At the Council meeting December 9th, 2022 the City Finance Commissioner and Department Heads made a presentation for the Proposed Oshawa 2023 Budget. The 2 hour presentation can be heard here: 
pub-oshawa.escribemeetings.com/Players/ISIStandAlonePlayer.aspx?ClientId=oshawa&FileName=Council%20Encoder_CCSP_2022-12-09-09-29.mp4
and the Public Budget Package is here:
www.oshawa.ca/en/city-hall/resources/Documents/2023-Public-Package---Print-Version-Dec-8.pdf

Staff have proposed a 2.62% Tax Levy Increase on the Oshawa portion of the 2023 property tax bill.

Below is a copy of Appendix 1 (2023 projected Operating Budget) from the City's Public Budget Package, and below it is a one page summary of Department operating budgets I put together for a quick visual. Over the next few weeks I will try to post more highlights.

The Capital and Operating Budgets for 2023 will be deliberated Jan 13, 19, 20 and if needed, Jan 27. 2023
The proposed Capital Budget is $38.925M

Want to help develop a child's enthusiasm for art!
Free drop in event tomorrow Sunday Dec 11th 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 pm,
No registration required.
Held at Oshawa's delightful RMG art gallery 72 Queen St - located between the main branch library downtown and City Hall.
For more info contact 905-576-3000
​"exploring elements of colour & design through a contrasting collage activity... create funky designs and piece them together into a colourful arrangement" ​

                           youtu.be/X1eJYnzQXDM                                                           youtu.be/W-qZB92wi-I

How Santa’s Cottage in Oshawa became a Christmas sensation  
Santa’s Cottage is the brainchild of Sally Ryba. She co-owns the business with ... well ... we're going to refer to him as Santa here so no magic is harmed in the making of this story.
The idea started small when Ryba invited her neighbour’s children over for a visit with Santa in her living room, which was all decked out for the holidays.
She tears up remembering what happened next.
A girl with serious health issues was brought for a visit — the parents couldn’t take her to a mall and needed a private option.

read Jillian Follert's article in the Oshawa Metroland newspaper this week: www.durhamregion.com/news-story/10804567-tickets-start-selling-out-in-july-how-santa-s-cottage-in-oshawa-became-a-christmas-sensation/?utm_source=facebook&source=durhamregion.com&utm_medium=SocialMedia&utm_campaign=&utm_campaign_id=&utm_content=

Winter swimming lesson registration starts today! Check out the 2023 Active Oshawa Winter Recreation Program Guide here:
www.oshawa.ca/en/parks-recreation-and-culture/2023_Winter_Recreation_Program_Guide_FINAL.pdf​

Feedback Deadline is NOON TODAY Nov 22, 2022 to provide your perspective for the 2023 City of Oshawa Budget. Staff have been using a new 'budget simulator' tool for the public to experiment with adjusting service levels and funding for eight key program and service departments. The tool allows you to vary or maintain the amounts of revenue, and spending among the various departments from last year's base budget numbers.

You can comment in each sub-category or share ideas in the “Your Great Idea” section. These comments will be anonymous and summarized for overall feedback received. The summary will then be included as part of the material Council receives for consideration during the 2023 Budget deliberations.
​
NOTE: One constituent who submitted feedback that reduced spending emailed his objection to the survey as it seems designed for a predetermined result, with no provision that allows for a tax cut or even hold on property taxes from the previous year.

​oshawabudgetsimulations.ca.abalancingact.com/oshawa23

YES! The discussion is now on for the 27km MEADOWAY recreational trail along Hydro corridors in the Rouge valley areas of Scarborough/Pickering eventually being expanded to Oshawa! The visioning study has just started. Image the off-road trail connectivity! Another reason the 2.2 km long proposed trail under Hydro One corridor just east of Ritson, north south from Taunton to Conlin should be completed sooner rather than later!!! 

Concerning my re-election to Oshawa Council and the very close official election result (a narrow 8 vote count difference over my closest competitor): — 

After being sworn into Council during the morning session Tuesday November 15, 2022, at the afternoon session (following the time-sensitive motion I made was approved concerning Oshawa objecting to the Province's plan to carve lands out of the Greenbelt) Council proceeded to deal with the correspondence on the agenda from the law firm Aird & Berlis.

