newsdurhamregion.com - November 07, 2008

By Reka Szekely

DURHAM -- It was trash talk at works committee when the issue of a pilot project on clear garbage bags came up Wednesday.

Starting in January, Durham will test the use of clear garbage bags along two garbage routes, one in Pickering and one in Courtice.

Durham Region is looking at two neighbourhoods, one in Pickering and the other in Courtice, to test the use of clear plastic bags when picking up garbage.

The goal is to see whether using the clear bags prompts people to participate more in recycling or composting. The Region is aiming to divert 70 per cent of its waste from landfill by 2010.

The works committee has identified five potential routes for the project -- two in Pickering and three in Courtice. One route will be picked in each community, with about 1,500 households participating.

Pickering Councillor Bill McLean took exception to the choice of routes in Pickering, both of which are in the Amberlea neighbourhood, south of Finch between Whites and Spruce Hill roads.

Although he said he supported the pilot, Coun. McLean said his concern was residents in the area would be seeing three major changes: a garbage day change, the clear plastic bag program and a decrease in the number of bulky items that can be left at the curb. However, the issue of bulky items issue will remain as it is now after subsequent discussion at the committee.

Coun. McLean also raised concerns about whether City of Pickering staff had been adequately consulted. Years ago, Pickering piloted the green bin program in the Amberlea neighbourhood. Since then, garbage has become a Regional responsibility.

"I think it would have been important for the City of Pickering to participate because we are the ones who are going to be getting the phone calls," Coun. McLean said.

He wanted to know how the routes were chosen and suggested the Region consider a route in Coun. Rick Johnson's ward instead.

Region staff said they have been in contact with their counterparts in Pickering. Works commissioner Cliff Curtis said the area was picked because it's close to the transfer station and because the homes in the neighbourhood are homogenous, all single-family detached homes.

As well, Coun. Johnson said he spoke to Coun. Bonnie Littley, who represents the ward regionally, before the meeting and she said she supported the pilot project in her ward.

"The only concern she had was the notice to the residents be adequate," said Coun. Johnson, who later added he wouldn't mind if the program was piloted in his ward.

Coun. Johnson also called his colleague out on whether he really supported the pilot project.

"If you don't support it there, don't support it at all and don't do the project with clear bags," he said.

The debate between the two councillors got so heated Coun. McLean apologized for getting emotional.

In addition to the Pickering routes, the works department has identified three possible routes for the pilot program in Courtice. All of them are south of Hwy. 2 and north of Bloor Street. Clarington Coun. Charlie Trim is the chairman of the works committee and he raised no concerns about the Clarington routes.

Regional Chairman Roger Anderson asked staff for a report on the marketing and communications strategy before the program is launched. There will be a public meeting for residents, and staff will hand deliver notices in the affected area.

"So that if works committee or Coun. McLean or any councillor from the City of Pickering wants to join staff and walk with them when they deliver the notice to residents, they can," he said.

Mr. Curtis said the Region will meet with Pickering and Clarington staff before selecting the final route. He said he wasn't surprised that the issue got heated.

"Garbage is always a very political issue, particularly with changes in levels of service, particularly with whose ward gets to be a guinea pig."

By Kristen Calis

newsdurhamregion.com - November 07, 2008
PICKERING -- Now is not the time to limit long-term growth options, says a member of the Green Door Alliance.

The comments came as Pickering's planning and development committee supported a regional growth scenario and policy directions report Monday night.

It's the fifth phase of Durham Region's Growth Plan Implementation Study, a requirement of the Province's Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. The Region is required to plan for 960,000 people living and 350,000 working in the region by 2031. Nearly 140,000 of those people are expected to move into Pickering by that time and plans include increased living and employment areas to accommodate that growth. The total increase in units by 2031 is expected to be nearly 49,000. Land proposed for new urban development is about 1,700 hectares, 1,400 hectares of which should be built up by 2031, according to Catherine Rose, the City's project manager. All of these numbers include the development of Seaton. Although the Province has asked Durham to reach a target ratio of three people to every job, Regional Chairman Roger Anderson wants two people for every job.

