Aurora Banner September 24, 2015

CUDDY SHARK YRAA FOOTBALL FUTURE SEEMS UNCERTAIN PAGE B11

IMPENDING WAVE

OUR VIEW

READ OUR SERIES ON SENIORS PAGE B1 AND DEMENTIA

WHAT’S HARM IN LETTING ALL DEBATE ISSUES PAGE A9

yorkregion.com

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Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015

Federal candidates vow to push for ways to assist local families

FEDERAL ELECTION 2015

A

s a regular feature leading up to the Oct. 19 federal election, we will ask you to weigh in on issues that matter.

Last week, we asked: What does this election mean to you?

Here’s what you said: “For us seniors, it’s about security, our pensions and the economy. A lot of seniors rely on income from investments and if the economy isn’t strong, it has an impact on that. Also, tax breaks for seniors and working with other levels of government on issues like health care is very important.”

Jim Abram, Aurora JIM ABRAM

“The election is an important opportunity for people to express their feelings about the government. I think it is time for change.”

Doug Leitch East Gwillimbury

DOUG LEITCH

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From daycare improvements to tax credits, promises abound from all parties

BY CHRIS SIMON

I

CANADA Decision 2015

csimon@yrmg.com

mproving the lives of local families starts with ensuring they have a wellbuilt community, Newmarket-Aurora Liberal candidate Kyle Peterson said.

There’s no doubt residents are having a more difficult time making ends meet than they were a decade ago, Peterson said. So, if the federal government is going to help improve the lives of Canadians and, more specifically, Newmarket-Aurora residents, it has to create high-paying local jobs and invest in infrastructure projects.

“Modern families are juggling more constraints on their time than ever before, from commuting and raising kids to caring for a sick relative or (aging) parents,” Peterson said. “Government really hasn’t adapted to this generational reality.”

The Liberals would enhance the child benefit for lower income earners, cut

“I don’t think I’m going to like the results. I think we’ll be in real trouble if the NDP is in power.

I think the Conservatives have been doing OK.” Ron Metropolit East Gwillimbury

taxes for the middle class, and introduce the national early learning and childcare framework comprehensive policy. Changes to current legislation to allow for more flexible working hours and proposed amendments to the employment insurance program will also aid families, he said.

NDP candidate Yvonne Kelly says her party will implement a $15-per-day childcare program across the country, work to create more affordable housing through the introduction of a new national housing strategy and create higher paying, “green” industry jobs in the area.

SIDELINED

“The commitments needed to support families come in a variety of different (ways),” she said. “A cornerstone for our platform is making life more affordable. In Newmarket-Aurora, life is becoming more unaffordable. People are accumulating a lot of debt. They are paying out of pocket for things beyond their capacity. Wages have stagnated. For families, the stress of not knowing if they’re going to be able to secure a childcare spot is enough to be a burden; we need to be able to provide those spaces.

Most families are in a position where they have to have two income earners. We want to invest in communities and local economies.”

Conservative incumbent MP Lois Brown said the government must stay on its current course, though the party does promise, if re-elected, to implement a $2,000 tax

See page A6.

FEDERAL ELECTION 2015

RON METROPOLIT

“It’s very important. We need more democracy.”

Patricia Grant, Newmarket

DORIAN BAXTER, PC

Baxter calls for debate boycott

PATRICIA GRANT

“It means everything. It’s time for change. It’s improving social assistance and welfare for the disadvantaged, not continuously worrying about deficits and not saying we’re not going to raise taxes.”

Andrew Darke, Newmarket

D

ANDREW DARKE

“It means same old, same old to me. But if there is one issue, I would say I’m interested in the pensions, of course, because I am of that age.”

John Pynn, Keswick

STAFF PHOTO/MIKE BARRETT

JOHN PYNN

“This election is a chance for Canada to get back on track.

We’re a very social country, but in the last 8 to 10 years we’ve become warmongers. The best government for us is one that has all parties working together.”

Meade Helman, Bradford

Running back Adre Simmonds of the Saint Andrews Saints is forced out of bounds

by Mike Strumos (left) and Skyler McMurtry of the Huron Heights Warriors during an exhibition match played Saturday in Aurora. The Saints won 20-3.

Council debates Mavrinac property

BY TERESA LATCHFORD

tlatchford@yrmg.com

MEADE HELMAN

“It means a lot of confusion to me. I’m not even sure who to vote for at this point. All I keep reading about is a cut here, another cut back there. Everyone says they can do things for us but I’m not convinced.”

Nicole Kim, Bradford NICOLE KIM

Limiting the land to green and open space for the town-owned Mavrinac property is too restricting, according to one Aurora councillor.

Councillor Harold Kim urges town staff to begin exploring possible uses for the 2.4-hectare property the town now owns and, while fellow Councillor Paul Pirri supports the proposal, he feels looking only at greenspace uses could hinder the town from using the property to its full potential.

“I would still love to see some sort of affordable housing on a portion of the property, maybe partnering with Habitat

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BY CHRIS SIMON

csimon@yrmg.com

orian Baxter is so incensed that he will not be permitted to take part in the Oct. 6 Newmarket Chamber of Commerce all-candidates debate that he is asking other candidates to boycott the event.

The Progressive Canadian Party candidate has been gaining public support since learning he would be excluded from the debate portion of the event at Newmarket Theatre.

“I’m outraged,” Baxter said. “There’s no valid reason for doing this. It’s totally bizarre. I see this as a move to sideline me completely.

“What they’re doing is assaulting the democratic rights of the residents of NewmarketAurora to have a clear view of what’s available to them. When you stop and think of the ramifications of this, how can somebody in my position ever get into Parliament? It just doesn’t give you the opportunity.”

GET CONNECTED ❑

TELL US what you think about this issue.

Email tkibble@yrmg.com.

for Humanity,” Pirri said. “I don’t know if community halls or meeting places are being considered.”

He made two attempts to change the wording of the request and have staff report back with a variety of usage options space, but he couldn’t gain support.

Now, he’s calling on other candidates to boycott the chamber debate.

“I will be asking the remaining four candidates to boycott your undemocratic debate if you and your purported cohorts do not relent as it sets a very dangerous precedent that undermines everything democratic that Canada stands for,” Baxter said in an open letter to chamber president and CEO Debra Scott Tuesday. “Democracy denied is democracy destroyed.”

In an email sent last week and since obtained by The Era, Scott told Baxter the chamber’s election policy requires debate participants to have party representation in the House of Commons or provincial legis-

See page A2.

See page A6.

GET CONNECTED TELL US what you think about this issue. Email tlatchford@yrmg.com.

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The Aurora Banner, Thursday, September 24, 2015

Council votes to explore recreation, open space uses for Mavrinac land

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Councillor John Abel suggested the town remove the fence surrounding the property, clear the brush, lay a cross path and put up signage informing residents public input opportunities will be coming soon.

“We should take the fence down and make it part of the town for now,” he added.

Mayor Geoff Dawe protested, feeling it could make residents think it will remain that way indefinitely when the town has yet to determine the land’s use.

Council voted to explore recreation and open space uses, as well as to take down the fence with only Pirri and Dawe not lending support.

In July, the town announced it purchased the property, known as Block 208 on Mavrinac Boulevard from Minto Communities Inc. The transfer of the land wrapped up a legal dispute over allowing the town to purchase it when the local school board deemed it wouldn’t be needed for a new school site.

In the meantime, some residents are already vocalizing how they feel the property

should be used.

Olivia Werden would like to see the town add a soccer field or two to the property, an amenity she feels is lacking in a town where the sport is so popular. Having been part of a house league soccer club growing up, she feels giving more people the opportunity to play would be a win for everyone involved.

“With all the new development on the east side of town, there is not a proportionate number of soccer fields being put in for the number of potential children we could have coming into our town,” she said. “Public soccer fields not only benefit the youth but adults as well, young or old, who look for space to go and kick a ball around.”

David Rossi feels the space would be the perfect space for tennis courts and a clubhouse considering Timberlane Athletic Club will be permanently closing its doors come December.

“This land would be a great place for additional play space for older children and adults,” he said. “It would have the benefit of teaching the younger kids a great outdoor activity and adults can use it even when the children grow up and move away.”

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Karm Amer, owner of Crossfit Ark, posts a sticky note on one of the discussion boards during the launch of the Town of Aurora’s sport and parks and recreation master plans consultation at the Aurora Family Leisure Complex.

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TOWN OF AURORA PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF COMPLETE APPLICATION AND PUBLIC PLANNING MEETING Aurora Town Council will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, October 14 at 7 p.m. at Aurora Town Hall Council Chambers to receive input on the following planning application.

APPLICATION:

The Owner has submitted Draft Plan of Subdivision and Zoning By-law Amendment Applications to permit the development of 101 single detached residential lots with 5.1 hectares of open space on 12.5 hectares of the subject lands.

PROPERTY:

1756 St. John’s Sideroad

LEGAL DESC.:

Part of Lot 26, Concession 3

APPLICANT:

Coppervalley Estates Inc.

FILE NUMBER:

SUB-2015-05 and ZBA-2015-09

CONTACT:

Additional information may be obtained from Lawrence Kuk of the Planning & Development Services department at 905-727-3123 ext. 4343, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Comments may also be mailed to the Planning & Development Services department at the address noted below, faxed to 905-726-4736 or emailed to planning@aurora.ca. Please quote the file name and number.

The Town of Aurora collects personal information in communications or presentations made to Town Council and/or its Committees. The Town collects this information to enable it to make informed decisions on the relevant issue(s). If you are submitting letters, faxes, emails, presentations or other communications to the Town, you should be aware that your name and the fact that you communicated with the Town will become part of the public record and will appear on the Town’s website. The Town will also make your communication and any personal information in it, such as your address and postal code or email address available to the public unless you expressly request the Town to remove it. By submitting a fax, email, presentation or other communication, you are authorizing the Town to collect and use the above-noted information for this purpose. The Town audio records Public Planning meetings. If you make a presentation to Town Council and/or its Committees, the Town will be audio recording you and Town staff and may make these audio recordings available to the public. Please direct any questions about this to the Town Clerk at 905-727-3123, ext. 4771.

Plan of Subdivision (O. Reg. 544/06) If a person or public body does not make oral submissions at the public meeting or make written submissions to The Town of Aurora in respect of the proposed Plan of Subdivision before the approval authority gives or refuses to give approval to the draft Plan of Subdivision, the person or public body is not entitled to appeal the decision of The Town of Aurora to the Ontario Municipal Board.

Zoning By-law (O. Reg. 545/06) If a person or a public body does not make oral submissions at a public meeting or make written submissions to The Town of Aurora before the bylaw is passed, the person or public body is not entitled to appeal the decision of the Council of The Town of Aurora to the Ontario Municipal Board. If a person or public body does not make oral submissions at a public meeting or make written submissions to The Town of Aurora in respect of the proposed Draft Plan of Subdivision and Zoning By-law Amendment before the approval authority gives or refuses to give approval to the draft Plan of Subdivision and the bylaw is passed, the person or public body may not be added as a party to the hearing of an appeal before the Ontario Municipal Board unless in the opinion of the Board there are reasonable grounds to do so. If you wish to be notified of the decision of The Town of Aurora in respect to the Zoning By-law Amendment, you must make a written request to The Town of Aurora to the attention of the Director of Planning & Development Services.