Aird & Berlis lawyer, John Mascarin, representing my competitor in the Ward 1 City Councillor election had written November 9th requesting a manual vote recount under section 57 of the Ontario Municipal Elections Act. Note that section 57 (1) states:

"Within 30 days after the clerk’s declaration of the results,
(a) the council of a municipality may pass a resolution requiring a recount of the votes cast".

Mr. Mascarin also attended with his client and made an in-person delegation and answered questions from Councillors.

The City Clerk when answering some Councillors' questions, explained that the 93 ballots that were rejected or declined and which were referred to in the Aird & Berlis correspondence, were city-wide and 50 of them were declined by the voters and 43 were ballots that the tabulator rejected.

The Clerk said that after several attempts when a tabulator is unable to process a ballot -under most circumstances the voter is present and is notified there is a problem and then given the opportunity to fix their ballot or fill out a new one. However, in the case of the 43 ballots rejected across-the-City on Oct 24, 2022, it seems some of the voters may not have been available for this option (The Clerk added that this occurrence sometimes happens at Senior Long Term Care residences.)

According to the Clerk, the total rejected ballots in Ward 1 were 7 of the total 43 rejected ballots.

The motion introduced to approve the requested vote recount (see picture below) was passed 8 Yes, 1 No (Councillor Nicholson) and 2 members making Declarations of Interest and therefore not able to vote, comment or ask questions (Councillor Neal who said the reason for his Declaration was that the husband of the candidate who was requesting the recount has been the Neal family's doctor; and me...I made a declaration of interest because the matter involves the legitimacy of my election to Council.)

The Council approved recount will be processed again through the tabulators, although Mr. Mascarin's letter originally requested a manual recount. The City’s legal counsel and the Clerk explained Council ordering a manual recount would be in contravention of the Municipal Elections Act Section 60 (1). 

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS ACT
"60 (1) A recount under section 56, 57 or 58 shall be conducted in the same manner as the original count, whether manually or by vote-counting equipment. 2016, c. 15, s. 41 (1)."
and
60 (2) A recount shall be conducted in accordance with the prescribed rules, subject to subsection (3). 1996, c. 32, Sched., s. 60 (2)
60 (3) Despite subsection (1), if the judge who orders a recount under section 58 is of the opinion that the manner in which the original count was conducted caused or contributed to the doubtful result, he or she may, in the order, provide that the recount shall be held in a different manner and specify the manner. 1996, c. 32, Sched., s. 60 (3); 2016, c. 15, s. 41 (2).

ONTARIO REGULATION 101/974.
"The following rules are prescribed for the purpose of subsection 60 (2) of the Act:
2. The clerk shall open the ballot boxes and count,
i. in the case of a recount in an election for an office, the number of votes for each candidate who is subject to the recount under section 56, 57, 58 or 59 of the Act,
3. The clerk shall reject from the count all ballots and votes in a ballot that do not comply with the rules set out in subsection 3 (2)"

ONTARIO REGULATION 101/974
"3. (1) The rules set out in subsection (2) are prescribed for the purpose of section 54 of the Act (rejection of ballots). O. Reg. 326/16, s. 2.
(2) The deputy returning officer shall reject from the count,
(a) all votes in a ballot, if the ballot,
(i) was not supplied by the deputy returning officer, or
(ii) contains writing or marks that may identify the elector, or is torn, defaced or otherwise dealt with by the elector in a way that may identify him or her;
(b) all votes in a ballot for an office, if votes have been cast for more candidates for the office than are to be elected;"

Today the Clerk notified Council that the recount will be conducted on Thursday, November 24, 2022.

Mr. Mascarin did say on Tuesday that if his client is not satisfied, she may appeal to the Court. See video clip from Nov 15 Council meeting below.

It is a process open to her which involves her making an application to the Superior Court under Section 58 of the Municipal Elections Act.  
  
"58 (1) A person who is entitled to vote in an election and has reasonable grounds for believing the election results to be in doubt may apply to the Superior Court of Justice for an order that the clerk hold a recount.
(3) If satisfied that there are sufficient grounds for it, the court shall make an order requiring the clerk to hold a recount of the votes cast for all or specified candidates, on a by-law, or for all or specified answers to a question, and shall give the clerk a copy of the order as soon as possible.
(6) A request for a recount due to problems related to voting and vote-counting equipment may be made only under this section."