"Durham doesn't want to be a bedroom community," Ms. Rose said.

Ward 3 Regional Councillor Rick Johnson said the document, like most planning documents, will evolve "but I think we're going in the right direction."

He was annoyed, along with other councillors, that a Pickering airport is included in the plans, although a final decision hasn't been made and Council is against the idea. It is included, however, in the Region's official plan.

Brian Buckles of the Green Door Alliance at the meeting said planning for 2031 for population and employment is too far in the future. He said forecasts on anything that far ahead are fanciful and not based on reality.

"We are entering a fundamentally new era," he said. "Now is not the time to limit long-term options."

Resident Terry Nuspl compared planning this far in advance to deciding the future for children.

"I don't plan their marriage," she said. "I assume you don't. Why are we planning their legacy?"

Ward 1 Regional Councillor Bonnie Littley said the process was too fast (the Region released the report on Sept. 23), with little public consultation, and not enough effort has been put into a proper fiscal study. Coun. Littley is concerned with plans to place the Carruthers Creek headwaters (which include prime farmland) into an urban designation. Although a watershed study has been completed in the past, it was done on the basis that the headwaters would remain in their natural state, she said.

"What's the rush? Who does it serve? It just does not make sense to me," she said, adding there's plenty of time to designate the Carruthers Creek lands down the road since consultants have recommended a review of the growth plan every five years.

She was also displeased with plans to expand the urban boundaries into the whitebelt lands (undeveloped lands in north Pickering).

Planning and development director Neil Carroll said although the map shows whitebelt development taking place, that doesn't mean the entire area is going to be totally built out. For example, ravines, parks and wildlife areas and a full neighbourhood planning process will follow, where staff and Council can fine-tune how Pickering wants the plan to unfold.

Among Pickering's suggestion to the Region are expanding the extent of land for future living area around Kinsale in north Pickering to create room for growth for a complete neighbourhood. And, restricting major office development from employment areas so that major office development will take place at freeway interchanges, which will take advantage of transit and increase employment densities.

The report will come to Pickering Council on Nov. 17 for final approval. The Region's report can be viewed at www.region.durham.on.ca.

By Kristen Calis

newsdurhamregion.com - July 09, 2008
PICKERING -- A lack of information kept the planning and development committee from approving plans to start grading work on a future Duffin Heights Neighbourhood subdivision that will take some holes away at the Seaton Golf and Country Club.

At Monday's planning and development meeting, the committee heard from a vice president for Mattamy (Brock Road) Homes Limited, Rodger Miller, as to why Mattamy should be exempt from the City's fill and topsoil disturbance bylaw. Although Mattamy owns the land and has submitted draft plan of subdivision and zoning amendment applications, they won't go before council until late 2008; therefore a permit to do such work has to be approved by council. In a letter to the City, Mr. Miller wrote the development schedule requires about three-and-a-half months for topsoil stripping and cut and fill moving to pre-grade the land for servicing, and to complete the rough grades for the pond, and wants to get it finished before the winter months.

"Our consultant is preparing their detail engineering design for submission with the anticipation that the City and Region will be able to review and approve the plans and allow us to start servicing approximately 100 units in October," he said.

The letter further explained since the draft plan was submitted in December, Mattamy has met with City staff numerous times and the environmental servicing plan was approved by the Toronto Region and Conservation "in principle."

But Ward 3 Regional Councillor Rick Johnson introduced a motion that the report be referred to the Oct. 6 planning meeting so more information can be provided, which the committee approved.

"It's very sketchy," Coun. Johnson said. "We're putting the cart way ahead of the horse."

Ward 2 City Councillor Doug Dickerson expressed disappointment with the lack of sustainability initiatives going into the plans; this on top of seeing no plans. There's also been no statutory public meeting, and Coun. Dickerson said it'll deter people from coming out to share their views if the plans go ahead first. He was unhappy "to be asked to buy into something before I'm comfortable with it."

