recycling: See link here: https://www.durham.ca/.../recycle-your-batteries-during... AND FYI, FREE COMPOST GIVEAWAY in Oshawa, Saturday, April 27 from 8 a.m. to noon at Lakeview Park (parking lot), Kluane Ave, Oshawa https://www.durham.ca/.../compost-giveaway-events-are... NEW for Oshawa in 2024 -two free CURBSIDE GIVEAWAY Saturdays: May 4 & Sept 14 from 7 am to 7 pm -opportunity to declutter "residents place unwanted items in good condition marked FREE on their curb for anyone to pick up. At the end of the Giveaway Day, residents return unclaimed items to their home. See link here: https://www.durham.ca/.../special-events-in-waste... and NEW, STARTING JULY 1st note that diapers, menstrual products, incontinence products, pet waste and pet litter can now go in the Green Bin for weekly collection. Here's the link to the Region's EXPANDED GREEN BIN COLLECTION: https://www.durham.ca/.../garbage-recycling-green-bin-and... For more details about Oshawa collection of garbage, green bin organics, yard waste and oversize items pick up, see here: https://www.oshawa.ca/.../garbage-recycling-and-green-bin... Two special Council meetings today. First one this morning with open discussion and input for the City's new 5 year Strategic Plan just finished. At 1:30 p.m. Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. are to provide a presentation concerning the purpose of the Development Charges Study, with an overview of the methodology required to undertake a new Oshawa Development Charges By-law and discuss policies due to recent legislative changes for Council direction on proposed policy changes. 46 page report for review is here: CNCL-24-34 Status and Policy Review for the 2024 City of Oshawa Development Charge By-law Update (escribemeetings.com) The City's long time DC policy exemption for industrial and downtown building should be changing, considering the following highlighted statement in the report: Over the past 10-year period (2014 – 2023), the financial impact of the current non-statutory industrial exemption is $15.5 million. An additional $20.8 million in future foregone revenue is estimated, if there is no change to the current policy. Over the past 10-year period (2014 – 2023), the financial impact of the non-statutory downtown exemption is $6.6 million. An additional $57.9 million in future foregone revenue is estimated, if there is no change to the current policy. The impact of the transition policies outlined in Section 5.5 of this report will depend on which option Council chooses. Below is a timeline chart to see the new DC By-law endorsed by Council, and below that is the 27 slide PowerPoint Watson & Associates consulted presented. Some important Oshawa Library News:
Starting Monday April 8 the Northview John Aker Branch on Beatrice/Ritson will be closed for 4 weeks; and Starting Thursday April 11 the main McLaughlin Branch at 65 Bagot Street has its 3 day Spring Book Sale Below is a copy of my one page summary of the upcoming Corporate and Finance Committee meeting Agenda on Monday April 8. For full details, open this link on the City's webpage https://pub-oshawa.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx...
Today, April 6, 10am-3 pm Be smart and check out the opportunity to take a free simple blood test for Prostate Cancer, at the Community Outreach Clinic at Durham Community Health Centre 115 Grassmere Ave., Oshawa. Early detection saves lives! This free PSA Check & Protect event is hosted by the Walnut Foundation partnering with Princess Margaret Hospital, Taibu Community Health Centre and Durham Community Health Centre Get checked!!!