So, this matter may still take a while to conclude. 

*In attendance at the Oshawa Nov 15, 2022 Council meeting and speaking to Council were City lawyer Sam Yoon, Blaney McCurtry lawyer Jack Siegel who was retained by the City to provide advice in this matter, and Aird & Berlis lawyer John Mascarin for his client Theresa Corless. Interestingly: Siegel and Mascarin represented former Councillors Mary Novak and Joe Neal on a court application concerning a recount of the Clarington ballots in the 2014 election where they were 3 votes apart:
 www.canlii.org/en/on/onsc/doc/2015/2015onsc342/2015onsc342.html?searchUrlHash=AAAAAQAWYnJvY2sgZWxlY3Rpb24gcmVjb3VudAAAAAAB&resultIndex=4

Happy to report that today, at the first Council meeting of this new term of office Oshawa Council passed a time sensitive motion objecting to the Province's proposed changes to the Greenbelt.

In fact, after a lengthy discussion, Council unanimously approved my motion, which Oshawa Development Services Staff helped wordsmith by adding more details to the original draft I posted here yesterday. For the full motion approved open the link below. Please let me know if you have trouble opening it as I haven't used Evernote in a while.

​www.evernote.com/shard/s313/client/snv?fbclid=IwAR2QFEDa9uqYVOpjRSWhYzkqE3qQN-wZOc4QfnxEbtWDQDnuP7RHYSMUhxc&noteGuid=7bc36ecf-9063-4a83-a883-8b0188e1b2ae&noteKey=61375a247b5b0b6375ef2adbc0dc1714&sn=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.evernote.com%2Fshard%2Fs313%2Fsh%2F7bc36ecf-9063-4a83-a883-8b0188e1b2ae%2F61375a247b5b0b6375ef2adbc0dc1714&title=Oshawa%2BCouncil%2BUnanimously%2BObjects%2Bto%2BProvince%2Bfragmenting%2Bthe%2BGreenbelt

(I will post separately details concerning other matters concluded on today's Council meeting Agenda, such as the matter of the request for a vote recount for the office of Ward 1 City Councillor as well as the election of Standing Committee Chairs, Vice Chairs and Committee members and Council members to Oshawa Advisory Committees, Library, Parkwood, RMG, etc.)

In October my Ward 1 re-election campaign experience continued to be very positive!  I wrote about some of the concerns residents raised in late September when I was out door-to-door asking what issues/suggestions they would like to share with me. (See here:  Wonderful Wonderful Ward 1!  The Door to Door Campaign Experience & Follow-Ups - OSHAWA ROSEMARY)

​At the door in mid-October it was wonderful how the great weather continued. Happy to say 98% of the many residents who opened their door or who spoke with me while relaxing or working in their garage, on their porch or front lawn, were very friendly. In addition to the adults of all ages who took the time to share their concerns and ideas for improvement, it also was nice to meet several polite teens at the door who wished me good luck, and sweet to see how the toddlers, after I handed my election postcard to their mom or dad, were always happy when I gave them a copy too.

Seeing the so many delightful dogs at the door, ranging from the shy to the excited clamoring for attention continued to be a nice campaign highlight; and it was inspiring to find several Ward 1 residents' flower gardens still in color late in the fall season, especially with dahlias and tall marigolds. I appreciated three different constituents kindly giving me flower seeds and gardening tips!

Some memorable slice-of-life moments — hearing the music of an ice cream truck round the corner on Gower Cres and watching kids rush with their dads to buy ice cream cones; — stopping to chat with a couple of seniors who had been walking the sidewalks around Clearbrook Dr. photographing each other in front of boulevard trees in brilliant fall colors. They explained they were visiting from India and were emailing pictures to their friends who had never before seen such beautiful tree colours. 

Below is another FEEDBACK FROM THE DOOR list of issues that I collected in the last two weeks before the Oct 24, 2022 Oshawa election.

I forwarded these items to staff for follow-up and am waiting to hear back. Meanwhile, given the number of traffic concerns (see 1-7 below), I will press on to see included in the 2023 budget:
a) Automated Speed Enforcement cameras on Community Safety Zone local roads, 
b) more road mounted flex bollards installed.
c) 'tiger tail' signs added to stop signs
d) road painted messages 'slow school ahead' on those roads and intersections known for being hot spots.

