Summer 2019 O T R

inside summer York9 FC @ One Year Later High Quality, Low Cost Tile Safeguarding Pedestrians Stouffville Country Ribfest 46th Classic Car Show WSPL Fall Guide Preview plus WOMEN OF INFLUENCE Six Page Special Feature PG. 5 TOWN STRAT PLAN Embracing the Future PG. 18

Anna Trokova shows us that the dark side is a bright place PG. 8

On The Road In Whitchurch–Stouffville is the Monthly Journal of the Town townofws.ca/otr 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS O T R Summer 2019 townofws.ca/otr

From the Editor SOCIETAS | Women of Influence In this special edition of Societas, we explore local Women of Influence. The Summer edition of OTR is packed, so As with many themes developed in OTR, this one came about organical- packed that I had to give up space for interior ly - five women appeared with a story, all share an influence. advertisements, which are a necessary evil in 5 an attempt to balance the books. Everything had to get jammed in, being time sensitive. The preview for the Library's WHAT'S ON | Events & Programming fall guide would soon be a posthumous view, There is a lot happening - ribbers, classic cars, art exhibitions, movies while Ribfest, Classic Cars and two art exhibi- in the park, live music and the Whitchurch-Stouffville Public Library tions couldn't wait either. has provided an advance look at their Fall Guide. Finally, the Town has recently adopted a 10 new, and long-awaited Strategic Plan, which will cement that residents, busines people, staff and politicians can move forward togeth- NEED TO KNOW | Safeguarding Pedestrians er in a single progressive direction. A four- We didn't have to think about it so much in the past, but now it has page preview of the Strat Plan is on Page 17. become an issue. Unfortunately, the public realm world-wide is being In this issue we have 11 pages of busi- more frequently targeted by people with harmful intentions. ness content, featuring a new tile shop in 14 Downtown, Stouffville, a company from Ram Forest safeguarding pedestrians, and 5-pages pertaining to influential local women. GEAR UP | Village Tile Company The Summer Edition kicks off by revisiting Village Tile Company opened in Downtown Stouffville. This is a family York9 FC one year later. OTR featured the new run company that offers an excellent selection of porcelain, ceramic, team last summer, now you can read how they stone, glass and mosaic tiles, sourced from around the world. are doing. 16 David Tuley, Editor | ecdev@townofws INSIGHT | The Town has a new Strat Plan Council has approved a new Strategic Plan after a thorough process that took six months. Fiscal Sustainability, Expanding the Tax Base, 17 Service Excellence and Asset planning are the themes.

Movers & Shakers Council What's On Community Corner News A photographic exhibit and personal proj- ect by Julie Williams, local photographer, presents Movers & Shakers: Stouffville Women Impacting Our Community At opening night reception you'll get a chance to see her por- traits and meet and chat with the participants. Who are they? You must come see. Page 12. 03 10 23 COUNCILCOUNCIL CORNER CORNER3 3

WhatWhat is is the the best best use use for for Highway Highway 48? 48? MARKHAM,MARKHAM, WHITCHURCH-STOUFFVILLE WHITCHURCH-STOUFFVILLE TO TO JOINTLY JOINTLY STUDY STUDY LAND LAND USE USE OPTIONS OPTIONS GlennGlenn Jackson, Jackson, Contributor Contributor

ThisThis is a is monthly a monthly column column summarizing summarizing recent recent Whitchurch-StouffvilleWhitchurch-Stouffville Council Council decisions. decisions. SubscribeSubscribe to our to our eNewsletter eNewsletter for formore more detaileddetailed information: information: eepurl.com/cKPNg9 eepurl.com/cKPNg9 HighwayHighway 48 48Visioning Visioning Study. Study. Over Over the the coursecourse of the of thepast past few few months, months, several several devel devel- - opmentsopments have have been been presented presented to Councilto Council in in the theHighway Highway 48 and48 and Stouffville Stouffville Road Road area. area. In In March,March, the theZhawd Zhawd Corp. Corp. presented presented their their idea idea for fora large a large development development on theon thenortheast northeast cor -cor- nerner of Highway of Highway 48 and48 and Hoover Hoover Park Park (see (see OTR, OTR, AprilApril edition edition), and), and in May, in May, SmartCentres SmartCentres noti noti- - fiedfied Council Council they they wished wished to haveto have some some zoning zoning changedchanged so they so they could could build build some some townhouses, townhouses, retirementretirement homes homes and and office office buildings buildings next nextto to SportChekSportChek (see (see OTR, OTR, June June edition edition). A). new A new developmentdevelopment at the at thenortheast northeast corner corner of Main of Main StreetStreet and and Highway Highway 48 was48 was also also proposed proposed to to CouncilCouncil in April. in April. The Thearea area bounded bounded by the by redthe linered linewill bewill the be subjectthe subject of a of“Highway a “Highway 48 Visioning 48 Visioning Exercise” Exercise” to study to study long-term long-term land land TheThe interest interest in the in theHighway Highway 48 corridor48 corridor in inuse options.use options. The Thestudy study will bewill conducted be conducted jointly jointly by the by Townthe Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville of Whitchurch-Stouffville and andthe Citythe Cityof Markham. of Markham. In Whitchurch-Stouffville,In Whitchurch-Stouffville, the areathe area includes includes the SmartCentrethe SmartCentre lands lands and andall the all landthe land west west to McCowan to McCowan Road. Road. In In Whitchurch-StouffvilleWhitchurch-Stouffville has hasnot notdiminished. diminished. Markham,Markham, the studythe study will includewill include Dickson’s Dickson’s Hill. Hill. The Thestudy study will bewill funded be funded by FLATO by FLATO Developments. Developments. At theAt theJuly July 16 meeting,16 meeting, Council Council approved approved the thego-ahead go-ahead for afor “visioning a “visioning exercise” exercise” that that will will and and the theTenth Tenth Line. Line. fundraisingfundraising events: events: an inauguralan inaugural Charity Charity Golf Golf analyzeanalyze environmental, environmental, social, social, and and economic economic TheThe study study was was initially initially scheduled scheduled to com to com- -ClassicClassic (held (held this this past past spring) spring) and and the theCitizens Citizens factors,factors, such such as transportation as transportation and and servicing servicing mence mence in July in July 2018 2018 but butit was it was put puton hold on hold pend pend- of- theof theYear Year Gala, Gala, taking taking place place in the in theFall. Fall. issues,issues, that that will will contribute contribute to any to any future future devel devel- -ing ingthe theprovincial provincial review review of the of Growththe Growth Plan Plan for for ForFor more more information, information, visit visit wslegacyfund. wslegacyfund. opmentopment in the in thearea. area. the theGreater Greater Golden Golden Horseshoe Horseshoe. It was. It was therefore therefore com. com. TheThe study study will will analyze analyze the thelands lands around around the theofficially officially launched launched in Februaryin February 2019. 2019. CommunityCommunity of Dickson of Dickson Hill Hill and and 19th 19th Avenue Avenue WSPWSP will will provide provide an updatean update presentation presentation Burkholder Burkholder Street Street Safety Safety Study. Study. Recently, Recently, to theto the south, south, Stouffville Stouffville Road Road to the to the north, north, to Councilto Council at the at theend end of summer, of summer, followed followed by byresidents residents living living on oron near or near Burkholder Burkholder Street Street McCowanMcCowan Road Road to the to the west, west, and and generally generally an additionalan additional public public open open house house where where the thein Memorialin Memorial Park, Park, have have raised raised concerns concerns about about followingfollowing the thecreek creek land land on theon theeast east side side of ofpublic public will will have have the the opportunity opportunity to provideto provide public public safety, safety, most most notably notably the thespeed speed of traffic of traffic HighwayHighway 48 (see 48 (see map map to the to theright). right). additionaladditional comments. comments. It is It expected is expected the thedraft draft in thein thearea. area. CityCity of Markham of Markham staff staff have have agreed agreed to sitto onsit onOPA OPA and and Urban Urban Design Design Guidelines Guidelines will will be final be final- - On OnJune June 18, Council18, Council addressed addressed these these con con- - a jointa joint working working group group for forthis this exercise. exercise. It is It isized ized by the by thefall. fall. cernscerns and and evaluated evaluated some some solutions. solutions. They They anticipatedanticipated Markham Markham staff staff will reportwill report to their to their approvedapproved an environmental an environmental assessment assessment of the of the CouncilCouncil soon. soon. LegacyLegacy Fund Fund Set Set Up. Up. At theAt theJune June 4 meet 4 meet- -area,area, and and approved approved the theinstallation installation of speed of speed FLATOFLATO Developments, Developments, a landowner a landowner in the in theing, ing, Council Council authorized authorized staff staff to create to create the thehumps humps along along Burkholder Burkholder Street Street through through vicinityvicinity of the of theHighway Highway 48 corridor,48 corridor, together together Whitchurch-Stouffville Whitchurch-Stouffville Legacy Legacy Fund Fund (WSLF). (WSLF).MemorialMemorial Park, Park, and and the theinstallation installation of speed of speed withwith other other nearby nearby landowners, landowners, have have agreed agreed to to TheThe Fund Fund was was created created to help to help support support the thebumps bumps along along the theLeissure Leissure Centre Centre driveway. driveway. fundfund the theproject, project, estimated estimated to be to $90,000. be $90,000. financialfinancial needs needs and and efforts efforts of local of local service service BurkholderBurkholder Street Street through through the the park park will will groupsgroups and and charities charities who who work work to enrich to enrich remain remain closed closed on weekendson weekends for thefor theremainder remainder LincolnvilleLincolnville Study Study Underway. Underway. The The Town Town the the lives lives of Town of Town residents. residents. The The WSLF WSLF is a is aof theof thesummer. summer. hashas retained retained professional professional service service firm firm WSP, WSP, in innon-profit non-profit entity entity with with an apoliticalan apolitical volunteer volunteer TheThe humps humps and and bumps bumps are areexpected expected to be to be associationassociation with with urbanMetrics, urbanMetrics, to undertake to undertake a aBoard Board of Directors. of Directors. They They will will review review and and grant grant installed installed later later this this summer. summer. LandLand Use Use Study Study for thefor theLincolnville Lincolnville GO GOStation Station funding funding requests requests exclusively exclusively based based on the on themer mer- - Area.Area. its ofits the of theapplications applications received. received. COUNCILCOUNCIL MEETINGS: MEETINGS: Generally,Generally, 4 p.m. 4 p.m. or 7 orp.m. 7 p.m. every every other other Tuesday Tuesday in the in the TheThe study study will will help help identify identify what what the thepre pre- - TheThe WSLF WSLF is solely is solely funded funded by the by thecharitable charitable CouncilCouncil Chambers, Chambers, 111 111Sandiford Sandiford Drive, Drive, Stouffville. Stouffville. ferredferred land land use use will will be when be when the thenew new station station is isefforts efforts of ofMayor Mayor Iain Iain Lovatt Lovatt and anda dedicated a dedicated Listen Listen live: live:townofws.ca/cmlivestream. townofws.ca/cmlivestream. builtbuilt on theon thesouthest southest corner corner of Bethesda of Bethesda Road Road volunteer volunteer committee committee who who plan plan two two annual annual Live Livetweets: tweets: @ws_townhall @ws_townhall 4 SOCIETAS

