Aurora Banner December 10

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SOCIAL SERVICES ISSUES

Chinese top new York immigrants Regional budget highlights newcomers, low-income earners

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BY LISA QUEEN

lqueen@yrmg.com

lmost a quarter of immigrants who settled in York Region from 2008 and 2012 were from China.

About 12,000 Chinese immigrants came to the region during that time, making up 23 per cent of the region’s newcomer residents.

China was the top country of birth of immigrants from 2008 to 2012.

Iran was second, with 5,150 immigrants, making 10 per cent of the newcomer population.

India was close behind with 5,045 immigrants, also making up 10 per cent of the newcomer population.

Those were just some of the statistics

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Tell us what you think about this issue.

Email tkibble@yrmg.com

included in a presentation on this year’s community and health services budget.

Community and health services accounts for $474.6 million, or 23.9 per cent, of the region’s operating budget.

Almost $278.9 million, or 58.8 per cent, of that is paid through grants and subsidies. Taxpayers pick up $167.7 million, or 35.3 per cent, of the tab.

About 90 per cent of the community and health budget goes toward mandated programs such as Ontario Works, social housing, homelessness prevention, long-

term care homes, paramedic services, public health and subsidized child care.

The other 10 per cent is for discretionary programs such as rent supplements, a housing stability program and additional Ontario Works benefits.

Other highlights included: Multiple family households have grown by 65 per cent. Meanwhile, there are 26,610 lone-parent families, accounting for 8.2 per cent of the region’s households. One in every eight households has one person. About 11,000 babies are born in the region every year, while York welcomes

See page A2.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Lights, camera ...

Are you or one of your neighbours festive outdoor light enthusiasts?

Are you in awe every time you drive by and see that house on the corner lit up in festive colours? Let us know where the best lights are in your neighbourhood and we’ll come by and take a photograph. Or, if you are handy with a camera, take a shot and send it in and we’ll add it to our photo gallery of Best Lights in Town.

Send the address with the best holiday lighting to tkibble@yrmg.com

Cardiac suites put rhythm back into patients’ lives Patients rave about Southlake’s high-tech procedure and groin to his heart to restore a normal rhythm.

Within 24 hours following the procedure, Grace was at home and on the road to recovery.

Soon, he was feeling less shortness of breath and is now looking forward to being weaned off his medication, which leaves him tired.

“I slowly began to feel better.

I can tell you, when I work out now, I feel better. Before, I still could (exercise) but I would be exhausted when I was done,” he said.

“Now, it’s like I’m back in the swing of things and it will only get better as I get off the medication.”

Although Grace had his procedure performed in a long-established suite with older equipment at Southlake, he was impressed by the hospital’s three new stateof-the-art heart rhythm interventional suites unveiled during a behind-the-scenes tour yesterday.

Equipped with the latest tech

BY LISA QUEEN

D

lqueen@yrmg.com

STAFF PHOTO/MIKE BARRETT

A behind-the-scenes look at Southlake Regional Health Centre’s new Electrophysiology (EP) Suite to show how our doctors treat the electrical inner workings of the heart with cutting-edge technology. To demonstrate are (from left) Dr. Atul Verma, medical director, heart rhythm program, Dr. Zaev Wulffhart, physician leader, regional cardiac care program and Dr. Dave Williams, CEO Southlake Regional Health Centre.

HIGHLAND GATE

Offer ‘insult to this town’, councillor says

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tlatchford@yrmg.com

urora council has turned down a developer’s offer to buy the sprawling Highland Gate land for $98 million. Highland Gate Developments Inc. first made the public offer to the town last Friday and council was given until Jan. 22 to decide if it wanted the property, which is slated for the development of 184 single-family homes and a 10-storey condominium building, confirmed HGDI spokesperson Cheryl Shindruk.

“Members of the Highland Gate Rate Payers Association, and members of the public repeatedly asked during the three public meetings the town held this year into the proposed development that the Town buy the land for a park,” she said. “The town now has the opportunity to do this.”

See page A4.

MUNICIPAL NEWS

Council rejects offer to buy Highland Gate land

BY TERESA LATCHFORD

espite having a cold, John Grace was looking forward to a run during a family vacation in Myrtle Beach about three years ago.

“I took off for my run and I could make it maybe 100 metres.

I had to stop, bend over, catch my breath. I thought, ‘Maybe my cold is worse than I thought it was’,” he said.

“That continued for a few months. I was out of breath, out of breath, all the time, dizzy when I got up.”

Finally, the 53-year-old married father of two university-aged children saw his family doctor, who told him his heart was beating out of rhythm and sent him to the cardiac program at Southlake Regional Health Centre.

Medication and shocking his heart only provided temporary relief.

So, in September, Grace had ablation, a procedure where catheters were fed through his neck

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For more stories and updates about the Highland Gate issue, visit yorkregion.com

Council didn’t take the month or so to decide and rejected the offer during a council meeting Tuesday night.

Aurora council began its discussion behind closed doors during a special council meeting but after emerging and beginning the regularly scheduled meeting, Councillor Michael Thompson requested the matter be discussed and voted on in public.

Supported by his fellow councillors, the subject was added to the agenda.

Councillor Tom Marakas started by offering his support in rejecting the sale offer.

“I think the offer was an insult to this town,” he added. “I’m in favour See page A2.

Aurora’s 2016 budget hikes taxes by 1.8%

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BY TERESA LATCHFORD

GET CONNECTED

tlatchford@yrmg.com

he average Aurora homeowner can expect to pay an additional $31 in property taxes next year.

Council gave a final thumbs up to its 2016 budget earlier this week that will add an additional 1.8 per cent to the residential tax levy.

That means residents will pay an additional $6.20 for every $100,000 their home is worth.

“This is both the earliest and lowest budget approval since I have worked for the town,” finance director Dan Elliott said. “I am very pleased with the outcome.”

Elliott credits the ease of this year’s budget process to the new approach town staff and council took to work through the document.

Previously, town staff would present a draft budget and council would proceed to review it line-by-line, making for a tedious process. But, this year, council first provided its target of 1.8 per cent and pointed out key areas of interest where money could be saved.

Even with the 1.8 per cent hike, the town will increase contributions to infrastructure reserves equal to 1 per cent of the tax levy, reducing the town’s reliance on interest from the hydro reserve from $300,000 to $200,000. It will also phase in Central York Fire Services cost increases and provide enhanced funding to the Aurora Cultural Centre, as well as funding to support a pending sports tourism plan, live music strategy and new community multicultural celebration event.

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TELL US what you think about this issue. Email tkibble@yrmg.com.

“I am very happy to see this budget and that we have been able to reduce our reliance on the hydro reserve,” Councillor Harold Kim said. “Not only does staff deserve a pat on the back but I think council does too.”

Councillor Tom Mrakas said he was specifically impressed with the efficient budget while still maintaining and, even, in some cases, improving service levels.

When combined with the $12.4-million capital budget to rehabilitate roads, waterlines and other town-owned infrastructure council approved in October, the total budget for 2016 will be $58.2 million.

“Council set an aggressive 2016 budget target that respects the economic and financial pressures families in our community are facing,” Mayor Geoff Dawe said, pointing out this levy is the lowest in a decade.

“This budget maintains our services and improves the town’s future financial sustainability for infrastructure renewals.”

While the 2016 budget has been approved, Councillor Michael Thompson said the work still isn’t complete. The town’s finance committee will continue to work with every department and go line-by-line to see if any further efficiencies or savings can be found.

For more information, visit aurora.ca/budget

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The Aurora Banner, Thursday, December 10, 2015

SUBMITTED PHOTO

The development proposal submitted to the Town of Aurora by the developer includes 184 homes, multiple trails and land earmarked for environmental protection.

Developer offered land for $98M From Front Page

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of rejecting the offer.”

While councillors Jeff Thom and Sandra Humfryes stated they weren’t interested in purchasing the property for the price listed, they do hope conversations continue between the developer, residents and town to find a solution before the application ends up at the feet of the Ontario Municipal Board.

“I thought we were doing well with consultation and making some progress,” Humfryes said. “I’m confused about where this offer came from and why it’s in front of us.”

However, Mayor Geoff Dawe wasn’t convinced being quick to reject the offer was the way to go.

“I’m not saying I’m in favour of buying the property but it could delay the OMB process long enough to deal with some of the encroachment issues we have been dealing with,” he explained.

The purchase offer was rejected in a five to three vote with councillors Harold Kim, Paul Pirri and Mayor Dawe voting not to reject the offer.

Councillor Wendy Gaertner was absent.

The $98 million price tag was calculated by multiplying the developable acreage by the current estimated fair market value, which is $1.5 million per acre. On the former 101-acre golf course, 65.4 acres are developable, according to a statement released by the developer.

If the town had accepted the offer, it would have ended the proposed development of the property and cancelled the appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board filed by the developer and could have meant a 20-year loan that would add another $3.3 million per year just to cover the interest, Dawe added.

Since it has not been accepted, however, HGDI will proceed with the appeal to the OMB.

Average resale home now costs $973K in York Region 9.4% of Aurora residents low income, according to York’s stats

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From Front Page

about 10,000 immigrants annually. Seniors will make up 21 per cent of the population by 2031. The region is a costly place to live.

Between 2004 and 2014, the average resale house price rose by 90 per cent, but the average hourly wage only went up 21 per cent. The average resale single detached house now costs $923,135, while the average newly built single detached house is now going for $947,707. Mortgages account for 77 per cent of all household debt. Between 2000 and 2013, the number of low-income residents went from 97,970 to

164,840. Fifteen per cent of the region’s residents are low-income, with Markham having the largest share at 19.2 per cent. Richmond Hill comes next with 18.5 per cent, followed by Vaughan with 12.3 per cent, Georgina with 12 per cent, Newmarket with 11.2 per cent, Aurora with 9.4 per cent, East Gwillimbury and Whitchurch-Stouffville both with 9.2 per cent and King with 8 per cent. The waitlist for child care-fee subsidies has been eliminated this year, from a high of 5,669 in 2012. As of 2015, the equivalent of 5,548 full-day subsidized child care spaces are being provided. Early intervention services for children with special needs have increased. This year, 1,625 children received assistance, up from 1,400 in 2012.

Aurora has decided to convert its streetlights to more energy efficient LEDs

HEMERA TECHNOLOGIES/THINKSTOCK

Aurora moving to LED streetlights

BY TERESA LATCHFORD

tlatchford@yrmg.com

Town council recently voted to light up Aurora in a more environmentally friendly fashion.

The approved project will convert existing street lighting across town to LED lights.

Council approved the conversion this fall and will fork over $3,211,159 plus tax to RealTerm Energy to get the job done.

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For more information about the program, call Access Aurora at 905-727-1375.

“Aurora town council is committed to providing our residents with safe, cost-effective and environmentally friendly solutions,” Aurora Mayor Geoff Dawe said. “This new lighting system will increase visibility and safety for the community by providing more light in public spaces and residential areas.”

LED lights are energy efficient, eco-friendly, have a long life span, require little maintenance, are durable and produce low ultraviolet emissions, according to Infrastructure and Environmental Services Director Ilmar Simanovskis.

The lights produce clean, white light, which will improve night visibility and community

safety as well as reduce the town’s greenhouse gas emissions by 169 metric tonnes annually.

That equals the amount of carbon removed by more than 4,300 tree seedlings grown for 10 years.

“The LED conversion program is a benefit to Aurora and a positive step towards adopting innovative solutions,” he added.

Led by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) through its not-for-profit corporation Local Authority Services. LAS has spearheaded a competitive process to help Ontario municipalities find the right company to complete the conversion.

In March, council discussed and gave the green light to the LAS program that awarded RealTerm Energy the contract to prepare an audit detailing the project, energy and cost savings. The results show a 61 per cent reduction in energy consumption and a 52 per cent reduction in cost over the current budget.

The cost of the project will be funded with low interest debt financing from Infrastructure Ontario with the debt being paid off over the next ten years using the savings from lower energy and maintenance costs.

Installation is expected to begin this week and once complete, Aurora will join more than 130 municipalities that have upgraded including Markham and Newmarket.

The Aurora Banner, Thursday, December 10, 2015

TRAIL MIX An occasional series where we take a closer look at the many beautiful, diverse trail systems in York Region

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SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE Trails of varying degrees of difficulty, green energy demonstrations, maple syrup, fall colours, wetlands — Vaughan’s Kortright Centre has plenty to offer

BY ADAM MARTIN-ROBBINS • PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICK IWANYSHYN

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he Kortright Centre for Conservation is arguably best known as prime stop on the school field trip circuit, but it’s also a popular year-round destination for hikers, and increasingly for trail runners, who flock to the lush oasis of wilderness in the bustling suburb of Vaughan.

There’s a good reason for that, according to park manager Adrian O’Driscoll.

“We have quite a diverse trail network system,” he said. “We have wide, flat limestone screened trails to more technical, single-track trails that are quite hilly.”

The park, located at 9550 Pine Valley Dr., between Major Mackenzie Drive and Rutherford Road, offers about 16 kilometres of trails including the long and winding Perimeter Trail, the looping Marsh Trail, the more challenging Forestry Trail and the “unique” Power Trip Trail.

Many of the trails that wind through the 555-acre park are ideal for novices, being fairly flat with some gentle slopes.

Exceptions are the northwest section of the Perimeter Trail and the Forestry Trail, which features a steep wooden staircase, lots of tree roots and some hilly sections.

The Perimeter Trail, which winds past the park’s creeks and meadows, is not only Kortright’s longest; it also offers some of the top highlights.

Among them is Spring Peeper Pond.

Located just north of the Kite Field, you can follow a boardwalk out to a lookout at the edge of the pond and soak up the tranquility offered by this massive urban park.

Another spot not to be missed on the Perimeter Trail is the stretch dubbed Coyote Alley.

It’s essentially a long, shaded tunnel formed by the branches of towering trees lining both sides of the trail.

Walking along it, you feel drawn toward the opening at the other end.

Not to get too sappy, but another of

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the park’s sweetest hiking routes is Maple Sugar Bush Trail, a short loop trail behind the Visitor Centre, connected to the Marsh Trail.

Those who visit in March and April can stop and sample real maple syrup.

It’s also one of the most alluring locales in the fall, when the thick green canopy transforms into vibrant reds, oranges and yellows.

The Forestry Trail, with its rolling hills and narrow, single-track sections is among the more challenging routes.

It also affords visitors great vistas overlooking the cool, clear waters of the East Humber River, which flows through the park.

Those who lean green will likely get a charge out of the interactive, 1.6-kilometre Power Trip Trail; home to numerous demonstrations of how the sun and wind can be harnessed to generate power.

Visitors can learn about and, in some cases, try out an array of green technologies including the Archetype Sustainable House, a solar shingle roof system, wind turbines, solar hot water heating systems and two bicycle-powered generators, which require participants to pedal to produce the equivalent amount of power generated from nearby solar panels.

Kortright Centre for Conservation manager Adrian O’Driscoll looks out onto the trails at the facility.

Those who lean green will likely get a charge out of the interactive, 1.6-kilometre Power Trip Trail; home to numerous demonstrations of how the sun and wind can be harnessed to generate power.

Of course, there’s plenty of wildlife to encounter at Kortright, too, including wood ducks, geese, barred owls, peregrine falcons, Cooper’s hawks, white-tailed deer, cottontail rabbits, eastern coyotes and red foxes.

Trees in the conservation area include sugar maples, basswood, eastern hemlock and endangered butternut.

You might spot the odd bride and

groom during wedding season, as Kortright is becoming an increasingly popular spot for “green weddings,” O’Driscoll said.

Those looking to add an element of treasure hunting to their hiking adventure

For more information, visit kortright.org.

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The Aurora Banner, Thursday, December 10, 2015

CORRECTION $100K has been approved to fund Aurora’s sport plan In the article, Parks and recreation, sport plans taking shape that appeared in the Dec. 3 edition of the Aurora Banner, $100,000 has been approved by council to fund the sport plan.