Note: even though preregistration is closed you ARE STILL WELCOME TO SHOW UP IN PERSON Bring your insurance & family doctor information The Monday April 8th Standing Committee meeting Agenda has a Report on the infill subdivision plan for the Maxwell Village area on the east side of Harmony Rd., south of Swiss Height and north of Pinecrest Rd. It is Report: ED-24-42 linked here: https://pub-oshawa.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx... and comprises the plan for 78 units (being 33 detached dwellings, 24semis & 21 townhouses) to be built. So far there are 2 resident delegations request to speak to Committee plus representatives of Evans Planning and GHD for the developer Icon Harmony Limited . The deadline to request an in-person delegation to Monday's ED Committee is 4:00 p.m. today, Friday April 5, 2024. Since the last weekend's Easter holiday many residents wrote Council members and the emails steadily continue to come in. They are politely written, aware that the development will be coming, but it seems the majority are most concerned about the safety of the road access/egress to the new development and have been seeking more consideration on this issue. The 31 page report is detailed and explains a lot of the changes that have taken place since the draft plan of subdivision had a public Planning Act meeting last year, Jan 9, 2023. Also below is a copy of the revised PowerPoint Oshawa Council members just received today which I understand the consultant for the developer Icon Harmony Limited will be presenting at Monday's meeting. Since the Jan 9, 2023 meeting number of units have increased from 73 to 78, basically because the mix is a bit different, 6 more townhouses, 2 more semis and 3 less detached, ...and the small parkette is a bit larger, from 5K sq.ft to just over 7K sq.ft. and some changes to the building heights. However, most obvious in the site plan attachments to the Report ED-24-41 are where the site plans (copied below) change the access/egress into the subdivision, with the direct Harmony Rd. access removed. The report goes into great detail on the iterations and the combined Region, City and developer's consideration to the road access/egress issue. They can be found on page on page 2 c) and pages 9, 10 and 11. (see copy of some of the statements in the report re the Harmony Rd and Pinecrest traffic considerations and some of the reasons for the revisions. From REPORT ED-24-42, Page 2, paragraph (c) The original site design proposed a driveway access on Pinecrest Rd and an emergency access only on Harmony Rd N. In response to concerns from the existing neighbourhood with respect to traffic impacts, the Applicant subsequently revised the site design in an attempt to make the driveway on Harmony Road North an open full movement driveway access. Ultimately, it was determined that the road geometry and sight distance conditions along the adjacent segment of Harmony Rd N render most turning movements from this access unsafe. The development does not require an emergency access or more than one driveway access. The Applicant is now proposing a single driveway access for the proposed development, which will be located on Pinecrest Rd. Bottom of page 3 and top of page 4 The Applicant and Department staff, working with the Region of Durham, attempted to find ways to minimize the need for vehicular traffic to and from the proposed development to drive through the existing surrounding neighbourhood. However, due to the design and characteristics of the adjacent sections of Harmony Rd N and Pinecrest Rd, it was not possible to implement alternative driveway access designs. From Page 7 and top of page 8 The revised proposal features a full movement driveway access on Pinecrest Road only, with no direct access on Harmony Rd N. An additional driveway access is only required where the furthest point on a private road or public road is greater than 250 metres (820.21 ft.) from a single access point. In this case, the furthest point on the private road from the driveway access on Pinecrest Rd is approximately 230 metres (754 ft.). Consequently, only one driveway is required for emergency service access. The site design complies with the City’s private road design standards including minimum private road width and radii for fire truck access, minimum building setbacks from the fire route (private road), and Fire Route/No Parking signs posted alongside the entire private road. The intersection of Harmony Rd N and Pinecrest Rd permits right-in and right-out movements only. Drivers exiting the proposed development that wish to travel southbound on Harmony Road N would have to drive east along Pinecrest Road through the existing neighbourhood to access intersections that permit left turns onto Harmony Rd N (Swiss Height or Grand Ridge Ave). Alternatively, they could exit onto Pinecrest Rd, turn right onto northbound Harmony Road North, turn onto Taunton Rd E and then turn south on another arterial road such as Ritson Rd N or Grandview St N. Southbound drivers on Harmony Road North intending to access the proposed development would have to turn left onto Swiss Height or Grand Ridge Avenue and then access the site via Pinecrest Road. The Applicant hired GHD, a professional consulting company with transportation engineering expertise, to prepare a Transportation Impact Study (“T.I.S.”) which was submitted in support of the revised applications. (T.I.S. data included) Pages 9, 10 & 11 Professional traffic engineering staff at both the City & Region of Durham reviewed the T.I.S. and have no objections to the methodology or the key conclusions noted above with respect to a single driveway access on Pinecrest Rd. The initial applications received by staff in November 2022 and considered at the January 9, 2023 public meeting (see Attachment 3) proposed a full turning movement driveway access on Pinecrest Rd and an emergency vehicle access only on Harmony Rd N. The Region would allow an emergency access on Harmony Rd N. However, the City’s Fire Services does not support new permanent emergency accesses. In response the neighbourhood’s concerns about the potential impact of traffic generated by the proposed development on local roads, the Applicant’s second submission (received in June 2023) redesigned the northwest corner of the Subject Site in an attempt to provide a full movement