City, Durham Region, Mississauga, Regina, Saskatoon, and Kelowna. CPL teams are ‘club owned’ not franchise-owned like other North American sports leagues. The CPL Season is split into two sessions (spring and fall); the winner of each plays for the CPL Finals. The golden news for Canadian soccer players: more than 50% of the teams must be Canadians, 6 Canadians must start every game and 3 of the Canadians must be 21 years or younger. The CPL forms the final leg in the path to maturity for our football play- ing youth, as there are nearly 50,000 play- ers registered with the York Region Soccer Association, and formerly - few places for YORK9 FC them to go. One Year Later CPL teams can have up to 7 internation- al players. York9 has internationals from York9 Celebrating goal against Montreal Impact at York Lions Stadium during the Canadian Championship St. Kitts and Nevis, Chile, Japan, Sweden, and Venezuela. York9’s under 21 players are It was 1pm on Saturday, May 25. The air soccer league (3 places above Toronto FC). We from Barrie, Montreal and Toronto, while was cool and the skies dark above York Lions thought we knew who would get “stinked”, other players hail from places like Calgary, Stadium. The weather forecast called for the and it wasn’t going to be Montreal. Either North York, Keswick and Mississauga. Jim clouds to downpour by halftime. This wasn’t way, getting a ticket for somewhere between Brennan, a Newmarket native, is the team’s just any game, it was the first regular home $24 and $40 was a steal, with the added ben- Coach and Executive Vice-President of Soccer game for the newly created York9 FC. An efit of not sitting on Highway 427, Gardiner Operations. In 2006, Brennan signed with added bonus – York9 was going head to head and Lakeshore Drive to arrive at the athletics Toronto FC for the 2007 season, becoming the with The Forge FC from Hamilton in a new stadium in Lower Toronto. first player and captain in club history. neighbourly rivalry penned as the 905 Derby. The game was amazing. York9 may have A potential player can try out for a CPL From my point of view in the entry line, the been slightly less refined in their play, but team at the age of 16. CPL teams actively Derby began with a repurposed school bus they dominated the game: 15 to 11 shots, 51% recruit from universities and other leagues pulling up in front of the stadium. The bus to 49% possession, and 537 to 527 passes. The like Ontario 1. Players earn presently $40-60K was shaking from the movement of the excit- crowd roared every time the men in green annually, plus any sponsorship activity, which ed crowd within. They poured out dressed in and white took a shot. York9 were destined to is sure to grow with CPL popularity. orange fan wear, stinking of beer sweat, and take the game entirely with a 2-1 lead, yet an Every year the Canadian Soccer Association chanting indistinguishable rally songs. They unfortunate penalty in the 90th minute grant- organizes the Canadian Championship where immediately rallied between the craft beer ed Montreal the opportunity for a game-tying all professional teams in Canada compete for tents from Newmarket, Brampton and other final score of 2-2, and they got it. the Voyageurs Cup, including the CPL, MLS, places, banging bass drums amongst other It says a lot when a new team in the fledg- USL (United Soccer League) and League 1, ritualistic behaviour. “I hope we stink them,” ling Canadian Premier League (CPL) got close amongst others, which explains the recent my youngest son said. to beating the established Montreal team, rivalry between York9 and Montreal Impact The game was exhilarating. The stand-up especially when you consider that York9 is – it was a CanChamp game. The winner of the fan sections were totally animated with com- lingering toward the bottom standings of the CanChamp earns a berth in the CONCACAF peting bands enveloped in orange or olive- CPL league at present. It has been a year since Champions League, a competition for the green smoke bombs. Every seat in the small we wrote about the emergence of York9 FC, top football club in North America, Central stadium has a great view. The first half went perhaps a refresher is due. America, and the Caribbean. The winner scoreless. Unfortunately, it was followed by The CPL is newly formed as Canada’s pro- of the CONCACAF (Confederation of North, a torrential underwear-soaking downpour. fessional soccer league – it is not a lower tier Central American and Caribbean Association The threat of lightning and high winds got us to the mostly American based MLS (Major Football) Champions League automatically evicted from the stadium for safety. The game League Soccer). Currently, there are 7 teams qualifies for the quarterfinals of the FIFA Club resumed later, sans crowd, with York9 losing in the CPL: York Region, Hamilton, Halifax, World Cup. 2-0 to The Forge. Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton and Victoria. So, there you have it – a local kid who got a Flashforward to another game on a steam- In fact, the greatest travel time between two start with the Whitchurch-Stouffville Soccer ing hot and sunny Wednesday evening July 10, soccer teams in a single league in the World Club, conceivably now has a shot at the FIFA again at York Lions Stadium with nearly 5,000 is between Victoria and Halifax. The league Club World Cup – without ever leaving resi- in attendance. This wasn’t a local Derby game, is expected to double in size in the next few dency in York Region. This is why supporting as York9 was hosting the more established years, with rumours bounding for about new York9 is important. Montreal Impact, ranked 4th place in the MLS teams in St. John’s, Moncton, Laval, Quebec Contact: york9fc.canpl.ca WOMEN OF INFLUENCE 5

Nicole Fletcher does her part to hold up the Clock Tower in Downtown Stouffville Contacts: stouffvillereview.com | markhamreview.com NICOLE 01 FLETCHER There are a lot of ways to describe Nicole Fletcher, our first fea- Nicole. This evolved into their newspapers: Markham Review launched ture in this series: out-going, friendly, determined, quick, cautious, in September 2012, and then Stouffville Review since April 2014. informed and reliable. Nicole and her husband, Duncan reach 30,000 “We are a part of this community and here to serve it. We are here to readers every month through their newspapers Stouffville Review and keep people in touch with the community and tell the stories from it – Markham Review. They also publish seven online news sites covering stories of its people, places, history and promising future,” said Nicole. many municipalities in the GTA. Whether it is council updates, local festivals or student and sport team Nicole’s family moved to Markham from Oshawa when she was 12. successes, they take pride in connecting the community. She attended St. Robert Catholic High School in Thornhill, Stouffville One of Nicole’s favourite stories was the one about the Syrian refugee District Secondary School, and Markham District High School. Out of crisis. “We felt that it inspired many residents to help those in need,” high school Nicole went to Trent University in Peterborough, which is said Nicole. Plans for the future: “Expand our digital and social media where she met Duncan. They started dating in 1989. They have three reach." boys - twins at 15 and another 12. Incidentally, Nicole was one of the inspirations to start On the Road “After 20 years in the media industry, I decided to start my own in the Summer of 2016. We met. She had a copy of York Mattersand said, business of publishing community newspapers and community news “Why doesn’t the Town publish something like this?” We did it – and sites, as well as producing websites and videos for clients,” reflected surpassed the scope of York Matters 30 issues ago. Thank you Nicole. 6 SOCIETAS

Heather Rogers [left] and Antonietta Botticelli [right] on the steps of St. James Presbyterian Church where Antonietta holds morning classes.

WOMEN OF INFLUENCE 7

HEATHER ANTONIETTA 02 ROGERS 03 BOTTICELLI Heather Rogers is an incredibly nice and earnest person. Meeting Back in September of 2016 Antonietta Botticelli joined WW (Weight with her inspired this series about Influential Women. She also intro- Watchers), as a friend of hers wanted a free month added to her mem- duced me to Antonietta. Heather founded and leads the local chapter bership. “I had to join in order for her to get a free month. I had no inten- of 100 Women Who Care in Stouffville. tions to join but I did it to help a friend out. It was really hard for me to 100 Women Who Care was started in November 2006 by Karen walk through those doors, but I took a deep breath and jumped in,” says Dunigan of Jackson, Michigan, as a brilliantly simple way to raise Antonietta. “That first day was the hardest day, but it was in reality the money efficiently and quickly for local charities. Her group of 100 best day of my life. As of today, I have lost 141 lbs.” Women, at their first one-hour meeting, each wrote a cheque for $100 In May of 2018 she went on a WW cruise and participated in a series directly to the charity, raising $10,000 to buy 300 new cribs for an orga- of group fitness classes on the cruise ship. One of those group fitness nization in their city. Since then, over 650 chapters of 100 Women, 100 classes was called Walk 15 with Sue. Walk 15 is a low impact, group Men, 100 Kids, 100 People, etc chapters have formed around the world! fitness class which incorporates 4 walking-based movements, this is In 2014, Heather Rogers brought 100 Women Who Care to Stouffville. done via fun, upbeat music, indoors. 15 signifies the beats per minute, The inaugural meeting took place on April 23, 2014. Each year, four and in 15 mins you walk 1 mile. The class is 45 mins long, so you end up meetings are held (January, April, July, and October). In 2019, 100 walking 3 miles. “I fell in love with it instantaneously,” said Antonietta. Women Who Care supported Routes Connecting Communities in “As soon as I got home, I did my research, completed the course and January with a donation of $6,600. In April 2019, Make a Wish Canada became a certified Walk 15 Instructor.” was selected as the charity and given $7,000 as part of the Play for Jay In July of 2018 she launched my Walk 15 with Antonietta and had 47 campaign to remember Jaylen from Stouffville. people show up to her first class. She reflects, “I only offered one class Since their first meeting in 2014, 100 Women Who Cares Stouffville a week as I did not know what to expect or how to really take a group has raised and donated over $140,000. “Money which has, gone directly fitness class on. Now I am proud to say I offer 11 classes a week and have into the Town we call home,” said Heather. There is power in numbers. over 635 members. I resigned from my corporate job and I am doing this The group gathers four times a year to hear three presentations. full time. So crazy awesome - right?” These presentations introduce the group to charities that works In November of 2018 Antonietta was recruited to work for WW as a directly with the residents of Stouffville. The group then votes for their coach and guide and in February of 2019, she was given her own work- preferred charity. The charity with the most votes receives $100 from shop to lead. She does this every Thursday evening in Stouffville and each woman. also in Uxbridge on Saturday mornings. “Our goal is to raise $10,000 at each meeting for a grand total of In April of 2019 she was nominated for the Inspiration Award from a $40,000 per year,” reports Heather. All meetings are held at 7 pm at corporation called FIT Women and Girls. She was one of the 5 finalists the Meadowbrook Golf and County Club, who has graciously provided across Canada. She won the award and was given a $500 grant. The the space for the 100 Women Who Care meeting free of charge since $500 will be given back to the members at Walk 15 with Antonietta. the beginning. “My current goal is to continue to empower, encourage and motivate Ladies of all ages are welcome to join at any point in the year. The all the members that come to my group fitness class – to continue to next meeting is Wednesday, October 16th. Please join and help make a ensure a safe space for them – a space without judgement,” she con- difference in Stouffville.Contact: 100womenstouffville.com cludes. Contact: walk15withantonietta.ca 8 SOCIETAS