We regret the error.

DON’T SEE IT IN THE PAPER? CHECK OUT MORE STORIES ONLINE INCLUDING:

❐ DINE SAFE YORK: Each week we let you know which restaurants and pubs aren’t meeting health standards ❐ 7 ways to have fun with your kids this winter.

STAFF PHOTOS/MIKE BARRETT

Dr. Zaev Wulffhart, physician leader, regional cardiac care program explains the new procedures to members of the media.

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Save.ca is your source for flyers, coupons and deals Cardiac patient John Grace was impressed with the new suites.

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Personal injury law

Choosing the Right Personal Injury Lawyer, SecretsYou Need to Know

From Front Page

the lawyer gets paid; it’s costly for the lawyer to go to trial; it takes months of work; it takes experience to do it right; and, for those lawyers who have never done it, they are intimidated.

nology used to treat the electrical inner workings of the heart, the suites will be used to treat patients suffering from conditions such as arrhythmias, which occur when a problem with the heart’s electrical system compromises the normal pumping action, and atrial fibrillation, a condition in which the upper chambers of the heart beat rapidly and erratically and often leads to stroke.

The rooms can even be used for openheart surgery in an emergency.

The suites provide patients with much less-invasive procedures and minimize recovery time. Patients are usually discharged the same day or the following day and are often back to work within a week.

The first patient was treated Nov. 19.

“These rooms that we have built and designed here represent truly state-of-the-art technology for the treatment of these electric heart rhythm disorders,” said Dr. Atul Verma, medical director of the heart rhythm program.

Tim Bowland LLB Tim is a partner with Boland Howe LLP, Trial Lawyers for the Injured, and can be reached at 905.841.5717 www.bolandhowe.com Canadian Lawyer Magazine has recognized BolandHowe as one of the Top 10 Personal Injury law firms in Canada.

C

hoosing the right personal injury lawyer for yourself or for someone who is seriously injured is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. The consequences can be life-long. But how do you choose the right lawyer when there is so much advertising by personal injury lawyers and everyone claims they’re the best?

Let me give you some insight into my profession and equip you with the knowledge and questions you’ll need to make the right decision: First, there’s a secret you need to know. Many personal injury lawyers don’t fight for their clients by saying NO to unreasonable settlement offers and taking the case to trial. Why? Because a settlement will ensure

Lacking trial experience is a significant drawback during settlement negotiations.

Trial experience is what the insurance companies and their lawyers pay attention to. Fair settlements only arise when the insurance company believes that your lawyer is willing and able to take your case to trial if necessary. Insurance companies know which law firms go to trial and which do not. So should you.

Secondly, you also want to know if the law firm is dedicated to personal injury litigation. Do they only represent the injured?

The last issue deals with costs. Retaining the top experts, to get to the truth, is very expensive. Opinions are often needed to explain how an accident came to pass, whether standards in an industry were breached, whether products were manufactured improperly and what the full medical and financial repercussions of an accident will be. On average, your lawyer should spend between $30,000 to $60,000. In complicated cases, it can be much more.

You want to know, does the lawyer just want to get the case settled quickly when the costs are low? Or, will the lawyer pay what needs to be paid to fully investigate your claim? If the lawyer

won’t spend what needs to be spent and won’t likely do the trial preparation work, then he/she isn’t really losing much when promising a “No Win, No Fee” guarantee. On the other hand, if the lawyer is going to fund your claim and be ready to go to trial if need be, then that same promise is of considerably greater value.

So, what are some of the questions you should ask to helpyoudecidewhotoretain: • Does your firm specialize in personal injury claims only?

• Do you have extensive personal injury trial experienceandwillyoubemy lawyer from start to finish?

• When was the last time you went to trial?

• Have you taken cases like mine to trial and won?

• Can you show me written decisions and jury verdicts?

• Will you pay for experts to discover the truth?

• Will you wait to the conclusion of my case to be paid?

• Will your fees be fair and reasonable?

At BolandHowe, we believe that when your future is being negotiated you need a lawyer who has the fortitude to say NO to unreasonable offers. The best results are only achieved by lawyers with a reputation for rejecting unfair offers and taking serious, challenging cases to trial and winning.

If you need our help, we would like to meet with you. Our work is based on trust. We think that starts face-to-face.

The advice offered in this column is intended for informational purposes only. Use of this column is not intended to replace or substitute any professional, financial, medical, legal, or other professional advice.

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Southlake suites provide patients with much less-invasive procedures

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‘This is a big project that we have been working on for a number of years. It’s sort of like our baby and it’s now growing. It’s the most exciting time.’

“And when I say state-of-the-art, I’m not just talking about high quality in Ontario or high quality nationally. I’m talking about international standards for what we are doing in the treatment of heart rhythm disorders.”

The $19-million suites were highly anticipated by the medical team, Dr. Zaev Wulffhart, physician leader with the regional cardiac care program, said.

“This is a big project that we have been working on for a number of years. It’s sort of like our baby and it’s now growing. It’s the

most exciting time,” he said.

“We’ve been waiting so long to get down to use this technology. We’ve been working upstairs with older equipment and now we get this opportunity to use this state-of-theart technology,” he said.

Opening of the new suites is another milestone in Southlake’s cardiac care program, although some had their doubts about its success, Wulffhart said.

“We were told that it was unlikely an electric physiology program would be able to flourish outside of an academic, downtown institution and we’ve proved them wrong,” he said.

‘I’m not falling down and fainting any more. I’m not feeling tired and sleepy and dragged out. I’m not having to take a nap in the day any more. I can run marathons again. I can skydive. I can bungee jump.’

“We have one of the biggest electric physiology labs in the country and we do a lot of world-first and cutting-edge procedures.”

The procedures performed in the suites will allow patients suffering from life-impairing or life-threatening conditions to get back to their lives quickly after receiving treatment close to home, Wulffhart said.

“The most gratifying thing is to change people’s lives. When people are incapacitated by these problems and when they finally leave here, it’s amazing how it impacts,” he said.

“People have said, ‘You don’t know how much you have changed my life. How much of a difference you have made. I can actually do my work without worrying about the rhythm. I’m not falling down and fainting any more. I’m not feeling tired and sleepy and dragged out. I’m not having to take a nap in the day any more. I can run marathons again. I can skydive. I can bungee jump’.”

THURSDAY FLYER LIST

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DATE: Thursday, December 10th 2015

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Please note: Not all flyers are booked for all areas.

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The Aurora Banner, Thursday, December 10, 2015

what ’s on

To have your event included in

what ’s on add it to our calendar at

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

Today

WHY PAY MORE? YOU NAME IT ...WE FRAME IT 16686 Yonge St., Newmarket (905) 895-4084 Across from Mandarin Buffet Restaurant

registered drop in program offered at no charge. Bring your own materials.

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

The Reign of the Queen of Canada Exhibition Ongoing until Dec. 18, varying times.

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.

Family Storytime Dec. 16, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

East Gwillimbury Public Library - Mount Albert branch, 19300 Centre St. Drop in for music, rhymes, stories and a craft. Birth - 5 years with caregiver.

Newmarket and area Newcomers Club Dec. 16, 7 to 10 p.m.

Various, call for details.

Ladies, enjoy a night of Euchre and friendship.

Contact: 905-841-4094.

Snow Days: Reflections on Winters Past Ongoing until Dec. 19, varying times.

Aurora Cultural Centre, 22 Church St. Exhibition and sale of scenes of Winters past by artists Dave and Ross Rheaume. A special feature is A Christmas Carol painted series by Dave Rheaume complementing the annual tradition of the theatrical performance at our Victorian Christmas Afternoon on Dec. 12. Tickets available for this event, which includes tea, sweets, live music and a theatrical presentation of A Christmas Carol, at the Centre, or order by phone.Hours: Tuesdays, Thursday - Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Wednesdays: 10 am - 8 p.m.

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

Threads of Tradition: Exhibition of Handmade Quilts Ongoing until Dec. 19, varying times.

Aurora Cultural Centre, 22 Church St. Renowned Aurora-based quilter Angela Krotowski presents an exhibition of 10 holiday-themed handmade quilts. Each quilt is made with a special purpose, reason and person in mind. The artist designs her quilts to preserve our cultural heritage, family history and special loves. Drop by the Apple Suites Gallery to take in this beautiful work.Threads of Tradition will help usher in the holiday season from Nov. 26 - Dec. 19. Gallery admission is at no charge. Tuesdays, Thurs - Saturdays 10 am - 4 pm Wednesday extended hours 10 am - 8 pm Gallery closed Sunday & Monday Contact: Jane Taylor, info@auroraculturalcentre.ca, 905-713-1818.

Art at the manor 2015 Ongoing until March 31.

Hillary House National Historic Site, 15372 Yonge St. in Aurora.

Fourth annual exhibit showcases pieces by local artists who are influenced by the world around them. Visit aurorahs.com to find out more. Features works by Claire D’Aurore, Deborah Campo and Christine Valentini.

Contact: Erika, erika.mazanik@aurorahs.com, 905-727-8991.

BOTTLE DRIVE FUNDRAISER - HELP A CADET VISIT VIMY Dec. 10, 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Optimist Hall of Newmarket, 56 Forhan Dr. Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps 221 Patriot asks you to donate bottles and cans to help send a cadet’s trip to France, for the 100th anniversary of Canada’s capture of Vimy Ridge. Drop off times: Tuesdays and Thursdays between 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. Call 905-895-3038 to arrange for a pickup.

Info: www.eftours.ca/educational-tours, 221partiot-118carinthia.weebly. com, www.gofundme.com/cadetsvisitvimy or 647-893-3499.

Teen Advisory Board Dec. 10, 7 p.m.

Holland Landing Public Library, 19513 Yonge St. Gain leadership and team work skills Earn community service hours Meet other teens with similar interests Have a voice for teens and kids in the library and share your ideas to develop our services.

Contact: Heather Alblas, halblas@egpl.ca, 905-836-6492.

Tomorrow Sounds of Africa Holiday Concert Dec. 11, 8 to 10 p.m.

Trinity Anglican Church, 79 Victoria St. in Aurora.

Enjoy some African-inspired music and holiday favourites. Special guests Shaw Percussion join the Aurora Community Band in performing Robert W. Smith’s Africa: Ceremony, Chant and Ritual, John Mackey’s Night on Fire, and selections from The Lion King. Cost: $10 adults, $5 seniors/students.

Contact: auroracommunityband@gmail.com.

A Christmas Carol Dec. 12, 2 to 3 p.m.

Aurora Cultural Centre, 22 Church St. The Humber River Shakespeare Company proudly presents its annual production of Dickens’ holiday classic, A Christmas Carol. It’s an exercise in imagination, and an hour-long treat audiences of all ages have embraced as an annual tradition. Cost: $20 adults, $10 children.

Contact: Kevin@humberrivershakespeare.ca, 416-580-9152.

Lego Club Dec. 16, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

East Gwillimbury Public Library Mount Albert branch, 19300 Centre St. Get creative with Lego! Themes include Dinosaurs and Snow Sleds. Ages 5+ years. Free. Drop in..

Newmarket and area Newcomers Club Dec. 17, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Various, call for details.

Ladies lunch.

Contact: 905-841-4094.

Family Storytime Dec. 17, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Holland Landing Public Library, 19513 Yonge Street Birth - 5 years with caregiver. Drop In. Drop in for music, rhymes, stories and a craft.

Contact: Heather Alblas, halblas@egpl.ca, 905-836-6492.

Sandra Cormier Turnsek took this great photo of a red squirrel in a tree. Send us Your Shot. The theme is Nature & Wildlife. Email your high-quality jpegs to Tracy Kibble at tkibble@yrmg.com for a chance to have your photo included in our online gallery and published in the paper.

This weekend One Stop Christmas Shop Dec. 12, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Newmarket Community Center Hall #4, 200 Doug Duncan Dr. Shop for Christmas gifts while supporting local Newmarket vendors and artisans. Santa will be there! Admission: $2 with half going to charity.

Info: Carmela Bourassa, carmela@glowbathandbeauty.ca, 905-868-7707.

Free Nordic Pole Walking Clinics Dec. 12, 9 to 10:30 a.m.

St. Andrews Valley Golf Club, 4 Pinnacle Trail in Aurora.

Join master Nordic pole-walking instructor, Shawn Nisbet, for a fun morning and learn how to turn an ordinary walk into a full body workout.

Enjoy walking throughout the year. Everyone of any age or fitness level is welcome. Please RSVP, especially if you would like to borrow a set of poles.

Contact: Shawn Nisbet, info@shawnnisbet.com, 416-804-0938.

ALL-NEW Newmarket Sports Card & Comic Book Show Dec. 12, 10 a.m to 4 p.m.

Newmarket Community Centre, 200 Doug Duncan Dr. Show your support for York Region’s new local monthly sports card and comic book show. It’s already a bonafide success. So spread the word!

Toronto Maple Leafs Hall of Famer Johnny Bower is signing noon-2 p.m.

Contact: Frank, Frank@NewmarketCardShow.com.

Holiday Artisan Pop-Up Market Dec. 12, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Aurora Cultural Centre, 22 Church St. Shop locally today with an enhanced collection of goodies from the Centre’s Gallery Gift Shop artisans and specially invited artists. Admission is at no charge to the Holiday Pop-Up. Jewelry, pottery, fine art and more!

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

Christmas with Ron Korb Dec. 12, 7:30 to 10 p.m.

St. Paul’s Anglican Church, 227 Church St. in Newmarket.

Grammy Award-nominee and internationally renowned flautist and composer Ron Korb performs Christmas favourites, along with a selection of tunes off of his CDs. Accompanied by piano, violin and cello. Proceeds go to Santa Fund North! Piano courtesy of Steinway Toronto. Tickets are $25.

Info: admin@stpaulsnewmarket.org, 905-853-7285.

A Victorian Christmas Afternoon Dec. 12, 1 to 3:30 p.m.

Aurora Cultural Centre, 22 Church St. An annual family favourite! Sweets, treats, art and live music - followed by a magical theatrical presentation of A Christmas Carol by the professional Humber River Shakespeare Company. Tickets: $16 individual, or $50 for a family of four, plus HST. Includes a plate of sweets and a cup of tea or glass of lemonade. Graciously sponsored by Bruce Spragg Re/Max. Contact: Jane Taylor, info@auroraculturalcentre.ca, 905-713-1818.

A Musical Christmas Dec. 13, 1 to 4 p.m.

Hillary House National Historic Site, 15372 Yonge St. in Aurora Join us once again for a musical afternoon with Ellen Meyer, a wellknown, Toronto-based pianist, who has played in Roy Thompson Hall, Carnegie Hall, and venues across Europe. She will play Christmas favourites while you enjoy light refreshments, Art at the Manor 2015, and the holiday decor. Cost is $7 per adult and $3 per child.

Contact: Erika, erika.mazanik@aurorahs.com, 905-727-8991.

Next week BLOOD DONOR CLINIC Dec. 14, 1:30 to 7:30 p.m.

St. Elizabeth Seton Parish, 17955 Leslie St. in Newmarket.

Hard to buy for people on your list this holiday season? Why not add a Canadian patient to your list and Give Life by donating blood. Make someone’s holidays unforgettable. To a hospital patient, there is no better gift. The busy holidays means appointments are hard to fill. Book your appointment to Give Life today and wrap someone up in red. Download the GiveBlood app, or visit www.blood.ca.

Contact: elaine.stpierre@blood.ca, 1-888-236-6283.

Winter Reading Club Starts Dec. 15.

Holland Landing Public Library, 19513 Yonge St. Earn prizes over the holiday break for the books you read or have read to you. Ages 0 - 18 years. Visit your local branch to sign up and begin reading!

For details visit egpl.ca.

Contact: Heather Alblas, halblas@egpl.ca, 905-836-6492.