1. many requests for stronger traffic calming/road safety measures, especially on Grandview, Coldstream, Ormond, Blackwood, Greenhill and Arborwood and enforcement of stop signs on Wilson/Skyview; Wilson/Clearsky; Wilson/Greenhill; Grandview/Douglas Langtree; Clearbrook/Blackwood    
      
2. Ormond Dr and Askew Crt  by Parkwood Meadows Park support to make the 40KM sign more visible & install a 3-way stop at Askew Crt.
   
   
3. Skyview St/Springwater Cres and Blackwood Blvd strong support for an all-way stop
   
   
4. Greenleaf Gate and Clearsky Ave support for a larger stop sign, line painting and a 3 way stop; 
   
   
5. Gower Cres support for a speed bump or road mounted flex bollards.
   
   
6. Don White Crt  request improvements are made to road around the extra-large centre island, worry problem will worsen in winter.
   
   
7. Columbus Rd. W request to add another snow fence to stop whiteouts this winter.
   
   
8. Fetchison Dr resident's garbage bags left at the curb and tagged 'too many bags', but the residence has a registered accessory basement. (follow up: Sent an email with picture of the tagged bags to Operations and this issue was quickly resolved so that 4 additional garbage bags will be permitted every two weeks.)
   
   
9. A few Ward One residents asked for improved traffic light synchronization on Taunton Rd when the new traffic lights are installed on Taunton Rd E. at Clearbrook Dr. (just east of Wilson Rd, where construction has begun for a commercial plaza on south side of Taunton Rd. with a new Farmboy tenant, plus future residential blocks
   
   (The Region of Durham controls the timing and maintenance of all traffic lights in Oshawa. Concerning the process to address traffic light change requests Region staff indicated residents can email trafficdispatch@durham.ca and steven.kemp@durham.ca. They review requests and give consideration to the number of complaints submitted and the reasons, proximity to schools, traffic congestion etc. As a City Councillor I can submit requests and have, such as this one, and two other recent ones...the timing of both Ritson/Conlin and Ritson/Taunton traffic lights.
   
   
10. Request for a sidewalk on Ritson Rd. N. east side south of Kedron Public School or a crosswalk to Ritson Fields Park since the Ritson Rd. sidewalk is on the west side and any plans for a sidewalk or multi-use path on east side seemed to be on hold due to Durham Region widening Ritson Rd. N in the distant future. (follow up: I've arranged a meeting Nov 10th in the central parking lot at Ritson Fields with residents, elected officials from both Wards 1 and 2 and municipal staff to review next best steps) 
    
    
11. Concern that Grandview St N may be widened. (follow up: staff confirmed there is no near future plan for a road widening, but gave reminder that there is the plan for a round-about at Conlin and Grandview)
    
    
12. Several concerns about dog walkers not picking up dog excrement and dogs not on leash (follow up: provided copy of Responsible Pet Owner By-law to re-assure that these actions are violations and that reporting occurrences to Service Oshawa is helpful for alerting By-law officers and tracking hot spots for improved enforcement.)
    
    
13. Concerns about break-ins, car theft and need for more security cameras (follow up: two constituents recommended I investigate a neighbourhood watch protection app that connects community members with crime alerts and police reports. The Neighbourhood Protect posts are anonymous, with a security camera registry, bicycle registry: www.neighbourhoodprotect.ca 
    Also, check out DRPS Crime Prevention Tips here: www.drps.ca/community-safety-and-support/crime-prevention/ as well as contribute your voice to the Durham Region police services strategic Plan complete the DRPS SURVEY here: 
    iforms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=uTkADOpGuUOAgDxVBYWbagoLmOHWEcpNgknPElQQdWFUOEZYSDRXUlhFMThZSk9ST0NFRE1FODRXUiQlQCN0PWcuce to setting our strategic
14. Low water pressure in Greenhill Ave area (follow up:  email Region Water Services Department and Oshawa Regional Councillors to investigate)
    
    
15. Concern about speeding Durham Transit buses on Grandview St N. and need for improved bus routes to Durham College/Ontario Tech from Ward 1 subdivisions east of Ritson Rd....as well as need for improved bus stop at the Walmart/Smart Centre Plaza which could be like the modern bus stops in York Region which are HEATED BUS STOPS with WASHROOMS, bike racks, and monitor screens indicating time of next bus and WASTE/RECYCLING RECEPTACLES (follow up: encourage Region Chair and Oshawa Mayor and Oshawa Regional Councillors to do the comparison and see how Durham Region Council can install similar bus stops at the University and at the end-of-the line bus stop at the Harmony north-east Smart Centre Plaza!)
    