ANNA 04 TROKOVA She is a resident in Ward 3 of Whitchurch- Iain and grateful for some parenting tips!” Stouffville. Anna is a blogger, although she “Chronicle 27. The sun was shining but it wouldn’t call herself that. “I love writing sto- was a cool day. Meet Jeff Marek, our home boy. ries about the people I meet. There’s always Jeff was jogging by, as he usually does most something new to learn and a lesson to share.” mornings, and stopped to say hello. Yes, he’s Chronicle 1, August 12, 2018: “I’m giving our Stouffville boy that’s a television person- birth to ‘The Bulb Chronicles’, random meet- ality and radio host, prominent broadcaster ing, chatting, listening, learning and sharing; now working for Sportsnet. If you personally everyone has a story. Inspired by the Red know Jeff, consider yourself lucky. We first Bulb Espresso Bar, our go to for great coffee, became well acquainted with Jeff and his conversation, & creative ideas… Meet Lorne. beautiful talented wife when our sons played A regular around Stouffville Main Street. on the same hockey team together. This I had to sit closely to this soft-spoken man; famous, yet very modest guy, would be in the I didn’t want to miss a word. He’s a Literacy change room after hockey practice making Scholar and artist - 80yrs old and still riding a concerted effort to chat with our kids, fist his bike around. Lorne said his family settled pumping, giving them tips and telling them here from Pennsylvania back in the 1800s. He what a great job, move, pass, score they had…” used to live in town off Main St. for years then The diversity and mix of new Chronicles decided it was time to move into the Parkview were great: Charlene Jones, a published author Homes across from No Frills with his wife. and intellect (Chronicle 74); John Relph, Say hi if you see him around town. He always President of the Lions Club of Stouffville (71); makes time for a chat.” Justin Kerswill, Chair of the Stouffville Igoma And so, began the infamous Bulb Partnership (58); Rafael Morales, Owner Chronicles. “I enjoy meeting new people and of Mathnasium Stouffville (53); and Jerry having conversations that take people out of Ouellette, Former Ontario Minister of Natural their comfort zone,” says Anna. “Meeting peo- Resources (39). Chronicle 38 with David Tuley, ple is like opening a gift – it’s a novelty, exciting Editor of OTR, was the least interesting (says and a mystery.” me), but it is where I first had an extended con- “Chronicle 2, Meet Chef Frank Cutrara. I’m versation with Anna. Anna told me she wrote back at the Red Bulb Espresso Bar with my stories about people and businesses, like me, daughter Lola and a nice gentleman offered but in a parallel universe named Facebook, seats to us. He looked familiar. His name is which I dubbed “the Dark Side”. Hence, Vader Frank. He made his home Stouffville after was born. his sister had moved here many, many years The Bulb Chronicles are only Anna ago. Aside from his exciting photography gigs, Trokova’s First Act. The Vader 2.0 included Frank has developed a unique and sophisti- her “Take A Seat” campaign, where she asked cated idea called Cutrara’s Cooking Socials Downtown Stouffville Main Street store own- where he cooks meals for private groups in ers to pull out a couple of chairs and place his home.” them in front of their stores on Saturday “August 12, 2018. Chronicle 17, Meet Mr. mornings, encouraging patrons walking by Bruce Stapley with the Stouffville Free Press. to ‘Take A Seat’. Vader 3.0 was the ingenious “Café, conversations and creative ideas We dove deeper into speaking about Mental “Speed Networking Coffee Break Events”, in with Anna Trokova Dimovski.” That’s how she Health”...“September 7, 2018. Chronicle 19, which Anna asks people to brake, to slow you likes to start her stories. Inspired by sitting Meet Mayoral Candidate Iain Lovatt... I just down, stop and join the fun. The concept was at the Red Bulb Espresso Bar in Downtown wanted to meet the person behind the politi- like speed dating, but for businesses. “We’re Stouffville, Anna would meet random and cian... and observe. I’m just passionately curi- all busy running our business, with limited sometimes regulars at the café and strike ous, like my fave, Einstein. My daughter took time, so why not make our coffee break count up conversations quite organically. Ideas the lead; so much for a quick question. These and grow your business while you take the would start flowing, and then a story follows. two ended up having a conversation and the next sip.” “Everyone has a story,” smiles Anna, and “I video was longer than expected. We did cover Even if Anna lives in a high-risk environ- want to share it.” We’re grateful to Anna, and a lot of grass and hay of conversation, but so ment (to most bureaucrats), she shows that her supportive daughter, son and husband, did the espresso machines and cafe lovers in social media can be a bright place. She is invig- for influencing the community with positive the bustling bar. What did I learn? Well noth- orating, fun, and passionately curious. community-minded vibes and great stories. ing about politics (ok a little), but a lot about Contact: facebook.com/creativecafechats

WOMEN OF INFLUENCE 9

JULIE 05 WILLIAMS Julie Williams grew up in Toronto and graduated from University of Waterloo in Chemical Engineering. She and her husband moved to Stouffville in 1996 where they raised their two children. Julie decided to become a stay- at-home mom after her second child was born. While on vacation, Julie was looking at post cards when it dawned on her that she too could take quality photographs. Julie is a self-taught photographer – constantly studying, prac- ticing and updating her equipment. She is now the owner and lead photographer at Pretty in Pictures. While taking time off from her engineering job to raise a family she turned her passion of photographing people into a career and business. In 2016, Julie was awarded the contract to be the official photographer for the Town. She is pulled in many direc- tions, from Town ceremonies to events, but we are most indebted for her tireless work on OTR – photography and editing. Without Julie’s copy-editing skills – OTR would have 500 mistakes in every edition. She never complains when receiving draft articles at 10pm, 1am, or 6am, but rather responds with haste and perfection. In the field with OTR, she is well connected with the community, which always helps to expand the breadth and depth of the interview. Later, November 2018, Julie received another bump. She was one of 10 artists selected to participate in YRAC’s (York Region Arts Council's) Mentorship Program. The nine-month program is an opportunity for artists in York Region to connect, learn, and grow through one-on-one mentorship with an experienced artist within their discipline. Julie was partnered with local photographer, Ron Clifford. In January, Ron encouraged Julie to take on a personal project. She has really enjoyed connecting with women, hearing their stories of where they have come from and telling those stories through her photography. Julie then considered women in Stouffville who had made an impact on her, and the community at-large and making that the basis of her personal project. These women would be representative across various areas: entrepreneurs, educators, volunteers, politics, and char- ities. Julie knew she wanted to recognize and celebrate these women with others, and so she reached out to Elisa Coish, the curator at the Latcham Art Centre and pitched the idea about exhibiting her work. Elisa was then instrumental in speaking with the Town, who agreed to display her work at 19 on the Park. Julie's portraiture work will exhibit in September to mid-October and is titled, Movers & Shakers: Stouffville Women Impacting Our Community. The opening night reception will be Monday, September 9, from 6-9pm. You'll get a chance to see her portraits and meet and chat with the participants. Contact: prettyinpictures.ca 10 WHAT'S ON

EATS The travelling Ribbers are back with ribs, sauce, brisket, chicken, pulled pork & other great eats. These include: Sticky Fingers BBQ, from Castleberry, Alabama; Texas Rangers BBQ, originally from Motley, Texas and now in Zorra Township, Ontario; Uncle Sam's BBQ, born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and now with a main office in Brantford, Ontario; Billy Bones BBQ, from Sanford, Michigan and Fort Erie, Ontario. Make sure to cast your vote for best ribs & best sauce beside the beer sales trailer, starting at 1pm. The awards ceremony takes place Sunday at 3:00pm. There’s more than just ribs at Ribfest. Indulge in other food options such as pizza, sandwiches, BeaverTails, ice cream, mini donuts, funnel cakes, deep fried mars bars, cotton candy, popcorn, hotdogs, hamburg- ers, corn, lemonade and more. DRINKS So many events bypass, Craft-style, Ontario-made drinks, but not Ribfest. Market Brewing from Newmarket will provide Bear Hug IPA and Leslie Crusher Golden Ale, plus a variety of summer season- al beer. Mill Street Brewery in Toronto arrives with Organic Lager, 100th Meridian, Tankhouse, Hopped & Confused, White Space, and Kombucha Radler. Brickworks Ciderhouse, also Toronto, will bring Batch 1904, Stadium Peach, Mint & Basil, Rose, and Lemonade Radler. Amber Brewing in Markham will also be present with a selection.

PRESENTED BY: SILVER SPONSORS: 119

DATES Friday August 9 | 12pm - 11pm Saturday August 10 | 11am - 11pm Sunday August 11 | 11am - 7pm

Join us for this three-day event featuring national BBQ pit-masters, live music, food trucks, local breweries, marketplace, ​kid's zone and more. Admission by donation. Children enter for free.

