The above word about the rally in Oshawa today is from Durham radio. The link cannot be copied here in response to Canadian government legislation, it can not be shared. IMO the government's power with blocking access to information like this IS OFFENSIVE OVERREACH
RALLY FOR UKRAINE at NOON today, Sat Feb 24, 2024, outside LVIV Hall, near Albert Street & Highway 401 MARKING 2ND YEAR SINCE THE INVASION OF UKRAINE. Darlene Matyczak says 'it would be absolutely heartwarming to see a lot of people show up on the bridge with us said Matyczak. I know it isn’t always possible – people work, people have family obligations – but on this Saturday afternoon, if we had a large turnout, it would show to us that Canada – the government of Canada, the officials of our city and our friends and neighbours here in Oshawa and in the Durham Region – they stand with Ukraine. They pray with us for peace and victory. That is the ultimate goal.'
The above word about the rally in Oshawa today is from Durham radio. The link cannot be copied here in response to Canadian government legislation, it can not be shared. IMO the government's power with blocking access to information like this IS OFFENSIVE OVERREACH
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Really, it is time Durham Region residents, businesses, institutions, associations, politicians & others with vision EN MASSE speak up and write the Province PRONTO about banning the Hwy 407E tolls! Yes, THE GET IT DONE ACT introduced in a Thursday February 15th News Release by the Minister of Transportation, may sound positive: "our government under the leadership of Premier Ford is on a mission to keep costs down for families and businesses,” Here's the link: news.ontario.ca/en/release/1004192/ontario-banning-road-tolls-freezing-drivers-licence-fees-to-keep-costs-down Note that the measures the Province of Ontario is expecting to kick off with the Get It Done Act "Ontario Banning Road Tolls, Freezing Driver’s Licence Fees to Keep Costs Down" for the Legislature's spring sitting beginning on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 has the goal of a ban on future tolls on all provincial highways "in order to help reduce household costs, build on the government’s commitments to date to streamline approvals for major infrastructure projects and housing, keep costs down for people and businesses, and support economic growth for long-term prosperity". But they are not eliminating existing highway tolls, the ban is only for FUTURE tolls. BURNING QUESTION: Why isn't the Province taking the tolls off the Hwy 407E. extension through Durham Region? This is the only tolled Ontario highway section NOT LEASED. Last year (effective June 2023) the province removed the tolls on the 412 and 418 north/south connectors to Hwy 401. This was accomplished when the Provincial government approved changes to the Highway 407 East Act, 2012, as part of the Fewer Fees, Better Services Act, passed in 2022. Clearly it is within the power of the province's elected to remove the tolls on the Hwy 407E extension from Brock Rd. to Hwy 35/115 and NOW IS THE TIME! Write the Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria and Minister of Education Stephen Lecce who both tweeted about the proposed new legislation. Make the request not to ignore the elephant in the room with the GET IT DONE Act. Work on getting it right. Durham Region is hurting. Removing the tolls across Durham Region will not only boost the economy, help create new jobs, but it will ease the traffic burden on highway 401 east of Brock Rd. making it safer. Send this message to all Members of Provincial Government who represent Durham Riding and Premier Ford — that GTA East families and businesses need not be burdened with tolls as the GET IT DONE Act advocates, especially when it is within their power to help make this right in Durham Region! Emails and contact information: Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Sarkaria Email: Prabmeet.Sarkaria@pc.ola.org Tel: 905-796-8669 or Ministry office: 416-327-9200 Minister of Education Stephen Lecce Email: Stephen.Lecce@pc.ola.org Tel.: 647-560-9700 or Ministry office: 416-325-2600 Ajax MPP PATRICE BARNES Email: Patrice.Barnes@pc.ola.org Tel.: 905-427-2060 Clarington, Scugog and North Oshawa (Durham Riding) MPP TODD MCCARTHY Email: todd.mccarthy@pc.ola.org Phone Tel: 905-697-1501 Oshawa MPP JENNIFER FRENCH Email: jfrench-qp@ndp.on.ca Tel: 905-723-2411 or 416-325-0117 Pickering , Uxbridge MPP PETER BETHLENFALVY Email: Peter.Bethlenfalvy@pc.ola.org Tel.: 905-509-0336 Toll free: 1-888-444-1730 Whitby MPP LORNE COE Email: Lorne.Coe@pc.ola.org Tel.: 905-430-1141 REMINDER: This winter Oshawa is conducting a SURVEY on the City's SNOW CLEARING OPERATIONS. Feedback received through the survey will be considered in adjusting winter operations.
