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Frank Scarpitti Mayor of Markham MAYOR’S REVIEW - SEVENTH EDITION OCTOBER 2019 Markham: 225 Years In The Making From fireworks, on your feet performances by the incomparable Jully Black and the talented Julia Gartha, to apple treats and endless fun, Markham’s 225th anniversary celebration during Applefest was a huge hit; and it was all about who we are as a community. Jully Black and Julia Gartha perform during Markham’s 255th Anniversary Celebration Modern day pioneers, who hail from around the world and journeyed here in search of a better life, define Markham. That same intrepid spirit led William Berczy and his settlers here 225 years ago. William Berczy helped John Graves Simcoe establish a settlement destined to become Markham Township. Together, they built houses and roads and cleared the way for navigation on the Rouge River. Markham’s early years were defined by the development of agricultural industries, something we are proud to honour and celebrate to this day. Berczy is designated a national historic person, and is renowned as one of Canada’s finest artists. Going for- ward, the Civic Holiday in August will be known in Markham as William Berczy Day. Our past, present and future are linked by the stories that brought us here, the stories that we share as one, united and diverse community. Perhaps, there is no greater local storyteller than John Lunau. The Collections Building at the Markham Museum now bears his name. He is the founder of the museum and of the Markham Historical Society. His commitment to preserving and sharing Markham’s story was extraordinary. Before he passed away, he was planning and researching Markham’s bicentennial celebration, and a quarter of a century later, we are proud to carry on his legacy. “John Lunau had an endless appetite for research and his love for everything historical began at an early age. He compiled the first History of Markham Township when he was 20 years old, and helped write the history of the Markham Fair for its centennial in 1955. All told, he was involved with the writing of three History of Markham books - 1950, 1979 and 1988. A great community leader and a foremost historian, we thank him for laying the groundwork, and for reminding us to always cherish our heritage.” We are a creating a living legacy with 225 bur oak trees that will make up the Markham 225 Forest, which will be located in a natural area in the southeast section of Milne Dam Conservation Area. The bur oak is Markham’s official tree, a symbol of strength, power and survival. These majestic trees stand strong and pay homage to our roots while substantially increasing Markham’s urban canopy. Markham’s 225th anniversary is a reminder to never forget our past, to honour our roots and to appreciate just how blessed we are to call this place home. Sincerely, Frank Scarpitti Mayor of Markham It’s not about party lines. It’s about transit lines. Much is at stake in this federal election, and for York Region voters, the Yonge-North Subway Extension will be top of mind. I sent letters to all the major party leaders asking them to commit to commencing construction on this critical transit project, and for the construction to begin in the next term of government. Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, was the first leader to sign a shovel committing to the Yonge-North Subway Extension. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh replied to my letter, and I am encouraged by his response stating, “an NDP government would be a partner to building public transit like the Yonge North Subway Extension.” Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer and his wife In May, I had the chance to sit down with Prime Jill Scheer at an event announcing his support for the Yonge-North Subway Extension Minister Justin Trudeau during FCM’s annual conference in Ottawa, to discuss Markham’s priorities and outline the issues important to voters including key transit infrastructure. I made similar requests of provincial party leaders in the last election, asking them to sign a shovel, and since then, the Ford Government has committed to funding the extension as part Prime Minister and Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau and of its transit plan announced in April. Mayor Frank Scarpitti meet at FCM Annual Conference As Chair of the York Region Rapid Transit Corporation, I have spent my tenure advocating for long-term funding and advancing the most justified transit project in the GTA. We can no longer ignore the needs of growing communi- ties. We can no longer afford to delay the delivery of this subway. Commuters are tired of waiting and they want results. Mayor Scarpitti holds shovel for NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh to sign Building Markham’s Future Together We are a community that punches above its weight, a leader among municipalities on many fronts. We stay ahead of the curve, knowing that in order to deliver the best service; we need to make it easy for you to interact with your government. Civic engagement is critical and we cannot do what we do, without you. I would like to commend you for taking part in our community engagement process around Markham’s 2020 – 2023 Strategic Plan. Thousands have already reviewed the plan and many have given us feedback that will now help guide and steer the city’s priorities over the next term of council. I will be hosting a Twitter Town Hall on Thursday, October 24, using #AskScarpitti, so please send your questions and share your thoughts on how we can build Markham’s future together! (from left to right) Mayor Scarpitti, Regional Councillor Jim Jones, Ward 3 Councillor Reid McAlpine, Ward 8 Councillor Isa Lee, Ward 6 Councillor Amanda Collucci, Ward 5 Councillor Andrew Keyes and Ward 1 Councillor Keith Irish Go Green! You can now drop off your old and unwanted clothes during your commute. The City of Markham has partnered with Metrolinx and Diabetes Canada to make it even easier for you to do your part, while supporting a worthy cause. Four Go Stations in Markham are now home to textile recycling bins - Markham Main St., Mount Joy Station, Unionville Station and Centennial Station. We launched the award-winning Textile Recycling Program in 2016, the first municipality to do so, and thanks to you, our residents, 15 millions pounds of textiles have been diverted from landfills and more than 150 unlicensed clothing bins have been removed. This new pilot program at train stations is also tied into the first national study on textile waste and diversion, being led by York University, and it may eventually be expanded to GO’s entire network. This is a win for commuters, for your cluttered closets and more importantly for the environment. Memories at Morgan Pool Connecting Communities Through Nature It is one of the Markham’s oldest parks, and many residents have fond memories there, I hope you will have the chance to use the including myself. I spent many summer new Rouge River Bridge that now connects days at Morgan Pool, memories I hold near our trails from McCowan road to Markham and dear to my heart. It has a storied history, Road through the Milne Dam Conserva- and now the iconic community space is tion Park. Beautifully designed and engi- getting a much-needed facelift. We heard neered, it spans over the environmentally loud and clear that the community wants to sensitive Rouge River. Since 2004, the City preserve the existing outdoor pool, some- of Markham has completed 12 kilometres thing I feel strongly about as well. We are of trails and pathways. replacing the wading pool with a new splash pad area, the building will be replaced with We are connecting you to the places you a new facility that is fully accessible including want to be, while laying the groundwork a universal change room, and we are adding for a greener, healthier future for generations parking spaces. to come. New Chapter We are proud to welcome the York University Academic Space to IBM Canada, a hub for talent, and Markham’s largest em- ployer. This is an incredible partnership between one of Can- ada’s leading technology companies and Canada’s third largest university. This signals the beginning of an exciting chapter on the road to higher education. Students will now have the opportunity to learn closer to home in Markham, benefitting from the opportunity to study in a dynamic environment, sur- rounded by creative innovators, entrepreneurs and academic researchers. This is by far the biggest, the best and the brightest Mayor Scarpitti with Astrid Almeida, presence any university has in York Region. Talent lives here. fourth year Bachelor of Commerce student at York University. www.twitter.com/frankscarpitti www.facebook.com/Frank-Scarpitti www.linkedin.com/in/mayor-frank-scarpitti/.

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