Ward 1 City Councillor Jennifer O'Connell asked the City's director of planning and development, Neil Carroll, if this were rejected, whether Mattamy could take it to the Ontario Municipal Board. Mr. Carroll said yes, but doesn't think they have a good case since the current bylaw does not permit it.

Coun. Johnson was also concerned with the trees that will come down as a result. Mr. Carroll explained tree bylaws don't affect those in the area since it's mostly for trees along water courses.

Staff, however, did not have a problem with Mattamy's request since the lands are currently designated for urban development and the exemption will only apply to the timing of the grading activity.

By Reka Szekely

newsdurhamregion.com - June 05, 2008
DURHAM -- A group of Pickering and Clarington homeowners will be the first to switch to clear garbage bags when the Region launches a pilot project in January.

Durham is considering moving to the clear bags in a bid to reach its 70 per cent waste diversion goal by 2010. The three-month pilot program will affect roughly 1,500 homes along two garbage collection routes, one in each municipality, at a total cost of $30,000. The Region is also testing the program in two highrise apartment buildings, one in Ajax and one in Oshawa, and will look for partners to fund it. The routes and buildings have not yet been selected.

The Region's works committee endorsed the pilot project on Wednesday and it comes to council on June 18.

Pickering Councillor Rick Johnson was among those who advocated moving to the clear bags.

"This is not something new; there's a lot of municipalities in North America that have done this," he said, adding the Region did a similar pilot program in Pickering, with 500 homes, before launching the Green Bin program.

According to the report presented to the committee, the move to clear bags has worked in other communities. In 13 Nova Scotia municipalities, where data has been collected since 2005, there was a 41-per-cent decrease in regular garbage, a 35-per-cent increase in recycling tonnage and a 38-per-cent increase in organics tonnage after the clear bags were introduced.

Options include allowing only clear bags at the curb, a limit of one standard colour bag while all other bags must be clear, or one opaque or grocery bag allowed per clear bag for bathroom and health items.

Coun. Johnson said he's impressed with the options available and thinks the program is necessary to reach the Region's mandated diversion goal.

"This is an ambitious goal, but I think to achieve it, we have to introduce strategies similar to this."

Though there may be a little confusion at first, Whitby Coun. Gerry Emm thinks people will jump on board.

"It's fashionable to be recyclable today," he said.

The $30,000 price tag for the program will cover a public education campaign for the routes and building selected, free clear bags for the participants and fees for auditing the waste and collecting and compiling the data.

Regional Chairman Roger Anderson wanted to know whether drivers on the pilot routes will know what they can and can't pick up.

The drivers will be trained, Regional Works Commissioner Cliff Curtis said.

"You're right; it depends on the judgement of the driver," Mr. Curtis said.

In addition to the clear bags, staff also recommended spending $45,000 on a consultant's review to investigate other options for meeting the Region's 70 per cent target. It would look at lessons learned in both North American and European communities.

By Kristen Calis

newsdurhamregion.com - May 21, 2008
PICKERING -- There really are no accidents in Ontario's workplaces, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board chairman told Pickering council.

Steven Mahoney presented the Community Workplace Health and Safety Charter to council Monday night after Ward 3 Regional Councillor Rick Johnson and Ward 1 Regional Councillor Bonnie Littley introduced a motion that council adopt it. Council did so unanimously and Mayor Dave Ryan signed it at the meeting.

"It's a sober message, a somber one, but one we think needs to be told and it needs to be told in every municipality," Mr. Mahoney said.

Mr. Mahoney, a former municipal councillor in Mississauga, explained how important it is that Council be aware of the importance of safety in the workplace. The charter clearly states engaging senior leadership is fundamental to ensure real change occurs in eliminating workplace injuries. By adopting the charter, council made a commitment to actively participate in a community that engages employee physical, social and mental well-being in all employment sectors in the community.

Mr. Mahoney explained each hour, about 40 workplace accident claims are filed, and also showed a WSIB commercial of a cook slipping on grease and badly burning herself.