Tuesday open studio Dec. 15, 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. This is a non-facilitated, non-

Newmarket Prostate Cancer December Meeting Dec. 17, 7 to 9 a.m.

Newmarket Seniors Meeting Place, 474 Davis Dr. Our December meeting will be an evening of sharing and fellowship with a potluck dessert table. In lieu of a gift exchange please bring an item for the food bank. Everyone is welcome. Web: newmarketprostatecancer.com Contact: Walt Klywak, wklywak1@gmail.com, 905-895-1975.

BLOOD DONOR CLINIC Dec. 18, 4 to 7 p.m.

Newmarket Community Centre, 200 Doug Duncan Dr. Hard to buy for people on your list this holiday season? Why not add a Canadian patient to your list and Give Life by donating blood. Make someone’s holidays unforgettable. To a hospital patient, there is no better gift. The busy holidays means appointments are hard to fill. Book your appointment to Give Life today and wrap someone up in red. Download the GiveBlood app, or visit www.blood.ca.

Contact: elaine.stpierre@blood.ca, 1-888-236-6283.

Coming soon Bebop & Dance Dec. 19, 10:30 a.m.

East Gwillimbury Public Library - Mount Albert branch, 19300 Centre St. Get Moving! This action-packed program is filled with movement for little ones. Ages 2--5 years. Free. Drop in.

BLOOD DONOR CLINIC Dec. 22, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

York Region Administrative Centre 17250 Yonge St. Hard to buy for people on your list this holiday season? Why not add a Canadian patient to your list and Give Life by donating blood.

Make someone’s holidays unforgettable. To a hospital patient, there is no better gift. The busy holidays means appointments are hard to fill. Book your appointment to Give Life today and wrap someone up in red. Download the GiveBlood app, or visit www.blood.ca.

Contact: elaine.stpierre@blood.ca, 1-888-236-6283.

SPECIAL CHRISTMAS EVE BLOOD DONOR CLINIC Dec. 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Aurora Legion, 105 Industrial Pkwy. N. Hard to buy for people on your list this holiday season? Why not add a Canadian patient to your list and Give Life by donating blood. Make someone’s holidays unforgettable. To a hospital patient, there is no better gift.

Book your appointment to Give Life today and wrap someone up in red.

Download the GiveBlood app, or visit www.blood.ca.

Contact: elaine.stpierre@blood.ca, 1-888-236-6283.

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

Christmas with

Ron Korb Saturday, December 12 at 7:30 pm

Tickets only $25, available by calling the church office at 905-853-7285

227 Church St., Newmarket

In support of the

Blood in the urine is the most common symptom of bladder cancer.

Don’t ignore this warning sign.

It could save your life.

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The Aurora Banner, Thursday, December 10, 2015

OPINION

The BANNER

General Manager Shaun Sauve

Publisher Ian Proudfoot

Director, Business Administration Robert Lazurko

www.yorkregion.com 580 Steven Crt., Newmarket, ON L3Y 6Z2

Director, Creative Services Katherine Porcheron Director, Circulation Carol Lamb

Director, Advertising Maureen Christie

EDITORIAL

Town fitness centres nothing new

THE ISSUE: Town of Newmarket looks to offer citizens more health, wellness, leisure services

Bernie O’Neill

Be careful, it’s crazy out there

M

unicipally owned and operated fitness centres are certainly nothing new.

Most cities and urbanized towns across the GTA and right across the country have been offering citizens affordable fitness options for many years.

Municipally operated centres act as viable alternatives to private facilities that, for many families, are costprohibitive and, oftentimes, come with restrictive gym memberships.

The Town of Newmarket is looking at the idea of scrapping a losing restaurant prospect at Magna Centre and capitalizing on the unique location and transforming the space into a multi-faceted health and wellness facility.

Just as several local examples, Aurora, Markham and Richmond Hill already operate some form of townrun fitness centres, as do Mississauga, Oakville and most other urbanized communities.

On a much larger scale, the City of Vancouver offers an all-encompassing sports and recreation program, wherein citizens can enjoy a large variety of free, city-run facilities with a OneCard pass.

Large local gyms won’t suffer because the town offers taxpayers an affordable, low-cost membership to a town-run facility. There is still a huge market for privately run facilities — North Americans spend in excess of $4 billion a year to belong to gyms — that offer niche classes and programs for those who choose and can afford them.

But because many of these corporations charge, at the low scale, a basic $50-a-month membership fee, it’s not a viable option for many cashstrapped middle-income families that would like to get in on the action but just can’t afford the average $600-ayear, per-person cost.

And while the town would be offering a leisure service many might consider an “extra” to what its core service responsibilities are, families are demanding more of these types of healthy options when they make decisions about where to live.

Health and wellness is a key component to changing lifestyles as people seek out ways to stay in shape.

The fact it may include a teaching kitchen is innovative, educational

W

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Christmas lights bad for environment Re: Lights, Camera … feature where the paper invites photos of spectacular outdoor Christmas lights to be used in a photo feature.

I like the fact that the paper would like to herald people who are in the Christmas spirit but, at the same time, when climate change and conservation are the world’s biggest problems, I think we should turn it around.

People can certainly show their Christmas spirit, but in a less consuming way. I have neighbours who keep adding more and more lights each year.

They also feel the need to decorate their house for every last occasion of the year.

I’m very close to “neighbour rage”.

They consume so much of the power for lights and purchase every little trinket from thousands of miles away. It’s sickening. I’m very much a wannabe environmentalist and a minimalist. Decorate? Yes, but tastefully and with the environment in mind.

They must sleep standing up as I can’t imagine the space they need for storing all of these things.

Pam Bennett Newmarket

And the health benefits of physical activity are numerous and welldocumented. According to Statistics Canada, regular physical activity can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, some types of cancer, osteoporosis, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, depression, stress and anxiety.

In addition, the economic impact of physical inactivity can be substantial and has been estimated at $5.3 billion, or 2.6-per-cent of total health care costs in Canada in 2001 — an amount that would likely be double that amount today.

So, while Newmarket would be wise to seek out or at least consider public/private partnerships (P3s) to keep down potential cost overruns — notorious when dealing with public money ­— the idea of opening a fitness facility at the centrally located Magna Centre is a great idea.

The fact it may include a teaching kitchen is innovative and educational as we struggle to involve young children in preparing healthy foods.

The one thing municipalities must always ensure when undertaking such a venture is that the fees are nominal. These types of taxpayerowned operations should never be considered money makers; no different than other sports and recreational services municipalities provide.

More and more families are seeking out communities that offer healthy lifestyle options for the whole family.

This one is definitely a step in the right direction.

BOTTOM LINE: Key is to keep fees nominal and to offer services to all citizens.

3-hour park limit shortsighted Re: Council to OK permit parking at Town Park, Dec. 3: bit.ly/1NIR5s2 The implementation of a three-hour parking limit at Town Park on weekdays is shortsighted. Yes. The majority of people using this parking lot on weekdays are GO Transit commuters, however, they do this because there is no other option available.

No commuter parks there by choice, but rather because they are forced to, due to insufficient parking on GO property.

If the town wishes to implement parking restrictions, it needs to have a system in place to accommodate the overflow parking needs for GO Transit.

This problem will only become more acute with the large amount of residential development occurring in the town’s east end.

Currently, public transit does not offer commuters a viable alternative to driving to the GO station. The routes are indirect and take considerably longer, adding to already long commute times into Toronto. A shuttle service from offsite overflow parking lots is a viable solution, only if the shuttles are just that – buses that take commuters directly from an offsite parking lot to the GO station with no stops in between.

As a commuter who is obliged to take the last train in due to childcare, often there is no parking available at the GO station.

My options are to park at Town

Park or on the street in front of someone’s house.

Scott Morrison Aurora

Town ‘muscling in’ on private business Re: Town may get into fitness biz, Dec. 3: bit.ly/1IRVEzg Newmarket staff has unveiled plans to convert the restaurant at the Magna Centre into a town-operated fitness facility.

Councillor Joe Sponga is correct in having concerns that such a facility would deter residents from joining facilities owned and operated by local business.

Two large facilities came into town recently and a smaller family owned and operated facility began operations as recently as February of this year.

I am concerned the town is muscling in on providing services that the private sector and, more importantly, small business, already occupy. Although such a public facility may not result in material with adverse impact on the likes of the large corporate entities, it is highly likely to seriously impact the small family-operated facility.

Master Fitness and Squash Complex started operations in the former location of Persechini Fitness and Squash in January. It has done an outstanding job of bringing back to life a facility that serviced the community for more than 30 years.

As a member and as a small business owner, I would be very disappointed to see the Town of Newmarket renege on its commitment to not compete with the private sector and, more specifically, discourage small business.

Peter and Maureen Stott Newmarket

No logic to Davis Drive bus lanes Re: Viva Yellow starts rolling on Davis Drive in Newmarket, Dec. 3: bit.ly/1ONRRcw Who designs the bus lanes?

Why in the name of the almighty did York Region politicians think that a two-mile long bus lane unconnected to anything would be beneficial.

It will speed up the average transit ride by two seconds.

All the traffic lights on Davis Drive require you to wait two cycles to turn left or about two minutes.

Who made that decision? It causes pollution and penalizes merchants on Davis. There is no logic to it.

David Bonet Newmarket

Let new residents, developers pay for growth Re: Lane closures expected until January on Green Lane, Nov. 26: bit.ly/1XSPFGy So, now we’re going to have Green Lane road closures to

LETTERS POLICY All submissions must be less than 400 words and include a daytime telephone number, name and address. The Era reserves the right to publish or not publish and to edit for clarity and space.

SEND LETTERS to editor Tracy Kibble at tkibble@yrmg.com

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Ontario Press Council

Editorial

Managing Editor Tracy Kibble

Sales Manager Jennifer Kopacz

tkibble@yrmg.com

jkopacz@metroland.com

News Editor Sean Pearce

Community Sales & Marketing Manager Neil Moore

spearce@yrmg.com

Delivery issues?

nmoore@yrmg.com

Canadian Circulations Audit Board Member

READ All our published letters at yorkregion.com or send your letter to the editor to Tracy Kibble at tkibble@yrmg.com accommodate new subdivisions in Sharon?

Not only have we lost valuable farmland and beautiful vistas, but the residents of East Gwillimbury have to endure more inconvenience for people who don’t yet live here.

How about developers and the new residents soak up the 2.8-per-cent tax increase? Oh, and maybe pay for a dozen or so car washes for each of us.

Robert Cooper Holland Landing

Aurora must get serious about tree protection Aurora’s present tree bylaw is severely inadequate. Property owners can cut down four trees per year greater than 20 centimeters in diameter each.

With this bylaw, four 60-yearold trees 70 centimetres in diameter would be allowed to be destroyed annually by a property owner, with no reason required.

Toronto, on the other hand, believes in preserving its urban forest where any tree greater than 30 cm in diameter on private property is protected by its tree bylaws with stringent criteria before a permit to cut down is granted and valid consequences for ignoring the bylaw. Like Toronto, we should be looking at the size of the trees not the size of the lot.

One study, in Massachusetts’s Harvard Forest, found that, at 50 years of age, its trees, both oak and maple, were absorbing 0.8 tons of carbon per acre every year. Fifteen years later, that rate of carbon uptake had doubled.

Trees not only remove a significant amount of carbon dioxide from our atmosphere, but they also replace it with oxygen.

Each time we lose these old growth trees, we lose part of the critical natural air filtration system that each tree provides and from which each person benefits.

Deforestation is a major contributor to the buildup of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere and municipalities, such as Aurora, need to follow Toronto’s lead in drafting valid tree protection laws, as well as effective consequences to discourage wanton destruction of this precious natural resource.

Council should also consider a reduction in property taxes for homeowners who protect older trees on their property to encourage them to spend money on proper tree care to extend their life.

Shelley Wister Aurora

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

The BANNER

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ith all the craziness in the world, I had to check in on my new neighbour the other day, who hadn’t been out of the house in days.

I was getting worried. In fact I’d been over a couple of times to ring the doorbell. No answer. It finally dawned on me the doorbell might not be working, so I went by again and knocked.

Finally, someone came to the door.

Neighbour: “Hi,” he said, opening the door only slightly at first. “What’s up?”

Me: “Hey! Well, you’re alright! I haven’t seen you come out of the house since last week. I was just a little worried. Your car hasn’t moved.”

Neighbour: “Oh, the SUV. I don’t drive it.”

Me: “You don’t? Why?” Neighbour: “You know,” he looks around. “Global warming.”

Me: “Global warming?”

Neighbour: “It’s not electric! I can’t afford to have some global warming crusader running me off the road.”

Me: “Hey, I’m sure that would never happen. Besides, they seem like nice people, just supporting a cause.”

Neighbour: “They do?”

Me: “Anyway, don’t you have to go to work?”

Neighbour: “I work from home. If people just stayed put they wouldn’t produce so much CO2, I am told.

Besides, traffic around here is terrible.”

Me: “CO2, eh? I see. But don’t you have to get out sometimes, buy groceries?”

Neighbour: “I am growing my own fruits and vegetables now, in the basement. Hydroponics. Much healthier than what’s in the stores. I don’t want anything that’s genetically modified.”

Me: “I’m sure what’s in the store is safe. Hydroponics? I thought that was for growing marijuana.”

Neighbour: “Ahem, I grow that, too. Justin got elected and legalized everything.”

Me: “Um, I don’t think he’s legalized anything yet.”

Neighbour: “Just a matter of time.”

Me: “I guess so. Say, did you disconnect the doorbell or something? I came by the other day.”

Neighbour: “Ya, trying to save on electricity. So expensive in Ontario.

Crazy. Plus, all the people coming by, ringing the bell, telling me there’s something up with my water, my hot water tank, my furnace, my windows, soliciting for shady charities.

Although, thank goodness, the politicians stopped coming by.”

Me: “So, why did you answer when I knocked?”

Neighbour: “Well, I knew it was you.”

Me: “You did? How?” Neighbour: “OK, I’ll tell you. Ever hear of Edward Snowden? Surveillance... hacking...Elf on the Shelf?”

Me: “Let me guess. The gift you gave us has a camera in it? I’m shocked.”

Neighbour: “You have pretty strong WiFi!” Me: “You’re using my WiFi? You knew the password?”

Neighbour: “I guessed. Your cat’s name.”

Me: “Mr. Muggles.”

Neighbour: “Look, I’m sorry. But I was fleeing a place where there was regime change, the economy is in shambles, the future looks bleak. You can’t be too careful. I was just checking up on you, my new neighbour.”

Me (concerned): “Hey, you know what might make you feel better. Why don’t you take in a few refugees. Just for a little while, until they get on their feet. Might give you a little perspective. People to talk to who’ve seen real hardship. Then all these little things might not bother you.”

Neighbour: “True, they’ve had a terrible time.”

Me: “Great. By the way, what place are you fleeing? Syria? Iraq?”

Neighbour: “Alberta.”

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EDITORIAL 905-853-8888 ADVERTISING 905-853-8888 / Fax: 905-853-4626 250 Industrial Pkwy. N., Aurora, ON L4G 4C3

York Region Media Group community newspapers The Era, The Banner and The Express, published every Thursday 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, December 10, 2015

That’s the Jingle Bell Walk...

Snake discovered inside York school’s photocopier Animal now under care of Toronto Wildlife Centre

By Evelyn Kwong

Torstar News Service

STAFF PHOTO/MIKE BARRETT

Regency Acres P.S. students held a jingle bell walk to school as part of Activate Aurora’s Safe Walk to School program. The program aims to teach physical literacy and increase physical activity among young people.

From left, Kaylee Reid, Karsen Roy and Christina Paraskevopoulos lead a line-dance in front of the school.

Harmless Dekay’s brown snake was found inside the warm, dark environs of a copier at a York Region high school, according to the Toronto Wildlife Centre, which is now caring for it.