Town of Aurora 100 John West Way, Aurora, ON L4G 6J1 www.aurora.ca/publicnotices | 905-727-3123, ext. 4343 C

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STAFF PHOTO/TERESA LATCHFORD

By Teresa Latchford

GET CONNECTED

tlatchford@yrmg.com

The upcoming creation of master plans for parks and recreation and sport has sparked the interest of local residents.

Residents gathered on the second floor of the Aurora Family Leisure Complex to provide input and feedback to the town regarding the future of sport and leisure. Attendees were asked to fill out a survey, use sticky notes to provide ideas and have informal conversations with staff and project planning consultant Todd Brown of Monteith Brown.

“Public input is one of the most important steps when it comes to developing a master plan,” he said.

After some formal remarks from the organizers, residents mingled and began to provide their thoughts.

Karm Amer, owner of Crossfit Ark, would like to see the town tap into local expertise when it comes to programming. For example, the town could partner with local businesses to offer sport and leisure programming that would benefit both parties.

“There are plenty of experts in town; trainers, gymnastics or anything like that could offer a higher level of service than is currently being offered,” he said. “An experienced instructor can offer more than a part-time high school student.”

He also feels that it would allow the town to overcome some limitations it has with facility capacity and operating costs and would boost the local economy at the same time.

Aurora Soccer Club’s Paul Dunbar just came out to see what the plans were all about and feels many people will be watching this process closely.

“I think these two areas are of great interest to people living here, especially with the growth that is coming,” he added. “Anytime people have the opportunity to come together for a common interest, it usually produces something good.”

The sport plan is intended to increase collaboration between the town and community partners to make better use of exist-

HAVE YOUR SAY: Take the survey at surveymonkey.com/r/auroraprs until Sept. 28.

ing facilities in the next five years. The goal is to deliver quality sport programs in town by focusing on public engagement and investments that will enhance delivery.

The parks and recreation plan will provide the town with a vision for leisure facilities until 2021. Through consultation, research and analysis, the plan will focus on indoor recreation facilities such as aquatic centres, arenas and gymnasia, outdoor recreation facilities such as sports fields and playgrounds, and parks and open spaces.

Collecting input from the public is the first step in creating the two master plans, according to Aurora parks and recreation director Al Downey.

“This is the initial kickoff meeting; the first step in the process,” Downey said. “We want people to help us form points for discussion and to help us form recommendations.”

Attendees were asked to complete three statements: “The best thing I like about parks and recreation in the town is…”, “The town’s parks and recreation opportunities can be improved by…”, and “When planning the future of the town’s parks and recreation opportunities, we need to consider…”.

Downey said there are no wrong answers and the public input collected would only contribute to the possibilities.

“The public should have input on the services and facilities they are using or need,” he said. “They are part of the puzzle we are trying to put together.”

In addition to the professional consultations, research and general public input, the town will host a series of focus groups in the fall to include local organizations and sport groups.

Drafts of the master plans are expected to be available for review at a meeting Nov. 26.

TOWN OF AURORA PUBLIC NOT IC E

NOTICE OF PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE Design for Installation of Speed Cushions Pilot Project The Town’s Infrastructure & Environmental Services department will be holding a public open house to present the proposed engineering design plans for the installation of speed cushions for the following locations: • Kennedy Street West – McGee Crescent to Murray Drive • Stone Road – Clift Road to Hawtin Lane • McMaster Avenue – Hollidge Boulevard to Hollandview Trail • Mavrinac Boulevard – Borealis Avenue to Spring Farm Road • Conover Avenue – River Ridge Boulevard to Borealis Avenue The work primarily consists of the installation of asphalt speed cushions, pavement markings and traffic signs.

The open house will be held on Thursday, October 1 from 5 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at Aurora Town Hall, 100 John West Way, Holland Room, 1st floor. Town staff will be available to answer questions. Please drop by to see the plans and provide your comments.

If you have any questions, please contact Jamal Massadeh at 905-727-3123, ext. 4374 by fax to 905-841-7119 or by email at jmassadeh@aurora.ca.

Town of Aurora 100 John West Way, Aurora, ON L4G 6J1 www.aurora.ca/publicnotices | 905-727-3123, ext. 4374

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The Aurora Banner, Thursday, September 24, 2015

FEATURE

POLICE BRACE FOR BREAK-AND-ENTERS

BY JEREMY GRIMALDI

jgrimaldi@yrmg.com

A

s the summer fades and fall looms, criminal behaviour begins to alter.

As a result, police are, yet again, bracing for an increase in evening-time break and enters as days grow shorter.

Whereas in mid-June it was getting dark at 9 p.m., Sept. 30 will see the sun set at 7 p.m. and, on Oct. 18, daylight will be gone by 6:30 p.m.

Often times, shorter daylight hours can creep up on residents and there are those looking to capitalize on this.

“In the summertime, it’s usually front doors getting kicked in, while people are out at work,” said Det.Sgt. Don Cardwell. “But as the winter rolls around, break-ins often occur via people’s backyards under the cover of darkness between 6 and 9 p.m..”

Those entering through the rear can benefit from the vulnerability of sliding doors, according to Cardwell.

i

To view the burglary surveillance video referenced in the story, visit bit.ly/1DaSCSb

He said many people either fail to secure doors by placing a piece of wood in the frame or can forget to lock them entirely.

“It’s easy for these guys to tell when people are home. Lights and televisions help, so do cars in the driveway,” he said. “If there’s no movement though, certain houses can provide easy targets.”

Throughout the region, the number of home entries has fallen by 35 per cent or about 1,000 incidents since 2007, when there were 2,858 reported break-ins.

The numbers can be deceptive, though, as Vaughan, Markham and Richmond Hill – where about 40 per cent of the region’s home break-ins take place – have either remained largely constant or seen a small uptick.

Richmond Hill saw a decrease of nine, from 253 in 2014 to 244 in 2015, Vaughan an increase of 26, from 220 to 246 in 2015 and Markham, which grew by 47, from 221 to 268 in 2015.

These numbers are fuelled by alleged theft groups, including the GMC – Get Money Committee – which, police say, spent this summer committing daytime robberies while most neighbours were out to work.

The alleged crew’s operation consisted of knocking on front doors and then promptly kicking them in if no one answered.

The men would run directly upstairs for cash and jewelry, which, police say, tend to be stored in the master bedroom.

“They can leave with up to $30,000, watches alone at between $15,000 and $20,000,” said Cardwell, who added criminals are not opposed to leaving the homes with heavy safes.

“They can be out of there in sometimes less than one minute.

They keep succeeding, that’s why they keep coming back.”

Afterwards, he added, they would use Hwy. 407 in their getaway rental car.

One of the men arrested in the latest operation was Maurice Beckles, who was also nabbed in a very similar investigation by York cops last year.

He was in custody for a few months before being released.

“It’s the same guys over and over. If we were to keep them in jail, our numbers would go way down,” explained Cardwell, adding courts are often light on these criminals because burglary is only viewed as property crime.

Police estimate about 38 homes were struck by the alleged gang over the summer, but admit the number could be much higher.

In the winter, others become more prevalent, including members of the alleged Columbian gangs and Eastern European outfits from the nation of Georgia.

According to Cardwell, they will spend time “casing” streets they want to hit, choose their residence, walk up and try a rear sliding door.

He said they’re after similar items, including cash and jewelry, which can be pawned off or melted down.

“It’s the little things they pick up on,” he noted. “If you see a television on in the family room, are you really going to take that risk and go in? When you’re trying to protect your home, just think, what can I do to make it look occupied?”

According to Cardwell, residents can protect homes by putting lights on timers, moving their valuables to other rooms, picking up newspapers and collecting mail.

He said a recent burglary surveillance video, available at yorkregion.com, shows how a simple security system or even a dummy camera can help ensure your home is secure.

The video shows two men trying to break into a Vaughan home via the back door only to notice a camera and run off.

However, Cardwell said, by far, the best way to protect your home is to get to know your neighbours and take an interest in everyone’s security.

“I believe that if there’s a will to get in, there’s a way,” he said.

“But I also know that people need to engage with us: it helps. If they see something suspicious, they should call. Residents and their neighbours need to realize they’re part of the solution.”

For Const. Brian Hinds from the York police’s crime prevention unit, protecting your home is all about property maintenance.

He said the biggest issues are people leaving on vacation without making plans with neighbours and leaving hedges untrimmed.

“You need to make your house look lived in, whether that is someone shovelling your driveway or cutting your grass,” he said.

Const. Hinds added trimming bushes and trees to give neighbours “clear sight lines” to your house is essential to making sure others pitch in and help you stay safe.

He added if residents are keen on a home security audit, they can call 1-866-876-5423 and ask for him at the crime prevention unit.

STAFF PHOTO/STEVE SOMERVILLE

York Regional Police Const. Brian Hinds, who works in the crime prevention unit, recommends a dead bolt lock to better secure your front door and to make your home a less-enticing target for would-be thieves.

PROTECT YOURSELF Break and enters are often a crime of opportunity. The more difficult you make it for a thief to break into your home, the more likely it is they will move along. Citizens are reminded to: Be certain to lock your doors and windows when leaving the house; Do not discuss the contents of your home with others; Be aware of suspicious people or vehicles in your neighbourhood and call police immediately if you’re concerned;  Store valuables in a safety deposit box; Install dead-bolt locks on all exterior doors and selftapping screws in the upper track of patio doors

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and windows; Consider installing a home security system and ensure everybody in the house knows how it works; Secure all basement and ground-level windows and patio doors. Use protective glass or window film where possible. Never leave accessible windows open, especially while sleeping; When away for an extended period of time, give your home the lived-in look, with light-activating automatic timers and motion sensors. Have your newspapers picked up, lawn cut or snow removed; and  Make a video or take photographs of all household valuables. Maintain a record of these possessions and include the make, model and serial number.

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The Aurora Banner, Thursday, September 24, 2015

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STAFF PHOTO/TERESA LATCHFORD

Cancer survivor Tim McClure shares his story with Terry Fox Run participants during the annual Aurora event held at Sheppard’s Bush Sunday morning.

Aurora cancer survivor shares Join us on Saturday October 3rd as we clear story at annual Terry Fox Run

out the Golf Shop, and take home some great prizes!

By Teresa Latchford

tlatchford@yrmg.com

Tim McClure thanked Aurora Terry Fox participants for saving his life.

The local father of two took to the stage Sunday morning at Sheppard’s Bush to share his story before runners and walkers hit the pavement for Aurora’s annual Terry Fox Run. His words echoed among the silent crowd as he spoke of receiving a diagnosis of stage 4 cancer in 2011.

“I was a healthy and athletic father of two daughters, so it was a real blow to me,” he said. “Imagine being told you only had months to live.”