"Some of you may find this graphic," he said. "But we sometimes feel we have to be graphic to get our message across."

Ward 2 Regional Councillor Bill McLean said Veridian Corporation will soon celebrate its two millionth hour without a workplace accident. Mr. Mahoney said he hopes more places throughout Ontario can achieve such a milestone. The City of Pickering actually pays little in health and safety premiums, he said.

Coun. Johnson said he hopes "sooner rather than later we'll get this charter adopted by Regional council as well."

Mr. Mahoney asked that the charter be displayed in a prominent area, and Mayor Ryan suggested it go to various City facilities throughout Pickering.

By Kristen Calis

newsdurhamregion.com - May 14, 2008
PICKERING -- If the Region of Durham and its municipalities are going to create a Regional Cycling Plan, we need to do it right, says a Pickering city councillor.

Ward 1 City Councillor Jennifer O'Connell, along with other council members, found various issues with the Region's cycling plan when the latest report came to the executive committee Monday. The plan to connect on-and-off road cycling routes and facilities is to be implemented in two phases: 2008 to 2012 and 2013 to 2032. Roads have been designated as either getting: signs only, multi-use trails and bike lanes, which are separate from the roadway; and, paved shoulder bikeways. Phase 1 will cost the City about $2.2 million and phase two about $1.2 million.

Although the committee agreed on the importance of promoting cycling, Pickering-specific routes received some criticism.

Five of Pickering's roads will get bike lanes, 11 will get paved shoulders and eight will get multi-use trails. Sixteen Pickering roads have been designated as "signed only routes," which means no physical changes will be made to the roads besides bicycle route signs. Coun. O'Connell didn't understand why the City would spend money on a "do-nothing approach.

"There is no need to spend the money on something that already exists," she said.

Ward 3 Regional Councillor Rick Johnson asked if the Phase 1 cost has been figured into future budget projections. When director of corporate services and treasurer Gil Paterson said he doesn't believe so, Coun. Johnson said that's something to keep in mind. He also noted questions regarding who is responsible for the Seaton bike trails are sure to arise.

"I don't want to shoot holes in this report but I think we need to go a little deeper," Coun. Johnson said.

Ward 2 Regional Councillor Bill McLean pointed out Brock Road south of Hwy. 401 is the largest commercial area in Pickering, and no bike lane has been planned there. A multi-use trail is proposed, but not an actual lane on the road.

"It's important we do have a bike lane heading south to our industrial park," he said.

Ward 1 Regional Councillor Bonnie Littley wanted to ensure council and the public can still comment on the design elements. Director of operations and emergency services Everett Buntsma said there will be opportunities, and the Region will most likely hold a public meeting on the final design.

By Reka Szekely

newsdurhamregion.com - May 09, 2008
DURHAM -- After lengthy discussion, Regional councillors have approved emissions criteria for the proposed Courtice incinerator.

Council approved the plan presented to the Joint Waste Management Group in April with a 15-7 vote. The proposed operational limits for the plant meet or are stricter than both Ontario's A-7 guideline and the European Union (EU) standards, except for one pollutant, hydrogen chloride (HCl).

A subsequent report, drafted in response to concerns raised by a Clarington resident and presented at a joint works and health and social services committee meeting preceding council, changed the HCl limit to the EU standard, However, that report was received for information only.

Works commissioner Cliff Curtis said the emissions criteria will ultimately be set by the Ministry of the Environment as part of the facility's certificate of approval.

"We're getting clear signals that they expect us to meet or exceed A-7 or the EU across the board," he said, adding that included HCl.

Should the business case for the incinerator be approved at the next council meeting, the emissions criteria will be the standard vendors have to achieve when they respond to the Region's request for proposals.

Wendy Bracken, the Newcastle resident whose concerns prompted the joint meeting preceding council, said there needs to be information on the criterion for each pollutant and details of what standards are out there at other incinerators.

The pollutants addressed in the emissions criteria include acid rain-causing compounds such as nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxides and cancer-causing toxins like dioxins and furans.