It’s common to experience paper jams in an office photocopier, but could the strange rumbling inside come from a living creature?

For an unidentified York Region high school, the answer is “yessssss.”

On Monday afternoon, a Dekay’s brown snake was found poking its head out of the school copier.

“He likely took refuge in the copier because it was warm and dark, a nice cozy place to live,” Toronto Wildlife Centre wrote in a post on Facebook.

The wildlife centre has created a new heated home for the snake to live until the weather warms up again in the spring.

According to the organization, Dekay’s brown snake are not harmful, and “do a great job at

DEKAY’S BROWN SNAKE: Harmless species of snake found inside a photocopier at an unidentified York Region high school. pest control in the garden,” eating slugs and other critters that harm plants.

It’s a relatively common small snake, growing up to just over 50 centimetres in length, and usually overwinters underground or in building foundations before coming out to breed in spring, according to ontarionature.org.

York Symphony Orchestra holiday concert Dec. 12 YRP named top employer Joining the orchestra will be four operatic voices, led by celebrated tenor Romulo Delgado who will perform the classics Adeste Fideles and O Holy Night as solos.

Delgado will be joined for trios by soprano Isabella Lecomte, soprano Julia Debowska and mezzo-soprano Maria Milenic. Together, they will sing the famous Bach-Gounod Ave Maria, among other Christmas favourites.

The two concerts are at 3:30 and 8 p.m. at the church, located at 79 Victoria St. Tickets may be purchased by calling 416-410-0860 or at the door.

For more details, go to yorksymphony.ca

By Jonalyn Aguilar

York Symphony Orchestra’s annual holiday concert returns to Trinity Anglican Church in Aurora for two performances this Saturday.

The concerts feature a blend of holiday music performed by the full orchestra and will feature traditional carols, popular songs, seasonal classics and, of course, the annual audience carol sing-a-long.

Music director Denis Mastromonaco has made a few exciting changes this year, but promises longtime fans that their perennial favourites, such as Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Ride and A Christmas Festival, are still on the program.

o Seas

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By Jeremy Grimaldi

jgrimaldi@yrmg.com

York Regional Police has been honoured as one of the GTA’s top employers for 2016.

The service is one of 8,000 employers in the region and was credited for its effort in employment indicators, including financial and family benefits, work atmosphere and community involvement.

“Our employees continue to be our most valuable resource,”

York Regional Police Chief Eric Jolliffe said.

“We are committed to hiring the best and taking care of our staff, many of whom have highstress duties, right through their careers.”

The force was invited to submit an application by the editors of Canada’s Top 100 Employers project, who selected York police, partially because of its internal support networks and job share opportunities.

n’s Greetings from

PETER E. REISS B.A., LL.B

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The Aurora Banner, Thursday, December 10, 2015

Aurora council greenlights investigating options for indoor tennis facility

BY TERESA LATCHFORD

tlatchford@yrmg.com

STAFF PHOTO/NICK IWANYSHYN

Tennis player Kevin Carter participates in the “Monday Night Club” at the Timberlane Athletic Club. When Timberlane closes this month, Aurora’s tennis players will be forced to play indoor tennis in other municipalities as there are no other facilities in town.

Aurora council has agreed to look at options for the provision of an indoor tennis facility.

Waiving procedure, members of council agreed to bring the motion, penned by Mayor Geoff Dawe, directing staff to provide a report providing further information on what is needed to bring an indoor tennis facility to the town.

“I want to make sure this isn’t just an informational report and that we will be able to make a decision when this comes back,” Councillor Tom Mrakas said.

Town staff confirmed the report would list options for council to consider.

In 2013, the town issued a request for proposals for the design, construction, operation and financing of an all-season, multi-purpose tennis facility at Stewart Burnett Park, adjacent to the Stronach Aurora Recreation Complex.

However, in 2014, council decided to return the report and asked staff to look into a rigid structure rather than an air-supported bubble.

No progress has been made since.

“I do think council missed the boat on this one the first time around when we could have had the facility built for free and put it on hold to look at an option that would cost us,” Councillor Paul Pirri said. “I’m looking forward to taking another look at this.”

Kevin Carter, local tennis enthusiast and creator of tennisinaurora.ca, told council 400 people have already participated in the vote “yes” for tennis in Aurora initiative. He is collecting data through the website that he plans to share with the town early in 2016.

The long-time resident came to town with his family when he was only five and

GET CONNECTED ❑

TELL US what you think about this issue. Email tkibble@yrmg.com.

his parents were one of the first to become members of what is now the Timberlane Athletic Club.

Now 45, Carter admits he is saddened that, come 2016, Aurora will no longer have indoor tennis courts and many children might not experience the same joy and love of the game at an early age.

“It’s one of those sports that anyone, ages eight to 80, can enjoy,” he said. “These lost indoor courts are something that need to be replaced.”

He believes in the sport so strongly that he has taken it upon himself to create a website — tennisinaurora.ca — to help connect tennis lovers and work with public and private sectors to find a way to bring indoor tennis back to the community.

“Players are turning to other municipalities to find a place to play and most of those facilities are at capacity already,” he added.

“We would play anywhere right now.”

The town has proclaimed this the Year of Sport and is working to make it the most active community in Canada.

“I do believe a tennis-only facility is viable in Aurora since Timberlane is profitable,” he said. “But even if the town doesn’t run the facility, it will need support, such as a donation of land.”

Carter encourages residents to visit his website and vote, “yes” to show policy makers there is a need for an indoor facility.

His words and those of others in the tennis community have not fallen on deaf ears.

Aurora ranked 37th safest according to Allstate’s Safe Driving Study

BY TERESA LATCHFORD

tlatchford@yrmg.com

Eight York Region communities rank poorly in Allstate’s 2015 Safe Driving study.

The recently released study examines collision data over a period of two years and then ranks 81 communities across Canada, according to the results.

i

For more stats on the study, go to allstate.ca/ webpages/docs/newsroom/current/DataTable-National-2015-EN-Nov-2015.pdf

While Newmarket beat out seven other York municipalities for safe driving standards, it only ranked 20th on the list with a collision rate of 5 per cent, meaning for every 100 cars on the road, five will be involved in an accident.

Stouffville ranked 35th, Aurora, 37th, Woodbridge, 49th, Markham,

67th, Thornhill, 72nd, Richmond Hill, 74th and Maple, 76th.

“Just from my own observations while out and about, there seems to be a lack of attention while people drive,” Allstate spokesperson Jason Foroglou said. “If you are the driver, just drive and worry about life when you get to your destination.”

There are a number of reasons why collisions occur and it isn’t always the weather, he added.

Distracted driving can be seen every day, including people using devices, failing to check their mirrors or blind spots while changing lanes, speeding and not leaving enough distance between them and other cars also can result in a collision.

The study’s seven years of data shows the most collision claims have been made on Dec. 23 and the fewest, Dec. 25. Overall, Janu-

ary has the highest collision claim frequency and most claims are filed Fridays.

But even more interesting are the types of collisions reported, according to Foroglou.

More than 25 per cent of the collisions reported were due to being rear-ended, 23.5 per cent were due to making a turn at an intersection and 13.6 per cent were caused by colliding with a parked vehicle.

“The most alarming is the third because a parked car isn’t moving and is predictable,” he said. “The concern is it could have been a bicycle, a child or a pet the driver didn’t see.”

His advice?

Pay attention while driving, create an imaginary bubble around your car and adjust your driving if anyone enters it and install snow tires now.

FILE PHOTO

Cars wait as geese rule the road in Markham, one of the communities that an insurance company says is among the most accident prone.

Aurora was ranked 37th in the company’s Safe Driving Study.

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The Aurora Banner, Thursday, December 10, 2015

The tradition has been around for more than five years and is sponsored by a number of local businesses and organizations.

For more information, contact Shelley Ware, special event co-ordinator for the town at 905-726-4762 or email sware@ aurora.ca.

Aurora creating new reserve to address infrastructure costs Town Park to be illuminated for Aurora’s Borealis starting Dec. 14 Now’s your chance to experience Aurora’s Borealis in Town Park.

Embrace the winter with the town’s festival of lights, featuring more than three kilometres of lights fully lit and sparkling in the trees at Aurora Town Park, at the corner of Wells and Mosley Streets.

Beginning Dec. 14, residents and visitors can take a stroll from 5 to 11 p.m. until Feb. 15.

Town socks money away for parks, recreation costs The town is creating a new reserve fund to help with infrastructure costs.

Council approved the creation of a special reserve fund to help cover costs of expanding the town’s services and facilities needed to serve the growing community.

In a report, financial services director Dan Elliott pointed out shortcomings of the current Development Charges Act that doesn’t allow the town to re-coup all costs associated with infrastructure, especially when it comes to parks and recreation.

To fill the funding gap, the town negoti-

AURORA BRIEFS

ated with the development community and tied an additional fee to each additional residential dwelling unit being built. The funds collected will be directed at growth-related projects for parks and recreation, reducing the burden on the town’s taxpayers.

For more information, visit aurora.ca

Royal Canadian Legion presents Good Brothers concert Jan. 29 Feel good this new year The Aurora Royal Canadian Legion presents The Good Brothers in concert Jan. 29 in celebration of two member’s 70th birthdays.

Doors will open at 8 p.m.; concert starts at 9 p.m.

Tickets are limited and can be purchased at the legion bar, 105 Industrial Pkwy. N. Tickets are $20 per person.

For more information, contact the Legion at 905-727-9932.

South St. Burger serving up burgers in exchange for toy donations Give a toy, get a burger.

Local South St. Burger locations are pitching in this holiday season to help bring cheer to those in need.

From now until Dec. 23, you can bring a new unwrapped toy, valued at $10 or greater, to any location and South St. Burger will treat you to a free four-ounce burger.

The toy drive is in support of the CP24 Christmas Wish initiative.

For more information, visit southstburger. com —Teresa Latchford

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The Aurora Banner, Thursday, December 10, 2015

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q These must-have games hit shelves just in time for the holiday season.

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t Skate with more agility in Bauer Vapour X600 hockey skates. With a standard fit in the toe box and a narrower V-fit in the ankle and heel, players can accelerate and turn in the ultimate skate built for quickness and mobility.

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The Aurora Banner, Thursday, December 10, 2015

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Get your home holiday ready before the chill The Christmas rush is officially upon us and while the advertisers seem to take advantage of starting the holidays a tad early, there are mere weeks to Christmas. The time speeds by.

We’ve been lucky this year with a laterthan-usual cold snap. Winter’s delay gives us a greater opportunity to prepare for the cold weather and the holiday season before the frost really hits.

Consider this checklist when readying your home for the cold holiday season: • Inspect all the seals around your windows and doors. Eliminate any drafts with weather stripping or draft snakes to keep your home cozy through the cold months.

• Ensure that all smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly.

Check that they have new batteries and are in good working order.

• Review and practice your family’s escape plan for getting out of the house in case of a fire, making sure to involve younger children.

• If you have a wood-burning fireplace, hire a chimney sweep to clean it and check to see if it requires any repairs before it’s used.

• While it’s a good time to stock up on firewood, C

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the wood might not be entirely dry. Allocate dry storage space somewhere around your property to keep it as dry as possible.

If you’re setting up a Christmas tree, be sure it stands at a safe distance from woodburning fireplaces and stoves.

Restock all batteries, flashlights and candles in case of a blackout. It’s always better to be prepared than to get caught without them during a weather emergency.

Make sure snow shovels are easily accessible and snow blowers are properly maintained. Keep a shovel and some de-icing salt at each entrance of your home. This makes it easy to keep the porch and all walkways easily maintained and salted, ensuring the safety of any guests visiting over the holidays.

No flair for decorating? Putting one string of white lights around your front door and hanging an inexpensive wreath will help give your home a simple, festive feel. You need not overwhelm your home with decorations. Just a few seasonal items can help get you in the spirit of the season.

Nothing says the holidays like poinsettias. A

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relatively inexpensive planter, it adds an instant punch of colour to any home. Be sure to keep it away from pets.

Gather up cozy throws and blankets and have them handy to keep the chill at bay. If you’re looking to stock up, purchase throws made of faux fur, cashmere, velvet, wool or some in a soft cable knit pattern. Consider purchasing a few large, overstuffed chenille, velvet or fur pillows to add to the warmth of cozier spaces.

Get out the family games, playing cards and old movies to enjoy on a day when it’s just too cold to go outside. Get to your local library before the holidays and borrow some good reading to enjoy over the holiday season.

Stock up on cocoa and tea to share with guests or to enjoy alone with a good book.

Not good at sitting still? There’s nothing like time off to do some clutter clearing in the kitchen! Consider clearing out old bake ware, cookie cutters and out of date baking ingredients like sugar, flour, shortening and food colouring that may be cluttering up your kitchen cupboards.

Restock the ingredients you’ve tossed and

take some time to bake up a storm! The smell of fresh baking makes your home welcoming, cozy and comfortable — perfect for an instant holiday feel. Make batches of soups and casseroles to be frozen and pulled out when you’re tight for time.

Janice Clements is a certified interior decorator and AutoCAD designer and a member of CDECA. Visit her at clementsinteriors.com or facebook.com/clementsinteriors.

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The Aurora Banner, Thursday, December 10, 2015

Environmental groups welcome release of advisory report

By Simon Martin

smartin@yrmg.com

Not everyone is upset with the provincial government these days.

Environmental groups were singing their approval Monday for the Co-ordinated Lane Use Planning Review advisory report released Monday.

The Oak Ridges Moraine Foundation was especially happy that the report placed a major emphasis on the protection of water resources and natural heritage in the Greater Golden Horseshoe and specifically in the Oak Ridges Moraine, the Greenbelt Protected Countryside and the Niagara Escarpment.

“We’re very pleased that the Advisory Panel has recognized the Moraine’s importance. Overall, many of the recommendations reflect the ORMF’s input which was based on extensive research and stakeholder outreach,” Michael Jolliffe, Provincial Appointee to the ORMF Board said The 87 recommendations in the report from former Toronto Mayor David Crombie had many measures to curb urban sprawl, which pleased the Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation.

“The report recognizes and makes

thoughtful recommendations to strengthen the agriculture sector at a time when farmland is under increasing pressure from development,” CEO Burkhard Mausberg said. “It recommends an ambitious path to move away from urban sprawl and towards more complete communities.”

‘The Oak Ridges Moraine should be preserved as a distinct entity with a clear focus on its unique geological, ecological, hydrological, recreational, social and economic attributes.’

The report recommended curbing sprawl in places like Simcoe and Brant County.

Other key recommendations called for protection of source waters and integrated watershed planning across municipalities and conservation authority boundaries to cover all four-plan areas.

The ORMF was particularly pleased that the Advisory Panel recommended the creation of an oversight entity, which would include the Oak Ridges Moraine Foundation,

for the four provincial plans (the Oaks Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan, the Niagara Escarpment Plan, the Greenbelt Plan, and the Greater Golden Horseshoe Growth Plan).

Amongst its responsibilities, the body would oversee a funding mechanism to support grassroots efforts that contribute to the goals of the four plans.

“The Oak Ridges Moraine should be preserved as a distinct entity with a clear focus on its unique geological, ecological, hydrological, recreational, social and economic attributes,” Jolliffe said.

That’s not say the ORMF agreed with everything in the report. It had some concern that many of the Panel’s recommendations were overarching. But it didn’t go far enough in explicitly referencing the specifics of the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan.

“We expect these to be addressed by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing in its next round of stakeholder meetings over the coming months and that the Panel’s broad recommendations will translate into specifics for the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan”, Rob Messervey, ORMF ViceChair said.

Monday’s release of the independent

Advisory Panel’s report on the Co-ordinated Land Use Planning Review was the culmination of over a year’s work and follows consultation with over 3,000 organizations and individuals concerned about conservation of key land use plans in Ontario.