His health began to fail and he lost 50 pounds in 15 weeks. Only a little more than one month after his diagnosis, McClure was making his own funeral arrangements.

Following aggressive treatment, his doctors ran a round of tests and concluded that he had beaten the disease and could begin to recover.

“They were calling it a miracle and I only survived because of advancements in treatment,” he added. “What you are doing today is so important because it is events like these that help keep people like me stay alive.”

McClure admits he will always be in remission and never cancer free but made the experience positive by founding the Great Next Chapter, an organization dedicat-

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Take in a little culture during Aurora Cultural Days.

Organized by the Aurora Cultural Roundtable, a variety of events will be held around town Sept. 26 to celebrate culture in the municipality.

Participants can start the day at the Aurora Farmers’ Market for Soup Fest, move onto the Hillary House National Historic Site to discover the heritage of tennis in Canada and

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ed to guiding and supporting people through their cancer journey.

Emcee Greg Smith told the crowd they were part of a legacy and Aurora Mayor Geoff Dawe said all who participate represent the hope of finding a cure.

Once Aurora Councillor John Able sang the national anthem, participants set out to cycle, run and walk a two, five or 10-kilometre route.

Cameron Palmer, along with his son Mike, cycled during the event.

“I think everyone should be involved on some level because everyone is touched by cancer at some point,” Palmer said. “Terry Fox really was a hero and an inspiration.”

Catie Keon and Anastasia Tassopoulos gathered a team of hockey moms to come out to the event.

“We wanted to do something together and this is such a great cause,” Keon said.

Organizers Darlene Morrison and Janet Delong consider the event to be a success since they had already surpassed last year’s donations by 10 a.m. with $17,762 recorded and more filtering in.

On April 12, 1980, Terry Fox began the Marathon of Hope and since, Canadian communities from coast-to-coast have raised more than $650 million in support of cancer research. to build a family tree.

Activities continue at the Aurora Public Library with live music, drama, vocals performed by Theatre Aurora and make shops.

From 1 to 4 p.m., the Aurora Cultural Centre will be hosting a tea with Queen Victoria, meet and greet with local artists and a creative safari.

Passports can be picked up at any of the participating sites during the day.

For more information about the event, visit auroraculturalcentre.ca

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A Corporate Store | MB Newmarket | 230 Mulock Dr | 1.866.703.1214 | mbnewmarket.ca © 2015 Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc. 2015 GLK 250 BlueTEC 4MATIC Avantgarde with optional AMG Sport Package, shown above for a total price of $52,555/2015 B250 4MATIC shown above for a total price of $36,350. **Total price for advertised vehicle of $47,805/$33,900 includes MSRP of $48,600, AMG Sport Package $1,100, and Adaptive Highbeam Assist $250/ MSRP $33,500, Premium Package $2,900, Dark Ash Wood Trim $250, and Partial LED Headlamp System $900, plus all applicable dealer fees and cash credits. *Lease offers based on the 2015 GLK 250 BlueTEC 4MATIC/2015 B250 4MATIC available only through Mercedes-Benz Financial Services on approved credit for a limited time. Lease example based on $569/$329 per month for 45/45 months with a down payment or equivalent trade of $0/$0. Freight/PDI of up to $2,075/$2,075, dealer admin fee of $395/$395, fuel surcharge of up to $70/$55, air-conditioning levy of $100/$100, EHF tires, filters, batteries of up to $23.96/$23.96, PPSA up to $51.15/$51.15, wheel locks of $134/$141, and OMVIC fee of $5/$5 are due at signing. First month’s payment plus security deposit of $650/$400 and applicable taxes due at lease inception. MSRP starting at $48,600/$33,500. Lease APR of 2.9%/1.9% applies. Total obligation is $28,570.11/$17,515. 18,000 km/year allowance ($0.20/km for excess kilometres applies). 2Offer includes a $1,000 National cash credit, and a $4000 Dealer cash credit for a total of $5,000, applicable to lease offers on 2015 GLK 250 BlueTEC 4MATIC and 2015 GLK 350 4MATIC/$1,500 National Cash Credit, and a $5,000 Dealer Cash Credit for a total of $6,500, applicable to lease offers on 2015 B250 and 2015 B250 4MATIC. 1Vehicle license, insurance, registration and taxes are extra. Dealer may lease or finance for less. Offers may change without notice and cannot be combined with any other offers. See your local Mercedes-Benz Toronto Corporate Store for details. Offer ends September 30th, 2015.

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The Aurora Banner, Thursday, September 24, 2015

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Today The Landing Sept. 24, 3:45 to 5:30 p.m.

Newmarket Community Church, 145 Pony Dr. The Landing is a free, weekly program offered at Newmarket Community Church that aims to equip teens (ages 12 to 17) with the tools needed to overcome life’s struggles.

Contact: admin@newmarketcommunitychurch.org, 905-836-7251, 905-967-4081, www.newmarketcommunitychurch.org.

Local Colour Aurora: Paints the Town Ongoing until Nov. 14, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Aurora Cultural Centre, 22 Church St. Opening Reception – Sept 26 from p.m. to 4 p.m. Artists will be in attendance. Join members of Local Colour Aurora for a fresh look at the town they call home. This unique exhibition showcases Aurora as seen through the eyes of local artists who have been producing work for this show for over a year. Fifteen artists’contributions – paintings, drawings, and an entire section dedicated to the art of plein air – will grace the galleries of the Aurora Cultural Centre. The exhibition begins Sept. 17 and runs until Nov. 14. Gallery Admission is at no charge. Tuesdays, Thurs. - Sat. 10 a.m. 4 p.m. Wednesdays: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Enter at north glass doors.

Contact: info@auroraculturalcentre.ca, 905-713-1818.

Ron Goodlin: A Lens on Africa Exhibition Ongoing until Nov. 21, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Aurora Cultural Centre, 22 Church St. Large-scale photographs capture the energy and drama of Tanzania through the textures, movement and lighting of the landscape, animals and cultural experiences. A photographer and avid traveler, local dentist Ron Goodlin is featured in the Great Hall Gallery during Fall 2015. Exhibition throughout the Aurora Cultural Centre runs from Sept. 19 - Nov. 21.

Culture Days Artist Reception: Saturday, September 26 from 1 to 4 p.m.

Contact: info@auroraculturalcentre.ca, 905-713-1818.

The Reign of the Queen of Canada Exhibition Ongoing until Dec. 18, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Aurora Cultural Centre, 22 Church St. On Sept. 9, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s reign will surpass that of Canada’s other great Mother of Confederation, Queen Victoria. The Aurora Cultural Centre, in partnership with the Monarchist League of Canada (York Region Branch), celebrates the long reign of Her Majesty with artifacts and archival materials. Hours: Tuesdays, Thursday - Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Wednesdays: 10 am - 8 p.m.

Contact: info@auroraculturalcentre.ca, 905-713-1818.

Astronomy: The Arts, The Science, The Technology Sept. 24, 7 to 9 p.m.

Aurora Public Library (Magna Room), 15145 Yonge St. Astronomer/educator Chris Vaughan leads a 3-part series. Part 1, Sept. 24: The Art. Appreciate the beauty of our galaxy through space images and learn some of the science behind them. Register for 1 or all 3 sessions.

Contact: Information Desk, info@library.aurora.on.ca, 905-727-9494 x275.

Exhibit at the Elman W. Campbell Museum Ongoing until 2015, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Elman W. Campbell Museum, 134 Main St. S in Newmarket.

The Great War in pictures and objects, to commemorate the First World War Centenary. A wide range of pictures, uniforms and artifacts dating back to 1914-1918. On display until November 2015. Open TuesdaysSaturdays 10 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. Free admission.

Contact: elmanmuseum@rogers.com, 905-953-5314.

This weekend Bebop & Dance Sept. 26, 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Mount Albert Branch, East Gwillimbury Public Library, 19300 Centre St. Ages 2 – 5 Free. Drop In. Get moving! This action-packed program is filled with movement for little ones.

Dance for Southlake Sept. 26, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

CDA Dance Academy, 16715 Yonge St. Unit #28.

Event will have a variety of FREE dance classes available for you to try at CDA Dance Academy. Fee is for any donation at the door or simply donate online at www. mfisher.zumba.com. Everyone is welcome whether you are an experienced dancer or have two left feet. There will also be prizes to give away so please come out and help!

Contact: Michelle Fisher, 321zumba@gmail.com, 289-338-8995.

Reader John Wright sent in this great Your Shot of an albino chipmunk having a snack. Send us Your Shot. The ongoing theme is Nature & Wildlife. Email your high-quality jpegs to editor Tracy Kibble at tkibble@yrmg.com for a chance to have your photograph included in our online gallery and published in the newspaper.

Mixed Media Fun! Art Class for Kids ages 7 - 10 Sept. 26, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Aurora Cultural Centre, 22 Church St. Art class that combines the fundamentals - with a great dose of fun and exploration along the way. Learn with classic and innovative art materials - everything from drawing, painting, sculpture elements and design. All wrapped up in a gallery setting. Saturdays for eight weeks. Cost: $160.

Contact: info@auroraculturalcentre.ca, 905-713-1818.

Drawing & Painting for Teens 11 - 15 Sept. 26, 1 to 3 p.m.

Aurora Cultural Centre, 22 Church St. A studio-style class perfect for the emerging artist interested in expanding their skills. Painting, sketching, sculptural work - plus a focus on observational techniques to bring out the inner artist. Forays into the Centre’s various galleries for inspiration. Saturdays for eight weeks. Cost: $160.

Contact: info@auroraculturalcentre.ca, 905-713-1818.

Newmarket Farmers Market Sept. 26, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Riverwalk Commons, Doug Duncan Drive.

Fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, eggs, baked goods, food vendors, hand-crafted artifacts and products such as jewelry, furniture, soap, horse and wagon rides, musical entertainment, buskers, fresh flowers, etc.

Contact: pheasanthollowcreations@live.ca, 905-773-9751.

Beyond Abilities Centre 6th Annual Golf Tournament Sept. 26, 12:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Shawneeki Golf Club, 18543 Woodbine Ave.,in East Gwillimbury.

Tee-off start $200 per golfer includes: lunch, golfing and dinner. Not a golfer, but would like to support a great cause, come for dinner only $85.

With your support, organization will be able to sponsor individuals to participate in our recreational programs improving their lives.

Contact: Vicky, BeyondAbilities@start.ca, 905-478-2888.

Culture Days at the Aurora Cultural Centre Sept. 26, 1 to 4 p.m.

Shawneeki Golf Club, 18543 Woodbine Ave.,in East Gwillimbury.

Visit Sept. 26 for free, hands-on interactive activities as part of this exciting pan-Canadian movement. So much to discover - for the whole family.

Contact: info@auroraculturalcentre.ca, 905-713-1818.

Happy Hoppers Square Dance Club - Fall Fantasy Dance Sept. 26, 2 to 10:30 p.m.

Newmarket Seniors Meeting Place, 474 Davis Dr.

Happy Hoppers celebrates 40th years of square dancing in Newmarket.