"I don't believe there was a clear answer on (whether) the proposed operating limits are set low enough to screen out the second-and-third-rate incinerators," said Ms. Bracken after the meeting.

Another issue for her was the monitoring of dioxins. The initial plan called for semi-annual stack tests, but Ms. Bracken said the best technology involves continuous sampling. The Region's consultants in their report to the joint committee said they would incorporate continuous sampling.

Oshawa councillor and vocal incineration opponent Brian Nicholson also questioned whether the emissions criteria and testing protocols mean the Region is looking for the best possible technology or something below that in the interest of saving money.

"There's only one reason I can think of why you wouldn't commit yourselves to the best of the best. That's because you don't want to pay for it, because the price would destroy your business plan," he said.

An attempt by Coun. Nicholson to defer the issue and ask for further reports failed.

Mr. Curtis said the emissions limits in the certificate of approval are legally enforceable and day-to-day operations of the plant would be substantially below the operational limits.

He said they would be comparable to modern incinerators that show average emissions lower than the operational limits proposed in Durham.

"We will be in that same ballpark and we will be able to meet the best emissions in the world, or at least we'll be close to it," said Mr. Curtis. He added both the EU and the A-7 standards are protective of human health and the environment.

Pickering Councillor Rick Johnson, one of the 15 councillors to vote in favour of the criteria, said councillors want the best and safest plant possible and didn't see anyone disagreeing with that. He pointed out incineration was chosen as the solution to the Region's waste problem by a citizen's committee and approving the emissions criteria was the next step towards it.

"We have to support our staff, the work they've done and move forward with this process," said Coun, Johnson.

newsdurhamregion.com - April 23, 2008

By Kristen Calis

newsdurhamregion.com - April 23, 2008
PICKERING -- In a community where the pool is a creek and the ice rink is made by volunteers, at least leave the library, says a Greenwood resident.

Photo by Jennifer Roberts Greenwood Public Library April 17, 2008

"The residents of Greenwood pay taxes and ask for little in return," John Wager said, adding closing it would indicate Greenwood residents are second-class citizens.

Annette Ainsbury noted Greenwood residents pay extra for sewage and water.

"It's not water and sewage and lights that make for a great community," the Greenwood resident said. "It's libraries, schools and community centres."

A number of Greenwood residents attended Monday's council meeting to defend their library, after hearing of the possibility during Pickering's budget discussions that it could close. The building, built in 1860 and currently boarded up, has a dead furnace and faced a couple of floods this winter that ruined the foundation. A new furnace will cost $8,000 and estimates for foundation repairs could set the City back $50,000 to $100,000. Circulation at the branch has also decreased by about half since 2000.

Ward 3 City Councillor David Pickles said although a library is not a huge money-maker, it adds to a community. He introduced a motion to put $50,000 into a contingency fund so if the City decides to fix it up, money will be there. Council agreed, and will decide its fate once more estimates come in.

"If we didn't have a library there, it's still an important building. We heard that this evening," Coun. Pickles said, adding either way, it should be repaired.

Chief Administrative Officer Tom Quinn said he and library CEO Cynthia Mearns will "do some digging" and provide a report to council.

Lucy Wetherall moved to Greenwood a year ago, mostly so her kids could have a school and library within walking distance. She said although it's been noted the Whitevale branch is busier than Greenwood, Whitevale has convenient hours. Greenwood's hours are Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 4 to 8 p.m. Whitevale is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon.

"Going to the library is almost impossible," she said, adding more than 50 school-aged kids in the community could benefit from after-school library hours.

Mr. Wager said he gets home from work at 7:10 p.m. and can't make it to the library the one evening it's open. He would like to see Saturday hours and suggested adding more programs to promote literacy.

Ms. Wetherall said the building is historical, a former school which former prime minister John Diefenbaker once attended and where his father taught.

"Pickering should be happy to have such a great building," she said.

Ward 3 Regional Councillor Rick Johnson noted the Heritage Pickering Advisory Committee is currently going through motions on how to make it a heritage structure "and I'm in full support of that."