driveway access on Harmony Rd N. Between June 2023 &January 2024, the City, Region and Applicant worked collaboratively to assess the feasibility of the proposed full movement driveway access on Harmony Rd N. In support of the revised access the Applicant submitted a sightline assessment prepared by GHD. Ultimately it was determined by the Region that the road geometry and sight distance conditions, combined with the existing traffic volumes and speeds on the arterial road, lack of appropriate left turn lane width south of Swiss Height, lack of a left turn refuge lane within Harmony Rd N, and proximity of the potential driveway to the Swiss Height intersection render all turning movements directly to or from Harmony Rd N unsafe for drivers except right-out turns. Because future residents will be able to turn right onto Harmony Rd N from Pinecrest Rd, providing an additional right-out only access on Harmony Rd N would not reduce traffic through the neighbourhood. Between January 2024 and March 2024, at the request of City staff, the Region of Durham assessed the feasibility of providing a signalized intersection at Harmony Road North and Pinecrest Road to reduce potential traffic through the neighbourhood. Through this assessment it was determined that the necessary sightlines for a signalized intersection are not available for northbound traffic and would result in an increased risk of rear-end and turning movement collisions at the proposed signal. Constructing a signalized intersection at this location would also require widening Harmony Road North on both approaches to accommodate a left turn lane and a divisional island. This would be technically challenging and very costly given the steep slopes on both sides of Harmony Road North in the area and the need to relocate utility poles, potentially install a guiderail system and construct new retaining walls. Furthermore, the spacing of the proposed signalized intersection does not comply with the Region of Durham’s guidelines for signalized intersections on Type “A” Arterial Roads [700m (2,297 ft.)] and would result in traffic delays on Harmony Rd N. For these reasons, a signalized intersection at Harmony Road N and Pinecrest Rd is not feasible, and not supported by the Region. Between January 2024 and February 2024, at the request of City staff, the Region of Durham also assessed the feasibility of providing protected signalized advance U-turns on Harmony Road North at each of the signalized intersections at Beatrice Street East and Grand Ridge Avenue to reduce traffic through the neighbourhood by providing an intentional U-turn option for drivers driving to or from the Subject Site. To accommodate protected U-turns, both signalized intersections would need to be widened to include a third receiving lane to provide sufficient space for the U-turn movement to happen in a single stage. Otherwise, a three-point turn may be required at the end of the movement for many vehicles, which would block the intersection and create an unsafe condition. Widening the road would require the relocation of utility poles and the acquisition of property. Implementing a split phase signal is not feasible due to the excessive traffic delays on Harmony Road North that would occur as a result. For these reasons, advance protected U-turns cannot be provided at these intersections, and are not supported by the Region. Lastly, between January 2024 and February 2024, Traffic and Streetlighting Services investigated the feasibility of a directional closure on Pinecrest Rd to prevent traffic exiting the proposed development from traveling east through the neighbourhood. The Oshawa Neighbourhood Traffic Management Guide defines a directional closure as a curb extension or barrier which extends to the centerline of a road to prohibit traffic in one direction of travel for the purpose of reducing traffic volume. The proposed directional closure would prevent drivers exiting the proposed development from travelling east through the existing neighbourhood; drivers would only be able to exit the development and travel west directly to Harmony Rd N. Westbound traffic along Pinecrest Rd would be uninterrupted by the directional closure. It was determined that the directional closure would create a safety risk as the low volume of traffic on Pinecrest Road will encourage drivers to disobey the closure by driving around it in the opposite lane, which has reduced visibility due to the horizontal and vertical curve of Pinecrest Road at this location. The directional closure would also inconvenience existing residents residing beyond the closure, who would have to drive further to reach their homes, and would likely shift traffic onto other nearby streets. It was also noted that the projected peak hour traffic volumes generated by the proposed development are not significant and that Pinecrest Road and Swiss Height will be able to accommodate the increased traffic. The directional closure would have prevented 16 vehicle trips from the Subject Site during the morning peak hour and 9 trips from the Subject Site during the afternoon peak hour from driving east along Pinecrest Rd, but would have added trips from the existing neighbourhood onto portions of Pinecrest Road and other streets that would not have otherwise used those roads. For these reasons, a directional closure on Pinecrest Road is not feasible. As a result of these discussions and assessments, the Applicant has redesigned the proposal again to maintain one driveway access on Pinecrest Rd with no access of any sort directly onto Harmony Rd N. The circumstances that prevent a full movement driveway on Harmony Road N exist regardless of the number of residential units or the types of units proposed in the development. In the event the revised applications are approved, traffic calming measures in the existing neighbourhood can be explored once the proposed development is complete and speeding issues, if any, can be assessed to determine appropriate mitigation measures. Last year a number of rural community members very concerned about speeding on Raglan Rd. W (which is a Regional Rd #5 advocated for a speed camera. With support from Durham Region Police, the Ward Councillors and Oshawa traffic technologist staff, the Region added Raglan Rd. W. to its list of Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) camera locations.