Here is the link to fill out the survey https://connectoshawa.ca/snow NOTE: The City "encourages community members to complete a feedback form 48 hours after each winter storm this season." If you visit the City's Snow Clearing Activity webpage you will see the latest snow event started Feb 15 and ended Feb 16, 2024. So now is the time to get your feedback in! Each winter snowfall I receive many calls as a City Councillor. Some are from residents who live on a court or street with a bend or centre median and find the plow driver is driving in a direction that results in an excessive size windrow. Operations staff indicate they make the effort for new plow drivers to learn the correct method to minimize this. However, it still seems to happen. But perhaps the greatest number of calls relate to the delay in the City clearing snow from the sidewalk/windrows under the Snow Clearing Assistance Program. Under the snow clearing priority system the assistance program timeline is spelled out as “No later than 5 p.m. the second day following the end of a storm.” Many are asking why can't the Assistance Program sidewalk/windrow clearing plow not be scheduled to follow the street plow within a couple of hours. Imo it is a good question to ask. Hopefully interested Oshawans sending this message are heard and improvements made! The Province should remove Hwy 407 tolls as the Region of Durham is requesting to avoid heavy traffic disruption during the construction widening Winchester Rd. during two construction seasons. (see letter sent to Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria below)
The soon-to-be-constructed NEW ARBORWOOD RECREATIONAL PAVED TRAIL SECTION plus PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE, will extend the existing north east Oshawa trail along Harmony Creek on the EAST SIDE of Grandview St. N. behind Esterbrook Drive. Note that at this time the City is looking for feedback to be considered as part of the design and related to accessibility, such as rest areas, viewing areas, and amenities along the trail.
Questions: call or email Project Manager, Sophia Wouters, at 905-436-3311 Ext 2004, swouters@oshawa.ca The extension will begin just beyond the Esterbrook Stormwater retention pond, where the trail currently ends. Here the new trail will go east and cross the Harmony Creek at a elevated bridge to be constructed behind Arborwood Parkette. Then it continues NORTH (on the east side of the creek, west of ARBORWOOD DR and west of KUNKING CRT) and includes a pedestrian crossing at WOODSTREAM AVE, and ends at Conlin Rd E Copied below is a map staff posted yesterday on the City's website and here is a link to the Notice of the Trail Study https://www.oshawa.ca/.../notice-to-extend-the-harmony... and here is the CALL FOR PUBLIC FEEDBACK, OPEN UNTIL 4pm MON, FEB 12, 2024 : https://www.oshawa.ca/.../parks-planning-and-development... Note there also is good news that the bulk of the trail construction costs were approved under a grant from the Canadian government. Although this trail extension was planned over a decade ago and endorsed by Oshawa Council with the 2015 Oshawa Active Transportation Master Plan, as well as being on the City's Development Charges By-law, funding for it was secured recently when the City was awarded a $1,500,000 Federal Active Transportation Fund Grant towards the construction costs. Below is a list of the applications on the Oshawa Committee of Adjustment Meeting Agenda for this Wednesday Jan 24, 2024 @ 6:00 p.m. For more details see here: https://www.oshawa.ca/.../resou.../COA/2024-01-24-Agenda.pdf In addition to the many new accessory apartments, increasing in number each year, actually amounting to over 500 new basement apartments in Oshawa in the past 2 years....there is one application, A-2023-138 for the new development project on Lockie Dr. and Harmony Rd N., that in my opinion is quite troublesome. After the public process for City Council approving the developer's plan of subdivision last term of Council, the developer Conlin (Oshawa) 130 acres is now seeking major changes at the Committee of Adjustments for its block townhome plans. Knowing that City Council has no say in Committee of Adjustment decisions, it