By Kristen Calis

newsdurhamregion.com - April 22, 2008
PICKERING -- Pickering resident David Steele doesn't support the 2008 capital budget.

Mr. Steele attended Monday's Pickering council meeting where the capital ($18.7 million) and operating ($66.4 million) budgets were passed. Property taxes will increase by 5.9 per cent in 2008, meaning an additional $59.29 on a $280,000 home.

Mr. Steele, also critical of the operating budget, said the capital budget process was not sustainable, noting the cost of deferred capital projects from the 2008 budget carried into 2009 is $28.4 million. He noted debt financing in 2008 is $8.2 million, and is projected at $6.6 million next year.

"What I do not understand is how you have allowed the City of Pickering to reach a point that road improvements and storm sewer improvements are deferred and carried over into future years," he said, adding the City should provide an eight-year capital budget plan, otherwise, new capital projects will be a problem.

Mayor Dave Ryan said no municipality's perfect, but ensured every dollar spent in the budget is an investment in Pickering. He added comments made at the meeting "particularly by the general public, we take seriously."

Ward 1 City Councillor Jennifer O'Connell - the only member to vote against the budget - said although the property tax increase is lower than last year (it was 8.79 per cent), debt has increased greatly. She said while some projects are necessary, others are not. Rural roads are getting attention, for example, while some sidewalks and trails don't connect.

"This is not a green budget," she said. "This is not sustainable, environmentally or financially, in my opinion."

Ward 2 Regional Councillor Bill McLean saw things differently, saying "I'm going to support this budget... because I think it's a damn good budget."

He said major projects, such as expanding the recreation complex ($4.5 million), renovating the Dunbarton pool ($1.5 million), and a new heavy-duty fire rescue vehicle ($1.2 million), benefit the entire city.

Ward 3 Regional Councillor Rick Johnson said it'd be great to support a zero-per cent tax increase, but at that time the City had $20 million in reserves when it did. He supported the budget, but welcomes conflicting views like Coun. O'Connell's.

"To run this corporation, you don't want seven people up here all thinking the same," he said.

But, he added debt is something you can never get away from.

Resident Janice Frampton said more public input was needed prior to Monday's meeting. But, Ward 3 City Councillor David Pickles noted there were four days of meetings open to the public.

Coun. Pickles suggested putting $50,000 into a contingency fund for the Greenwood Library to be used if Council agrees to repair its damaged foundation, which was approved.

Ward 1 Regional Councillor Bonnie Littley said "I think we picked some really good projects this year," but mentioned she'd like to see less debt financing in 2009.

Ward 2 City Councillor Doug Dickerson said no matter how high or low the budget, people disagree. He said organizations have different wants, and "our job is to separate the needs from the wants."

newsdurhamregion.com - April 17, 2008

DURHAM/YORK — It’s a sign of the times for Norman Collier.

It’s just a big sigh for an irate neighbour.

A self described artist and shepherd, Mr. Collier rents a five-acre farm on the Markham-Pickering boundary on York Durham Road south of 14th Avenue. Hard against the road and his driveway, a recently installed homemade, four by eight foot sign, reads “Honk 3 times 4 Obama.”

By Chris Traber Norman Collier stands in front of a sign he put up in support of United States Democratic presidential nominee Barak Obama. A neighbour complained because of the noise created by passing motorists. Photo by Chris Traber

It’s homage to United States Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama, said Mr. Collier, who raises goats, sheep and poultry.

Though he’s a staunch Newfoundland-born Canadian and longtime local resident, Mr. Collier said he has an affinity for the Illinois senator who is battling New York Senator Hillary Clinton for their party’s presidential nomination.

“Obama’s almost a prophet,” the burly, bearded livestock farmer said. “He’s not a war monger and he’s anti-bullying. He’s cosmopolitan and doesn’t take money from lobbyists or developers.

“He’s enlightening, interesting and universal.”