    
16. McCue Dr and Livesey Crt resident concerns about the grass cutting and weeds growing around the water retention pond. (follow up: submitted request that City of Oshawa approve new stormwater management policy with maintenance plans and design guidelines similar to what the City of Barrie has recently completed 
    
    
17. Concern about rats in the area of Fire Hall No. 5. (Harmony and Coldstream) (Spoke with staff and they advised the City's corporate communication could help raise awareness of ways to prevent and control rat infestations. Message that birdfeeders without seed catcher trays and where seeds are left on the ground attract rats and mice; and birdfeeders installed in trees or located too close to trees or structures, as well as improperly managed backyard compost containers, household garbage bags and dog and cat food left outside contribute to the problem.

I wrote staff asking for details on Tribute's application for 2425 Simcoe St N (File #2022-98) on the Committee of Adjustment Agenda for tonight's 6pm meeting which is identified as: "to permit two apartment buildings and 18 block townhouses with reduced resident and visitor parking".
It is another large Tribute/RioCan project known as UC2 on Simcoe St N east side, directly opposite the Tribute/RioCan UC1 25 storey 505-unit tower on the west side at 2550 Simcoe St. N

Curiously the C of A approved an application previously for one tower for Tribute UC2 at 2425 Simcoe St N (File #2022-69) 9 months ago. 

At the February 9, 2022 C of A meeting Tribute’s Phase 2 site plan application for UC2 was for a one 27 story 588 apartment unit high rise + 18 townhouses (for a total of 606 units), plus
407 spaces in the planned 2 level underground parking 
291 surface parking spaces 
426 spaces in a separate 4 level high parking garage
for a total of 1,124 parking spaces.

One question asked concerning this application now for two towers (the original 27 storey one, plus the 19 storey one) was why weren't they originally presented together. I pointed out that recently TWO CRANES were installed on the site. By having the second crane up early (at no small expense to the applicant) and prior to tonight's meeting, it seems the applicant may be expecting a green light by the C of A to approve the adjustments, as well as staff quickly approving the project's separate site plan approval.
  
Staff responded that "the applicant is now proposing changes resulting in the need to secure additional variances through the Committee of Adjustment...The developer is now proposing two towers with 975 apartment units and 18 block townhouses (993 units total).
The previous minor variance application (File: A-2022-69) from the February 2022 meeting was specifically for interpretation of the front lot line, increased front yard depth, and reduced landscaped open space abutting a Residential Zone. 
The current minor variance application (File: A-2022-96) is to reduce the required number of parking spaces... 
405 spaces are provided underground,
137 spaces are provided at surface level, and
426 spaces are provided within the parking structure."

"Both towers are located on the same property so construction of both towers could occur concurrently (hence the cranes).
As to why the current proposal differs from what was first submitted, parking data (particularly data from UC Tower 1 on the west side of Simcoe Street North) was collected subsequent to the initial submission.  Based on this data now being available, the current minor variance application was submitted by the proponent."

Highlights: It seems the big change since February involving the second building which adds approx 387 more residential units to the project, reduces the parking spaces by 156 fewer. The one UC2 tower that was approved first in February is 27 stories high and the other one now being added is 19 stories.
​ 
Other Notes:
i) Occupancy data being used to support the UC 2 project's fewer parking spaces are from the recemt;y built UC 1 condo apartment Tower on the west side @ 2550 Simcoe St. N which according to the consultant's October report was at 70% occupancy last month.

ii) The lands immediately to the north of the UC 2 project (corner of Simcoe St. N and Windfields Farm Dr East is the south corner of Simcoe St. N and Windfields Farm Dr. E where there is the plan to have to have a transit station to serve the Windfields Main Central Area.  

iii) Conditions for the UC2 project at 2450 Simcoe St N. (east side) 993-unit plan:
—"the owner shall provide all initial occupants of the apartments and block townhouses with a Presto transit card. This requirement shall be a minimum of one (1) card per unit shall be provided with a minimum value of $50 loaded on each card."
—the City "will require the applicant to add more bicycle parking spaces than currently proposed (approximately 159 more spaces)"

Written comments to the Committee must be received no later than 4:30 pm on November 9, 2022. Submissions are accepted by email at committeeofadjustment@oshawa.ca. Please include your name, your address and application number or address of the property you are providing comments on.