Stouffville Memorial Park @ stouffvillecountryribfest.weebly.com

MUSIC Friday: Aaron Allen | 12:00-2:00 pm, one of Canada’s most promising country music stars. The Lennon Daniels Band ​| 3:00-6:30 pm, with vocals having some tones similar to Tom Petty, all while miraculously keeping an unmistakably country vibe. Memory Lane | 7:30-11:00 pm, uses a musical library of many rock & roll and old school hits including disco & 80s, together with a mix of new pop and top 40 tunes. Saturday: Jess & Tay | 12:00-2:00 pm, launching into the Canadian country music scene with sweet yet rich harmonies. Symply Skynyrd | 5:00-6:30pm, an Ontario-based tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd. Three Night Stand | 7:30-11:00pm, playing anything from rock to folk. Sunday: The Rockin' Mojos | 12:00-3:30pm, performing their own brand of rockin' blues with passion & feeling. Finally, see the winners of Stouffville's Got Talent 2019 | 6:00pm. ENTERTAINMENT Superior Events Group Inc. will be back again with the Stouffville Country Ribfest Kids' Zone, including Midway rides, inflatables and other rides. Don't miss out on Archery Practice from Arrowsoft Sports and a mobile Escape Room from Labyrinth. Enjoy a little shopping and learn about local organizations in the Marketplace featuring: Mona's Merch, Renewal by Anderson, Raka Paul RE/MAX Crossroads Realty, Impact Dance Company, Alpaca Sweaters & More, Parks Canada, Whynot Designs and more.

SILVER SPONSORS: 12 WHAT'S ON - THE ORIGINAL -

LOSING GROUND AN EXHIBITION AT LATCHAM ART CENTRE

August 29, 2019 to October 12, 2019 Opening reception and to meet the artist on Thursday, PRESENTED BY August 29 at 7pm. Refreshments will be served. Remarks at 7:30pm. All our welcome. 2 Park Drive. latchamgallery.ca.

Losing Ground. Playing with scale, perspective and the sculptural aspects of painting, Kitchener-Waterloo- based artist Melissa Doherty challenges our perceptions of both landscape and landscape painting. Her recent work examines the way natural elements are removed from the ground and displayed in containers and plant- ers, on rooftops and green walls, to explore the facade and artifice in the constructed landscape. She consid- ers how this positions the natural landscape as one step removed from the ground that sustains it, creating a veneer of landscape.

Melissa Doherty is a mid-career artist with an Honours B.A.(Fine Arts) from the University of Waterloo, Canada. She was recently awarded the Laura Ciruls DATES Painting Award from the Ontario Arts Foundation, and a Sunday August 11 11am - 4pm 14732 Woodbine Avenue Waterloo Region Visual Arts Award. Her work is included [rain date: Sunday, August 18] www.townofws.ca/museum in Carte Blanche Volume 2: Painting, a survey of con- Adults $5, Family of Four $15 temporary Canadian painters, and she was short-listed Whitchurch-Stouffvile Museum Kids under 3 Free Entry for the RBC Canadian Painting Competition. A recipient @ & Community Centre of grants from the Canada Council for the Arts, and the Join us for the 46th Annual Antique & Classic Car Show. Ontario Arts Council, her work has been included in exhi- There should be close to 450 cars all over this beautiful bitions internationally at Art Chicago, Scope Miami and tree-lined property. The feature vehicle this year is the Christinerose Gallery, New York. Solo exhibitions include Fire Department’s 1947 Fargo fire truck. It was just ren- the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Sherbrooke, Quebec, the ovated last year. University of Toronto, Galerie Art Mur, Montreal, Wilfrid The event will also feature children’s activities with Laurier University and the Art Gallery of Peterborough. face painting and games. History Snippets will have an Her work is represented in numerous collections, authentic heritage tent set up in the courtyard and will including Sir Elton John and David Furnish, University be discussing life for an early soldier or settler. Heritage of Toronto, the Bank of Montreal, the Four Seasons, and buildings will be open - Cooking on the wood stove in the the Royal Bank of Canada. Brown House kitchen. Ice cream making during the day. Visit the exhibit curated by the Museum with artifacts on loan from the Canadian Museum of History and the Huron-Wendat Museum; explore and learn about this MOVERS & SHAKERS amazing archaeological site in Archaeology Alive! The Stouffville Women Impacting Our Community Jean-Baptiste Lainé Site in Whitchurch-Stouffville. Food vendors include Mr. Softee, Vince’s BBQ, Spring This is a photographic exhibit and personal Loaded, plus our amazing volunteers in the Tea Garden project by Julie Williams, local photographer with offering freshly made sandwiches and delicious pie. The Pretty in Pictures. The Whitchurch-Stouffville Tea Garden opens at 9am for the early arrivers who are women featured are representative of entrepre- hungry. neurs, educators, volunteers, politics, and chari- ties. At opening night reception you'll get a chance GOLD SPONSORS to see her portraits and meet and chat with the participants. Who are they? You must come see.

Monday, September 9 | Reception (6-9pm) September to mid-October | Exhibit SILVER SPONSORS Contacts: prettyinpictures.ca 13 MOONLIGHT - ON MAIN - DOWNTOWN STOUFFVILLE the fall guide preview Thursday, August 22, 2019 6-9pm Enjoy music, food, and family fun on Stouffville's his- toric Main Street. Shop the annual Downtown Sidewalk Sale, get to know the Town's services and non-profit organizations and meet the merchants. Carnival trucks and musical entertainment will be located at 6240 Main. Main Street will remain open. Free event.

Whitchurch-Stouffville Public Library has finalized their Fall Guide, September to December. It is ready for pick-up at the Library at 2 Park Drive. Inside the guide there is 14732 Woodbine Avenue programming for Babies & Toddlers, Little Kids, Big Kids Tweens, Teens, and Adults. There www.townofws.ca/museum are Storytimes, English Language Learning and Autism in Mind. Finally, there are Special Adults $5, Family of Four $15 Events, Seasonal Fun, PA Day Camps and Workshops. Library staff has provided OTR with a Kids under 3 Free Entry preview of the Fall Guide. See excerpts below.

STOUFFVILLE READS: AN EVENING CELEBRATING THE LIBRARY, READING, STEAM Camp: Science Edition AND COMMUNITY! Monday, October 21 Thursday, September 26 - 6:00 PM Children will explore the world of science Stouffville Legion, 150 Mostar Street through fun experiments and creative Tickets $30 at the Library or online programming. Five Book Champions from the Whitchurch- Stouffville community will extoll the merits of STEAM Camp: Tech Edition five different books to event guests over cock- Friday, November 15 tails and hors d’oeuvres. After these presenta- We’ll explore technology including 3D print- tions, event attendees will vote, the results will ing, computing, recording studio engineering, be tallied, and the 2019 Stouffville Reads book and more. will be announced. AUTISM IN MIND (AIM) PROGRAMS STEAM PA DAY CAMPS (ages 6-12) Autism in Mind Children’s Charity is partner- MOVIES IN Camps run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ing with the Library to offer free program- THE PARK Cost per child: $35 per day ming for families. autisminmind.org. Memorial Park (optional pizza lunch $5 per day) Each PA Day camp focuses on a different Parent Training: Behaviour Management Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy STEAM aspect. Children learn science, tech- Saturdays, Sept 28 and Oct 5 family movies under the stars. The August show- nology, engineering, arts, and math concepts 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm ings are blockbusters! Movies start at 9pm. Free through creative, engaging programming. Free, registration required event. If these movies required tickets, they would Camps count towards STEAM certificate This training is open to parents who have chil- be sold out. requirements! dren ages 2 to 10. This program is designed to teach parents to understand, recognize, and Friday, August 16 Intro to STEAM maintain functional behaviour patterns in Aladdin (2019) Monday, September 23 their children. The first of our STEAM PA Days for the school Friday, August 23 year offers a sampling of STEAM activities Continued, see Page 22 Avengers: End Game including coding, robotics, crafts, and more! 14 NEED TO KNOW

Safeguarding Pedestrians We didn't have to think about it so much in the past, but now it has become an issue. Unfortunately, the public realm world-wide is being more frequent- ly targeted by people with harmful intentions. The only way to stand-up to it, is to show resilience and solidarity, and... contact Sam.

Sam Arnieri is in Business Development for Safeguard Perimeter Solutions, a divi- sion of local anchor Powell Contracting Ltd. Safeguard specializes in creating safe environments for events, critical infra- structure, emergency closures and the public realm, with crash rated perimeter physical security solutions. They address hostile vehicle mitigation and pedal error with an assured level of protection. The Storefront Safety Council reports that 48% of vehicle-to-building crashes in Canada occur in Ontario, 32% of these occur from Operator Error, 22% from Pedal Error, 11% from DUI, and 10% from Ramraid (an attack), while the rest are multiple causes such as accidents. 77% of the buildings struck are listed as being commercial (restaurant, convenience, retail, etc.), and the remaining 23% are listed as “other”. In a 2016 report, NBC News provided A when impacted is measurable. He shows us They are in the business of providing tempo- Short History of Vehicles Being Used as Deadly products in his shop, videos of products being rary concrete barriers, noise barriers, crash Weapons: “The truck attack that killed at least crash tested by high speed pick-up trucks, cushions, guide rails, ground mount signs, 80 people Thursday night in Nice, France, is by and product catalogues. He knows how many overhead signs and sign structures for over far the worst incident on record in which a car meters each barrier and obstacle will move 50 years, including permanent solutions along or truck has been used as a deadly weapon — a upon being struck. Some vehicles are stopped 400 series highways, and temporary projects tactic authorities have warned about for sev- on a dime. It makes you think, however, about like the G20 Summit Meeting and Molson Indy eral years. As early as December 2010, the U.S. saving a whole street of people at the cost of in Toronto. Powell has been a good corporate Department of Homeland Security issued an those in the first 3, 5 or 15 feet. It is kind of citizen for Whitchurch-Stouffville, as you alert to law enforcement warning that ‘such morbid, but necessary. Simple chains around can see on Page 12 of this OTR, being a Gold attacks could be used to target locations a curbside Quebec City outdoor patio won’t do Sponsor for the Museum Classic Car Show. where large numbers of people congregate, the trick, or any trick. They remain one of the top employers in Town including sporting events, entertainment The business of pedestrian safety has and have created many more side companies venues, or shopping centers.’ become very sophisticated. Sam shows me like Safeguard. So-called vehicle ramming is alluring to some street furniture catalogues. There are Sam has been with Powell for 4 years. “We potential attackers because it offers them an crash resistant flower planters, benches, saw that our concrete barriers were being opportunity to conduct strikes without fire- trash receptacles, bicycle stands and bollards. used improperly as direct-hit barriers while arms or explosives and with minimal prior Sam calls them invisible security measures. being designed for a sideways hit - we were training or experience.” “Not all bollards are created equal,” says Sam. becoming worried, which led to the creation A simple Google search for vehicles He shows me some that are tied into an under- of Safeguard Perimeter Solutions.” being used to attack pedestrians since 2014 ground structure – “These will stop some- Safeguard can help design, select and reveals: Chapel Hill, Jerusalem, Quebec thing”. While another may be hard-pressed source safety products for any project, from City, Columbus, Berlin, London (multiple to stop a heavy bicycle. highways to parks, to plazas and streets- times), Stockholm, Barcelona, San Francisco, “It’s all about engineering,” reflects Sam. capes. They also have products on their site Edmonton, Las Vegas, Stillwater, Lyon and They are testing products and running in Whitchurch-Stouffville that they offer on New York City. The details are too gruesome, real simulations on-site in the Ram Forest a rental basis – products that can be maneu- but the places are around-the-globe familiar. industrial area nearby Woodbine & Aurora vered by one or two people and stop an errant “With the increased threat of weaponized Road. They have to get a product as close to vehicle at a temporary street closure for a or mis-directed vehicles, we have evolved perfection as possible, because the next step parade or event. Recently, Safeguard pro- from concrete barriers that separate people requires certification by a safety agency in the vided security measures for the Toronto from vehicles by sourcing tried and tested United States, which can cost millions. Down International Film Festival. technologies to refute the attacks on our free- the road, Safeguard hopes to become the first Spending the morning with Sam certain- doms and socially inclusive communities,” Canadian testing agency; this would be a boon ly provided another way of thinking about says Sam. Sam is mild mannered, polite, and for Whitchurch-Stouffville, as lots of over- things. The next time I sit on a bench in front friendly. He explains that the traditional con- night stays are stimulated by such endeavors. of a museum of city hall, I’ll look at it to see crete barriers, well known as ‘Jersey Barriers’, For now, Safeguard has settled with being the how it relates to the other things around, as it were designed for a longitudinal hit (sideways largest distributor of roadside safety products could be part of an invisible network of secu- or diagonal). “Unfortunately, we now need to in Canada, and are subject matter experts, rity measures. think in terms of a direct hit.” backed by a capable engineering team. Contact: safeguardperimeter.ca In Sam’s world, the movement of everything Powell Contracting was established in 1967. Sam Arnieri [email protected] Village Tile Company