Calling duties shared by Doug Holmes and Jim Lee with rounds dancing

by Jerry Callen. Come 2 - 5 p.m. or 7 - 10:30 p.m. or for the full day. Cost: $30 per couple all day or $15 per couple for half-day. Singles half price.

Contact: Anne Currie-O’Brien, annereg@rogers.com.

Workshop - The Seven F’s to a Fantastic Life Sept. 27, 2 to 3 p.m.

Newmarket Public Library, 438 Park Ave. Do you need to make some changes in your life? Come and listen to Lynn talk about how you can have a Fantastic Life! Learn how to apply Lynn’s Seven F’s to your life today! Visit www.myjourneybacktomyself.ca.

Contact: Lynn Rae, lynn.rae@sympatico.ca, 905-898-0727.

Next week Beginning Guitar - 8 Week Starter Course (Ages 16+) Sept. 28, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Aurora Cultural Centre, 22 Church St. Beginning Guitar is an accompaniment-based group course designed to introduce you to a range of chords and strums that will get you on your way. Bring an acoustic guitar in working order, and a tuner. Instructor David Partridge is a singer/songwriter and longtime instructor at the Centre. Fall 2015 8 weeks Sept. 28 - Nov. 23, 2015. Advance registration required.

Contact: info@auroraculturalcentre.ca, 905-713-1818.

Tuesday Open Studio Sept. 29, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Aurora Cultural Centre, 22 Church St. Open Studio space is now available to makers ages 16 and up. Drop by the Centre this season on Tuesdays between 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. to work on your visual arts projects in the Activity Room. You’ll have table space, use of table top or floor easels and access to water. This is a non-facilitated, nonregistered drop in program, and is offered at no charge. Bring all of your own materials, as none are provided.

Contact: info@auroraculturalcentre.ca, 905-713-1818.

Ones & Twos Sept. 29, 11 to 11:30 a.m.

Mount Albert Branch, East Gwillimbury Public Library, 19300 Centre St. Ages 18 – 30 months. Free. Join our interactive program that stimulates the imagination with early literacy activities including books and songs.

East Gwillimbury Public Library - Holland Landing, 19513 Yonge St. This program will allow children to explore different roles. Children will engage in active, imaginative play which leads to physical, intellectual, emotional and creative growth. Ages 18 months-6 years Free. Register.

Aurora Chamber Networking Breakfast Sept. 30, 9 a.m.

St. Andrew’s Valley Golf Club, 4 Pinnacle Trail.

Networking with hot buffet breakfast and an informative talk by a sponsor or guest speaker. Each person will be asked to present an elevator speech, a 30-second self-introduction and is given a list of all those in attendance.

Contact: s.watson@aurorachamber.on.ca, 905-727-7262.

Preschool Storytime Sept. 30, 11 a.m.

East Gwillimbury Public Library - Holland Landing, 19513 Yonge St. Enjoy books, music, puppets, and activities that help preschoolers get ready to read. Ages 31 months-5 years Free.

Where Did Your Rights Come From, Anyway? Musings About Magna Carta Sept. 30, 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Aurora Cultural Centre, 22 Church St. A Heritage Lecture presented by Wayne Reeves, Chief Curator, City of Toronto. This year marks the 800th anniversary of King John of England putting his royal seal on the Magna Carta. This fall, Durham Cathedral’s copies of Magna Carta, and the Charter of the Forest, will be on exhibition at Fort York National Historic Site in Toronto.

Contact: info@auroraculturalcentre.ca, 905-713-1818.

Watercolours for Beginners One-Day Workshop Sept. 30, 10 a.m.

Aurora Cultural Centre, 22 Church St. Join Artist Instructor Nancy Newman in an introduction to painting, focusing on watercolours. All materials provided in the workshop fee of $75.

Bring a lunch & refreshments. Register for the workshop in advance.

Contact: info@auroraculturalcentre.ca, 905-713-1818.

Ones & Twos Sept. 30, 10:15 a.m.

East Gwillimbury Public Library - Holland Landing, 19513 Yonge St. Ages 18 – 30 months. Interactive program that stimulates imagination.

To have your event included in what’s on, add it to our calendar at yorkregion.com

Twinkle Toes Sept. 29, 1:30 to 3 p.m.

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The Aurora Banner, Thursday, September 24, 2015

Greens would abolish tuition, forgive debt From Front Page

credit to single seniors.

“We’re going to do more of the same that we’ve already done,” she said.

“Our policies are to put more money back into the hands of Canadians. People who are single seniors have a very special financial need. I was so proud last week to hear Prime Minister (Stephen Harper) announce this tax credit. It’s going to help every one of them that’s struggling to make ends meet.”

Easing the burden on families starts with ensuring a standard quality of life and reducing household debt, Green candidate Vanessa Long said.

“If families don’t work, then Canada doesn’t work,” she said. “If families don’t have enough money, they can’t function properly. We’re looking at changing dynamics — investing in youth so they can get jobs, investing in a national pharmacare program to make sure people can afford to get the medication they need (and) better home care for seniors. What I hear from the other parties are little bribes. Here’s 150 bucks or $75 a month. (The Greens are) talking about actually putting in place national measures to affect Canadians, it’s much more sweep-

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TELL US which promises resonate with you? Email tkibble@yrmg.com.

lature, or proven popular support of at least 5 per cent in polling across the country or province. Five local candidates have registered to run in October’s federal election — Baxter, Conservative incumbent MP Lois Brown, Liberal Kyle Peterson, New Democrat Yvonne Kelly and Green’s Vanessa Long.

The chamber’s criteria means only Baxter would be excluded.

While the Greens have consistently polled at around or lower than the percentage criteria, Long qualifies because the party has earned seats in the House.

While the chamber first established a policy around elections in 2011 — and has hosted all-candidates debates for provincial and municipal hopefuls since then — this specific criterion was added March 2015.

The addition is based on feedback provided by chamber members on several occasions, Scott said, adding all candidates are invited to set up displays in the open house portion of the event.

“We looked at what is being done in debates across the nation, at different levels of government,” she said. “Historically, they’ve limited participants to main parties (or) frontrunners. We’re not breaking new ground here. In the past, we’ve had many different parties who have registered when we’ve run debates.”

Scott compared the format to the recent Globe and Mail leaders debate, which only included Prime Minister Stephen Harper, NDP Leader Tom Mulcair and Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau.

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Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill candidates pledge to make life affordable

To read more stories on this issue and to see comments from readers, follow: bit.ly/1Ouzqd5

“We looked at fair ways to do it,” Scott said. “This is our debate. We are not funded by government. This is the best way we can provide value to all who attend.

“It’s not a policy that was put into place for one debate; it was a long-term policy. It has to be manageable for future debates as well. When the (chamber) board adopted the policy, it was with careful and prudent consideration… with the full understanding of what the ramifications might be for parties that didn’t qualify.”

Baxter has run in municipal, provincial and federal elections since the beginning of 2014.

He earned roughly 7 per cent of the vote while running for Newmarket mayor last October and 1.7 per cent during a bid for provincial office in June 2014. He also received 1.7-per-cent support in the 2011 federal election.

“If there’s enough noise, I’m hoping they’ll be put in reverse,” he said. “I’m not trying to be paranoid and presume it’s a vendetta against me, but I can’t help but feel a little bit affronted. If there was nine or 10 (candidates), I could see some rationale, but there’s just little old me. If there were a candidate running independently for the first time, they’ve struck out.”

Baxter encourages residents to vote for the individual who will best represent the riding in Parliament, not a specific party.

— with files from parl.gc.ca, elections.on.ca and newmarket.ca

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ing. You won’t see little tweaks to an already broken system.”

Long said the Greens would invest in education, skills training and apprenticeship programs, allocate 1 per cent of the GST toward municipal infrastructure improvements, abolish tuition fees and forgive university student debt over $10,000.

Meanwhile, Progressive Canadian candidate Dorian Baxter pledges to donate half his MP salary to battle poverty in the riding, if elected to office. However, he has already helped residents for years, by offering free “family life” counselling and assisting on marriage, divorce and child welfare issues.

“Immediately upon election to office, one half of my salary will be returned to our riding to battle poverty at large,” he said. “My current ‘Lone Ranger’ efforts in these areas would be infinitesimally enhanced with the greater powers bestowed upon my office as MP.”

Chamber not ‘breaking new ground’ i From Front Page

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The Aurora Banner, Thursday, September 24, 2015

Federal election candidates pledge to help make life a little more affordable for local families.

From 2012 to 2013, the average Ontario household expenditures increased by $3,772, from $78,495 to $82,267 in 2013, according to Statistics Canada.

In one year, your food bill increased an average of $378, the cost of shelter by $951, household operations by $312 and income tax by $578.

However, the average household income in the province only increased by $1,620 over the same period.

Conservative candidate Costas Menegakis feels family credits and enhancements his party has provided while in power and those proposed in the party platform will go a long way to helping families.

“I’m a firm believer in leaving more money in the hands of those who know what’s best for their family; mom and dad,” he said. “We want families to have more disposable income to be able to do what they want to do.”

York Region residents enjoy the lowest federal tax burden in 50 years, thanks to the leadership of the Conservative government, he said, adding the party, if re-elected, intends to keep taxes low and cut payroll taxes by more than 20 per cent in 2017 — so workers can take home more money.

In 2006, the Conservatives introduced the universal child care benefit. This year, the benefit for children six years and younger was increased from $100 to $160 per month and a new benefit was created for children six to 17, Menegakis said.

The children’s fitness tax credit also supports families with children who participate in physical activities.

The party also plans to reintroduce the retrofit program, which will help families complete home renovations such as replac-

Meet Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill candidates at event this evening Meet your federal candidates during an all-candidates event in Aurora tonight.

Hosted by the Richmond Hill Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Aurora Chamber of Commerce, Richmond HillMarkham Chinese Business Association, Rotary Club of Richmond Hill, York Region

Newmarket Chamber of Commerce hosts all-candidates debate The Newmarket Chamber of Commerce will host an all-candidates debate and open house Oct. 6, from 6 to 9:30 p.m.

Candidates will be on-hand to meet residents and answer questions in an informal setting in the lobby of the theatre, beginning

CANADA Decision 2015 ing windows, doors and roofs.

“Basically, our plan leaves an extra $6,500 in York Region families’ pockets a year,” he added.

Liberal Party candidate Leona Alleslev said no party is more focused on making life more affordable for residents of the riding than the Liberals. By decreasing income taxes for the middle class and helping communities with a $60-billion injection for infrastructure over the next decade, her party will invest in families, she said.

A third of the funding bump would be invested in public transit, which would help make transportation more accessible and affordable in York Region.

Another $20 billion would be earmarked for social infrastructure, meaning more quality daycare spaces and affordable housing.

“There is a huge lack of affordable housing in York Region,” Alleslev said. “This funding would help us create incentives for developers to provide the housing that is so desperately needed for families that are just starting out.”

The remaining $20 billion will be invested in green infrastructure technology.

The funding is intended to help attract companies to locate in York Region, in turn creating well-paying, high-skilled jobs and having a positive impact on the economy, since local families will have more money in their pocket to spend locally.