seems outrageous to me that the developer is requesting the widespread changes it is after: "reduced yard depths, reduced landscaped open space abutting the internal road, reduced visitor parking & density as well as requesting increased building height, & to permit parking & accessory structures in the front yard". For a developer of a large project seeming to push the envelope in this way imo erodes Oshawa's future urban landscape and good planning and design efforts. See in comments below the list, more on this particular application Here are details on the Conlin (Oshawa) 130 Acres Inc. application to the Committee of Adjustments: Reduce the Minimum Front Yard Depth from 6.0m to 5.5m Reduce the Minimum Interior Side Yard Depth from 3.0m to 1.5m Reduce the Minimum Interior Side Yard &Rear Yard Depth Abutting a Residential Zone: from 9.0m to 2.5m Reduce the Minimum Rear Yard Depth from 7.5m to 2.5m Change the Maximum Height from 10.5m to 12.5 Change the Maximum Height For Any Building Located Less Than 11.0m from a Residential Zone from 9.0m to 11.5m Reduce the Min Landscaped Open Space Abutting a Residential Zone from 4.5m to 1m Reduce the Min Landscaped Open Space in the Yard abutting the Common Elements Condominium Road for Rear Lane Block Townhouse Parcels of Tied Land from 50% to 0% Reduce the Minimum Landscaped Open Space in the Yard abutting the Common Elements Condominium Road for all Block Townhouse Parcels of Tied Land other than Rear Lane Block Townhouse Parcels from 50% to 45% Change Visitor Parking in the Front Yard where it is not permitted to be permitted Reduce the Minimum Distance of Parking Area to Lockie Drive Street Line from individual townhouse unit driveway only from 3.0m to 1m Reduce the Minimum Visitor Parking spaces per dwelling unit from 0.35 to .30 spaces Change Accessory Building or Structure in the Front Yard from Not Permitted to Be Permitted Increase Minimum Residential Density units per hectare from 48 to 60 Lockie Drive and Harmony Rd. N. (n/w) corner Conlin and Harmony
Further to the changes Conlin (Oshawa) 130 Acres Inc. is asking at Wednesday's Committee of Adjustment meeting here is a copy of the site plan Good article in Oshawa This Week by writer Danny Gallagher about the vacant lot in the historic Olive Avenue row houses being turned into a new home. It was interesting to learn a bit more about the old 'Staceyville' in Oshawa and how this lot, vacant for more than 45 years, is about to get a new life
Oshawa's Outdoor ice rinks are Officially Open Today! Free skating at the natural outdoor rinks at either Delpark Homes Centre (1661 Harmony Rd. N.) or at Stone St Park (1535 Cedar St.) Hours at Delpark Homes Centre are 9 am to 10 pm Monday to Friday and 9 am to 9 pm on weekends (located at southeast sport field near DHC's main entrance. The rink at Stone Street Park is open daily from 9 to 9. Note that Outdoor Rinks may experience adjusted hours of operation or temporary closures due to weather or ice conditions. To stay informed about the latest operational status call 905-436-3311 and saying "outdoor rinks" or dial ext. 2385. In the event of a closure, signage will be posted at the rink locations. View scheduled times for outdoor leisure skating, stick and puck and shinny hockey at Oshawa.ca/OutdoorRinks or through posted signage at the rinks. ►Benches are located next to the rinks for skaters to put on skates and helmets. ►Only persons wearing skates or sledges are permitted on the ice. ►C.S.A. approved hockey helmets are strongly recommended for all skaters and appropriate hockey equipment for stick and puck and shinny hockey. ►Rinks are monitored hourly by City of Oshawa staff. Report any concerns to the Delpark Homes Centre by calling 905-436-5455 or South Oshawa Community Centre at 905-436-5474. ►Washroom access is available at Delpark Homes Centre from 9 am to 10 pm Mon to Fri and 9 to 9 on weekends, and at the South Oshawa Community Centre from 9 to 9 Visit Oshawa.ca/OutdoorRinks for additional information. Wednesday Jan 10th from 10am-1pm visit a Pop-Up table at Delpark Homes Centre with METROLINX! Check it out if you have questions about the Bowmanville Extension, Durham-Scarborough Bus Rapid Transit, and GO Expansion.