Village Tile Company opened June 1, 2019 in Downtown Stouffville. This with tile for 34 years and recently completed constructing his 40th cus- is a family run company that offers an excellent selection of porcelain, tom built house. Rob is originally from Agincourt. He was entrepreneurial ceramic, stone, glass and mosaic tiles, sourced from around the world, at a young age, opening his first tile shop at Kennedy & Steeles when he including Italy, India, Turkey and Spain. was a mere 20 years old; he sold it by the time he was 23. “I guess we Rob Farisco is at the lead in this family business. He’s been working are doing it again,” said Rob, referring to Village Tile. GEAR UP 17

In the early days, Rob met Tina from Markham at the Markville Mall when he was 15 years old. Married to his “better half” – Rob + Tina = Rotina Renovations. He’s built cus- tom homes all over Stouffville, Ballantrae and Markham. Rob and Tina moved into Ballantrae where they raised Mario and Sandra, who took the bus to St. Marks. Later, they built themselves a custom home in Stouffville so that the kids could take bus into St. Brother André Catholic High School. At one point, Rob bought green garage building at Market and Sommerville in Downtown Stouffville. “I was rebuilding a car in there, but I got bored – it only took 7 minutes to knock the building down,” said Rob. In its place, he built a “faux heritage” building where Stouffville Yoga resides. It is a gorgeous building, especially in the volumi- nous interior. After the 40th house was built, “My son said he wanted me to slow down,” said Rob. So, he purchased 6306 Main Street. The building had been vacant for a number of years with construction paper covered windows and an absentee landlord. It had been rented intermittently for political campaign offices, and formerly used as Curves fitness gym for women. 6306 Main was a brick heritage build- ing, but the ground floor had been decimated and covered in metal cladding, including a “fast-food trash can” aggregate marquee. Rob ripped off the metal and replaced it with bold, grey brick columns. He replaced the commercial plate glass windows with a roll up silver metal framed glass door, think- after ing that the space could be a French bistro or something down the road when Stouffvillians are ready. He then applied stucco to the sec- ond floor. The building now looks both mod- ern and vintage at the same time, but it’s not without controversy: the heritage advocates loudly protested it when it was under con- struction, while others love it. The Town didn’t have much ground to form an opinion, as stucco on brick is considered cosmetic under the Building Code. Walk into Village Tile and you will meet Rob or another member of the family. You will find amazing deals that appear on a monthly basis. You will be surprised at the selection, because Rob has access to a 3,000,000 square foot tile warehouse in Vaughan. Finally, you will also receive advice from a family of builders, who know how to select, install, and care for tile. before Contact: villagetilecompany.ca 18 18INSIGHTINSIGHT CouncilCouncil sets sets new new 4-year 4-year Strategic Strategic Plan Plan DIVERSIFIEDDIVERSIFIED ECONOMY, ECONOMY, SERVICE SERVICE EXCELLENCE EXCELLENCE HIGHLIGHT HIGHLIGHT PRIORITIES PRIORITIES Glenn GlennJackson, Jackson, Contributor Contributor

BrianBrian Kavanagh, Kavanagh, Director Director of Public of Public Works Works for thefor Town the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville, of Whitchurch-Stouffville, strolls strolls downdown Main Main Street Street and stops and stops near nearPark ParkDrive. Drive. He’s atHe’s the at western the western edge edgeof where of where ‘Main ‘Main Street Street revitalization’revitalization’ paused paused a couple a couple years years back. back. “This“This is where is where we stopped we stopped the construction” the construction” he sayshe referring says referring to the to new the infrastructure new infrastructure and and pavingpaving that wasthat done was doneon Main on Main Street Street between between TenthTenth Line andLine Park and ParkDrive. Drive. “We needed “We needed to take to take a littlea little break breakto reevaluate to reevaluate the strategy the strategy moving moving forward.”forward.” KavanaghKavanagh goes ongoes to on explain to explain that thethat Town the Town neededneeded to take to a take look a at look the at finances the finances behind behind the the project.project. “It’s no “It’s secret no secret this isn’t this a isn’t cheap a cheap project. project. It costsIt costs money money to replace to replace aging aging infrastructure,” infrastructure,” he admits.he admits. “But “Butwe also we hadalso ahad lot aof lot opinions of opinions from fromcitizens citizens of what of what should should and shouldand should not not be incorporatedbe incorporated in a new in a Mainnew Main Street Street vision.” vision.” “We’ll“We’ll get there get there – we –just we needjust need to get to our get our ducksducks in a rowin a androw moveand move forward forward properly, properly, with withour finances our finances and publicand public engagement engagement in in place,”place,” he says. he says.