Recently Hamlet of Raglan residents commented on social media how when the camera was up traffic slowed, but now with it gone aggressive speeding is a problem once again. I indicated how the Raglan Rd. W. camera is on a rotation with other Regional roads and promised to find out the plan for when it returns, as well as more details about the camera program, with some specific ASE data with respect to Raglan Rd. West. The Region has 14 cameras in total (6 mobile and 8 fixed) with 2 additional fixed cameras coming in 2024 (These 2 are carry over locations from the Region's 2023 approved budget – one in Oshawa on Simcoe St. S. by Harbour Rd near the Lake – and another one in Uxbridge/Goodwood). There are an additional 6 cameras in the Region put into operation by the Town of Ajax and City of Pickering (3 each). SIDE NOTE: The City of Oshawa recently passed a motion that it will be investigate a plan to install cameras on its local roads, but it does not appear to be too imminent for perhaps 2 reasons -- 1/ the set up and operational cost for a City owned program (especially given that Oshawa Council last month approved advancing plans for an unfunded 150 million$+ new community centre at Thornton Rd. N. and Britannia Rd. W (which will also require 12 million$+ to construct the missing bridge connecting Britannia Rd. W to Thornton Rd. N.) and 2/ the backlog in processing tickets with the service provider that the Region and City of Toronto have been experiencing. Also, although the Region's arrangement with its lower tier municipalities was to have a 60-40 split of the AES program revenue, the City of Oshawa has received no funds from the Region program to date. In my opinion it's a bit of a mystery how that is. The Region's 2024 budget, just approved last week, did not include any additional funds for new enforcement cameras this year. They have 6 mobile cameras covering about 40 sites so the rotation period can be longer than 90 days. About fixed cameras – with no approved new cameras in the 2024 budget, the earliest they will be doing any additional fixed sites would be 2025. In the 3 months the speed camera was operational on Raglan Rd. W. officers issued 989 charges from 1716 incidents of speeding...considered a fairly typical charge rate since there are many reasons why a recorded speeding event may not result in a charge (for example: unreadable, missing or obscured licence plates). The highest recorded speed was 97 km/hr, almost double the road's posted 50km/hr speed limit. According to the Region, there were modest reductions in the average speed of traffic while the camera was in place. They plan to have the camera back in the fall –and I'm told they generally see better results in the 2nd and 3rd deployments of a camera to the same location. Note: picture below is an example of a ASE camera, but not from the Hamlet of Raglan, Durham Regional Rd. No. 5. REMINDER — FUN SWIM on MONDAY APRIL 8TH from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Delpark Homes Centre Pool!