​Durham Region posted a NOTICE today for Public Information Sessions in Oshawa on Wed. Nov 16, 23 & 30 concerning RAPID TRANSIT on the Simcoe Street Corridor -they indicate they are looking for Oshawa residents' input. Naturally I will attend to find out more, but really...although I don't like to be cynical, wondering if this will be similar to the negligible input Oshawa had with respect to the Bus Rapid Transit on King St and Bond? Why not 1st prioritize building better bus stops like the ones YORK REGION HAS BUILT?

I am all for improved public transit, but imo DRT & METROLINX should FIRST be constructing decent modern bus stops at 3 locations in Oshawa: 1) Durham College/Ontario Tech; 2) the Taunton Rd E Smart Centre Plaza and 3) the downtown former Bus Terminal on Centre St.

Why has Durham Transit not followed the excellent example of YORK REGION? York Region has bus stops that are HEATED, have PUBLIC WASHROOMS, bike racks, WASTE/RECYCLING RECEPTACLES and monitors indicating the real arrival time of the next bus.
​
Seems now is a good time to speak up! Hope to hear people asking questions at these public information sessions this month.

Do you see where during the pandemic pet owners may have put off animal health care, and now with rising high Vet costs and no low cost spay/neuter clinic in Durham Region, a problem seems to be escalating?

Check out Oshawa Animal Services Center recent posts! "For the first time ever we are at max capacity…We are desperate for fosters to provide a safe and warm place while we promote and find forever homes for the adult dogs in our care. " "Shelters and Rescues are struggling with over population these days" "November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month".

Oshawa Animal Services pet adoption includes:
• Spay or neuter
• First set of vaccinations and the rabies vaccine
• Flea treatment
• Deworming
• Microchip
• Four week pet insurance trial

OSHAWA PET ADOPTION LINK is here for more details:
https://www.oshawa.ca/en/home-property/pet-adoption.aspx...

​Oops, put on both laundry and d/w this morning at 7 a.m. then half an hour later stumbled on the fact that the Time of Use hydro rate changed yesterday from summer to winter rates: Peak now is at 7 a.m. until 11 a.m. Difference between Peak and Off peak is double. 15.1¢ Peak to 7.4¢ Off Peak and Mid Peak is 10.2¢ /kWhr

"Time of Use rates are designed to promote conservation and reduce peak demand for electricity. Peak demand happens when we all use electricity at the same time. Unlike most commodities, electricity cannot always be stored and must be generated in real time to meet Ontario’s needs.
​
With Time-of-Use rates, there is a financial incentive for you to conserve energy and to shift some consumption away from on-peak periods."
​

I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to continue to fight for the interests of all my Ward I constituents. It’s a huge privilege.

The best wishes and very positive emails, text message and phone calls this past week have been heartwarming!! See a couple here:

On Friday I attended the City of Oshawa flag raising and proclamation for Poppy Week Oct 28 - Nov 4, 2022. The somber sky was in keeping with the poppy and dedication to honour lives lost. If you travel along Centre St and Memorial Park in the downtown you will see the veteran banners in memory of Oshawans who served in the Wars.

Remembrance Day Parade and Ceremony will take place on Friday Nov 11, parade at 10:30 a.m. starting downtown at Armory, ceremony 11:00 a.m. at Memorial Park. Thankfully this outstanding ceremony will be live this year following the past two years missing the in-person public ceremony due to the pandemic. Further details posted here  www.oshawa.ca/en/parks-recreation-and-culture/resources/Documents/Events/Remem_Day_Program_2022.pdf 

A summary of various personal details about me and my campaign:

1. My campaign is self-funded. Like in my 2018 campaign, I am not taking contributions from anyone.

2. I have not taken any remuneration increases during my term. I continue to believe there is an inherent conflict with the fact that Council members salary increases are linked to the City’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) increases which Council members vote to approve. If I am re-elected I will again try to pass a motion that Council's remuneration increases not be linked to the CBAs.