MoreMore Effective Effective Decisions. Decisions. The process The process that that KavanaghKavanagh explains explains is something is something Whitchurch- Whitchurch- StouffvilleStouffville Council Council has beenhas beenwrestling wrestling with forwith for the pastthe sixpast months six months – how – canhow they can makethey make more more effectiveeffective decisions decisions about aboutthe assigning the assigning of Town of Town resourcesresources to help to managehelp manage change change and achieve and achieve productiveproductive results? results? It is theseIt is these decisions, decisions, those those made made by your by your municipalmunicipal government, government, that affectthat affect you everyyou everyBrian KavanaghBrian Kavanagh (center (center left), Whitchurch-Stouffville’s left), Whitchurch-Stouffville’s Director Director of Public of PublicWorks, Works, discusses discusses the Downtown the Downtown Stouffville Stouffville singlesingle day. day.They Theyinfluence influence your yourday-to-day day-to-day life: life:Revitalization Revitalization project project with staff with and staff consultants. and consultants. The multi-year The multi-year project project embodies embodies the four the pillars four pillarsof the ofTown’s the Town’s wherewhere to find to findsplash splash pads forpads your for yourkids tokids play to playnew “2019-2022new “2019-2022 Strategic Strategic Plan” approvedPlan” approved by Council by Council last month. last month. The Plan The set Plan the set Town’s the Town’s new strategic new strategic priorities, priorities, in, wherein, where to buy to groceriesbuy groceries tonight tonight and whenand when guiding guiding principles, principles, mission mission and vision and visionstatement. statement. to putto your put yourgarbage garbage and recycling and recycling to the to curb. the curb. TheseThese decisions decisions contribute contribute to your to well-being.your well-being. ThroughThrough the process, the process, Town Town staff staffand advisoand adviso- visitor- visitor or business or business owner. owner. AfterAfter the election the election last lastOctober, October, our currentour current ry committeesry committees were consultedwere consulted and theand publicthe public Council,Council, headed headed by Mayor by Mayor Iain Lovatt, Iain Lovatt, took thetook theparticipated participated in online in online surveys, surveys, social social media media live liveMore More Than Than People People Realize. Realize. Brian Brian initiativeinitiative of creating of creating a Strategic a Strategic Plan Planto lead to leadsessions sessions and public and public meetings. meetings. Council Council them them- Kavanagh’s- Kavanagh’s concerns concerns over theover continuation the continuation of of themthem over theover next the nextfour years.four years. They Theysaw it saw as it selvesas selves were were interviewed interviewed and participatedand participated in inthe Mainthe Main Street Street redevelopment redevelopment project project touch touch a verya importantvery important tool to tool set to priorities set priorities and allo and- alloa -two-daya two-day workshop workshop to hammer to hammer out the out new the newupon upon three three of the of four the pillars four pillars Council Council has iden has- iden- cate resourcescate resources to the to key the areas key areas of this of town. this town. vision,vision, mission mission and guidingand guiding principles principles of the of thetified tified as priorities as priorities in the in Strategic the Strategic Plan. Plan. WhenWhen the project the project began began early earlythis year, this year,the theTown. Town. “Revitalizing,“Revitalizing, or redeveloping, or redeveloping, any stretch any stretch importanceimportance of context of context was recognized. was recognized. Council Council This “newThis “new plan” plan” began began in January in January of this of year this yearof roadof roadinvolves involves much much more more than thanpeople people real- real- notednoted that “Whitchurch-Stouffville that “Whitchurch-Stouffville has recent has recent- and- wasand approved was approved by Council by Council on July on 16.July 16. ize,” heize,” says. he says.“We have“We haveinfrastructure infrastructure under under ly emergedly emerged from from a period a period of instability of instability that that The TownThe Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville’s of Whitchurch-Stouffville’s new newthe groundthe ground in Downtown in Downtown Stouffville Stouffville that isthat is had ahad detrimental a detrimental effect effect on planning, on planning, service service Strategic Strategic Plan Planfor 2019-2022 for 2019-2022 reflects reflects Council’s Council’s approaching approaching 80 years 80 years old. It’s old. also It’s insufficient also insufficient- - deliverydelivery and the and overall the overall organizational organizational health... health... vision vision for an for ambitious, an ambitious, yet realistic, yet realistic, approach approach ly sizedly sized to support to support future future growth. growth. We should We should be be This newThis plan new reflectsplan reflects a renewed a renewed commitment commitment to establishing to establishing a foundation a foundation for future for future progress progress replacing replacing that while that while we have we havethe road the tornroad up.”torn up.” to theto provision the provision of exceptional of exceptional service service and to and toand sustainableand sustainable growth. growth. All something All something that that “And “Andeven aftereven after it’s replaced, it’s replaced, we need we toneed man to- man- sustainable,sustainable, future-focused future-focused planning.” planning.” contributescontributes to your to yourwell-being well-being as a resident,as a resident, age itage and it make and make sure it’ssure running it’s running smoothly.” smoothly.” 18 INSIGHT 2019 - 2022 Strategic Plan Council sets new 4-year Strategic Plan DIVERSIFIED ECONOMY, SERVICE EXCELLENCE HIGHLIGHT PRIORITIES GUIDING PRINCIPLES Glenn Jackson, Contributor The Strategic Plan’s guiding principles provide a broad STRATEGIC PILLARS Brian Kavanagh, Director of Public Works philosophy that encompasses values of the Town and the for the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville, strolls corporation. These principles provide a lens through which all decisions are to be evaluated. Guiding Principles extend down Main Street and stops near Park Drive. Fiscal Sustainability He’s at the western edge of where ‘Main Street beyond the life of the Strategic Plan. revitalization’ paused a couple years back. Working toward a sustainable budget that ensures the “This is where we stopped the construction” Environment protection and maintenance of core services now and into he says referring to the new infrastructure and the future. Our actions and decisions are evaluated through an paving that was done on Main Street between environmental lens; ensuring that we are able to meet Tenth Line and Park Drive. “We needed to take present needs without compromising the ability to meet a little break to reevaluate the strategy moving the needs of future generations. forward.” Expanding the tax base through a Kavanagh goes on to explain that the Town Engagement growing, diversified economy needed to take a look at the finances behind the We support the engagement of residents and stake- Building and maintaining a tax base that supports the project. “It’s no secret this isn’t a cheap project. holders through an ongoing commitment to dialogue, highest quality program and service delivery. It costs money to replace aging infrastructure,” transparency and collaboration. Effective engagement he admits. “But we also had a lot of opinions ensures members of the community have a voice and from citizens of what should and should not an opportunity to contribute their diverse strengths to be incorporated in a new Main Street vision.” building a strong and sustainable future. “We’ll get there – we just need to get our Service Excellence ducks in a row and move forward properly, Partnerships Supporting a collaborative, timely, customer-focused with our finances and public engagement in Wherever possible, we will forge and nurture strategic approach to operations that enhances efficiency, place,” he says. partnerships that increase effectiveness, efficiency and effectiveness, and customer satisfaction. mutual benefit. More Effective Decisions. The process that Kavanagh explains is something Whitchurch- Respect Stouffville Council has been wrestling with for We are committed to fostering a corporate culture that Asset Planning, Maintenance and the past six months – how can they make more enhances individual creativity and teamwork, while Development supporting mutual trust and respect among employees, effective decisions about the assigning of Town Successful stewardship of the infrastructure and facilities elected officials and members of the public. resources to help manage change and achieve required to support a growing community and vibrant productive results? economy. It is these decisions, those made by your Quality of Life municipal government, that affect you every Brian Kavanagh (center left), Whitchurch-Stouffville’s Director of Public Works, discusses the Downtown Stouffville We are committed to be a caring community that single day. They influence your day-to-day life: Revitalization project with staff and consultants. The multi-year project embodies the four pillars of the Town’s upholds the values of inclusion, safety, and wellness that where to find splash pads for your kids to play new “2019-2022 Strategic Plan” approved by Council last month. The Plan set the Town’s new strategic priorities, exemplify the Town’s exceptional quality of life. in, where to buy groceries tonight and when guiding principles, mission and vision statement. to put your garbage and recycling to the curb. These decisions contribute to your well-being. Through the process, Town staff and adviso- visitor or business owner. After the election last October, our current ry committees were consulted and the public Kavanagh’s point about infrastructure was Council, identifies two key priorities within Plan. Council, headed by Mayor Iain Lovatt, took the participated in online surveys, social media live More Than People Realize. Brian not lost on Council. As a matter a fact they this pillar: 1) to address and plan for mainte- “Addressing our capital financing and debt initiative of creating a Strategic Plan to lead sessions and public meetings. Council them- Kavanagh’s concerns over the continuation of made it one of the pillars in the new Plan and nance of existing assets and infrastructure, strategy affects all of the large projects we do,” them over the next four years. They saw it as selves were interviewed and participated in the Main Street redevelopment project touch a top priority. and to create new infrastructure, and 2) focus Lovatt said. “The last thing we want to do is run a very important tool to set priorities and allo- a two-day workshop to hammer out the new upon three of the four pillars Council has iden- “It is very important we look after our on continuous improvement of the asset regis- out of money!” cate resources to the key areas of this town. vision, mission and guiding principles of the tified as priorities in the Strategic Plan. assets,” said Mayor Iain Lovatt. “Proper plan- ter for management planning. The downtown project is a perfect example When the project began early this year, the Town. “Revitalizing, or redeveloping, any stretch ning, development and management is critical Kavanagh stresses the importance of this. of where properly managed capital funds is importance of context was recognized. Council This “new plan” began in January of this year of road involves much more than people real- when serving the public.” “Poorly maintained infrastructure costs us all. critical. “The decisions we make over the next noted that “Whitchurch-Stouffville has recent- and was approved by Council on July 16. ize,” he says. “We have infrastructure under Council labeled “Asset planning, mainte- Not only in dollars but in time, resources and couple of years will influence generations of ly emerged from a period of instability that The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville’s new the ground in Downtown Stouffville that is nance and development” one of the strategic frustrations. “ residents to come,” Lovatt says. had a detrimental effect on planning, service Strategic Plan for 2019-2022 reflects Council’s approaching 80 years old. It’s also insufficient- pillars in the Plan. Concentrating on the “suc- Where that money comes from is also of delivery and the overall organizational health... vision for an ambitious, yet realistic, approach ly sized to support future growth. We should be cessful stewardship of the infrastructure and Will Influence Generations.In late 2017, utmost importance, and Council recognizes This new plan reflects a renewed commitment to establishing a foundation for future progress replacing that while we have the road torn up.” facilities,” this priority helps support a “grow- when Council paused downtown revitalization, that in the priorities they set for the Fiscal to the provision of exceptional service and to and sustainable growth. All something that “And even after it’s replaced, we need to man- ing community and vibrant economy.” they did so to review the costs of completing Sustainability pillar. sustainable, future-focused planning.” contributes to your well-being as a resident, age it and make sure it’s running smoothly.” The Implementation Plan, also approved by the work – another pillar in the new Strategic The pillar contains three priorities: 1) capital 20 20INSIGHTINSIGHT The responsibility of maintaining a uses. “Sprawl costs the public more than David twice as much as compact development. To Tobe bean aninclusive, inclusive, caring caring community community with with a a diversified tax base falls in the hands “For example, the average industrial TULEY of David Tuley, the Town’s Economic facility produces 1 business with 205 If we want to expand the tax base without uniqueunique rural-urban rural-urban identity identity that that provides provides an an Development Officer. His role is to jobs on 28 acres. That 28 acres could negative consequences, we need a new financingfinancing and deptand deptstrategy, strategy, 2) new 2) revenuenew revenue ...on diversified help promote the businesses that call alternatively contain 3 office buildings, lens – something that Council is willing sources,sources, including including grant grant funding, funding, community community exceptionalexceptional quality quality of life.of life. economies Whitchurch-Stouffville home, attract 1 shopping plaza, 1 industrial condo to do under the new Strategic Plan,” contributioncontribution toward toward major major capital capital expendi expendi- - OUR VISION OUR VISION new ones and identify key opportunities. building, 1 auto dealership, 2 condo David says. tures,tures, sponsorships sponsorships of programs, of programs, and 3) and invest 3) invest- - Council sees one of these towers, 5 acres of townhomes and an David believes that benefit will be ing ining the in enhancement the enhancement of budget of budget systems. systems. opportunities as expanding our taxbase apartment building. Which one sounds derived from wise land use. “Diversified To Toenhance enhance our our community community by bydelivering delivering through a “more diversified economy.” more diverse to you?” growth is contrary to the general Customer-focusedCustomer-focused Approach. Approach. As our As our “83% of our businesses in However, David stresses it’s not thinking in most municipalities.” strollstroll down down Main Main Street Street continues, continues, Kavanagh Kavanagh serviceservice excellence excellence that that is friendly,is friendly, efficient efficient Whitchurch-Stouffville are small a good idea to just jump onto this “Recently I started asking questions, remindsreminds me that me onethat of one the of other the other reasons reasons Main Main andand financially financially responsible. responsible. employers, meaning less than 20 conceptual bandwagon. running figures, and challenging employees. I think this guarantees “A goal of growing the economy assumptions. The bottom line – growth