For more details see here: www.oshawa.ca/en/news/metrolinx-notice-stop-by-and-say-hi.aspx NEW TRAFFIC LIGHTS at GRANDVIEW St. N. and GREENHILL/ESTERBROOK intersection are being installed and expected to be operational before the end of January, 2024. Backstory -these lights are to prepare for the eventual opening of the GREENHILL AVE. EXTENSION TO HARMONY RD. N.
The below photos taken this morning show not only where the new traffic lights are being installed, but also include a couple of pictures where the missing part of the Greenhill Ave extension remains incomplete. In addition, see the 2 Attachments below copied from just the released Report ED-24-08, which many residents should find of great interest — Attachment 1 is a map showing the property ownership and Attachment 4 is the site plan for the new high school I have been inquiring for the past 4 years when the Greenhill Ave extension will be open, as it sure looked to be nearing completion during this time. However, as recently as two months ago staff were still indicating it would only be completed in conjunction with the development of the land in the immediate area and that there were outstanding matters related to property ownership and development. Now, on the Agenda for the MONDAY Jan 8, 2024, 1:30 p.m. Economic Development Services Committee meeting there is Report-24-08 (made public yesterday, Wed. Jan 3, 2024) with clearer details about what is happening with the land development for the future Greenhill extension and the planned Durham Catholic District School Board high school and the developer 'Sitwell' owned land. Here is a link to the 19 page report pub-oshawa.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=14605 Oshawa New Year's Eve family fun event at Delpark Homes Centre 6 - 9 pm Sunday Dec 31, 2023
For details about the activities, from swimming, skating, magic show, movies, crafts, etc. see: https://www.oshawa.ca/en/parks-recreation-and-culture/oshawa-celebrates.aspx This Oshawa Snow Clearing Feedback Form is a good City survey for Oshawans to respond to this winter! https://connectoshawa.ca/snow/surveys/snowff You can help see improvements in the City's snow operations by sharing your concerns and suggestions.
Snow Clearing Feedback Form | Connect Oshawa Below is a list of of the Items on the Consent Agenda for the Oshawa Council meeting, Monday Dec 11, 2023 (last scheduled Council meeting of 2023). Council members may pull items for discussion, questions, referral or for a recorded vote. Items not pulled are considered approved under the Consent Agenda. For more details on the Agenda Items see: https://pub-oshawa.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx...
One item on the meeting Agenda which does not appear on the Consent Agenda list below (because it was forwarded from the Economic Development Committee to City Council without a recommendation and will require a direction) is : ED-23-216 - Appraisal Reports and Amended Options for Certain City-owned land located on the south side of Athol Street East, between Celina and Albert Street (Ward 4) 19 applications on the Committee of Agenda meeting this Wednesday Dec 13 2023 @ 6pm.
For more details on these applications listed below see https://www.oshawa.ca/.../resou.../COA/2023-12-13-Agenda.pdf At the December 1, 2023 Special Council Meeting, Council passed the Mayor's City of Oshawa 2024 Budget with its 3.89% tax levy increase.
For details see here: 2024 Oshawa City Budget adopted - City of Oshawa When a constituent asked me today why By-laws differ between municipalities. I said because they have different needs, programs, services, budgets etc. Then I referred to the Ontario Municipal Act which grants certain powers to Ontario municipalities and has regulations all must adhere to.