The two-sided mini-billboard has been in place since February. Atop are a pair of Democratic donkeys, one with a pink scarf, representing Ms Clinton, the other Mr. Obama. At the bottom is an elephant depicting Republican Arizona senator and presidential runner John McCain.

The road, most travelled during morning and evening commutes, has netted noisy results. So much so a neighbour, who Mr. Collier won’t identify, complained to the York Region roads department which has jurisdiction on both sides, ten metres from the middle of the two lane stretch.

Mr. Collier admits the sign is on regional property and he has been ordered to remove it by the middle of this week.

He was told the sign could be moved further east, off the regional allowance.

“That wouldn’t be practical,” he said. “Nobody would see it. It’s a beautiful sign and allows people to express their opinion about the state of international politics.”

Mr. Collier appealed to Pickering politicians to intervene.

Durham Region Ward 3 Councillor Rick Johnson said he spoke to Mr. Collier and the York roads department and explored the standard agreements between municipalities.

“When there are complaints, there has to be compliance,” he said. “The bylaw restricts the sign from being there and will have to be moved or removed.”

Coun. Johnson is not aware of a deadline, adding he would prefer to have Mr. Collier voluntarily move the sign onto his own property.

“I know Norm and have a lot of respect and time for him,” Coun. Johnson said. “He’s a sensitive guy. Still, he’s in violation.”

Mr. Collier has enjoyed the reaction to his political artwork and discussions he’s had with motorists, some American, who inquire about the sign.

“Sometimes the democratic right of any citizen to express his opinion makes a little noise, and so it should.”

"The way I read this is the developers simply want to do a standard
low-density cookie-cutter subdivision that we would have done five or 10
years ago," said Ajax Mayor Steve Parish at a recent Regional committee
meeting.

"Pickering cannot sustain more houses being built ... we need employment
lands first," he said.

Developers need to step up to the plate for what amounts to a big, but
doable challenge, and not try to mess with those numbers. And politicians
and residents alike have to be watchdogs to ensure that Seaton is created
as advertised

By Reka Szekely

newsdurhamregion.com - February 21, 2008
 

DURHAM -- Works committee members retreated to familiar battle lines when discussing a recent trip by Clarington councillors to a B.C. incinerator.

On Feb. 1, Clarington's three Regional councillors, one local councillor and staff from the municipality, Durham Region and York Region visited the Burnaby facility. The trip was paid for through the environmental assessment process, equally funded by York and Durham.

All of Clarington council was invited to go, but of the four local councillors, only Adrian Foster chose to do so.

"When it looked like Clarington was going to be the host community, we thought maybe because they didn't go to Halifax to see the stabilized landfill, they didn't go to Europe, maybe they'd like to see an incinerator-- energy from waste-- in Canada," said Clarington Regional Councillor and Regional works committee chairman Charlie Trim. He said visiting such facilities is part of councillors' due diligence.

Works Commissioner Cliff Curtis made a presentation about the trip at Wednesday's committee meeting.

But, even before he started speaking, committee members were debating whether the group should have gone in the first place.

Oshawa Coun. Brian Nicholson, a vocal opponent of incineration, argued that taxpayer dollars are being wasted on looking at the same solution, incineration, over and over again.

"This is nothing different from what we saw in Europe, it's regurgitated propaganda," he said.

He called the process biased towards an energy-from-waste facility.

"When are we going to spend any time or money looking at other options?"

But, Pickering Coun. Rick Johnson strongly disagreed with Coun. Nicholson.

"To stop ourselves short and say we're not going to spend any money on research is selling ourselves short," said Coun. Johnson, adding that he'd visited several facilities on his own dime during the 18 years he's sat on the committee.

Oshawa Coun. Nester Pidwerbecki said council has been clear that there would be no new landfill in Durham an he didn't think stabilized landfill, such as the Otter Creek facility in Halifax, was a good option for the Region.

"Yes, if there are better ways of doing it, let's look at it, but don't bring me landfill," said Coun. Pidwerbecki.