NDP candidate Brenda Power did not respond prior to press time.

Media Group and OnRichmondhill.com, you can meet and chat with Aurora-Oak RidgesRichmond Hill federal candidates from 6:30 to 7 p.m. at Dr. G. W. Williams Secondary School, 39 Dunning Ave. in Aurora.

After the meet and greet with Conservative Costas Menegakis, Liberal Leona Alleslev and NDP Brenda Power, candidates will participate in a moderated Q&A session.

For more information, call 905-884-1961 or visit rhcoc.com at 6 p.m. Candidates from all parties have been invited to the open house.

The debate portion of the event begins at 7 p.m. and a moderator will ask candidates questions pertaining to various policies and platforms of interest to the chamber.

Questions from the audience will also be allowed, time permitting.

The theatre is at 505 Pickering Cres.

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The Aurora Banner, Thursday, September 24, 2015

COLUMN:

GET CONNECTED READ All our published letters at yorkregion.com or send your letter to the editor to Tracy Kibble at tkibble@yrmg.com

Town Crier John Webster announces the town’s ceremony to celebrate of the Queen’s Reign Sept. 9. The event took place at Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Park, Civic Square Gate. Queen Elizabeth II surpassed the reign of Queen Victoria Sept. 9, making her Canada’s longest reigning monarch. ​The celebration began with a flag-raising ceremony, citizenship affirmation, greetings from federal and provincial dignitaries and performances by the Evergreen Choir and the White Heather Band. 4

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With summer over, attention turns to 2016 budget process Mayor encourages you to have your say with Citizen Budget tool

T

he blend of hot days and cool evenings is a sure indicator that autumn is on our doorstep. I hope each of you had a wonderful summer with family and has successfully made the transition back to normal work and school routines.

We had some fantastic events in August and September. Movies in the Park and Concerts in the Park were family favourites. Our celebration of the Queen’s Reign Sept. 9 was an elegant affair and a fitting acknowledgment of the milestone reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The 10th anniversary of Aurora’s ribfest, from Sept. 11 to 13, was a fun-filled collection of tasty food and live entertainment with headline acts Chilliwack and The Spoons delivering awesome performances. As well, the Hoedown, sponsored by Magna, Sept.

18 and 19 proved another great community event supporting local charities and nonprofit groups.

To all the staff and volunteers who helped put this great line-up of summer events together, thank you for all your dedication and hard work.

At town hall, our focus shifts to the 2016 budget. Budget discussions begin Monday and we are aiming for approval in December.

The town is responsible for delivering most of the direct services that affect the every day lives of residents including roads, sidewalks, drinking water, parks and garbage collection, to name a few. Budget discussions are critical to ensuring we are delivering the appropriate services to our community.

It is important to hear from taxpayers that we are spending their property tax dollars effectively. If you haven’t done so, I strongly encourage you to take our citizen budget survey to indicate if you are satisfied with the level of services we deliver.

Citizen budget is available at aurora.citizenbudget.com or aurora.ca/citizenbudget until Oct. 30. It takes only a few minutes and provides valuable information to our council. It’s your money. You should have a say in how it is spent. Residents who complete the

Geoff Dawe Aurora Mayor survey are eligible to win a $250 Cineplex gift card. See our website for contest details.

Just last week, council approved operating guidelines for the 2016 budget. Our intention is to keep service levels the same, continue to contribute to our infrastructure reserves and aim for an overall tax pressure increase of 1.8 per cent.

Additionally, we are aiming for an increase to Central York Fire Services of 1.03 per cent overall, as we move forward with the implementation of our fire master plan and we are going to decrease our reliance on interest from our hydro funds by $100,000.

Using the proceeds of the sale of a significant town asset should be a contingency, not a common practice.

I think each of these guidelines serves as a useful starting point for our discussion and reasonable, considering the rate of inflation and cost pressures. I look forward to a progressive discussion and hope you will attend to voice your opinions or concerns. Budget details will be updated at aurora.ca/budget.

I would like highlight the town’s efforts to create a sport plan and update our parks & recreation master plan. These plans will help guide efforts to use our sport and recreation facilities to their maximum potential and determine what types of facilities our tax dollars should fund.

Please take our survey at aurora.ca/sportplan or aurora.ca/masterplan to help guide the process.

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Let’s hear from candidates who have chance of being MP Re: Newmarket-Aurora candidate angered by decision to exclude him from debate, yorkregion.com: bit.ly/1Ouzqd5 I, for one, applaud the Newmarket Chamber of Commerce for finally implementing criteria on participation in its all-candidates debate.

Those advocating every single candidate should participate, I assume, are of the mind that the leaders of the Rhino Party, Marijuana Party, Communist Party, all of which exist this election (and many more), should join the stage for our leaders debate?

I think many agree it’s appropriate to draw the line at some point.

And, specifically, with respect to Progressive Canadian Party’s Dorian Baxter, for years he has monopolized the debate stage with no chance of winning.

He rarely gets more than 1,000 votes where it will take more than 20,000 to stand a chance: enough already with his self-promotion and grandstanding.

I want to hear from candidates who actually have a chance of being my MP.

A. Weston Newmarket

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Large vehicle owners should pay more Re: Why hit us where our plate stickers are?, editorial, Sept. 10: bit.ly/1KHM06m Increasing the cost of a plate renewal is a good idea if applied correctly (clearly targeted) and for the right reasons.

Our roads should be viewed as real estate assets which wear out, need to be periodically replaced and cost money to purchase and occupy.

The problem with the approach currently used is that it is not progressive and does not recognize that different users use different amounts of these real estate assets and have differing levels of impact on the wear and tear of these depreciating assets.

Larger vehicle owners occupy larger amounts of space and should be charged more for their stickers: look at these as higher condo maintenance fees. They generally weigh more and, therefore, do more damage to the asset.

They use more fuel and generate more greenhouse gases. A compact should pay 1/5th of what a large SUV pays.

The incentive to move to smaller, lighter vehicles would spur innovative research into making those vehicles and would make for more efficient use of our roads. And using a smaller, lighter, more fuel-efficient vehicle will help you avoid higher fees. Isn’t a choice what everybody says they want?

E.L. Springolo Aurora

Street parking issue needs to be solved this winter I have a complaint that is getting extremely worse each and every year.

I live on Ostick Street in Aurora where most everyone has more than one car and seems to use the street for all cars every evening between April and November.

If we have company over, they must find another street on which to park. We live on the sidewalk side, which gives us less parking space for the extra car and anyone parking with back tires on the road or front tires on the sidewalk, gets a ticket.

A few neighbours and I would be interested in having a parking permit to park the extra car on the road, especially during winter. This would pertain to those residents living on the sidewalk side of the street only.

It is important this issue be looked at and solved for this coming winter season. This has been happening on my street for more than 10 years and has never been addressed.

To wait until 2016 is just a waste of time as neighbours of Ostick are getting more frustrated each year and getting annoyed at having to pay parking tickets, especially during winter months.

Susan Sole Aurora

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The Aurora Banner, Thursday, September 24, 2015

OPINION

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General Manager Shaun Sauve

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EDITORIAL

Policy sends wrong message to voters

ISSUE: Newmarket chamber’s federal election debate rules exclude candidate Dorian Baxter.

Bernie O’Neill

T

he Newmarket Chamber of Commerce may have good intentions by limiting the number of candidates it allows into its upcoming federal election debate, but by excluding one person because he fails to meet imposed qualifications, the organization is sending the wrong message to voters.

Dorian Baxter, the local Progressive Canadian Party candidate, will not be allowed to participate in the chamber debate at the Newmarket Theatre Oct. 6. He can set up a display in the hallway of the theatre, but that is where his participation ends.

The chamber recently added criteria to its election debate policy that requires participants to have party representation in the House of Commons or the provincial legislature, or proven popular support of at least 5 per cent in polling across the country or province.

There are four other candidates — Conservative incumbent MP Lois Brown, Liberal Kyle Peterson, New Democrat Yvonne Kelly and Green Party’s Vanessa Long — and each meets the chamber criteria for participation.

The chamber says it added new rules following discussion with its members.

But here is a case where arbitrary numbers are being used to justify a rash decision. For example, if the circumstances changed slightly, the Green Party would also be excluded.

Nationally, the party has consistently polled at 5 per cent or less for the past month and while it has earned seats in the House this term, a few hundred swing votes in ridings that have very little to do with Newmarket-Aurora could have pushed Long out of the local debate entirely. We should not let events in other areas of the country determine the suitability of our local candidates.

And, remember, although Baxter

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has received 1.7 per cent support in recent provincial and federal campaigns, the results of his mayoralty bid last October — where he earned about 7 per cent of the vote — would easily qualify him for a local chamber debate.

In certain circumstances, the chamber should narrow the field. As recent American Republican presidential debates demonstrate, too many candidates can muddy purposeful dialogue and discussion on important issues.

But the Newmarket chamber hosted a larger provincial debate last year, with much success. Residents, in general, appreciate the business community’s leadership in supporting the democratic process.

But the chamber’s current criterion creates an imbalance in the local election and makes it impossible for a candidate without the backing of a major political party to have an equal voice.

It doesn’t matter how organized a platform may be or whether or not a candidate has worked hard to deliver a message throughout the campaign; he or she won’t be able to prove support across a wider jurisdiction.

This policy just looks exclusionary, even if that wasn’t the intent.

There’s a relatively simple and fair solution here, which could be applied to future debates. The chamber should enact a policy that sets a maximum number of candidates allowed in a “main event” debate, leaving enough room for a “fringe” candidate or two to participate.

Justify the number based on the experience of previous debates. Then, apply the disputed percentage and seats criteria to determine which candidates do not qualify.

Then allow anyone who did not qualify to be given a few minutes on stage early in the evening to make a pitch to voters or answer a question from a moderator. That way, everyone has an opportunity to at least reach out to a larger audience.

Let’s hope the chamber reconsiders and reviews its policy before the next election.

BOTTOM LINE: All federal election candidates should get fair, equal chance to be heard.

Will federal election go to the dogs?

I LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Middle class certainly does need saving Re: Middle class doesn’t need saving, letter to the editor by Eric Smith, Sept. 17: bit.ly/1j2YCdZ Smith feels the middle class doesn’t need saving, but I disagree.

Nortel goes bankrupt leaving many out of work and pensioners without pensions. $70 million in bonuses is paid to 43 managers. CEO John Roth takes home $135 million in bonus and stock options. The temporary foreign workers program is becoming the norm over hiring Canadians.

Smith says, “We are all in this together”, yet feels a government daycare is another level of taxation. There are lots of people who need help with daycare. Not every parent has grandparents on standby. There are many single parents, due to abusive relationships and deaths, who need help.

In some households, it takes both wages to meet basic needs.

True, climate changes itself, but only to a point. Gone are coalburning generators. Solar energy, hopefully, will be a mainstay some day. Eliminating car emissions is getting closer to a reality. Governments have had to put tax dollars into private research facilities to bring this about. Smith may consider research and development as gambling, but I consider it hope for a healthier environment.