The Review encompassed the Greenbelt Plan, the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan, the Niagara Escarpment Plan and The Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe.

The Oak Ridges Moraine Foundation (ORMF) was established in 2002 to provide support and encouragement for activities that preserve, protect, and restore the environmental integrity of the Oak Ridges Moraine.

The Oak Ridges Moraine is an essential water recharge zone that directly supplies 250,000 Ontarians with clean drinking water and feeds the 80 rivers and major creeks that flow north and south from its hills, sustaining over six million Ontarians.

The habitat-rich land is home to more than 900 species of plants, birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Its forests – extensive by southern Ontario standards – produce clean air, mitigating the effects of climate change.

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SHoP tHEBAY.CoM Savings for all offers are off our regular prices, unless otherwise specified. HUDSON’S BAY CREDIT OFFER: Excludes cosmetics, fragrances and major appliances. Other exclusions apply. See in store and online for details. Hudson’s Bay, Hudson’s Bay Credit, Hudson’s Bay Rewards, 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 robes exclude New Spring Arrivals, Lord & Taylor Cashmere robes VPN #F15-172-507 and spa robe VPN #F15-170-720, DKNY robes and items with 99¢ price endings. Women’s sleepwear excludes New Spring Arrivals, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Paper Label, Lusomé, Mink Pink, DKNY and items with 99¢ price endings. Breville small appliances exclude items with 95¢ price endings. Men’s casual outerwear excludes Helly Hansen, Under Armour, Adidas, Reebok, Vince Camuto, Tahari, Michael Kors, Selected, Gyde, Comstock & Co. and items with 99¢ price endings. BEAUTY SAVINGS CARD: *Before taxes. One card/evening bag per transaction. While quantities last. Savings card is redeemable in store from December 11 to December 24, 2015, and cannot be combined with any other coupons, discounts or promotional offers.

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Your Region, Thursday, December 10, 2015

EDUCATION

Dollars and sense of higher learning

By Chris Traber

ctraber@yrmg.com

A

s Grade 12 students across York Region prepare for graduation, there’s a palpable air of excitement and apprehension.

Many are already busy auditioning colleges and universities, applying to campuses near and far.

Plotting your post-secondary education path is fraught with decisions: what institution best suits your grades, interests and career pursuits? What will you select as your major? And, paramount, will you study close to home or can you afford to move away?

The options are as unique as the individual weighing them, said Seneca College student recruitment officer-degrees Krista Gallant. However, the choice to study close to home or out of town, province or even country, while nerve wracking, is most often decided on dollars and sense.

She knows of what she speaks. Seneca, with campuses in Toronto, Markham and King, has 27,500 full time students. Of those, 5,500 are international scholars from 120 different nations.

What and where you study has to be in your best interest, Gallant said.

Living at home ensures savings based on free or reduced shelter costs. Transportation expenses are minimalized and the student can enjoy a familiar, familial environment with strong supports, she said. If your course of study involves co-op or field placements, you can build a network in an area you are acquainted with.

If you have the wherewithal to move away to study, do so for at least the first year, Gallant suggested.

“It’s an opportunity to engage with new people, explore a new city and adapt to a different environment and culture,” she said. “The student also learns independence.”

Obviously, studying away from home can be expensive. Beyond tuition, book and related costs, the student, and in many cases, the family, must factor in accommodation, grocery, sundry and travel costs.

By way of informal example, a post grad teacher’s college degree course at the University of Western Ontario, will annually cost about $10,000 in tuition and books, approximately $1,000 monthly for rent and food. And, because of required off-campus practicums, an automobile is necessary.

Conservatively, that’s $25,000 per year. If the course was close to home and your family was on board with you living with them, you save more than half.

Thornhill’s Stephen Shnier, 25, can relate.

The newly minted Nielsen Media Data Specialist recently graduated from Seneca’s brand management certificate program in Markham after completing his undergraduate commerce degree at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ont. There are pros and cons to studying close to home and away, the affable Shnier said.

The upside of an out-of-town education includes independence and freedom, being on your schedule and enjoying new living experiences, he said, noting he lived in residence, a house shared with five others and his own apartment during his time in Hamilton.

He wasn’t immune to hindrances.

“Sharing a place with others was a disruptive environment,” he said. “It was difficult to get work done at times and there was little privacy. You really need a disciplined mindset.”

Venturing away from home isn’t cheap, he confirmed. While monthly rents varied over the semesters, he estimated annual all-in costs were in the $10K to $12K range over and above tuition fees.

Seneca College graduate While studying at Seneca he moved home, Stephen Shnier (right) moved saving that amount in the bargain. Drastically home during his studies, reduced expenses, home cooked meals, fewer something he says requires distractions and use of the family vehicle are some give and take. welcome benefits, he said.

“It was definitely an adjustment,” Shnier said. “When you live with your parents there’s a bit more scrutiny. It’s less exciting and with free rent comes chores and responsibilities.

“My first year away was looser in terms of school work. When I moved home, I was older and a learned how to manage studies.”

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MOST LIVABLE CITIES FOR UNIVERSITY STUDENTS The QS World University Rankings last week released its list of the most livable cities for university students. The cities are ranked by a matrix, including safety, air quality, desirability from employers and chances for student employment.

Paris, France, ranked first for the fourth straight year, despite the terrorist atrocities last month.

Next on the list were Melbourne, Tokyo, Sydney and London.

Rounding out the top 10 are Singapore, Montreal, Hong Kong, Berlin and Seoul.

Montreal is the highest ranked Canadian city, coming in at seventh, a rise from the previous year, when it was rated eighth.

Toronto was ranked 9th on the list a year ago, but has fallen slightly and is now tied with Vancouver and Boston in 13th place. Vancouver dropped from 12th place last year. Ottawa moved from 50th to 49th and Quebec City fell from 50th to 55th.

For more information, visit www.topuniversities.com

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B2

Your Region, Thursday, December 10, 2015

When eviction looms, Community Legal Clinic of York Region can help

BY CHRIS SIMON

csimon@yrmg.com

“I wished I’d had a gun.”

When Ken Hare fell three months behind in rent, he had many sleepless nights and thoughts of suicide.

About five years ago, the Newmarket senior’s wife, Judy, began suffering significant health issues.

She now has diabetes, a “touch” of Alzheimer’s disease and an ulcer that makes walking incredibly painful. She’s also battled cancer.

He has been her main caregiver, cook and advocate during that time.

He pays the family bills, picks up her prescriptions and battles with government agencies for funding and equipment aid.

It’s a lot for an aging man and you quickly begin to understand why he’s seemingly struggling with life all the time. When Judy started having health problems, the pensioners, whose income totals about $2,500 per month, couldn’t manage all their bills. They ended up staying at Blue Door Shelters for a few months and Ken still visits the Newmarket Food Pantry when cash is scarce.

“When the government’s going

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to take care of seniors, I don’t know,” he said, holding the notebook where he keeps the information on their monthly budget. “When I look at the end of the month, there’s not much left. I worked until I was 75.”

Ken and Judy, who rent an apartment in the Huron Heights Drive area, would rather talk of their younger days than the not-toodistant past. When Ken was working, they travelled regularly and he earned a decent living in the printing business.

How times have changed.

“It’s very depressing when you get a notice saying they’re going to throw you out on the street,” he said.

They pay about $1,150 per month in rent and when the couple couldn’t afford payments recently, the property owner threatened to evict. That’s when Ken contacted the Community Legal Clinic of York Region, a non-profit organization that works to prevent eviction and keep tenants in their homes.

It has been in operation since 2008 and has served about 1,000 clients throughout the region. Eviction prevention program paralegal Bill Kukulewich says the clinic has a 90- per-cent success rate.

“We help people that are on the verge of eviction, predominantly folks with mental health issues,” he said. “It’s easy to spot. It can be anything from the anxiety of having to move, to being in this position, or deep mental health issues.

The mental health issues often lead to financial ones, as well. Usually, the outcomes are very positive. The problem is, most people don’t know

i

STAFF PHOTO/MIKE BARRETT

Judy and Ken Hare turned to the non-profit Community Legal Clinic of York Region when their landlord threatened them with eviction. we exist until they’re facing eviction. If they’re having trouble with their housing situation, they can come to us. We’re meeting a need.”

Kukulewich will visit the tenant’s home with a social worker.

They’ll assess the tenant’s mental health status and act as their advocate and a negotiator between the sides. Ultimately, the goal is to keep the tenant in their current home — though if that’s simply not possible, other accommodations will be made.

About 80 per cent of cases are rooted in financial issues, while the remaining amount is related to tenant conduct, he said.

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“We’ve had a lot of success with delaying an eviction for six to eight months and, in that time, it gives our social worker time to find alternate accommodations,” Kukulewich said. “We don’t like to use the word ‘fault’. There’s a lack of understanding on both sides. That’s where we can advise the landlord of what they need to provide and the tenant of the area the problem is in.”

During the holiday season, many local residents are forced to decide between paying bills and purchasing gifts for loved ones, Kukulewich said.

“This is a problem time of year,”

For more information, visit clcyr.on.ca or call 1-888-365-5226.

he said, noting the demand for the service has increased recently. “Our statistics show there’s probably a recession because there’s been an increase in people not being able to meet their rental needs. That’s when the mental health issues can come into play; when you start thinking you can’t pay your rent, new issues can come up and it can become a real stressful challenge.

If people are struggling, we try our best to help everyone who comes to us.”

While the clinic does its best to resolve tenant issues, a longer-term government solution is required because elderly and disabled residents simply do not receive enough assistance to support a decent quality of life, Kukulewich said.

Ken says the program has provided relief for the couple. Although Judy could enter a long-term care facility, Ken can’t afford to let go — mentally or financially.

“I’m sleeping at night but I don’t know where it’s going to end,” he said. “I love her too much; I don’t want to leave her alone … and where am I supposed to go? I do everything I can for her. We don’t want to move, we’re comfortable enough here. We want to be left alone.”

The region provides funding for the program and the clinic works collaboratively on cases with Salvation Army, York Support Services Network and Addiction Services York Region.

Christmas with Ron Korb benefits YRMG Santa Fund

BY CHRIS SIMON

csimon@yrmg.com

Newmarket residents can listen to a Grammy-nominated artist live Dec. 12.

Flutist Ron Korb will headline Christmas with Ron Korb at St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Newmarket. It will also feature pianist Chris Donnelly, violinist Alex Cheung and a yet-to-be-announced cellist. They will perform Christmas music and piece from Korb’s award-winning CDs. All proceeds benefit the York Region Media Group’s Santa Fund North.

Korb’s latest album, Asia Beauty, was recently nominated in the best new-age category for the 58th annual Grammys, which take place in Los Angeles in February.

St. Paul’s has been organizing Santa Fund

RON KORB concerts for years, raising more than $10,000 for the cause. The church also sponsors at least one family per year through the fund.

A wine bar will be available and the event begins at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $25 each and can be purchased by calling the church office at 905-853-7285.

Wednesday, Dec. 16th 10am-12pm

Drivers on the QEW will be allowed to pay tolls to use HOV lanes, similar to the one on Hwy. 404 pictured at left, starting next summer.

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High occupancy toll lanes coming to 427 within five years Details about implementation, including cost, coming next year

BY LISA QUEEN

lqueen@yrmg.com

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Hwy. 404 isn’t on the list, at least for now, but high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes are coming to Hwy. 427 within the next five years.

New HOT lanes, with electronic tolling, which allow drivers with no passengers to pay to travel in high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, will be implemented on the highway from south of Hwy. 409 to north of Rutherford Road by 2021, Ministry of Transportation spokesperson Ajay Woozageer said in an email.

The 427 is one of only two highways in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area identified for HOT lanes this week by Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca, also the MPP for Vaughan.

The first will be 16.5 kilometres of the QEW, from Trafalgar Road in Oakville to Guelph Line in Burlington, which will open next summer as a four-year pilot project.

“The QEW was selected for the pilot because it has the most peak hour, peak direction capacity available of the three existing HOV lanes in the GTA,” Woozageer said.

“It also has the most peak hour, off-peak direction traffic demand, meaning that HOT lanes would provide benefits in both directions throughout the day. Conducting a pilot on the QEW will introduce HOT lanes to the region while generating information and results to inform the longer term approach.”

The ministry is expected to announce more information next spring, including how much drivers will pay and how they will buy permits.

The ministry doesn’t know what other highways will get HOT lanes in the future, Woozageer said.

“It is too early to say which corridors will receive high occupancy toll lanes and in what order that will happen. We are taking a careful look at all upcoming major highway projects in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area in terms of their suitability for incorporating HOT lanes,” he said.

“We are continuing to look for opportunities to build out the network, where it makes sense to do so.”

In his 2013 budget, former premier Dalton McGuinty announced HOT lanes would be implemented on existing HOV lanes, originally set up to encourage carpooling, as a way to raise money for infrastructure.

The Conservatives and New Democrats have criticized the plan.

“The Lexus lanes are not something I think is the right way to go,” NDP Leader Andrea Horwath has said.

Healthy Transport Consulting, which advises governments, the private sector and non-profit organizations on transportation issues and organizes Transport Future learning events, applauds the HOT lanes.

At the same time, director Martin Collier is criticizing the government for its tame, one-pilot project approach.

“If the government is serious about improving traffic flow for cars and transit while reducing automotive emissions causing climate change and smog, we must think big,” he said in a statement.

“We recommend that the MTO implement a larger, more effective and connected HOT lane network across the GTHA. We also encourage the province and municipalities to work collaboratively to install HOT lanes or other tolling systems on local roads where feasible.”

A Canadian Automobile Association spokesperson was not available to comment on the issue.

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Your Region, Thursday, December 10, 2015

Mayor of Christmas present Newmarket Mayor Tony Van Bynen reads during the Very Useful Theatre Company production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol at New Hope Methodist Church in Newmarket Sunday. Joining Van Bynen for the dramatic reading were Aurora Mayor Geoff Dawe, East Gwillimbury Mayor Virginia Hackson, Newmarket Ward 7 Councillor Christina Bisanz and Magna for Communities representative Steve Hinder.

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www.sushi4unewmarket.com Your community, your say.

York Region is planning for the future and wants your feedback The Regional Municipality of York continues to plan for the future of transportation and is looking for your input. York Region is expected to grow to 1.79 million people and 900,000 jobs by 2041. To accommodate this growth and be at the forefront of best practices, York Region is reviewing and updating its Transportation Master Plan.

The Transportation Master Plan establishes the vision for transportation services, assesses existing transportation system performance, forecasts future travel demand and defines projects and strategies to address road, transit and active transportation needs.

Your community, your say.

Study findings, staff analysis and community input have helped develop draft recommendations addressing transportation needs and opportunities. These draft recommendations will be presented for feedback from residents and businesses at the third and final round of open houses in December:

Municipality

Location

Date and Time

Town of Richmond Hill

South Services Centre 50 High Tech Road

December 1, 2015 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

City of Markham

Angus Glen Community Centre 3990 Major Mackenzie Drive East

December 3, 2015 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

City of Vaughan

Vellore Town Hall 9541 Weston Road

December 8, 2015 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Town of Newmarket

Ray Twinney Recreation Complex 100 Eagle Street West

December 17, 2015 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Open house format: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Self-guided review of materials (staff available to answer questions)

7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Update presentation on plan

7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Break-out discussions with staff

For more information, please contact 1-877-464-9675 ext. 75146 or tmp@york.ca. Please let us know if you need any accommodation due to a disability to participate fully in an open house.

Comments and feedback can also be given through york.ca/tmp and social media using #YRYourSay. The Transportation Master Plan update follows requirements of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment master planning process. Completion of this update is expected in early 2016.

Input regarding this plan is being collected in accordance with applicable legislation.

Personal information you submit will become part of the public record available to the public, unless you request this information remain confidential.

For additional information, please visit york.ca/tmp

stop, shop + dine.