StreetStreet construction construction was pausedwas paused was becausewas because OUR MISSION OUR MISSION therethere were were “several “several concerns concerns with withthe overall the overall diversity,” David says. “We need to for growth’s sake, in my opinion, is is complicated.” designdesign of the of street the street furniture, furniture, urban urban design design ele- ele- capitalize on that.” dangerous,” he says. “Infrastructure David’s idea for even more diversity has a lifecycle – it must be replaced. EXPANDING mentsments and overalland overall streetscape. streetscape. We need We need some some customer-focused customer-focused approach approach to service, to service, then then “Let’s“Let’s face it,face we it, are we not are going not going to attract to attract large large TAX BASE moremore public public consultation,” consultation,” he said. he said. efficiencyefficiency and effectivenessand effectiveness increase. increase. That’s That’smultinational multinational corporations corporations to Town, to Town, we don’t we don’t rests in eliminating homogeneous land Eventually, someone has to pay the bill.” A majorA major aspect aspect of public of public consultation, consultation, or orwhen when we can we docan great do great things things in Whitchurch- in Whitchurch-have havethe resources the resources to compete to compete yet, but yet, we but can we can communitycommunity engagement engagement as its as also its alsoknown, known, Stouffville Stouffville – as a – team!”as a team!” certainlycertainly concentrate concentrate on helping on helping the business the business- - is serviceis service excellence: excellence: the customer-focusedthe customer-focused es thates arethat already are already here herethrive thrive in a competitive in a competitive approachapproach by Town by Town staff staff to increase to increase citizen citizen Fine Fine Tune Tune Income Income Ratios. Ratios. Even Even though though environment.” environment.” satisfaction.satisfaction. downtowndowntown revitalization revitalization is a key is a example key example for for CouncilCouncil wants wants the “Highway the “Highway 404” 404” lands lands in in Stacey You may have wandered over to Town approach, issues get identified and she says. “We are working to deliver “Creating“Creating a positive a positive culture culture within within our cus our- custhree- three of the of four the fourpillars pillars in the in new the newStrategic Strategic Gormley Gormley developed developed like they like theyare in are Markham, in Markham, Hall sometime to pick up information, resolved quicker. “We understand where services the way residents want to be served. If that is online, then we will tomertomer service service efforts efforts has a hastrickle a trickle down down affect affect Plan, Plan, the fourth the fourth pillar pillar certainly certainly underlies underlies the theAurora Aurora and Richmondand Richmond Hill. Hill. This Thiswill expandwill expand pay a tax bill or meet with a councillor. the customer, in most cases a resident, STEVENS enhance those services.” all citizensall citizens will feel,”will feel,” Mayor Mayor Lovatt Lovatt says. says. “If “Ifvitality vitality of the of downtown the downtown core core – “expanding – “expanding our industrialour industrial and commercialand commercial growth growth Lovatt Lovatt If you have, you probably chatted with is coming from. We need to listen and ...on service “It’s all part of the customer-focused we buildwe build that teamthat team feeling feeling within within Town Town Hall, Hall, our taxour base tax basethrough through a growing, a growing, diversified diversified says. says. one of our friendly customer services see their side of the issue, only then will excellence approach we believe in!” we willwe buildwill build that teamthat team feeling feeling all throughout all throughout economy.” economy.” WithinWithin the Expandingthe Expanding Tax TaxBase Base pillar, pillar, representatives at the front desk. problem solving become easier.” “Customer service is an attitude. town.”town.” “Attracting“Attracting businesses businesses to all toof allWhitchurch- of Whitchurch-CouncilCouncil approved approved three three priorities: priorities: 1) focus 1) focus- - Stacey Stevens, a local resident And we will demonstrate that positive The ServiceThe Service Excellence Excellence pillar pillar of the of Strategic the Strategic Stouffville, Stouffville, not just not justthe downtown the downtown core core of ofing oning the on servicing the servicing and and development development of of herself, is the Town’s Manager of attitude everywhere we help people – Plan Planoutlines outlines five fivepriorities: priorities: 1) creating 1) creating a posi -a posiStouffville,- Stouffville, is a keyis a prioritykey priority for Council,”for Council,” Lovatt Lovatt Provincially Provincially Significant Significant Employment Employment Zones Zones Customer Service and oversees all the Leisure Centre, the Museum, 19 on tive culture,tive culture, with withsense sense of accountability of accountability and andsays. says.“Any “Anyeconomic economic growth growth is good is good for our for tax our tax(mostly (mostly near nearthe 404) the 404)2) updating 2) updating the Economic the Economic aspects of customer interaction. Her the Park. It’s that collaborative approach empowerment,empowerment, 2) creating 2) creating an employee an employee attrac attrac- base,- base, but inbut particular in particular we need we need to fine to finetune tuneDevelopment Development Strategy Strategy and and continuing continuing to to primary goal, along with her staff’s, is to solve your problems. that makes everyone happy. All with a tion strategytion strategy 3) completing 3) completing staff staff and customand custom- our- taxour income tax income ratios ratios between between the residents the residents attract attract businesses businesses to locate to locate in Whitchurch-in Whitchurch- “Having a customer-centric smile of course!” er surveys,er surveys, 4) creating 4) creating service-driven service-driven policies policies and theand business. the business. There There needs needs to be to a bebetter a better Stouffville, Stouffville, and 3)and identifying 3) identifying expansion expansion areas areas approach to service as highlighted in Stacey also stresses the importance and proceduresand procedures to streamline to streamline processes, processes, and andbalance.” balance.” for Industrial/Commercialfor Industrial/Commercial growth. growth. the new Strategic Plan, increases our of online services. “We’re enhancing 5) creating5) creating and implementing and implementing employee employee devel devel- - LovattLovatt stresses stresses the importance the importance of attracting of attracting For For more more information information about about the Plan,the Plan, effectiveness in helping the public,” our customer service efforts on our opmentopment plans. plans. new newbusinesses businesses to town to town but also but emphasizesalso emphasizes including including its implementation its implementation process, process, visit visit she says. website through ‘eServices’ and we SERVICE “Customer“Customer satisfaction satisfaction is the is ultimate the ultimate goal goalbusiness business retention retention as a key as a economic key economic factor factor in intownofws.ca/stratplan townofws.ca/stratplan. . EXCELLENCE She stresses that by having this even have a new mobile app coming,” here,”here,” Lovatt Lovatt says. says.“If we “If support we support a collaborative, a collaborative, our growth.our growth.

DannaDanna It goesIt goeswithout without saying saying fiscal fiscal “A sustainable“A sustainable budget budget is one is that one takes that takes in creatingin creating a truly a sustainabletruly sustainable budget budget it it Brian It is no wonder that Council identified town, as well as the arenas. “Our commitment of offering responsibilityresponsibility plays plays a vital a rolevital inrole the in the the long-termthe long-term view.” view.” becomesbecomes almost almost invisible invisible – the –services the services asset management as a key priority in “We are always looking to implement customer service excellence throughout MUNNSMUNNS day-to-dayday-to-day operation operation of this of town. this town. As As DannaDanna notes notes that sustainable that sustainable budgets budgets are justare there just therewhen when you need you needthem them– the – the SLATER the new Strategic Plan. After all, the efficiencies and new innovations,” he all of our facilities,” he says, “is realized ...on...on fiscal fiscal our capitalour capital and operatingand operating budgets budgets aim toaim strike to strike a balance. a balance. Debt Debtis not is notroads roads are plowed are plowed when when you need you toneed head to head Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville owns says. “And they must offer the best through dedicated, passionate and well- sustainabilitysustainability approachapproach $100 million$100 million per year, per ityear, is key it is key too high,too high,taxes taxes are not are too not high, too high,and andout toout work to workin the in winter, the winter, the pool the is pool open is open ...on asset over $820 million in infrastructure, value to our community.” trained staff who aspire to ensure each to haveto ahave vision a vision for the for future the future and make and make maintenancemaintenance is properly is properly planned. planned. All Allwhen when your kidsyour wantkids wantto go tofor go a forswim, a swim, management buildings and other tangible assets. He does admit that there are community user’s experience is second sure thosesure those funds funds are spent are spent wisely. wisely. this whilethis while ensuring ensuring important important services services the stormwaterthe stormwater vanishes vanishes after aftera heavy a heavy Brian Slater is the Town’s Manager of challenges though. “It’s imperative that to none!” DannaDanna Munns Munns is the is Town’s the Town’s Manager Manager are notare cut,not cut,negatively negatively impacting impacting rain,” rain,” she says. she says. Facilities and Parks in the Leisure and we address the ever-changing and ever- of Budgetsof Budgets and Planningand Planning and it’sand her it’s her people’speople’s quality quality of life. of life. “We hope“We tohope always to always be good be stewardsgood stewards Community Services Department. growing needs of our community. We responsibilityresponsibility to help to helpmanage manage the the “It’s “It’sjust likejust withlike withyour yourcar, ifcar, you if youof yourof yourtax dollarstax dollars with withthe primarythe primary “We strive to provide a safe, clean, routinely see increased maintenance Town’sTown’s spending. spending. skip anskip oil an change oil change to save to timesave ortime a few or a fewgoal ofgoal achieving of achieving the quality the quality of life of for life for productive and inclusive physical costs, which must be properly evaluated “Sustainable“Sustainable budgets budgets are veryare very dollarsdollars today, today, you will you likely will likelyfind findyourself yourself everyone!” everyone!” environment for everyone,” he says. before we spend a penny.” importantimportant in this in daythis andday age,”and age,” she she with awith nasty a nasty surprise surprise one morning one morning when when “It is very important that we offer “With new parks and buildings, we says. says.“I’m glad“I’m Councilglad Council recognizes recognizes that that your caryour won’t car won’t start startand you and are you faced are faced top-notch services and programs that must determine the most beneficial in thisin Plan.” this Plan.” with awith costly a costly engine engine repair repair and you and can’t you can’t are sustainable and supportive of the location and design while prioritizing “It’s all“It’s about all about making making sure wesure have we have get toget work. to work. We have We haveto make to make smart smart strategic vision.” fiscal responsibility.” FISCALFISCAL Brian does not ignore the customer ASSET the resourcesthe resources to do theto do right the thingright thingat the at the choices.”choices.” SUSTAINABILITYSUSTAINABILITY Some of Brian’s responsibilities MANAGEMENT right time,”right time,” Danna Danna says of says sustainability. of sustainability. “In a “Inlot ofa lotways of waysif we ifdo we a gooddo a goodjob job include the parks and parkettes around service aspects of our facilities either. David The responsibility of maintaining a uses. “Sprawl costs the public more than diversified tax base falls in the hands “For example, the average industrial twice as much as compact development. of David Tuley, the Town’s Economic facility produces 1 business with 205 If we want to expand the tax base without TULEY Development Officer. His role is to jobs on 28 acres. That 28 acres could negative consequences, we need a new ...on diversified help promote the businesses that call alternatively contain 3 office buildings, lens – something that Council is willing economies Whitchurch-Stouffville home, attract 1 shopping plaza, 1 industrial condo to do under the new Strategic Plan,” new ones and identify key opportunities. building, 1 auto dealership, 2 condo David says. Council sees one of these towers, 5 acres of townhomes and an David believes that benefit will be opportunities as expanding our taxbase apartment building. Which one sounds derived from wise land use. “Diversified through a “more diversified economy.” more diverse to you?” growth is contrary to the general “83% of our businesses in However, David stresses it’s not thinking in most municipalities.” Whitchurch-Stouffville are small a good idea to just jump onto this “Recently I started asking questions, employers, meaning less than 20 conceptual bandwagon. running figures, and challenging employees. I think this guarantees “A goal of growing the economy assumptions. The bottom line – growth diversity,” David says. “We need to for growth’s sake, in my opinion, is is complicated.” capitalize on that.” dangerous,” he says. “Infrastructure David’s idea for even more diversity has a lifecycle – it must be replaced. EXPANDING TAX BASE rests in eliminating homogeneous land Eventually, someone has to pay the bill.”