The same day. in the afternoon is the total solar eclipse, the 1st to touch the province since 1979. Niagara Falls was declared by National Geographic to be one of the best places to see it as it is in the path of totality, where the moon will entirely block the suns rays for a few minutes. The GTA will still have a partial solar eclipse (between approx. 3:15 - 3:30 p.m. According to Jan Cami, a professor of physics & astronomy at Western U this total eclipse has 2 rare features: "it will coincide with the peak of the sun's activity cycle & last longer than average, leading to a much more visible "crown" for a longer period of time" This Special Education and Training Session has Coyote Watch Canada providing information and training to City Council regarding best practices for aversion conditioning and co-existing with coyotes. Below are some of the CWC volunteer organization's handout materials Link to detailed agenda Committee of Adjustment Agenda March 27, 2024 (oshawa.ca) https://www.oshawa.ca/en/business-development/resources/COA/2024-03-27-Agenda.pdf and a summary is below
Below is a summary of Items on Oshawa Council meeting Agenda Monday, March 25 9:30 a.m. For details see here: City Council Meeting - March 25, 2024 (escribemeetings.com)
Note: the BIG ITEM early on the Oshawa Council Meeting Agenda is Report CNCL-24-24 concerning a Ward 2 Northwood Community Centre -reconsidered design/construction costs/timing https://pub-oshawa.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx. Farm Boy's 48th Store in Canada Opened in Oshawa Today!
The line-up at 7:30 a.m. for the 8 o'clock door opening bodes well for good business at the store's newest location between Wilson Rd. N. and Harmony Rd. N. south side of Taunton Rd. at Clearbrook Dr. traffic lights in same plaza as Chick-Fil-A. The Mayor with members of Council and City staff and reps from the Oshawa Greater Chamber of Commerce welcomed store employees. Farm Boy officials in attendance from Ottawa provided $5000 cheque to Feed the Need in Durham Pictured is LeeAnne Rorabeck Director of Development & Communications receiving the FTND donation. Farm Boy was founded in 1981 with head offices in Ottawa and in 2018 was acquired by Sobey's. Oshawa's Farm Boy is reported as being 32,000 sq. ft. approximately 20% larger than the Farm Boy in Whitby. Hard copies of Oshawa's Commemorative Centennial 1924-2024 BOOKLET (linked below as a 44 page flip book) are available for pick up at Service Oshawa.
Celebrating Our Centennial 1924-2024 https://issuu.com/cityofoshawa/docs/9510_cityofoshawa_brochure_final_medres_final via @issuu Also, the OSHAWA CENTENNIAL PIN is available for pick up. It is lovely enamel keepsake pin to wear proudly and celebrate Oshawa this special year (see story of the pin in the comment below) New FIRE TANKER brought into service March 12, 2024 at Firehall #5 Harmony Rd N & Coldstream, 2 times larger than the one it replaces, holds 3600 U.S. gallons, double axle, reports indicate it should last 20 years & geared to help fire suppression in Oshawa's north rural area lacking fire hydrants.
Picture below from Oshawa Fire Services Twitter: Congratulation to Jamil Jivani, for winning the Durham Riding by-election yesterday!
Interestingly, for the next federal election the name and boundaries of this riding will be changed. The Constitution of Canada requires that every 10 years, after the census is conducted, the number of electoral districts and their boundaries are revised to reflect population shifts and growth. After studies conducted by the federal election commissions, among the many riding boundary changes that were proposed and recently made final, the next federal election will have the current Durham Riding changed in 2 big ways. Currently it includes north Oshawa (north of Taunton Rd.) all of Clarington and Scugog Township. It will be renamed BOWMANVILLE-NORTH OSHAWA Riding; and it will not include Scugog Twp., which will form part of a new LAKE SIMCOE-UXBRIDGE Riding Tomorrow, Monday, March 4, 2024 is Election Day for Durham Riding! Since all of Ward 1 Oshawa (and half of Ward 2) is in Durham Riding I am sending out this BY-ELECTION REMINDER (called because the Riding's seat has been vacant since MP Erin O'Toole retired). Polls are open for 12 hours from 8:30 am to 8:30 pm. If you have any questions about the process, here's the Elections Canada website https://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=ele&dir=2024/35023&document=index&lang=e
FYI below is the Durham Riding map and profile. I put a heart over north Oshawa, which shows how all of Oshawa north of Taunton Rd is in Durham Riding, together with Scugog and Clarington. |