As Canadians, it is our responsibility to vote and make sure a promise made is a promise kept.

Terry Copps Newmarket

Candidates didn’t openly debate terrorism Re: Candidates debate anti-terrorism law, Sept. 17: bit.ly/1OpTiht This headline is misleading since there was no debate between candidates. A debate should be a formal discussion in a public meeting with arguments and counter-arguments put forth.

This appeared to be a series of prepared sound bites from the candidates made in separate locations where they control all aspects.

I lay the blame for this primarily with the Conservative Party, which has created the longest election campaign, but has shut down virtually all debates, media access and unscripted scenarios.

This is a sad state of affairs for Canadian democracy. Let the candidates and leaders explain and defend their policies in an open forum, so voters can make a truly informed decision.

David Downer Newmarket

Most who need it, don’t use food banks Re: LifeCorps ensures food goes to where it’s needed, Sept. 17: bit.ly/1YwduBG

Really? Research into food insecurity in Canada shows that only somewhere between 20 and 25 per cent of those who are food insecure actually use food banks.

There is nothing in this article to suggest that LifeCorps’ delivery channels come anywhere near reaching the other 75 to 80 per cent.

And is it really “imperative that food collection and distribution hubs such as LifeCorps remain operational and sustainable”?

What about a basic income guarantee (York Region leaders hear calls for basic income guarantee, yorkregion.com, June 10: bit.ly/1KHIlW4) to ensure everyone has an income sufficient to meet their basic needs for food, shelter, heat and clothing and live with dignity, regardless of their work status.

As we read last June, the basic income guarantee has the potential to prevent poverty and to help individuals and families deal with insecurity and setbacks when they most need it. Surely that’s a better solution than the food charity being served up by LifeCorps.

Gerald Fox Newmarket

Parking idea one of sanest presented Re: Old fire hall should be parking lot, Sept. 3: bit.ly/1hTRZcM and Listen to Kerwin on fire hall suggestion, letter to the editor by Mary McKinnon, Sept. 10: bit.ly/1gfbsDT I completely concur with McKinnon’s comments. I, too, feel it is one of the sanest ideas to be proposed by any council member in a very long time.

Shopping on Main Street, Newmarket is very enjoyable, but parking is often a frustration. It makes profound sense to convert the land where the old fire hall sits into a parking lot.

This would, no doubt, stimulate business on Main, supporting merchants who try to make a living there.

I would simply point out to other council members that If they want us to support our historic part of town, then more parking is not only a good idea, it is a must.

Thank you, Kerwin for bringing a level-headed idea forward.

Let’s hope others will see the wisdom in this suggestion.

Ruth Adams Newmarket

Cyclists don’t litter Re: Hey bike clubs: have some respect, letter to the editor by Gloria Moore, Sept. 10: bit.ly/1KwcEuo In yet another letter from an East Gwillimbury cyclist hater, Moore has, unfortunately, stated some very mistaken ideas about cycling and cycling club members.

First, it is the responsibility of motorists to determine when

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READ All our published letters at yorkregion.com or send your letter to the editor to Tracy Kibble at tkibble@yrmg.com they can safely pass a bike without hitting an oncoming vehicle.

When cars pass cyclists, even when they are riding single file, the Highway Traffic Act now requires the driver to allow one metre of clearance. This will mean the car will have to cross the yellow centre line when passing a cyclist and the risk of hitting an oncoming car will always be present unless the driver is sure the road ahead is clear.

Second, serious cyclists do not smoke – that would clearly be incompatible with riding a bike for 100 kilometres at 30 km/h, therefore, they do not leave butts on her driveway.

Third, bottle racks on racing bicycles are round, therefore, they cannot hold juice boxes that are littered on her driveway — cyclists use specially designed round bottles that they always take home to refill.

I can only assume Moore has not taken the time to read the signs on Kennedy Road that state the Newmarket Cycling Club has, for many years, held regular cleanups of this road through the Region’s Adopt-a-Road program.

These cleanups always generate many garbage bags full of cigarette butts, beverage containers and other detritus left by local residents and motorists on the idyllic tree-lined streets of East Gwillimbury.

Andrew Darke Newmarket

On Disciplined OPP officer from Sutton still a high-ranking cop: bit.ly/1WbDrEB I used to have a lot of respect for the OPP. Had no idea they would allow such a disgraceful act to forever tarnish the good image of the force and that of the good men and women that remain. Is it that hard to get rid of a bad apple under Ontario LAW? Sad!

By Mike Another OPP uniformed (officer’s) wrongdoings have been finally exposed.

What a surprise! He was having fun while being suspended with pay, of course. And is still a police officer! What a nonsense!

Unfortunately, this is, by far, not an isolated incident of corruption and law breaking in the OPP. They do not seem to care much about those incidents either.

Google the ‘Ontario Provincial Police Block’ and see for yourself.

By OPP

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got sick last week, one of those summer colds that forces you to sit at home for a day with a box of tissues, thinking about your own mortality. And hanging out with the dog.

Oh, life would be so much easier as Fido, don’t you think?

Don’t have to get up and go to work in the morning. Unless work is maybe wagging your tail and giving your love and affection to your owner.

Don’t have to battle traffic, unless maybe it’s really busy at the dog park and a French poodle and a Labrador are fighting over a Frisbee (that is now in the most disgusting condition anyone could possibly imagine... put it under a microscope and I’m sure you’d see some stuff waving back at you).

Don’t have to pay any bills because hey, you don’t even have a bank account, a wallet, pockets. A bill?

What’s a bill?

(Money? What’s that? Didn’t I eat a penny one time? Then you went on about the “vet bill”?)

When you’re a dog, you eat the food that’s put in front of you.

You don’t have to pour over the 300 items on the menu, or wonder through the aisles at the grocery store until you end up in the frozen pizza section.

You go out for a walk when your owner takes you for a walk. Sleep when it’s time to sleep.

Sounds a lot like prison, don’t you think?

Yes, in terms of the law, family pets are property, but we all know that’s just a technicality.

Think of them as family members who need some gentle control measures akin to what you would do to a two-year-old. Just to keep them and everyone else safe.

If you’re a dog and you’re feeling good, hey, you can sleep all day.

If you’re not feeling so hot, you can sleep all day, too. No need to feel guilty about work.

And of course, one of the other perks of being a dog would be not having to endure elections.

They say you shouldn’t read too much into the polls, but it has been interesting to watch the three main parties in next month’s federal election, all hovering around 30 per cent, for what now seems like weeks.

Collectively, we’re a bit like a dog, who is not going to pick one of the humans in the household over the others. Whoever will scratch my back is OK with me.

Conservative: “I will scratch your back, but look, there’s only so much free back scratching to go around.

Maybe you can figure out a way to scratch your own back every once in a while. Can’t reach your back? Really?”

NDP: “I will scratch your back more than the other guy scratches your back and I’ll do it without impacting any of our other activities, such as dog park visits or chasing the cat. Although I find your treatment of the cat to be discriminatory and will move to outlaw it.”

Liberal: “The other two cannot possibly scratch your back as much as I am going to scratch your back, since I am willing to buy an innovative new back scratcher with my credit card to give you only the best back scratching experience possible — I’ll be able to scratch your back and rub your belly at the same time — which is what you deserve, little fellow. We can worry about the bills and the money later (which is not a big deal since I believe you have no concept of either).”

Green: “I’d scratch your back, but then I don’t want to increase our carbon footprint by expending energy.

Go back to sleep.”

But then we aren’t dogs and will all have to make our choice about who we want to be top dog in the House of Commons the next term of parliament.

Although the way things are going, I tend to think we’re going to be ruled by a coalition of some kind, just like most households.

— Bernie O’Neill is editor of the Markham Economist & Sun

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York Region Media Group community newspapers The Era, The Banner and The Express, published every Thursday and Sunday, are divisions of the Metroland Media Group Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation. The Metroland family of newspapers is comprised of 100 community publications across Ontario. The York Region Media Group includes The Liberal, serving Richmond Hill and Thornhill, Newmarket Era, Aurora Banner, East Gwillimbury Express, King Connection, Vaughan Citizen, Markham Economist & Sun, Stouffville SunTribune, Georgina Advocate, Bradford Topic, GoodLife, beingwell and yorkregion.com

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The Aurora Banner, Thursday, September 24, 2015

Renovations • Roofing • Landscaping • Decorating • Bedrooms • Bathrooms • Windows • Doors • Flooring • And More!

fall

Take your kitchen up a notch with hardwood

Janice

Clements Abby of Aurora writes, “We are planning to re-do our floors this fall. I think I want to install hardwood. Can you tell me how we deal with the hardwood where it meets existing cabinetry? Is there one hardwood you recommend that is harder than all the others?

What else do we need to think about when it comes to the installation?”

You’re making a good investment Abby. Adding hardwood can improve the value of your home and make it more desirable to future homebuyers.

Be sure to start getting quotes now because good

installers are booking weeks or months in advance and, depending on the flooring you select, it could take you several weeks to get materials delivered.

Be sure to determine if your existing floor is flat or not. Note that I did not say “level” because hardwood can generally be installed on floors that have some slope to them. If your floor has what I’ll call a “wave” of any kind and is uneven, the subfloor may require extra work in order to avoid any potential installation or long-term product performance issues.

Ideally, all flooring is put in prior to any cabinets being installed; if you have the option, the time and the budget, my preference is always to remove cabinetry and re-install it once the hardwood has been laid. More realistically however, it may be an option to simply remove existing cabinetry kick plates and install hardwood as far under the cabinets as will be hidden by the kick. The final and, in my opinion, least desirable solution is to simply butt the hardwood up against the kick plates of existing cabinetry. It’s difficult to get a perfectly even cut on the edges of the planks that butt against the kick, so you may find installing a small cove or a shoe moulding in front of the kick is required to

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clean up the installation. Finish these mouldings to match the cabinets. Don’t try to stain them to match the flooring.

A natural material, wood is susceptible to scratching, denting, moisture and dryness. If treated properly, however, it can also be a flooring option that will last for years to come.

Brazilian cherry (Jatoba) is the hardest of the woods with hickory, maple and oak also falling into the category of those considered the hardest of the species. That said, hardness is not necessarily an indicator that the product won’t scratch. Know that all species of wood regardless of hardness will scratch or mark under the wrong conditions.

If this is a real concern for you, consider choosing mid-tone to lighter stains coupled with lower sheen finishes that are a little more forgiving when it comes to showing imperfections. The darker the wood, the more dirt, dust balls and scratches are visible. There are also great wire-brush and hand-scraped finishes that give the wood a somewhat distressed look and can potentially reduce any anxiety you may have over imperfections.

I recommend purchasing a humidity level monitor for your home so you can avoid shrinkage, cracking and cupping that can result from a home that’s too dry or too humid.

Purchase doormats for all home entrances and the area in front of the kitchen sink in order to reduce the likelihood of moisture damage and the ef-

fects of dirt and salt in the winter months. Be sure to shut off the water in your home when you travel for extended periods to reduce the chance of water damage while you’re away.