Stacey You may have wandered over to Town approach, issues get identified and she says. “We are working to deliver Hall sometime to pick up information, resolved quicker. “We understand where services the way residents want to be pay a tax bill or meet with a councillor. the customer, in most cases a resident, served. If that is online, then we will STEVENS If you have, you probably chatted with is coming from. We need to listen and enhance those services.” ...on service one of our friendly customer services see their side of the issue, only then will “It’s all part of the customer-focused excellence representatives at the front desk. problem solving become easier.” approach we believe in!” Stacey Stevens, a local resident “Customer service is an attitude. herself, is the Town’s Manager of And we will demonstrate that positive Customer Service and oversees all attitude everywhere we help people – aspects of customer interaction. Her the Leisure Centre, the Museum, 19 on primary goal, along with her staff’s, is the Park. It’s that collaborative approach to solve your problems. that makes everyone happy. All with a “Having a customer-centric smile of course!” approach to service as highlighted in Stacey also stresses the importance the new Strategic Plan, increases our of online services. “We’re enhancing effectiveness in helping the public,” our customer service efforts on our she says. website through ‘eServices’ and we SERVICE EXCELLENCE She stresses that by having this even have a new mobile app coming,”

It is no wonder that Council identified town, as well as the arenas. “Our commitment of offering Brian asset management as a key priority in “We are always looking to implement customer service excellence throughout the new Strategic Plan. After all, the efficiencies and new innovations,” he all of our facilities,” he says, “is realized SLATER Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville owns says. “And they must offer the best through dedicated, passionate and well- ...on asset over $820 million in infrastructure, value to our community.” trained staff who aspire to ensure each management buildings and other tangible assets. He does admit that there are community user’s experience is second Brian Slater is the Town’s Manager of challenges though. “It’s imperative that to none!” Facilities and Parks in the Leisure and we address the ever-changing and ever- Community Services Department. growing needs of our community. We “We strive to provide a safe, clean, routinely see increased maintenance productive and inclusive physical costs, which must be properly evaluated environment for everyone,” he says. before we spend a penny.” “It is very important that we offer “With new parks and buildings, we top-notch services and programs that must determine the most beneficial are sustainable and supportive of the location and design while prioritizing strategic vision.” fiscal responsibility.” Brian does not ignore the customer ASSET Some of Brian’s responsibilities MANAGEMENT include the parks and parkettes around service aspects of our facilities either. 22 WHAT'S ON

the fall guide preview

Continued, from Page 11 tips for becoming unhackable, and get free celebrate the Crawley family with refresh- apps and tools that will make web surfing ments, socializing and Downton Abbey trivia. Group Readiness Program (Ages 2.5-4) safer. Participants in this program receive a Wednesdays, Sept 11-Dec 11 certificate of completion. Maker Festival 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm Saturday, Oct 26 Free, registration required Cybersafety Champion 10:00am-4:00pm This program is designed to teach children (Grades 1-4) Free, drop-in with autism the following skills prior to join- Saturday, October 26 Dream it, build it, make it, do it! Join us at our ing full-day kindergarten: 10:30-11:30am Maker Fair where we celebrate all aspects of · Follow instruction in a group Free, drop-in STEAM and use our imaginations to create, Learn about making your favourite apps experiment and play. The recording studio · Participate in group activities secure, the 12 most important cybersafety and innovation space will be open, and activi- · Play with peers tips for elementary school children, and how ties will be offered throughout the library led · Transition between activities and children can learn to teach you, their guard- by both library staff and external partners. environments ians, about cybersafety. Participants in this · Build on receptive and expressive program receive a certificate of completion. Repair Café language skills Saturday, Nov 23 · Engage in communication in a group Cybersecurity and Holiday Scams 10:00 am – 1:00 pm · Improve attention skills Monday, November 18 Free, drop-in 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Join us as we host a repair café; an event where CYBERSAFETY @ WSPL Free, drop-in you can bring in a variety of household appli- We’re pleased to partner with KnowledgeFlow Canadians lose hundreds of millions of dollars ances to be fixed for free. Whether you’re every Christmas to hackers and cyber-thieves. unsure how to do the repair, don’t have the CyberSafety Foundation to offer this work- Join Claudiu Popa, our cyberfraud expert, and space or the right tools, the Repair Café offers shop series. Workshops are led by cyber- learn about the top scams to watch out for, a solution. Volunteer fixers are available to security expert Claudiu Popa, CBC/CTV which shopping sites to trust and which ones assess your needs and will do their best to fix contributor and author of The Canadian to avoid before you get scammed, and what to your item. Cyberfraud Handbook. do if you get hacked or know someone who has been victimized. Bullying: What It Is and How to Stop It This fall, we’re featuring Cybersafety Monday, Oct 28 Champion certificate programs for kids! Your EVENTS 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm kids will learn how to stay safe online through Register for programs and events in person at $5/person a fun, interactive workshop. the Library or online at bit.ly/2AMqHSd “Bullying” is a word used to describe behaviour that is hurtful to another person. Cybersafety Champion (Grades 5-8) Downton Abbey Tea Join us as we welcome Nathalie Gonsalves, a Saturday, September 28 Saturday, Sept 14 Social Service Worker in York Region, who 10:30am-11:30am 11:00 am – 12:30 pm will explain what bullying behaviour is, how Free, drop-in $5/person to intervene effectively if your child is being Learn about the best ways to be anonymous Celebrate the release of the Downton Abbey bullied and how to empower your children to online and make your smartphone bullet- film with tea in the library. Participants stop bullying behaviour. proof, help others to stay safe with 12 awesome are encouraged to dress in their finest as we August 1 - September 14, 2019 COMMUNITYNEWS THE TOWN OF WHITCHURCH-STOUFFVILLE Notice of Council Meetings Library News Museum News Agendas for Council and Public meetings NFB Film Club Exhibit: Archaeology Alive! will be available for review at the Municipal Free screenings of Canadian films followed Jean-Baptiste Lainé Site in Whitchurch- Offices, Whitchurch-Stouffville Public by discussion. Every second Wednesday at Stouffville. Library and on our website at 12 p.m. 7:00 p.m. Film descriptions can be found at Opens June 22nd. Explore and learn (noon) the Thursday prior to the meeting. wsplibrary.ca. about this amazing archaeological site, Wednesday, August 7 – Inuk short films uncovered in southeast Whitchurch- Upcoming Council Meetings: (NR, runtime 70 min) Stouffville between 2003 and 2005. Engage • Tues., August 27, 2019 - 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 21 – The Boxing Girls of with artifacts on loan from the Canadian • Tues., September 10, 2019 - 7:00 p.m. Kabul (NR, runtime 52 min) Museum of History, a virtual reality • Tues., September 24, 2019 - 4:00 p.m. experience, and oral histories from Huron- • Tues., October 8, 2019 - 7:00 p.m. Cybersafety @ WSPL: Ed Tech & Student Wendat Nation members. This exhibit is for Families included with general admission. Upcoming Public Meetings (if required): Tuesday, August 20, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. • Tues., Sept. 24, 2019 - 7:00 p.m. Claudiu Popa, a cybersecurity expert, will be 46th Annual Antique & Classic Car Show leading this presentation on how to protect Sunday, August 11th: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Council Meetings take place in the Council your child’s privacy online when using Join us as exhibitors from across southern Chambers, 111 Sandiford Drive, Stouffville, school apps and communication tools. Ontario display their prized antique & unless otherwise noted. Free, drop-in program classic cars. Enjoy all this family event has to offer, including food vendors, and To listen to the Council meetings live, visit Paint Night (ages 13+) heritage & children’s activities. townofws.ca/cmlivestream. Also follow Thursday, September 12, 6:15 - 8:00 p.m. Rain date: August 18th. Admission: $5.00 our Twitter account @ws_townhall for live Channel your inner artist and join us as (children under 3 free); $15.00 per family updates during council meetings. we follow a YouTube tutorial to create a of up to 4. Call 905-727-8954 for more masterpiece. Supplies provided. information. Join our Council E-Newsletter at: eepurl. $10/participant; register in person or at com /cKPNg9 and receive meeting agendas wsplibrary.ca P.A. Day Workshop: Get Cooking! and summary reports straight in your inbox. Monday, September 23: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Proposed Cell Phone Tower Learn to prepare a variety of seasonal recipes. Work in a historic kitchen & a What’s going on LandSquared, on behalf of Rogers modern one! Crafts, games and a tour of in Whitchurch- Communications Inc., is proposing a the Museum included. Recommended Stouffville? 60m. self-supported telecommunications ages: 5-12. Pre-registration is required. structure, with equipment cabinets at its base, on the property located at 15806 Water Meter Replacement Notice Woodbine Ave, Whitchurch-Stouffville, Ontario. The closest abutting residential In the next few months, many of the building is located approximately 460.33 approximately 12,500 existing water metres to the north. meters in the Communities of Stouffville and Ballantrae-Musselman’s Lake will be Public Information Session replaced at no charge to the homeowner. All are welcome to attend a Public Information was recently distributed with Information Session on August 14, 2019 your tax bill that residents received in the from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., at the Town of mail. Whitchurch-Stouffville’s Municipal Building in the Ringwood Room, 111 Sandiford Drive, The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville would Stouffville. like to remind you that appointments for water meter replacement can only PODCAST Applicant Contact Information be booked once you have received a You may request additional information, or reference number in the mail from Neptune News, events and happenings around town with provide written comments to LandSquared, hosts Glenn Jackson and Cassandra Papas Technologies. Tracey Pillon-Abbs, 275 Macpherson Ave, New episode every Monday on: Facebook - SoundCloud - townofws.ca Unit 103, Toronto, Ontario, M4V 1A4, 226- For more information, please visit 340-1232, or at [email protected]. townofws.ca/watermeter

Town Hall: 111 Sandiford Dr., Stouffville ON L4A 0Z8 Customer Service: (905) 640-1900 or (855) 642-TOWN (8696) townofws.ca O T R

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