It’s a great time of year to connect with our local shops, restaurants and businesses on Davis Drive. Thank you for your continued support of businesses through construction – if you haven’t visited us recently, come see what we have in store!

The Davis Drive rapidway is now open, bringing you to businesses stocked with a wide variety of products and services. Our staff are ready to help you find just what you need – Shop Davis!

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Your Region, Thursday, December 10, 2015

Region may raise taxes for transit, affordable housing beginning in 2017 Roads, transit account for 44% of draft capital budget

BY LISA QUEEN

lqueen@yrmg.com

On the heels of a pitch by Toronto Mayor John Tory to boost city property taxes to pay for transit and social housing, York Region chairperson Wayne Emmerson suggests councillors here may want to consider a similar tax hike.

Toronto could raise up to $70 million a year by increasing taxes by an additional 2.5 per cent over five years, beginning in 2017, Tory said.

The “city building” tax would add about $13 to the average property tax bill in its first year, growing to about $63 when it is fully implemented.

Emmerson floated the idea of a similar tax increase in York at a regional budget meeting last Thursday.

“Mayor Tory has taken the lead on adding 2.5 per cent in 2017 for roads and housing and I think this council started off this term saying the two most important items that we are looking at (during this term of council) are roads and housing. So, I think it’s food for thought,” he said.

“It’s something we may have to look at in

the near future, but, at this point, this budget is struck at 2.85 per cent.”

Council is expected to approve a 2.85-percent tax increase as early as Dec. 17, which would add $63 for the average household, which has an assessed value of $547,000.

The average household now pays $2,223.19 in regional property taxes.

‘Some tough decisions had to be made in terms of how much we are able to deliver within the available funding.’

Thursday’s budget meeting included proposed spending on transportation initiatives, with roads and transit projects eating up the single largest share of the region’s capital budget at 44 per cent.

If approved, the region will spend almost $1 billion on transportation capital projects during this term of council, commissioner Daniel Kostopoulos said.

The region expects to spend $967 million on the projects over the four-year term, including $167 million in 2015, $213 million in 2016, $311 million in 2017 and $276 million in 2018.

That is 59.6 per cent more than the $606 million spent on roads and transit projects in

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York Region staff plans to spend $115 million over the next 10 years to replace 108 Viva buses. the last term of council from 2011 to 2014.

Residents identify traffic as their top regional concern, Kostopoulos said.

“Traffic congestion does make travel time unpredictable, often more than doubling the travel time during those (busy) times and that’s frustrating,” he said.

Capital projects to be completed over the next 10 years would include $115 million to replace 108 Viva transit buses and $62 million for 46 Viva expansion buses, $103 million to replace 195 conventional transit buses and $62 million for 111 conventional expansion buses, a number of road widenings including Rutherford Road from Jane to Bathurst streets, 16th Avenue from Yonge Street to Woodbine Avenue, Leslie Street and St. John’s Sideroad, Bathurst from north of Hwy. 7 to Elgin Mills Road, McCowan Road from Steeles Avenue to 16th, Langstaff Road from Keele Street to Hwy. 7 and new eastwest routes crossing Hwy. 404 north of 16th and north of Elgin Mills.

Some projects have been added or advanced on the 10-year capital plan while others on the list have been deferred.

Markham will be disappointed with the long delay of the Don Cousens Parkway extension, Markham Councillor Jim Jones suggested.

“This is the second deferral of the Don Cousens Parkway. I think we were going to deliver it in 2015 and it was deferred to ’18 and now we’re deferring it to ’26. Does Markham agree with that?” he asked.

Faced with financial constraints, the region has to steer its funding to the highest needs projects, Kostopoulos said.

“It is my expectation that Markham doesn’t agree with this, as most municipalities don’t support deferrals of projects in their municipalities,” he said.

“Some tough decisions had to be made in terms of how much we are able to deliver

Projects shuffled Added or advanced projects include a number of road widenings, such as Major Mackenzie Drive from Hwy. 50 to Hwy. 400, Major Mackenzie from Weston Road to Hwy. 400, Major Mackenzie from Leslie to Woodbine, St. John’s Sideroad from Bayview Avenue to Woodbine, Stouffville Road from Yonge to Bayview Avenue, McCowan from 16th to Major Mackenzie and Kennedy Road from Denison Street to 14th Avenue, rehabilitation of two bridges at King Road and Jane, extension of the Hwy. 404 northbound offramp at Hwy. 7 and improvements to a number of intersections to meet requirements under the provincial Access for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. Delayed projects include an extension of Don Cousens Parkway from Major Mackenzie to Hwy. 48 which is being pushed off eight years to 2026 from the forecast of 2018, widening Langstaff from Weston Road to Jane in 2025 rather than 2021, widening Langstaff from Keele to Dufferin Street in 2023 rather than 2020, widening Elgin Mills from Yonge to Bathurst in 2022 instead of 2019, widening Carville Road from Bathurst to Yonge in 2025 rather than 2023, widening Yonge from Davis Drive to Green Lane in 2020 rather than 2018, widening Teston Road from Pine Valley Drive to Weston in 2021 instead of 2019, widening Bathurst from north of Hwy. 7 to Rutherford in 2020 rather than 2019, widening Bathurst from Rutherford to Elgin Mills in 2021 instead of 2020, widening Bathurst from Elgin Mills to 19th Avenue in 2025 rather than 2024, widening Stouffville Road from Bayview to Hwy. 404 in 2025 instead of 2024 and the Viva network expansion plan in 2018 instead of 2017.

within the available funding and, operationally, (the parkway) is not an area that experiences problems with congestion compared to many of the more urgent need areas we have today. It is important in supporting growth and staff do support delivering this project, but this was a determination as recommended by staff.”

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Region collects up to $100M less in development charges You might not think it to see the bulldozers and work crews building new homes and buildings in communities across the region, but a slowdown in new construction means York Region will collect as much as 30 per cent less in development charges this year.

The region had projected it would collect $329 million in development charges, used to bankroll infrastructure such as water and sewer pipes and roads for new development, this year.

“We’re probably going to be $50 million to $100 million off that outlook,” said CAO Bruce Macgregor, adding there is still time left in the last weeks of the year to collect additional charges.

A decrease in development charges does not mean existing homeowners will be financially impacted in any way, he said.

Macgregor and treasurer Bill Hughes are downplaying the drop as part of a cyclical change in market forces and point out the region will recoup the money within the next couple of years as new construction is completed.

“What history shows us is if we have a down period, all that means is we’re likely to have a boom period and we’ve gone through several of these cycles already,” Macgregor said.

“I would call it a normal dip. I wouldn’t call it crisis-setting or recessionary or depressionary at all. It’s a normal cycle… It (collection of the development charges) is not lost; it’s never lost. If it’s not collected now, it will be collected in the future.”

But York University professor James McKellar, director of the real estate and infrastructure program at the Schulich School of Business, argues the drop in development charges isn’t merely a cyclical pattern.

Young people today are choosing to live in condos in downtown Toronto, close to jobs and entertainment and recreation attractions.

“I think it’s a structural shift . There’s no evidence of it being cyclical. I think there is a definite change in consumer preference, demographics, etc.. They can wait (for development charges to rebound) but it will be a long wait,” he said.

“It’s all created by the labour force, where the jobs are going, where the jobs are being created. There is an old adage that jobs follow people and what we see is a tremendous migration of people. Certainly, people want to be in the city today. They don’t need the suburbs with the white picket fence and the two-car garage.”

For about 50 years, young families flocked to the regions outside Toronto and while there are still many people who still do, more

and more people want to be in the city, McKellar said.

Hughes agreed more younger adults between the ages of 25 and 44 today are choosing to live in condos in downtown Toronto than have in the past few decades.

“What’s unclear is what will happen in the future as they start to form families. Will they still prefer to be in Toronto or will they move out to the 905s? We don’t know,” he said.

The region is responding to the demand for different types of housing and is creating corridors and centres to meet people’s lifestyle choices and public transit needs, Hughes said.

That means it takes longer for development charges to come in, he said.

‘What history shows us is if we have a down period, all that means is we’re likely to have a boom period and we’ve gone through several of these cycles already.’

“It takes longer for these housing types to come to fruition. A single-family house, you’re talking months (to build). With a condo apartment, for example, you’re talking three years. That may be what’s happening, the housing mix is changing and it’s just taking us a bit longer to collect the development charges,” he said.

“It’s not that the region isn’t growing. The region continues to grow at a strong pace.

The question is how fast? It is not growing as quickly, but it is still growing and you can see that with all the development that is happening around the region.”

But Teena Bogner, president of the Newmarket Taxpayers Advocacy Group (NTAG), is concerned about the drop in development charges collected by the region.

Development charges in York Region will continue to decline, especially in land-locked Newmarket, where limited land is available for development, she said.

“For too long, the Town of Newmarket and York Region have relied almost exclusively on development fees and increasing property taxes and user fees for funding,” she said in an email.

“NTAG has consistently lamented the town’s unwillingness to find meaningful ways to cut costs and control spending rather than relying on development fees and increasing property taxes.”

The town and the region need to forge a better economic development plan to attract new businesses and jobs, Bogner said.

B5

Your Region, Thursday, December 10, 2015

Police warn public about offender

BY JEREMY GRIMALDI

jgrimaldi@yrmg.com

A man with serious mental health issues and a long rap sheet of sexual offences – some against children – is being released from prison once again, this time to the community of Schomberg.

On Wednesday afternoon, York Regional Police released only their second “high risk offender notice” in the past 10 years, this time about Keith Constantin, who has spent much of his life in Hamilton.

The 35-year-old has, in the past, not only been convicted of offences including sex assaults against a seven-year-old boy but also against a 45-year-old blind woman and a young woman recovering from an epileptic seizure.

In 2014 he was alleged to have thrown urine and feces on a correctional officer inside the Barton Jail.

He has also been convicted of possession of explosives and armed robbery.

York police said he poses a risk against children and should not be alone with anyone under 16 unless the minor is accompanied by a responsible adult. He is also not to be present at daycares, swimming areas, and playgrounds.

The service said he will be residing near Hwy. 9 and Hwy. 27 after being released from a four-year stint for sex assault with a weapon and an 18-month sentence for breach of

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He will be monitored by probation and parole officers along with the police’s highrisk offender unit.

“Members of the public are asked to be vigilant, remain aware of your surroundings and report any suspicious behavior to police,” said Const. Laura Nicolle.

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B6

Your Region, Thursday, December 10, 2015

sports

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Slumping Tigers can’t wait for holiday break to start Last Week: Last night – At Trenton Golden Hawks …

Sunday — Lost 4-1 at Pickering Panthers … Saturday — Lost 2-1 (2OT) vs. Trenton Golden Hawks … Friday — Lost 1-0 vs. Lindsay Muskies.

Coming Up: Saturday vs. Whitby Fury, ACC, 7:30 p.m.

Game Notes: Chris Sekelyk capped a hat trick with an empty-net goal as the Panthers sent the Tigers to their third loss in as many days. Ryan Shaw had the lone Aurora goal, pulling his side even in the first period … Forward Evan Kearns’ first-period goal was all the offence the Tigers could manage against the leagueleading Golden Hawks. Former Tiger Keaton Ratcliffe scored the winning goal midway though the second overtime period on a setup from ex-Tigers captain Jordan DaSilva. Both were traded to Trenton last month …

In Lindsay, Sean Green stopped 29 shots for the shutout as the hosts rode a secondperiod goal to victory.

The Skinny: The loss at Lindsay marked the first time this season the Tigers have been shut out and ended a six-game win streak against North Division teams dating back to Oct. 11 … Entering last night’s game at Trenton, the Tigers have lost six of the past eight games to tumble to .500 for the first time since the 12-game mark … Captain Daniel Mantenuto was added to the Team Canada East selection camp roster for the World Junior A Challenge roster. He joined Drake Board at the camp, which wrapped up yesterday. Both players, the Tigers’ top two scorers, missed Sunday’s game at Pickering … Minus the 10-goal splurge against the hapless Milton IceHawks, the Tigers have managed just nine goals in their past seven games … Aurora had just four wins in 13 starts against East Division rivals prior to last night’s game at Trenton … The Tigers acquired the rights to former St. Andrew’s College centre JD Falconer in a deal approved Monday. The Barrie resident had been playing in the British Columbia Hockey League with the Victoria Grizzlies. He is a former minor hockey linemate of Tiger Austin Gerhart, currently sidelined due to an unspecified injury ... Defenceman Matthew Bernard left Saturday night’s game against Trenton with a back issue. He skated in the warmup but did not play Sunday in Pickering ... With just eight healthy forwards and five defencemen, the Tigers have been short-staffed in recent days and will be eager for the three-week break from the schedule that awaits following Saturday’s home game against the Whitby Fury ... Kearns will represent the Tigers in a pre-World Junior A Challenge game Friday night against the Czech Republic ... The Tigers are 2-6 in overtime games ...

Former Tigers assistant coach Matt Milne, son of head coach Thomas, has graduated police college and landed a job on the Niagara Region force, located in St. Catharines ... Released netminder Alex Brooks-Potts landed with the Jr. B Stratford Cullitons.

Word Play: “We don’t have a lot of flexibility right now, so you have to go with what you have,” said assistant coach Peter McBride, referring to the Tigers’ growing list of injuries and absences. “Sometimes, that means you play guys in situations more than you want to.”

Record: 16-10-0-6, second in North Division; fifth seed in North-East Conference.

JR. A

NOTES Canes coach wary of lowly Muskies Last Week: Sunday — Tied 4-4 vs. Whitby Fury …

Thursday — Won 13-3 vs. Milton IceHawks.

Coming Up: Tonight vs. Lindsay Muskies, Ray Twinney Complex, 7:30 p.m. … Friday at Oakville Blades …

Sunday vs. Burlington Cougars, RTC, 2:30 p.m.

Game Notes: The Whitby Fury erupted for three unanswered goals in the final 11 minutes of the third period to steal a point from the Hurricanes. Cole Thiessen’s power-play goal early in the third seemed to put Newmarket in the clear until a string of penalties in the final minutes led to the collapse. Todd Winder, Steve Mariani and Jonathan Colley also scored for the Hurricanes … Defenceman Adam Smith had two goals among four points and Marty Lawlor had four assists as the Hurricanes pummelled the hapless Milton IceHawks. Mariani had a hat trick and Mark Rozanov chipped in with two goals among three points.

The Skinny: Tonight’s game against the Lindsay Muskies marks the third straight game in which the Hurricanes’ opponent sits last in its respective division ...

Smith missed Sunday’s game due to his commitment to the Team Canada East selection camp, which started Sunday. He is competing for a berth on the squad, which will compete at the World Junior A Challenge from Dec. 13 to 19 in Cobourg and Whitby ... Head coach Brett Punchard provided no timetable, nor significant details on factors that keeping forwards James Mense-Dietrich and Aiden Comparelli and defenceman Andrew Breda on the sidelines for various extended periods of time. None has played since at least the first week in November ... Four of the top point-getters on the roster – Mariani, (Mississauga Chargers), Rozanov (Aurora Tigers), Todd Winder (Aurora) and Mense-Dietrich (Stouffville Spirit) – are players acquired in trades and purchases since the season started ... Starting with Friday’s first look of the season at the South Division-leading Oakville Blades, the Hurricanes begin a stretch of eight games against non-division rivals ... Interestingly, Newmarket has secured 15 of 24 possible points from North Division opponents this season.

Word Play: “We’re a young team, so maybe that was a learning experience,” said Punchard, reflecting on a late collapse against the Whitby Fury. “If you learn from it in the long run, good. If you don’t; it’s not.”

• “We have to keep plugging along and getting better.

We can’t look past Lindsay or take them lightly at all.

We will focus on that one game.” – Punchard, on making up ground in the five remaining games before the Christmas break.

Record: 14-13-2-2, third in North Division; seventh in North-East Conference.