You’ll need to make a decision between whether or not you use engineered or solid hardwood flooring. Engineered wood is made by adhering sheets of wood to a composite surface, so it is a stable product for most applications. Consider engineered options if the subfloor is concrete, if you want wider wood planks or if you don’t have the option of nailing the hardwood down during installation.

If you have thoughts of being able to refinish the flooring, note that you will only get one or two sands out of engineered products. Should you want the option to sand and re-stain your floors several times, you may want to consider a 3/4” solid hardwood.

Opt for better quality hardwoods that guarantee a certain percentage of longer-length boards in order to avoid a patchwork look.

I don’t recommend installing hardwood below grade (in basements) or in areas where water can be or is an issue, so opt for another flooring material in these areas of your home.

Cheers!

Janice

Janice Clements is a certified interior decorator and a member of CDECA. Visit Janice on the web at www. clementsinteriors.com or on Facebook at www facebook.com/clementsineriors

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YOUR WOODLOT IS AT RISK JOIN US FOR A FREE WORKSHOP MANAGE THE IMPACT OF INVASIVE SPECIES ON YOUR PROPERTY Woodlot landowners are invited to learn about common invasive species, local forestry services, programs and incentives.

Monday, October 5 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

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Please register at york.ca/eab or call Forests Ontario at 1-877-646-1193 C

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MANAGE THE IMPACT OF EMERALD ASH BORER Ash trees in York Region are dying because of emerald ash borer (EAB), an invasive insect that attacks and kills ash trees.

Discover how EAB will affect your woodlot. Talk with experts and learn about local forest management resources.

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The Aurora Banner, Thursday, September 24, 2015

2015 Hoedown wrangles UP $464K

Dignitaries, including Magna founder Frank Stronach (centre in black hat), reveal the grand total raised during the second day of the Hoedown at Magna Headquarters in Aurora Saturday.

Photography by Nick Iwanyshyn

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Beverley Mahood and Frank Stronach share the stage on day two of the Hoedown.

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Jim Cuddy performs with his band during the first day of the 2015 Magna Hoedown Friday. For more Hoedown photographs, visit yorkregion.com

plumbing flooring flooring plumbingPut your trust in a local professional...they’re here to help you! auto service

CPAP Therapy for Sleep Apnea Shirley Zeng, rrT, Cre

When do i need to replace my CPAP mask & tubing?

Like many common items we use everyday, CPAP masks and tubing can get worn out. Signs of wear & tear include airleaks, cushion breakdown and fraying straps. Tubing can become brittle and develop small cracks. Despite attention to cleaning and careful handling, bacteria can build-up where your mask contacts your skin. For these reasons, we recommend regular inspection of your CPAP equipment and that you replace your mask every 6 months.

We invite you to come in and meet with me or one of my colleagues for a no-cost equipment inspection. We’ll also check your mask fit to ensure that you are getting the best results from your treatment.

Call today to book an appointment or drop by our Main St. office. Our job is to help you breathe easy and sleep well!

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Funeral Services WES PLAYTER

Bereaved Families of York Region is a not-forprofit organization who provides free bereavement services to the community. Is there any upcoming events where I can support this organization and help them continue to do their good work?

Bereaved Families of York Region is a charitable partner with the Magna Hoedown this year. By purchasing tickets to the September 18th event ($45), September 19th event ($75), or purchasing a raffle ticket (3 tickets for $20, with a 1st prize of $75,000), you can provide support to this organization. For more information or to purchase event or raffle tickets, please call Wes Playter, Board Member Bereaved Families of York Region at 905.895.6631 or wes@roadhouseandrose.com. Thank You.

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Flooring RUSS GALE

I’m shopping for Luxury Vinyl Planks and Tiles. Should I get the “click” version or the glue down version?

Certain lines of Luxury Vinyl Planks and Tiles will only come with one installation method or the other, so you won’t have much choice. With wood look planks, the finished appearance will be the same whether glued or clicked. However, with the tile look, you can only grout the tile if it is glued down. Gluing down Luxury Vinyl Planks or Tiles has the added expense of the adhesive, but has a much more “permanent” bond to your floor.

Family Dentist DR. NEAL MORTENSEN

My teeth keep breaking and chipping. Why is this happening and what can I do about it?

Teeth can break and chip for many reasons. Large fillings help restore teeth for chewing but are much weaker than the original tooth. These teeth can break very easily. The dentist will often recommend a “cap” or “crown” for this tooth. The “cap” covers the tooth strengthening it so it is less likely to break. Another common reason is clenching and grinding of the teeth. Many people do this at night while they sleep and they are often unaware that it is happening. The dentist can often tell that you are doing it just by looking at your teeth as the teeth will show signs of heavy wear and tear. A night guard (a custom made appliance similar to a sports guard) is often made for the person to wear at night to protect the teeth from this excessive wear and tear. The dentist will often recommend these things to you at the check up visit. If you have not been to the dentist in a while why not consider coming in? We are accepting new patients right now! Give us a try!

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Dryer Vent Cleaning, Repair, Installation TYLER JOHNSON

How Do Dryer Fires Start?

Lack of cleaning and maintenance is the major contributor to dryer fires. Lint accumulates on the inside of dryer vents and also finds its way into the dryer housing. It only takes a spark to ignite lint. Once lint is burning it can smolder or blaze very quickly. The fire will follow the path of the lint and ultimately burn through the venting system. Having metal foil or plastic venting allows the fire to escape resulting in a laundry room / house fire. Dryer vents should be constructed of rigid or semi-rigid piping as these materials will contain a fire and allow for proper operation of your dyer. Warning signs of a potential dryer fire include, clothes take longer than a regular cycle to dry, build up of lint in and around the back of the dryer or the dryer gets very hot to the touch. Your Dryer Vent Wizard specialist cleans,installs, repairs and alter vents. We also de-lint the inside of most dryer models Read our reviews on

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Auto Service

Plumbing Services

When should I put my snow tires on?

Why should I fix my dripping faucet?

MIKE McGRAW

Our advice is to put your snow tires on nearing the end of October or beginning of November. Most major fleets have their snows on before Halloween and remove them by April Fools day. Remember to have your car check for winter at the same time! And don’t forget some insurance companies give you a price reduction for having 4 snow tires installed on your vehicle for the winter season.

30 Charles St., Newmarket 905-898-0514 www.mrmsauto.com

MIKE RIZZI

A dripping faucet is the most common plumbing problem as well as one of the easiest to repair. Yet many people ignore it and leave the dripping faucet unrepaired, that costs money. A steady drip can waste $20 or more in water in a short time. Multiply that figure by the number of faucet drips in your home, and you can calculate how much of your money is literally going down the drain. The waste from a dripping hot water faucet is even more because you’re also paying to heat the water before it goes down the drain. Water conservation is also a big issue, every drop of water used must be filtered, purified and treated before it can be used again.

www.js-services.ca | info@js-services.ca | 289-319-0403 J&S Plumbing Service Inc. 1111 Davis Dr., Unit 1, Suite #450, Newmarket Toll Free 1-888-345-6163

Heating & Air Conditioning

Foot Health

NANCY McKERAGHAN

SARAH CHAN

How do I prepare my central

My ankles hurt when I stand or walk for a long time.

What is causing this?

air conditioner for the fall?

1.Turn the setting on your thermostat from cooling to heating and adjust the temperature and setback settings.

2.Turn the breaker off at the electrical panel.

3.Once the power has been turned off, gently rinse down the outdoor condensing unit to get rid of any debris.

4.DO NOT COVER YOUR OUTDOOR UNIT. Covers are unnecessary and make condensers into nice warm homes for mice to inhabit over the winter. (They like to chew on wiring!)

5.Recalibrate your supply air registers to redirect airflow to the basement and/ or main floor areas.

Injury to any of the bones, ligaments or tendons in the ankle can cause ankle pain. An injury can occur traumatically during a sudden forceful motion or it can occur over time with overuse.

A very common cause of ankle pain is a sprain, which occurs when the ankle joint is put through a forceful twist or bend.

This causes the ligament to over-stretch or even tear. Other common causes of ankle pain include fractures, tendinitis, and arthritis. It is important to have ankle pains examined and treated to prevent its further progression.

Sarah Chan, chiropodist/foot specialist

435 Davis Drive (at Main St.) Newmarket • 905-895-8822 www.KleinHorsmanCarpetOneNewmarket.com C

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1235 Gorham St., Units 13 & 14 - Newmarket 905-898-3912 • 1-800-263-7437 • www.cancoclimatecare.com

200 Davis Drive, Unit #1 Newmarket, ON L3Y 2N4 905-830-1010

A12

The Aurora Banner, Thursday, September 24, 2015

3rd

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Friday May 6, 2016 • Hours 10am - 5pm Ontario Science Centre - Toronto Sponsor or Exhibitor information, please contact

RONIT WHITE at rwhite@metroland.com or 416-774-2247 BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

LEARN. CONNECT. REJUVENATE.

&

Join us for the annual holland

Marsh soupfest to sip and savour delicious soups prepared by some of the Gta’s finest chefs.

Located in

Ansnorveldt PArk from 11Am-4Pm Soupfest showcases the best products the Holland Marsh and surrounding area has to offer.

for more information please see www.soupfest.ca or events@king.ca

tickets are

15

$

at the

door

Please recycle this newspaper

Please recycle this newspaper

Please recycle this newspaper

Dance for Southlake!

Fundraiser at CDA Dance Academy CDA Dance Academy is proud to support the Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation!

Come out and try Acro, Ballet, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Tap and Zumba.

Prizes to be won! Hope to see you there!

STAFF PHOTO/MIKE BARRETT

Tom Taylor Trail Ten Miler race directors Paolo Di Petta (right) and Mario Duduca test out the route for Sunday’s event along the Newmarket trail. Proceeds benefit Inn From the Cold.

Run raises cash for Inn from the Cold 4TMiler expected to raise about $10K for local charity

I

By Chris Simon

csimon@yrmg.com

t’s nearly 4TMiler time.

The sixth annual Tom Taylor Trail Ten Miler is scheduled to return to Newmarket Sunday and is anticipated to attract nearly 300 people.

Also known as the 4TMiler, the event is expected to raise about $10,000 for Inn From The Cold.

“It’s a really big event,” race director Paolo Di Petta said. “We’re trying to get everybody to reconnect with nature and the community.”

The event begins at George Richardson Park in Newmarket, includes 10-mile or fivekilometre run or walk options and winds its way through East Gwillimbury and Aurora.

Di Petta and marketing director Mario Duduca took over organization of the race because it was at risk of going defunct.

“I’ve run the race twice and I actually contacted the organizers and asked if they needed help with marketing,” Di Petta said.

“They said they wouldn’t be running the race (this) year. I thought that was a bit of a tragedy. But they were kind of exhausted from organizing it for the past five years. They passed it on to me. It’s too beautiful to not keep it going.”

GET CONNECTED q

For more, visit innfromthecold.ca or call 905-895-8889.