Section 8 (1) of the Act states the broad authority provided to a municipality is to govern its affairs at it considers appropriate and TO ENHANCE THE MUNICIPALITY'S ABILITY TO RESPOND TO MUNICIPAL ISSUES. I gave an example of something Oshawa considers appropriate: the City's Snow Clearing Help Program for Seniors and the Disabled...not all municipalities have such a program and Oshawa's is well managed...if you haven't seen it, here's the link with details about the program Snow Clearing Help - City of Oshawa and here's a link to the application form: forms.oshawa.ca/Community-Services/Operations-Services/Application-for-Snow-Clearing-Assistance-Program Registration opens at 9 a.m. tomorrow, Thursday, November 23 2023 for general winter recreation programs, including SKATING, arts and crafts, dance, music, fitness and March Break Camps Open link here: activeOshawa Registered Programs - City of Oshawa
Chick-fil-A opens today in Oshawa at Taunton Rd & Clearbrook, (1280 Clearbrook Dr.) between Wilson Rd. and Harmony. I had the pleasure of attending the soft opening yesterday. It was good to meet Matt Bizley owner-operator and his wife who are Oshawa residents, and with many others in attendance wish them great success ahead! The restaurant will have between 90 and 120 employees and is partnering with the Back Door Mission in Oshawa. Nathan Gardner, Executive Director of Back Door Mission for the Relief of Poverty, spoke at the ribbon cutting ceremony and thanked Chick-fil-A for this partnership to provide quality food to those in need. Here is a link to how the 'shared table' partnership with Back Door Mission works: The Chick-fil-A Shared Table Program | Chick-fil-A Canada
Although there are very few items on Monday's Community & Operations Agenda and only one item on the Safety & Facilities Agenda, they present some very interesting issues.
Imo, there are three that may may generate good discussion, leading to these questions: 1. Will Council members support a homeowner paying for snow/ice melt cable in the sidewalk in front of their home? 2. Will the Committee members support a deeper look into speed cushions on a rural Oshawa road where 85% of the residents on the 1km stretch of road between Thornton and Simcoe just north of Hwy 407 have requested this. More consideration should be given not only to the fact that Clarington has them installed on rural roads with good success. (see picture below taken last spring) and Whitby has them on arterial roads like Robert Attersley and Garden St. (btw speed cushions have an opening for fire truck wheels) 3. Will the Committee support an investigation into implementing Automated Speed Enforcement Cameras on Oshawa local roads? Note: I support all three. Enjoy these 2 Fun, Smile Inspiring Festive Events this week in Oshawa!
On Thursday Nov 16th 5-9 PM the BRIGHT & MERRY MARKET with its Live Entertainment, Crafters, Artists, Food Delights, Trolley for free ride around the downtown, plus THE CITY TREE LIGHTING @ 7pm!
On Saturday Nov 18 the annual SANTA PARADE OF LIGHTS starting at the Oshawa Centre at 6 PM Looking forward to both! I am encouraged how, now, finally, it seems focus will be given to finding solutions for the serious safety issue around the Greenhill Ave/Jack Glenn St intersection with its logjam of pedestrians/vehicles/school buses/kiss 'n ride traffic and parking problems.
When attending outside Elsie MacGill elementary school at dismissal time on Thursday November 9th with Mayor Carter and Senior City staff, they agreed to investigate options to improve this nerve-racking 'accident-waiting-to-happen' situation. Please email me rmcconkey@oshawa.ca and service@oshawa.ca to share any ideas for improvement you may have. Imo the issues are similar to how the City took action when Tim Horton drive thru line-ups were snarling traffic on arterial roads. Now they are required have two order-lanes and/or longer turn areas in place to prevent customer line-ups on the road. Also, some are accessible by Right-in/Right-out road lane turns only. But the school zone traffic problems should be considered worse, since children, in a hurry to arrive at school on time or get home quickly, are involved. Imo Council could pass a firm new policy to ensure compliance of parking regulations around schools, including having:
