Hard copies of Oshawa's Commemorative Centennial 1924-2024 BOOKLET (linked here as a 44 page flip book https://issuu.com/cityofoshawa/docs/9510_cityofoshawa_brochure_final_medres_final ) are available for pick up at Service Oshawa and the Delpark Homes Centre while supplies last. Also, the OSHAWA CENTENNIAL PIN is available for pick up. It is lovely enamel keepsake pin to wear proudly and celebrate Oshawa's 100+ anniversary. A video of the March 8, 2024 Centennial Celebration launch at the Regent Theatre can be seen here: City of Oshawa 100+ Centennial Celebration kick off (youtube.com) For details of the 100+ celebratory events throughout 2024 are on this City webpage: 100+ Anniversary - City of Oshawa
My goal is to make good things happen for Oshawa.
Thank you for visiting my website.
Under the "Rosemary's Blog" tab on the navigation bar at the top of this home page, you can find details on some current city projects, meetings, motions and events, as well as my views on certain issues.
I remain committed to raising public awareness of the various city matters and public concerns that arise.
Ensuring constituents are well informed and their voices heard is key to determining City priorities and community needs.
All content is written by me, apologies for any typos, spelling and awkward grammar.
Please let me know ideas, suggestions, changes for Oshawa you'd like to share. Sharing ideas strengthens them!
I look forward to listening to those with interests in our City and hoping we can connect! email: [email protected]
A personal note on Feb 14, 2023 -
Soon after my re-election and taking the oath of office on Nov 15, 2022, my mother, Sheila McConkey, who was living with us in Oshawa under my care, experienced two serious health setbacks. She passed away January 13, 2023. I stopped posting on my website Blog and social media during this difficult time. Sheila was a remarkable woman and a hugely important, irreplaceable part of our family and my world. We worked together in business successfully for over two decades. My mother lived a full and courageous life, widowed at 39 years with a family of 8 children to support, she faced many challenges. Knowing her unconditional love for her family, dedication to friends, zest for living and work ethic, she forever and always will be my inspiration and deeply missed.
With the many positive new opportunities that lie ahead post COVID-19, as well as the challenges with high inflation and interest rates and business recovery, Oshawa Council needs to focus on more balanced new growth and plans that can strengthen Oshawa's economy with responsible fiscal management.
Like many Oshawa residents, I believe Oshawa's property taxes must not be a struggle, but affordable. Since being sworn into office December 2018 I have attempted to tackle the City's taxation and traffic issues. Speeding, intrusive driving on roads that are frequently at over-capacity negatively impact our health and safety, the environment, and the economy.
One of my first motions was for an update to the Neighbourhood Traffic Management Plan. Although Durham Region had installed Community Safety Zones (CSZ) on some Regional roads in the City of Oshawa, in 2018 the City only had one approved Community Safety Zone on a City Rd. (by the College/University). Happy to report, today the City has 5 more CSZs, all in Ward 1, to calm traffic speeds around the schools on Greenhill Ave, Coldstream Dr and Woodstream Ave and the most recent ones in 2022, Oshawa's rural Hamlet community, on Raglan Rd and in the Village of Columbus Rd., on Columbus Rd. East & West between Thornton Rd. N. and Ritson Rd. N.
In 2019 I made a motion for the City to copy Clarington's use of flexible bollards to help with traffic calming. Finally in the summer of 2022 Oshawa installed them on Brittania Rd (see picture) and plans to install them on other roads in Ward 1 like Coldstream Dr., Grandview St N. and Arborwood Dr.
In my opinion, a continued priority is the need for Council to increase public engagement so that people genuinely believe in Oshawa. Believing in your City is important for the well-being of all residents. Consider how feeling positive about where you live and work is an attitude that creates good memories for life, generates goodwill and serves to propel many successes.
I take my job as the City Councillor representing the people and businesses in Oshawa's northern Ward 1 very seriously. At City Hall I've been fighting for road safety, crime prevention, closer tracking of budgets and outcomes, accessible and affordable housing, curbing taxes and urban sprawl.
One of my first motions was for an update to the Neighbourhood Traffic Management Plan. Although Durham Region had installed Community Safety Zones (CSZ) on some Regional roads in the City of Oshawa, in 2018 the City only had one approved Community Safety Zone on a City Rd. (by the College/University). Happy to report, today the City has 5 more CSZs, all in Ward 1, to calm traffic speeds around the schools on Greenhill Ave, Coldstream Dr and Woodstream Ave and the most recent ones in 2022, Oshawa's rural Hamlet community, on Raglan Rd and in the Village of Columbus Rd., on Columbus Rd. East & West between Thornton Rd. N. and Ritson Rd. N.
In 2019 I made a motion for the City to copy Clarington's use of flexible bollards to help with traffic calming. Finally in the summer of 2022 Oshawa installed them on Brittania Rd (see picture) and plans to install them on other roads in Ward 1 like Coldstream Dr., Grandview St N. and Arborwood Dr.
In my opinion, a continued priority is the need for Council to increase public engagement so that people genuinely believe in Oshawa. Believing in your City is important for the well-being of all residents. Consider how feeling positive about where you live and work is an attitude that creates good memories for life, generates goodwill and serves to propel many successes.