– compiled by John Cudmore

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B7

Your Region, Thursday, December 10, 2015

sports

’Stang smash

STAFF PHOTO/MIKE BARRETT

St. Maximilian Kolbe Mustang Britney Looije goes for a spike against the Sacred Heart Crusaders in YRAA senior girls’ volleyball action Tuesday in Newmarket. The Mustangs won the match, 25-16, 25-20.

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B8

Your Region, Thursday, December 10, 2015

sports Newmarket Huskies member and Keswick High School student Thomas Gallagher has agreed to attend Simon Fraser University, which is an NCAA Divison II school.

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SUBMITTED PHOTO

Newmarket Huskies’ Gallagher on run to Simon Fraser

By John Cudmore

jcudmore@yrmg.com

Keswick resident Thomas Gallagher is taking his running shoes and making strides for western Canada.

The Grade 12 student at Keswick High School signed a national letter of intent to attend Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, B.C., during the NCAA’s early signing period, the school announced Wednesday.

The Clan compete at the NCAA Division II level and finished a school-best 12th in the men’s division at the national cross-country championships last month.

A middle distance runner, Gallagher will also compete for Simon Fraser’s track and field and cross-country teams.

His best time in the 1,500 metres is three minutes, 59.85 seconds while his personal best in the 800 is 1:56.63.

“After visiting Vancouver and meeting the team I instantly knew that SFU was the right school for me,” said Gallagher, who finished second for the Cougars in both the 1,500 and

SPORTS

Konzelmann, Park make waves at Mega City meet Benjamin Konzelmann raced to victory in nine events, including a sweep of all four strokes at 50 and 100 metres, to pace the efforts of the Newmarket Stingrays at the Mega City swim meet last weekend at the Etobicoke Olypium.

Competing in the boys’ 14-year-old category, Konzelmann topped the field in freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly.

He also won the 200 medley.

Among 13-year-olds, Fergus Park counted

BRIEFS

the 1,500 freestyle among his six wins. He also won the 50 and 200 breaststroke and butterfly events and 200 medley.

On the girls’ side, Abby Keele and Paryse Reed (13-14-years old) and Meaghan Kearney (15-and-older) won two events each.

Visit our online Sportsboard for a list of Stingrays medal winners.

9:30a.m. to 4:30p.m. 8:30a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Friday, December 25

Closed

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Saturday, December 26

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Sunday, December 27

9:30a.m. to 4:30p.m. 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Monday, December 28

9:30a.m.to 4:30p.m. 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday, December 29

Closed

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Wednesday, December 30

Closed

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Invites you to their Festive Open House!

Monday December 14, 2015 2:30 - 6:30pm

Thursday, December 31 9:30a.m. to 4:30p.m. 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Friday, January 1 Closed Closed Saturday, January 2

3,000 events at the York Region high school championships in May. “The strong academic and athletic standards are unparalleled in Canada, and the surrounding community is one I would be happy to call home.”

He also placed third in the 1,500 at the OFSAA Central Region championships.

Gallagher, who won the York Region crosscounty title in October, also competes in the 3,000 metres with a personal best of 9:04.62.

A member of the Newmarket Huskies Track Club, Gallagher finished 19th for his age group at the 2015 Athletics Ontario crosscountry championships.

“Thomas is the type of athlete we want,” Clan head coach Britt Townsend said. “He is a very strong student with a tremendous work ethic and a passion to be the very best he can.”

An honour roll student, Gallagher is one of the top high school-aged middle distance runners in Canada. As a Grade 11 student competing at the 2015 Canadian youth track and field championships he placed 13th in the 1500 metres and 14th in the 800 metres.

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B9

Your Region, Thursday, December 10, 2015

sports

Meet sultans of serve, spike in York high schools They exhibit a penchant for serving the ball into tight quarters or jumping high and utilizing their long reach to block shots, pass the ball off to a teammate or finish off plays with thunderous spikes.

Compiled by Mike Hayakawa Photography by Steve Somerville

These are the players that coaches in the York Region Athletic Association Tier 1 circuit held in high esteem in selecting this year’s boys’ all-star volleyball team.

Richard Sun

Ben Kissack

Sean Spencer

Dean Globocki

Andrew Jones

TRUDEAU TRAILBLAZERS Position: Middle Grade: 12 Highlight this season: Winning the final point in the semifinal against Bill Crothers to win the YRAA semifinal, and the celebration that followed when an OFSAA berth was clinched.

What coach says: “I have never coached a player that moved so smoothly on the court,” said Trailblazers head coach David Weber.

“He elevates quickly and makes it look effortless. He can also play the back court and is a very smart server.”

Future aspirations: Would like to attend Ivy at Western and become a lawyer. Would also like to get into coaching volleyball at the club level.

WILLIAMS WILDCATS Position: Left side Grade: 12 Highlight this season: Beating eventual Ontario double-A champion Eden Flyers in straight sets in tournament play … Defeating the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Trailblazers in the York Region Athletic Association gold-medal game and clinching second OFSAA appearance in two years.

What coach says: “Ben is a very skilled, multi-dimensional player,” said Wildcats head coach Kent Revelle. “He can play any position on the floor and will do whatever needs to be done to help the team be successful.”

Future aspirations: Plans to continue playing volleyball at the varsity level for a top Ontario university.

RICHMOND HILL RAIDERS Position: Left side Grade: 11 Highlight this season: Win against the first-place Pierre Elliott Trudeau Trailblazers.

What coach says: “Sean is a dedicated player who worked hard to continually improve his physical game and mental game this season,” said Richmond Hill head coach Courtney Irving. “His strong attacking from both front and back court allowed the team to clinch a playoff spot. His team not only relied on his hitting, serving and passing, but also his natural leadership abilities.”

Future aspirations: Hopes to become a certified helicopter and airplane pilot.

BILL CROTHERS COLTS Position: Left side Grade: 12 Highlight this season: Winning Uxbridge tournament consolation final.

What coach says: “Dean was a huge player for us this year,” said Colts head coach Jonathan Lam. “He transitioned from playing middle for us last year to being a great outside and was a big part of the reason why we got as far as we did.”

Future aspirations: To play university volleyball

MULOCK RAVENS Position: Outside hitter Grade: 11 Highlight this season: Great discipline, very athletic and great team player.

What coach says: “He flies in the air when he jumps,” said Ravens head coach Fadi Boutanos. “His hits are like a bullet.”

Future aspirations: He is equally excellent in basketball.

Amanpreet Sandhu MIDDLEFIELD SILVER HAWKS Position: Middle Grade: 11 Highlights this season: Finishing second in Silver Hawks’ tournament, losing to Mulock Ravens in the final.

What coach says: “He’s a real leader on the floor and relates well with everyone on the team to try and make things better,” said Middlefield head coach Dan McMullen.

Future aspirations: To play volleyball at the collegiate level and become a doctor.

YRAA football aims to draw up winning compromise

BY JOHN CUDMORE

jcudmore@yrmg.com

On one side of the line of scrimmage are advocates for a full junior-senior football format in York Region high schools.

Digging in a yard away are schools that field a varsity program, often because enough players and/or coaches can barely be found to field one team, much less two.

It is not an adversarial stance from either party so much as finding a way to keep the sport alive and functioning on the local high school sports roster.

The solution actually may be a hybrid format bringing the two sides into the same huddle.

It was a main topic of conversation when coaches gathered last Thursday for their annual end-of-year meeting.

For the 2015 season, nine schools fielded senior or varsity teams, but only four also fielded teams at the junior level. It’s an uncomfortable mix in which younger student-athletes tend to be negatively impacted in varsity programs.

Ideally, high school football in the region would operate with a full complement of junior and senior teams, with the former developing players for the older age group.

The logic is fairly simple: players would compete against rivals at the appropriate age group and physical levels, with safety and competitive needs in balance.

Although an official policy has yet to be voted in, a format by which schools fielding either varsity or junior-senior programs can walk away with assurances football in York Region high schools can remain part of the fall season calendar is the goal.

Under the proposal, junior teams would play against each other as part of regularly scheduled doubleheaders in situations where both schools have matching teams.

However, in situations where only one of the two schools has a junior team, a so-called fifth quarter, or controlled scrimmage, could be played with Grade 9 and 10 players from varsity teams lining up against the opposing school’s junior team.

Additionally, schools with junior teams might be permitted to schedule exhibition games to complement their schedules.

The logic: overmatched and under-utilized younger players gain somewhat meaningful game experience to prepare them for their chance to play feature roles in later years at school.

“I think we came up with a good compromise with what the guys are thinking,” said league convenor Jeff Masterson, also a coach

Sweep of events powers Shenderey’s Bradley to title Rowan Bradley cleaned up.

The Shenderey Gymnastics member swept all four events to win gold all-around in her category at the second provincial qualifying gymnastics meet of the season, held last weekend in Burlington.

Competing in Level 7 for nineyear-olds, Bradley bested the field in vault, beam, bars and floor routine to emerge as the lone Shenderey C

M

Y

SCHOOL SPORTS

at King City Secondary School. “I see it as a turning point moment for football in York Region.”

It is all speculation for the time being, as team declarations for the fall season in 2016 are not due until June. Even with that date in effect, teams have been known to pull out of the league within days of the start of the schedule.

“Without participation in this, we won’t have a league in a few years,” St. Maximilian Kolbe Mustangs head coach Joe Gaudio said.

“There are a lot of Grade 9s and 10s who didn’t see the field much, so if we do this, at least kids get into games. The more kids participating, the healthier our league will be.”

Gaudio’s Mustangs and the Newmarket Raiders experimented with the “fifth-quarter concept” in a bye week exhibition game this season. After a first half involving senior players, younger and seldom-used players lined up against each other for the second half.

Parents and players applauded the concept.

The coaches in the league plan to meet again in coming weeks to further discuss the proposal.

“At least almost everyone is pointing in the same direction, to varying degrees,” Gaudio said. “It’s a critical juncture in York Region football to make sure we all work together and save the sport for which we have so much passion and time.

“We need to work to have both sides empathize with each other. The Tier 1 guys have made some significant concessions.

I think everyone in the room understands where we stand and what’s going on and trying to do their part to survive.

“The thing is, we can’t grow if we don’t survive.”

The encouraging aspect is that there seems a willingness to develop programs through a spirit of co-operation.

“Even with varsity programs, coaches are having trouble getting the (Grade) nines and 10s on the field,” said Huron Heights Warriors head coach Al Rover. “Hopefully, this keeps kids interested going forward and maybe they will see that they can compete with the nines and 10s from other schools.

“Six or seven schools are running good, solid programs and a couple are working hard to hang on. I feel better coming out of this meeting than I did going in.”

athlete to capture gold overall.

Clubmates Samantha Janicki (Level 8, 10 years), Noa Diberto (Level 6, 11 years) and Seynette Turner (Level 6, 13 years) finished third all-around in their respective categories.

Meanwhile, Megan Sydorenko parlayed second-place marks on vault and bars to bronze all-around to highlight results for Pulsars Gymnastics athletes at a provincial qualifying meet last weekend in Pickering.

STAFF PHOTO/MIKE BARRETT

Kyle Reeves of the Newmarket Redmen (left) works to get around an Owen Sound Attack defender in early minor atom single-A action at the 65th annual Newmarket Atom Hockey Tournament at the Magna Centre Friday. The Redmen won the game 4-2.

Vaughan Panthers’ spree stops host Redmen at 65th atom tournament

By John Cudmore

jcudmore@yrmg.com

Evan Patel highlighted a four-goal, second-period outburst with two of his three goals as the Vaughan Panthers roared to a 5-2 victory over the host Newmarket Redmen to claim the minor atom double-A title at the 65th Newmarket Atom Tournament Sunday at Magna Centre.

The victory capped a string of five straight wins for the Panthers, including a 5-3 win over Newmarket in round-robin pool play earlier in the weekend.

Cacho Valencia and Tyler Davis also scored for Vaughan, which broke open the championship game with three goals in a span of two minutes of the middle period to break a 1-1 tie.

Owen Dickie and Carter Kuomi notched the Newmarket goals.

SPORTS BRIEFS

Hanus sets national mark in 100m backstroke After setting a national age group record in the preliminary round, Danielle Hanus still had plenty left in her tank The Newmarket Stingrays mem-

Meanwhile, Trent Nobes and Andrew Lewis scored second-period goals to break a scoreless tie and send the Uxbridge Stars to a 2-1 victory over the East Gwillimbury Eagles in the minor atom single-A final.

Daniel Thomakos answered for the Eagles, who reached the final with a perfect record in four games, including a 4-3 overtime win over the London Mustangs in semifinal action.

The Orillia Terriers dominated the field in the atom single-A category, capped by a 5-0 win over the Newmarket Redmen in the final.

Matthew Bush, Aiden MacDonald, Colseon Maracle, Sam Reda and Carter Balkwill each had a goal and assists for the Terriers, who led 2-0 and 4-0 at the intermissions.

Newmarket advanced to the final after outlasting the Aurora Tigers 3-2 in a shootout requiring 14 rounds.

ber established a new Canadian mark in the 100-backstroke for the girls’ 15 to 17 years age bracket, then further improved it by winning the final at the Ontario Junior International short course meet last weekend in Scarborough.

In the final, the Newmarket resident clocked in at 57.63 seconds to better her time of 58 seconds in the heats.

Destined for Swimming Canada’s High Performance Centre in Saanich, B.C next year, Hanus’ time

also is a provincial age group and open record.

Maple Leafs legend Johnny Bower at card show Toronto Maple Leafs legend Johnny Bower will make a public appearance at the Newmarket Card Show Saturday at the Newmarket Community Centre.

The celebrated member of the Maple Leafs family will be on hand from noon to 2 p.m.

B10

Your Region, Thursday, Dec 10, 2015

Classifieds

LocalWork.ca

.POEBZ UP 'SJEBZ BN UP QN r r 5PMM 'SFF r 'BY r 'PS EFMJWFSZ RVFTUJPOT QMFBTF DPOUBDU JOB POSTING RECE and Assistant Teachers for Before and After School positions required for Newmarket area centres.

JOB TITLE: District Representative, Fulltime BUSINESS UNIT: Vaughan, ON THE OPPORTUNITY The District Service Representative is responsible for ensuring that all distribution products in their assigned geographic area are delivered in a timely and appropriate manner, and that delivery contractors are trained and provided with the necessary tools to complete their job efficiently.

Strong programming, leadership, and communication skills required.

Commitment to working in a child care setting. Recent police screening and up-to-date immunizations required.

Please submit your resume to Sari Connell Manager, Staffing and Employee Relations By email: hr@uppercanadachildcare.com By fax: 289.982.1116

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES • Ensure that all newspapers, inserts, and other distribution products are delivered in a timely manner. This includes working closely with the carrier force and when necessary could include door to door delivery • Recruit new carriers to ensure that all routes are covered and terminate contracts where appropriate. Maintain sufficient carrier waiting lists or establish new ones • Maintain all records concerning carriers and routes including financial records and complaints • Address customer concerns in a professional and timely manner while ensuring the concerns are resolved and the carriers are aware of the concerns • Design and manage carrier promotions to motivate the carrier force • Drop off supplies to carriers including elastics and carrier bags as required • Assist the Manager with special projects including official circulation audits • Assist carriers in filling out accident reports and making insurance claims • Maintain accurate and current data to provide to carrier payroll • When required make appropriate arrangements to ensure down routes receive delivery • Design carrier routes and develop mapping of new areas • Maintain accurate and current distribution records and total market coverage files WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR • Completion of Secondary Education or equivalent • Superior customer service • Ability to develop effective relationships within the team • Solid organizational and time management skills • Detail oriented and good sense of prioritizing of varied tasks • Highly flexible and adaptable; able to react quickly and effectively to urgent requests and changing priorities • Sound computer skills and fluent of Microsoft applications • Excellent verbal and written communication skills • Ability to work within a fast-paced, team oriented environment • Responsible, self-motivated and able to function with minimal supervision • Physical activity - walking, lifting up to 60Ibs • Reliable vehicle and valid drivers license required

If this sounds like a fit for you, please email your resume to esmyth@yrmg.comby December 11, 2015 Metroland is committed to accessibility in employment and to ensuring equal access to employment opportunities for candidates, including persons with disabilities. In compliance with AODA, Metroland will endeavour to provide accommodation to persons with disabilities in the recruitment process upon request. If you are selected for an interview and you require accommodation due to a disability during the recruitment process, please notify the hiring manager upon scheduling your interview.