The 4TMiler has raised more than $60,000 for Inn over the past five years.

“Inn has been really excited we’re helping them out,” Di Petta said. “It’s a good opportunity to give back to the community.

They’re not a huge charity, so we can really see the impact. The homeless here could just be everyday people who have fallen on hard luck.”

Inn assists homeless and at-risk individuals by offering shelter, training and opportunities to reintegrate as contributing members of society. This year, proceeds from the 4TMiler will be directed to Inn’s comprehensive employment program, which gives residents a chance to work toward economic self-sufficiency by learning kitchen or woodworking skills.

“They’re a very good cause and already well known in York Region,” Duduca said.

“There’s an emotional attachment that makes you push yourself a little bit more.

You’re doing something you love and giving back to the community at the same time.”

FLY AWAY, PAINTED Lady

PHOTO/ROLAND PFEIFFER

Bereaved Families of York Region’s eighth annual Butterfly Release and Walk to Remember took place at Fairy Lake Park Sept. 19. The event included the release of hundreds of painted lady butterflies, a barbecue organized by the Optimist Club of Aurora, children’s colouring activities and inspirational songs and readings. The butterflies help grieving participants remember loved ones.

Join us for our Dance Fundraising Event for Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation. Everyone is Welcome from Children to Adults and there are no registration fees.

Saturday, September 26th, 2015 from 11am–1pm 16715 Yonge Street, Unit #28, Newmarket (Mulock and Yonge) 905-836-8040 For more information, please contact mfisher.zumba@yahoo.ca

Dance

to the latest beats with this high energy boys hip hop class

sign up today! info@cdadanceacademy.com

905-836-8040

$

15/Class or $ 55/Month

in support oF

To make a donation, please visit www.southlakefoundation.ca and look for our fundraising event page “Dance for Southlake!”

southlakefoundation.ca | www.cdadanceacademy.com | mfisher.zumba.com *** Refer a Friend & Receive a $25 Credit to Your CDA Performing Arts Centre Account *** C

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Attention York Region Bride Brides s

Do you want to be featured in the next issue of Wedding Trends?

If so - please email lwaterman@yrmg.com Subject - Wedding Trends with 2 photos and 100 word description of your wedding.

Please include location of the wedding, and any details that made your day spectacular.

If your wedding is chosen,we will include your story and photos in our 2016 issue of Wedding Trends York Region’s best wedding magazine!

Submission Deadline October 19

Now reserving advertising space in our next issue

A13

The Aurora Banner, Thursday, September 24, 2015

On the campaign trail: Long hopes to extend base of support

BY CHRIS SIMON

csimon@yrmg.com

Journalist Chris Simon is on the campaign trail with NewmarketAurora candidates in the lead up to the Oct. 19 federal election. Each week, he’ll focus on a different political hopeful, in an effort to learn a little more about their campaigns and the issues about which they are passionate. He starts with the Green Party’s Vanessa Long:

‘Y

ou’re about to go out with a candidate for a party no one knows exists.”

It was a statement with unexpected candour from Green Party candidate Vanessa Long as I met up with her for a round of door knocking on a sunny and hot afternoon last week.

She wore a green shirt and is quite tall and was trying something new because she’d never before canvassed in the Arnold Crescent area of Newmarket. Vanessa was alone, but held a stack of party pamphlets.

CANADA Decision 2015 She is running in a riding that has been dominated by Canada’s traditional ruling parties — the Liberals and Conservatives — for decades. So, perhaps it’s little shock when the people who answer their doors in the neighbourhood admit they are unfamiliar with her name.

But she smiles and offers to answer any questions the residents may have.

She ran in the 2011 federal election, earning 2,628 votes (4.5 per cent). And she’s attended two local debates, so far during this campaign, earning a strong chorus of applause after speaking at both engagements. She chokes up when talking about social issues, specifically poverty. It’s clearly a passion for the Salvation Army church

member and former Green social services critic.

So, perhaps her name is beginning to resonate with anyone paying attention.

“I wouldn’t be human if it didn’t bother me,” she said, of being turned away at the door. “There’s a belief that a successful politician has to be dry as toast. Why be like that?”

Still, the underdog carries on, observing the landscaping as we approach houses and she jokes about jumping from one driveway to another, rather than walking to the road. The humidity forces us to stop under the shade of trees every few houses. A woman watches us from the end of her driveway.

Arnold is under construction, a work in progress like Vanessa’s campaign. So, when she sees a house with Liberal candidate Kyle Peterson’s lawn sign out front, she doesn’t hesitate to knock on the front door. It’s a practice based entirely on her mood at the time.

A woman answers, but quickly dismisses Vanessa’s pitch and

Green Party’s Vanessa Long speaks to the audience at a debate earlier this month. closes the door.

On the way to the next house, we chat about Green policy. For her, this campaign is about sharing the party message and expanding its support base. There are longterm goals and while the party is often recognized for its environmental stance, there’s depth to the platform that should appeal to all local residents, Vanessa says.

“If we had proportional representation, I’d do very well; but unless you vote for the winner, your vote doesn’t count,” she said, admitting a tight race can negatively affect her ballot count, as residents cast their votes strategically.

“I’m really excited about the platform this time. There are a lot of big, bold moves. It’s not hard when you reallocate your priorities.”

She talks about the guaranteed livable income that aims to end poverty, abolishing tuition, reforming the electoral system and eliminating corporate welfare.

There is little that is off limits during the walk and she doesn’t hesitate to pause to contemplate before making a comment.

“I want to be in a Canada that I’m proud to hand to my kids; a Canada that has sustainable industry and economy, that takes care of its people,” she said. “Not one that is more greedy and isolationist.

Right now, we’ve basically sold ourselves out to China and the U.S. We don’t own our own mining, forestry or oil industries. That’s appalling.”

Friday, September 25 to Sunday, September 27, 2015

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Friends & Family savings are off our regular, sale and clearance prices. See below for details.

30% off Women’s fall arrivals by STYLE&CO., CHAPS, ALLISON DALEY and more See below for exclusions.

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SHOP THEBAY.COM Savings for all offers are off our regular prices, unless otherwise specified. Friends and Family oFFers excludes One Day Sales, Hudson’s Bay Company Trading Post (Airport locations) and Hudson’s Bay Gift Cards. Other exclusions apply. See store for complete listing. 15% and 20% offers exclude Diesel, Kate Spade New York, UGG Australia, Kleinfeld, The Room, TOPSHOP, TOPMAN, NYDJ, Hugo Boss, Burberry, Polo Ralph Lauren, Lacoste, Vince, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Diane Von Furstenberg, Theory, Alice + Olivia, Moose Knuckles, ALC, Helmut Lang, T by Alexander Wang, Frye, Dr. Martens, Hunter, Aquatalia, West End Shop/Boutique le President, Wacoal, Swarovski, Amor, Pandora, furniture, mattresses, bedding and sheets by Sferra, Frette, Marimekko and Ralph Lauren, patio, major appliances, barbecues, small appliances, vacuums, confectionery, personal care electrics, cookware, gadgets, cosmetics and fragrances. 10% offer excludes cosmetics and fragrances, Dyson, GE CAFÉ, Vitamix, Sub Zero, Wolf Gourmet, GE Monogram and Kate Spade New York. 10%, 15% and 20% offers are mutually exclusive and cannot be combined with New Account discount. No price adjustments on purchases made prior to September 25, 2015. Offer cannot be combined with any other coupon(s). Hudson’s Bay, Hudson’s Bay Credit, hbc.com and their associated designs are trademarks of Hudson’s Bay Company. Credit is extended by Capital one Bank (Canada Branch).

Capital One® is a registered trademark of Capital One Financial Corporation. MasterCard and the MasterCard brand mark are registered trademarks of MasterCard International Incorporated. All marks used under licence. All rights reserved. Women’s fall arrivals: Select styles available in Petite and Plus Sizes. style&Co. excludes F15 September and items with 99¢ price endings. Chaps excludes HL ACT I, HL CLS I, HL DNM I, HL SPW I, FA ACT III, FA CLS III, FA DNM III, FA SPW III and items with 99¢ price endings. allison daley excludes Bay Exclusive, Navy News, Berry Burgundy and items with 99¢ price endings. Bras and panties: Second item must be of equal or lesser value; Excludes Warner’s boxed styles, ’3-for panty’ offers and items with 99¢ price endings. small appliances exclude items with 95¢ price endings. men’s shoes exclude Clarks Original, Clarks TOR and Clarks 1825. *Before taxes. One gift per customer. While quantities last. Values are based on our per mL and/or g price for regular-sized products.

A14

The Aurora Banner, Thursday, September 24, 2015

Fire Prevention Week returns to Newmarket and Aurora next month “Hear the Beep where you Sleep” this year.

That’s the theme of Fire Prevention Week, which runs Oct. 4 to 10.

As part of the initiative, Central York Fire Services will host open houses in Newmarket and Aurora, where visitors will be treated to some morning coffee, afternoon barbecue, fire safety games and information, vehicle rescue demonstrations, rides on the Tim Hortons Express Train, arts and crafts and an appearance by Sparky the Fire Dog. The Aurora open house takes place at Station 4-4, located at 1344 Wellington St. E., on Sept. 26. Parking will be available at

2015

the Stronach Recreation Complex, 1400 Wellington St. E., and a shuttle service will be provided.

Newmarket’s open house runs at Station 4-1, 984 Gorham St., the following week on Oct. 3.

Both events will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The week’s theme stresses the importance of having a working smoke alarm on every level in the home and outside all sleeping areas.

Established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the public information blitz focuses on education and fire safety.

For more information on the week, visit firepreventionweek.org. Details can also be found at nfpa.org and sparky.org.

— Teresa Latchford

York Region sunday,

oCtoBer 4, 2015 Cardinal Golf Club (2740 Hwy. 9, newmarket)

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A participant tries the dessert-in-the-dark experience at last year’s DeafBlind Ontario Indulge Your Senses event.

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Indulge Your Senses at DeafBlind Ontario fundraiser this evening

BY TERESA LATCHFORD

tlatchford@yrmg.com

Go ahead; indulge a little.

DeafBlind Ontario invites you to the 10th annual Indulge Your Senses fundraising event at the Club at Bond Head Sept. 24.

i

For more information about the event or the organization, visit deafblindontario.com or call 1-855-340-3267 ext. 233.

From 6 to 10 p.m., guests will be treated to pampering spa services, wine tasting and delicious hors d’oeuvres. Spa treatments will include massage, reflexology, manicures, makeup and hair styling.

This upscale affair for women also features the signature dessert-in-the-dark experience,

where guests are blindfolded and dependent on their senses of taste, touch and smell to identify the tasty eats.

A silent auction, raffle and beauty product swag bag make it the ultimate girls’ night out.

Local firefighters will also be on hand lending their support for the cause.

The funds raised during the event will go to support residential and specialized services provided by the organization.

The non-profit organization helps people who are deafblind increase their independence and improve their quality of life through specialized services.

The group provides services provincewide, including residential locations, such as the six homes and two apartment programs in York Region and Simcoe County.