3. I did not take the stipend for being Vice Chair of Development Services. It would seem hypocritical of me to do so, when as a private citizen I made delegations pointing out that many other municipalities do not pay extra for a Council member being a Standing Committee Chair or Vice Chair/ This taxpayer funded extra payment to their elected does not seem warranted.

4. Since being elected I have not sold property in Oshawa. I remain committed to not doing transactions in Oshawa if re-elected. However, I take this opportunity to say I find my real estate career has stood me in good stead as a politician. It has been helpful that I know the location of the majority of city streets and schools as well as neighbourhood issues. There is the same job requirement to enjoy meeting many people, have lot of energy, be self-motivated and have perseverance to deal with a variety of challenges that crop up at the same time, and at any hour of the day.

5. During my 2022 campaign, 5 weeks ago actually, I became aware of the type of misinformation, and personal allegations about me being spread by another candidate.

A resident, who I have not personally met, but spoke once with on the phone, wrote on a private community group page: "I am not politically driven but appreciate truth and honesty so here goes…. Many of us had a visitor tonight… and she claims that you are unable to vote on ANYTHING, why? A conflict of interest due to property you own. This does not ring true for me. So here we go welcome to silly season… is this true?"
My reply and the resident's very supportive follow up response are posted below. The suggestion that I have a conflict of interest that compromises my ability to support residents is patently untrue.

I received word back from Oshawa senior staff this week with an explanation (sort of) concerning the Thornton/Conlin Rd West infrastructure servicing plan changing so dramatically. See 1 and 2 below. The project was to limit disruption to the roundabout. But the roundabout surprisingly was removed last week, after being constructed just seven years ago.   

 1. "When the Region was extending services along Conlin Road, they intended to undertake a directional bore and limit the disruption to the roundabout.  During the costing process it became apparent there were some subterranean issues that escalated costs to the point where it was actually cheaper for the Region to demolish the roundabout and replace it.  So the cost is borne entirely by the Region."

I wrote back — that recently senior city staff had referred to 'throw-away costs' in their reply to my request for the City to install a paved path along a short stretch of Conlin Rd EAST from Kurelo Ave. to Mackin Park).  Staff called the approximate $25K cost for the path 'throw away' costs due to anticipated future redevelopment of Conlin Rd. East. —which compelled me to comment on the interesting juxtaposition, comparing the Kurelo/Conlin EAST $25k throw away costs to allow safe pedestrian passage of a whole community to a neighbourhood park in an area where residents pay some of the City's highest residential taxes 
versus:
the short stretch of Thornton/Conlin WEST being serviced by the Region and the City, from just west of the roundabout and east to Stevenson Rd., at an infrastructure price tag of now over $10.5 million by the taxpayer in a location where the benefit is to large-corporate-profit landowners who are NOT PAYING ANY DEVELOPMENT CHARGES (DC) COSTS to Oshawa due to the industrial zoning of the Thornton/Conlin area lands and the City's policy not to charge DCs on land zoned industrial.

2. In another email City staff provided additional tech details and information concerning the roundabout problem, that it was their understanding:

i a) "the Region will restore the Conlin/Thornton roundabout as part of their servicing project, at their cost. 
  b) "through the Region’s design process it was determined that a less intrusive method (ie. directional boring) was not technically feasible due to depth/size of services, location of the existing high pressure gas main and subsurface conditions."

ii) "The cost for the Thornton /Conlin roundabout was approximately $2M when constructed ...it was City funded with no Regional contributions ..."
      
iii) "Based on the most recent project status report from the Region, the Conlin Road servicing project appears to be on time/budget.  The City’s storm services are currently being installed on site with both water and sanitary services completed.   Road restoration work will follow and will include the reconstruction of the Thornton/Conlin roundabout.  Based on the Region’s latest schedule the project should be completed in Q2 2023, subject to weather conditions."

Here is the link to the more detailed descriptions of the 3 applications for the Wednesday October 26, 2022 C of A meeting www.oshawa.ca/en/business-development/resources/COA/2022-10-26-Agenda.pdf