I take my job as the City Councillor representing the people and businesses in Oshawa's northern Ward 1 very seriously. At City Hall I've been fighting for road safety, crime prevention, closer tracking of budgets and outcomes, accessible and affordable housing, curbing taxes and urban sprawl.
Please know that with energy, ideas and action, I dedicate my 2nd term in office to championing civic engagement and empowering the City's diverse communities to have positive impact, because dynamic communities are key to the future betterment of Oshawa!
I will be working hard to see improved City parks and trails. The Pandemic highlighted the importance of having quality outdoor spaces and parks.
All age groups appreciate public places to relax, have fun, enjoy nature, join in sports and recreation programs and connect with their community. Unfortunately, a number of neighbourhood parks in Ward 1 are beyond their 'best before' date. Too many families travel to Whitby and Clarington parks because their own community parks lack amenities.
The youth in Oshawa deserve public spaces that are accessible, create interest and enthusiasm in sports and good physical and social health while they are still young! Oshawa seniors also benefit participating in outdoor accessible public parks and connective trails for good health and well-being.
One example of missing recreational trails is the Hydro One corridor just east of Ritson Rd., which was proposed to have a 2.2 recreational trail from Taunton to Conlin Rd. in the City's 2014 Active Transportation Master Plan. It would connect Everglades Park, Ritson Fields Park, Parkwood Meadows Park, and Conlin Meadows Park. The fact at this time, almost a decade later, is regrettable that the corridor is marked by 'No Trespassing signs' and unkept vegetation, when next door in the Town of Whitby, there is an asphalt multi-use path in Whitby's Hydro One corridor that has been enjoyed by many for over a decade.
As the Oshawa Accessibility Advisory Committee (OAAC) Council Member I am determined to continue to work at increasing accessibility in Oshawa. I was pleased last term to help raise awareness of the OAAC with a logo design competition so the volunteer committee members could fly a wonderful flag during NationalAccessibility Week in May.
All Oshawans should be passionate that those with disabilities are able to participate in a city that is barrier free - my main focus for improved accessibility is to seek improvements in Oshawa's downtown, and new home developments so that accessible entrances become the norm. I will advocate further for Council to petition the Province to amend the Ontario Building Code and mandate wider bathroom doors in all new residential construction.
All Oshawans should be passionate that those with disabilities are able to participate in a city that is barrier free - my main focus for improved accessibility is to seek improvements in Oshawa's downtown, and new home developments so that accessible entrances become the norm. I will advocate further for Council to petition the Province to amend the Ontario Building Code and mandate wider bathroom doors in all new residential construction.
Thanks for reading this far! Some of the changes I intend to work on for the betterment of Oshawa, with your support, are on the three slides from my 2nd term election platform:
I have been passionate in caring about our community. In 2012 I was awarded the Queen's Diamond-Jubilee medal for community service. Also, with over 25 years operating my own brokerage, I have insights into how property taxes, official plans and land-use policies impact communities.
I feel fortunate to have lived both a rural and urban life. It is important to make sure Oshawa Council is responsive to Ward 1's specific issues and gives balanced support to both the urban growth areas and vital farm operations here.
My work experience and my community involvement in a broad range of issues allowed me to successfully reach out to people and help them to work together. I draw on that foundation to motivate me and help to give new direction to Oshawa Council. For your information, below are some of the changes I initiated and worked hard to accomplish before being elected:
I feel fortunate to have lived both a rural and urban life. It is important to make sure Oshawa Council is responsive to Ward 1's specific issues and gives balanced support to both the urban growth areas and vital farm operations here.
My work experience and my community involvement in a broad range of issues allowed me to successfully reach out to people and help them to work together. I draw on that foundation to motivate me and help to give new direction to Oshawa Council. For your information, below are some of the changes I initiated and worked hard to accomplish before being elected:
- Organized public meetings, a sign campaign and a bus rally to Queen's Park in 2010 to lobby the Province, and Kathleen Wynne, who was Minister of Transportation at the time, for the extension of Hwy 407E beyond Simcoe Street RESULT: 407E phase I extended additional 7 kilometres east to Harmony Road
- Made numerous delegations to Region Council and organized public rallies to ensure that public safety at the dangerous Ritson-Winchester intersection was made a priority. RESULT: Road reconstruction and traffic lights installed at Ritson and Winchester
- Made presentations pressing both the City and Region to web-stream their meetings, allowing working, vacationing or housebound residents to stay informed. RESULT: Meetings are now web-streamed and archived
- Organized the ‘Council on a Diet’ fundraiser involving politicians from across the Region with proceeds to Feed the Need in Durham. RESULT: $10,000 raised for the local food bank charity
- In 2012 launched and ran an essay/speech competition ‘Local Look Back’ engaging both school boards and municipal councils to bring students into local Council Chambers to present their essays and learn more about their community’s past and local governance. RESULT: Enthusiastic youth engagement
- Requested to have Committee of Adjustment meeting agendas and minutes made public on the city website. RESULT: C of A agendas and minutes are now online
- Requested to have a record of past Oshawa Mayors on the City web page. RESULT: Historical record of past Mayors is now documented on City website