• 2 public secondary schools
• 1 Catholic secondary school
• several elementary schools (to be addressed through the City of
  Pickering's neigbourhood plan)

By Kristen Calis

newsdurhamregion.com - February 08, 2008
 

PICKERING -- Organizers hope to attract at least 20,000 people to Pickering this spring through filling their bellies with ribs.

"We intend to make this the No. 1 outdoor event in Pickering this year," said Lon Harnish, the 2008 Pickering Ribfest chairman and fundraising director.

The Rotary Clubs of Ajax and Pickering hosted the event launch and sponsorship luncheon for their first Pickering Ribfest at the Al Dente Restaurant in Pickering Wednesday, attended by City officials, local politicians and representatives from local charities and the Durham Regional Police Service.

In a speech, Mr. Harnish, explained, "It'll be the Olympics of rib-eating."

But, the ribs aren't the only attraction in store for the first Ribfest; Esplanade Park will be filled with local music, arts, crafts, entertainment, dance, stage performances, kids attractions and wine and beer from June 6 to 8. Admission and entertainment will be free.

"People don't think of it as cultural, but it will be," Mr. Harnish explained in an interview.

And, as the headliner, six "top-, top-rated ribbers from Canada and the United States" will serve up their unique recipes, competing for the winning title.

"You're not going to be able to find those ribs in a normal restaurant," Mr. Harnish said.

The clubs will also collect food for Pickering's St. Paul's on-the-Hill Community Food Bank and the Ajax-Pickering Salvation Army Food Bank.

The luncheon's goal was to attract sponsors for the event, and it did just that. Ward 3 Regional Councillor Rick Johnson pledged the largest amount, $15,000, to the festival, and that made Rotarians quite happy since the money raised will go toward such causes as Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital and Herizon House. Others offered either monetary or in-kind donations as well.

"All the money we raise goes back into the local community," Mr. Harnish said. "The Pickering and Ajax Rotary Clubs were ecstatic for the warm reception they received."

Sponsorship packages range from $250 to $15,000. Anyone interested in donating money, time or materials needed for the event, such as tents, tables, trophies, signage and fencing, can call Mr. Harnish at 1-800-661-0243, ext. 4146 during the day or 905-723-5478 at night.

For more information, visit www.durhamwestrotaryribfest.com.

By Kristen Calis

newsdurhamregion.com - February 01, 2008
PICKERING -- Although only a small portion of the Rouge Watershed falls in Pickering, City staff believe it's a significant public asset that should be protected.

Council recently approved the final draft of the Rouge River Watershed Plan, a draft report from the Rouge Watershed Task Force, which has been working on it for two-and-a-half years. The task force includes members from the public, not-for-profit organizations, and representatives from all levels of government agencies, and is co-ordinated by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) and Rouge Park. Ward 3 Regional Councillor Rick Johnson is the municipality's representative. The watershed spans 336 square kilometres of land and water and less than five per cent of that is in Pickering.

"It's got a rich, rich history and we're a little part of that, so we can celebrate it, too," said Catherine Rose, the City's policy planning manager.

Although the watershed is currently healthy, the plan finds it's showing signs of stress from the effects of urban development. Stress includes increased water pollution and surface runoff, greater annual flow volumes in rivers and streams and loss of biodiversity.

"They are signs that the ability of the air, land and water to absorb the negative impacts of human activities is strained and cannot be sustained over the long term unless fundamental changes are made," the report states.

Therefore, the plan recommends strategies to address those negative impacts and to develop and use sustainable practices for future development. There are also nearly 140 specific implementation recommendations. The three broad strategies are: establishing a targeted terrestrial natural heritage system; building sustainable communities; and, developing a regional open space system. The task force's goals address: groundwater; surface water; stream form; aquatic system; terrestrial system; air quality and climate change; cultural heritage; nature-based recreation; and, sustainable land and resource use.

Ms. Rose said since most of the developable lands that lie in Pickering already have homes on them, if any development were to occur on Pickering's part of the watershed, it would be "very minor infilling."

The plan will go to the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority Board at the end of March for its approval.