Below are pictures of Mayor Carter helping with the bus traffic by moving the pylons. SIDENOTE: Checkout the rectangular red & white sign a business posted overlapping the NEW All-Way Stop sign at Greenhill and Clearbrook, a couple hundred feet west of where the Mayor, City staff and I were standing on Greenhill Ave and Jack Glenn St. Some may think it an effective location, but really, how could anyone would think this acceptable? I took it down and called Service Oshawa to remove other signs randomly placed on Greenhill Ave boulevard in contravention of the City's by-laws. I've also asked if City staff call the phone numbers on these signs for more compliance. This morning's Remembrance Day Service at the City of Oshawa War Memorial, Memorial Park, was very well attended. For good reason. It is truly a most remarkable and special event. A big thank you to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 43 and Branch 637 and the many who gave assistance. Please see the Program (below) with names of those participating and Acknowledgements to supporters. Col (Retired) Bob Chapman, after his, once again, superb job as Master of Ceremonies, is pictured below with Councillor colleague Derek Giberson. Likewise deserving compliments is Rev Richard Parker, Chaplain Branch 43 RCL and Columbus Community United Church Minister who was camera shy after the ceremony, but kindly allowed me to copy his Prayer and Benediction, reproduced in the first comments below. Honourable mention also goes out to Cadet WO Emma DiLoreto who gave an exceptional speech representing the youth of Oshawa. The ceremony, the parade, the music, the military museum tanks circled around the park, and the prayers, were all impactful to see and hear. Also, however, being present with so many fellow Oshawans gathered solemnly to mark the occasion brought feelings of warmth and strength, especially when singing the words in the hymn 'shine through the gloom and point me to the skies'. Rev. Richard Parker's PRAYER:
Let us pray for all who suffer as a result of conflict and ask that God may give us peace; For the service men and women who have died in the violence of war. For civilian women, children and men whose lives are disfigured by war or terror, calling to mind in penitence the anger and hatreds of humanity; For peacemakers and peacekeepers, who seek to keep this world secure and free, For all who bear the burden and privilege of leadership, political, military and religious; Asking for gifts of wisdom and resolve in the search for reconciliation and peace; O God of truth and justice, we hold before you those whose memory we cherish, and those whose names we will never know. Help us to lift our eyes above the torment of this broken world and grant us the grace to pray for those who wish us harm. As we honour the past, may we put our faith in your future for you are the source of life and hope, now and forever. Rev. Richard Parker's BENEDICTION: We remember today all those who have come before us and given the greatest gift to our democratic nation - their lives. Their duty, their honor and their lives are precious gifts that must be given to the future of our country and our families. The duty of our veterans past and present is the fiber of the word Freedom and is stronger by our recognition of service and sacrifice. We honour that service and sacrifice today and should carry it forward for our children to honour. Freedom and democracy are the result of all of the most honourable things our country has produced. Today we stand to remember the most honourable amongst us and we must continue to carry the burden of their sacrifice, lest we lose sight of what true Freedom is. Today is for remembering - stand in honour of them, walk in their path of duty, remember the cost, and hold in your heart the cause of freedom. Yesterday Council was presented with a proposed 2023 Budget. Mayor Carter & senior staff outlined their goals and department new hires and explanations for budget variances.
The recommended tax rate increase for 2024 is 3.95%. The Mayor said it started much higher and where it is at now there is no wiggle room left. Here is the link to the presentation, the Capital and Operating Budgets: https://www.oshawa.ca/en/city-hall/budget.aspx... Mayor Carter instructed members of Council to have their budget questions submitted in writing by 4:30 p.m. Nov 23, 2023. Highlights: $48.9M for new Capital Budget projects $208.8M revenue for Operating budget Total Gross Expenses included in the operating budget are $215,336,400 Oshawa currently has $34.7M principal outstanding external debenture debt A new debenture $8.5M and a new Inter Fund Note $271K are proposed to be added which will result in, by the end of 2024, the City's external debt being $38.5M $1.1B infrastructure deficit forecast for next 9 years (which does not include the TCC ($9.5M for HVAC, elevators, arena, improvement requirements) $13.57M to Reserves (an increase of $1.74M over the 2023 budget). There are budget cuts to the Tribute Community's Centre and the OSCC of 2%, other cuts include the City's Advisory Committees On December 1st Council will meet again on the 2024 Budget to consider amendments. Mayor Carter indicated he will decide within 9 days subsequent whether he will veto any amendments Council proposes. Then, should Council have any proposed resolutions to override any budget items vetoed by the Mayor, a final 2024 budget meeting will be held on December 15, 2023. |