Thank you for your interest. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

www.RNCemploymentservices.ca Preregistration required

RNC

Employment Services

Aurora JOB FAIR

905-727-3777

222 Wellington St. East, Main Floor www.RNCemploymentservices.ca

NOW HIRING FOR VARIOUS POSITIONS

Must be able to work days, evenings and weekends

Thursday, December 17th with a 9:30 am - 2:00 pm Prepare Resume & Interview This Employment Ontario service is funded in part by the Government of Canada

The views expressed in this publication are the views of this Service Provider and do not necessarily reflect those of the Ministry

INTERIOR HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR SCHOOL

SCHOOL BUS CHARTER DRIVERS

Hands-On tasks. Start Weekly.

GPS Training. Funding & Housing available. Job Aid. Already a HEO? Get certification proof!

Call 1-866-399-3853 or iheschool.com

Class B license required.

Flexible part-time.

Aurora/Newmarket

FRIENDLY PROFESSIONAL TAXI DRIVERS WANTED Clean drivers abstract, VSS required.

Part time position.

Evening shifts.

Owner/ operators welcome.

Some weekend & evening shifts Required minimum 1 years leisure Travel experience/ TICO certified Salary/Commission/Benefits

Email resumes to: Rose.brown@marlintravel.ca

DENTAL ASSISTANT/ RECEPTION State of the art practice expanding, seeking a Full Time Dental Assistant for a maternity leave position, with the possibility of a Full Time permanent dental Assistant/ Reception position.

No weekends.

Email resume to: smiles@sharondental.ca

2x7

Holiday Happenings

AUTO SERVICE ADVISORS

Required Must have strong communication skills. Automotive knowledge an asset but not required.

Please send resumes to marksaari@ctas69.com

Only those applicants considered will be contacted.

Office Administrator Coldwell Banker The Real Estate Centre

ADULT CARRIERS NEEDED For door-to-door newspaper delivery 1 day per week.

Reliable vehicle required Call 1-855-853-5613 ext. 8

CARRIERS NEEDED

'PS EPPS UP EPPS OFXTQBQFS EFMJWFSZ EBZ QFS XFFL Call 1-855-853-5613 ext. 8

Saturday, December 12th - 9am-4pm 105 Gibson Dr., Markham (off Warden, north of Steeles) Over 35 vendors and exhibitors Great last-minute shopping!

Legals

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND OTHERS All claims against the Estate of PAUL MICHAEL HARRIS, born 21 December 1967, late of the Town of East Gwillimbury, who died on or about the 4 th day of April, 2015, must be filed with the undersigned personal representative on or before t h e 2 2 n d d a y o f J a n u a r y, 2 0 1 6 thereafter, the undersigned will distribute the assets of the estate having regard only to the claims then filed.

Dated this 7 th day of December, 2015.

GREGORY DAVID HARRIS c/o Counter & Mitchell Barristers & Solicitors P.O. Box 2939 Richmond Hill, Ontario L4E 1A8

INSPECTOR Full time & part time.

3 shifts available.

DRIVERS

Email: hrcity@outlook.com

Places of Worship

Holiday Happenings WOMEN'S CHRISTMAS SHOW

Auto assembly manufacturer, in Newmarket & Bradford, requires an

Places of Worship

P/T Saturdays/Evenings Valid drivers license Bakers Auto Sales 76 Mulock Drive, Newmarket Reply to: office@bakersautosales.ca

Places of Worship

Places of Worship

CANADIAN TIRE NEWMARKET AUTO SERVICE MANAGER Required Must have great communication skills and 5 years minimum experience as an Auto Service Manager.

Please send resumes to marksaari@ctas69.com

Please fax resume to (905) 737 5703 or email tania.artenosi@coldwellbanker.ca.

Only those applicants considered will be contacted.

CARLING PROPANE

Winners of over 50 BBQ Championships

DZ DRIVER Bulk/cylinder truck delivery.

t -FBSO TLJMMT t 8JO QSJ[FT t 'VO DBSSJFS FWFOUT t #POVT QPJOU QSPHSBN

CARWASHER/CLEANUP PERSON

F/T drivers needed. $11.25/hr Company vehicle provided.

is seeking a professional with a proactive and flexible attitude toward their work. This individual will contribute to the team they support and the role won't be defined by the administrative responsibilities alone.

Knowledge in Lone Wolf System; telephone skills; organizational skill; strong computer knowledge; willing to travel between offices. the right person will support and focus on management growth goals. The incumbent will need to have and be able to express their opinion as the team moves forward both in terms of how to better organize the company as well as how we spread our team philosophy through the entire organization. Full time position.

requires

Please fax resume to: 905-476-3397

Shows & Bazaars

www.yorkregion.com

CANADIAN TIRE NEWMARKET

Email resume: tjbentian@gmail.com or call 647-999-9612

4x10

Legals

Upper Canada Child Care is a non-profit, government licensed organization operating centres in communities throughout Toronto, York Region, and Simcoe County.

905-727-2621

Hiring Travel Consultants For Aurora & Bradford

Shows & Bazaars

workshop at RNC!

Thank you for your interest, only applicants who may be interviewed will be contacted.

Previous experience an asset.

Clean abstract and knowledge of York Region and Greater Toronto Area.

BIG BONE BBQ & WICKED WINGS

NOW HIRING LINE COOK

Great future opportunities.

Experience an asset, but will train.

Apply in person with resume: 207 Eagle St. East, Newmarket No phone calls please.

TRIM CARPENTERS REQUIRED

Email resume to: carlingpropaneinc@bellnet.ca or fax resume to: 905-952-0155 Or apply in person at: 19752 Holland Landing Road

For the Newmarket/Aurora/King City area.

Must have own tools and transportation, and must be local to the region.

Salary to commensurate with experience.

Serious inquiries only.

RETAIL STORE SET-UP CREW

Newmarket School Hiring

Please call: 416-738-2992 Or email us at: scotcarpentry@yahoo.ca

Your Dollar Store With More.

We are looking for short term workers to assist in the set-up of our new store in Aurora come January 2016.

There is an opportunity to secure a F/T or P/T upon setup completion.

Send Resume To: jbtenterprises01@gmail.com

RECE

• FOR INFANT/ TODDLER ROOM • SUPPLY STAFF • AFTERNOON STAFF FROM 12-5:30PM

Email resumes: info@artoflife.ca or fax: 905-953-8218

Full time DENTAL ASSISTANT

required for Busy practice.

Digital imaging, various office duties, paperless experience an asset.

Ortho experience also an asset.

Email resume lmcintyre@liveddm.com

Places of Worship

Places of Worship

Call Now To Book Your Ad! 1-800-743-3353 Places of Worship

Places of Worship

Festival of Lessons & Carols Sunday, December 20 4 and 7pm

Choirs, handbells, orchestra and brass Sunday Advent Services 8,9:15 and 11:15 am

www.trinityaurora.ca

Trinity Anglican Church Aurora 79 Victoria St., Aurora, ON L4G 1R3

Les

Su

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Trinit 79 Vict

B11

Your Region, Thursday, Dec 10, 2015

Classifieds

Gottarent.com

.POEBZ UP 'SJEBZ BN UP QN r r 5PMM 'SFF r 'BY r 'PS EFMJWFSZ RVFTUJPOT QMFBTF DPOUBDU Apartments for Rent

Apartments for Rent

Apartments for Rent

Apartments for Rent

NEWMARKET, DAVIS/MCCOWAN, self contained apartment on business property.

1 bedroom, bathroom, living/diningroom.

Must love animals, reasonable rent.

Contact: dr.randymarshall@gmail.com

YONGE/ DAVIS- 3 bedroom upper.

Appliances. Parking. No pets. No smoking. $1200+ 1/2 utilities.

Available immediately. 705-716-7950

BRADFORD- 2 bedroom basement, walkout to ground level to driveway. 2 parking. Separate entrance. Laundry. $1100 inclusive.

Cable/internet extra. 416-678-4046

AURORA- 90 Temperance St. 1 bedroom apartment available immediately. Clean, quiet building, near amenities. $1150 inclusive. No smoking/dogs. Jan. 1.

647-321-5930

BRADFORD WEST- Large 3 bedroom appt. eat in kitchen, fenced yard, storage room, parking. $1100+ Available Jan 1. Call Paul Hawkins, Century 21 Heritage, 905-955-5340.

BRADFORD- 1 ( $875+ utilities) bedrooms, bright, clean, spacious, private entrance. Parking. No smoking/ no dogs.

Immediate. 416-751-3368 between 9am-5pm, 905-778-8228 after 6pm.

BRADFORD- LEGAL 1 bedroom basement, C/A, laundry, private entrance, parking. Non-smoking/ pets. Suits 1. First/ last. References. $925 includes heat/ hydro.

Near amenities. (905)778-9016

BRADFORD- 3 bedroom upper, bright, clean, spacious, private entrance. Parking.

No smoking/ no dogs. $1195+ utilities.

Immediate. 416-751-3368 between 9am-5pm, 905-778-8228 after 6pm.

HOLLAND LANDING 1 bedroom basement apartment.

Private, quiet house, suits mature, non-smoking/pets. $950 inclusive.

905-953-8320.

DAVIS/ PATTERSON - Quiet, clean, newly renovated 2 bedroom ground level, 4pc bathroom, separate entrance, parking.

Centrally located, near hospital. $1000.

Available immediately. 905-717-8149

YONGE/SAVAGE, OPPOSITE Mandarin, 1 bedroom basement apartment, separate entrance, walk in closet, fridge, stove, microwave, all amenities, inclusive.

Price negotiable to right tenant.

416-407-5758.

KESWICK - 1 bedroom basement, bright, open concept, 4pc. bath, walk-in closet, cable, A/C, laundry, 1 parking.

No smoking/pets. $1050. inclusive. 905-476-5971.

BRADFORD CENTRAL. 1 bedroom upper, $875+ . No smoking, no pets. Laundry. Close to all amenities.

Available January 1st.

(905)775-5813. 905-960-5813

MARKHAM/ ELSON- Brand new 2 bedroom basement apartment with hardwood floor, modern kitchen. Near all amenities. $1200+ 30% utilities. 647-505-7951 niroshan54@gmail.com

QUEENSVILLE- FURNISHED room, shared kitchenette & bath on bus route. $460/ month. No smoking.

905-478-2963

NEWMARKET LARGE, bright 1 bedroom basement, laundry, cable. No smoking. No pets. First and last. $950. Immediate.

416-450-7957

Firewood

Firewood

SEASONED FIREWOOD FOR SALE 705-722-1634 VERY DRY FIREWOOD

Red oak & Maple.

SPECIAL 1/2 price. Hurry while supplies last. SEE the new mini barns.

Please call 905-478-4590, 905-252-2624 Building Equipment/ Materials

Building Equipment/ Materials

STEEL BUILDINGS/METALBUILDINGS UP TO 60% OFF! 30x40, 40x60, 50x80, 60x100, 80x100 sell for balance owed! Call: 1-800-457-2206 www.crownsteelbuildings.ca

Announcements

Announcements

JESUS CHRIST IS THE REASON FOR THE CHRISTMAS SEASON. 416-459-8904 JESUS CHRIST IS LORD! GIVE GOD A CHANCE IN YOUR LIFE. READ THE HOLY BIBLE, THE MESSAGE OF GOD TO MAN. 416-459-8904 Moving & Storage

Moving & Storage

A-PARRIS MOVERS Long/short, big/small, residential/ condos/ commercial. Quality service. Affordable/ reliable. 905-758-2848, 416-677-2848 www.parrismovers.ca

Apartments for Rent

Apartments for Rent

NEWMARKET, 1 bedroom, clean, bright, roomy, quiet. Ground floor with patio. 1 parking, laundry, no smoking, no pets, first/last, references. $1000 inclusive. 905-841-8788.

NEWMARKET- BESIDE Upper Canada Mall.

Modern 1 bedroom walkout w/ensuite, separate entrance, laundry, parking. Suit one professional. $950. inclusive.

905-717-7681 NEWMARKET Renovated building, large 1000sq.ft.

2 bedroom. Near transit/ hospital.

No pets. $925+ hydro.

905-235-1739 NEWMARKET (SUMMERHILL) 1 bedroom basement, newer,bright, clean, separate entrance, A/C, cable, laundry, parking. Suits single. Non-smoking/ pets. $900 inclusive. Immediate. (905)967-0983

Condos for Rent

Condos for Rent

Houses for Rent

BRADFORD - UPPER level bungalow, 3 bedrooms, recently renovated, quiet neighbourhood. Open concept gourmet kitchen. Garage parking. $1550+.

Immediate. No smoking/pets. 905-868-4240

AURORA 2 bedroom, 2 full baths, jacuzzi, 5 appliances, c/a, open concept with fireplace, roof top patio,. Near GO, No smokers or pets.

705-728-6670

Houses for Rent

KING CITY on King Sideroad.

Beautiful Brick Home- Fully renovated and repainted. 3 bedrooms. Finished basement.

Fridge/ stove. Outside patio. Oil heat. No dogs.

Call Gerry (416)789-2163 ext 24. for info

Houses for Rent

NEWMARKET - 2 bedroom main floor ($1250+) available December 1st.

AND 3 bedroom main floor ($1400+) available January 1st.

Both include laundry hook-up, fridge & stove.

First/last req'd. 905-717-2977

Rooms for Rent and Wanted

Large 2 bedroom, ensuite laundry. Secure building. Parking. Appliances. No smoking/ pets. From $1250+. Dec./ Jan. 905-780-0057

AURORA- Yonge/ Wellington

NEWMARKET - LARGE 3 bedroom upper, livingroom, diningroom, 3 bathrooms, laundry room, garage parking, $1400+ 416-721-6001

NEWMARKET Main & Millard Semi, small 2 bedrooms. $850 +utilities. 905-830-2915

NEWMARKET- 1 renovated furnished room/ clean, quiet, central home. Parking, laundry, cable, WIFI, in-ground pool. Mature, male professional only. Non-smokers/ pets. $665 inclusive. Dec./Jan. 1st. 905-251-3239.

FREE ROOM & board- Small salary in exchange for child care. Mother and child welcome. Bayview/ Major Mackenize. 905-883-3691 Travel & Vacations

NEWMARKET - Large bachelor with den in quiet building. Short walk to hospital. No dogs. $925.

905-836-6328 Townhouses for Rent

Home I m p rove m e n t Business

AURORA, LOVELY 3 bedroom with finished basement apartment. Steps to Yonge St. transit.

Non-smoking/pets. $1650 monthly.

Call 905-726-8413 or email: magicviewvilla@gmail.com

Firewood

Firewood

REDI 2 BURN FIREWOOD Salebrating our 10th year!

Bush cord $350, one, two, or three.

Face cord $165.

No Delivery Charge.

705-728-8998 877-974-9663 Cleaning/Janitorial

Cleaning/Janitorial

EUROPEAN CLEANING Service Experienced, reliable, thorough, great references.

Call Ida, (647)707-6039

Travel & Vacations

REAL ESTATE. NW Montana.

Tungstenholdings.com 406-293-3714

To h i g h l i g h t yo u r

Townhouses for Rent

Rooms for Rent and Wanted

KESWICK- FINISHED basement for rent.

Partially furnished. Shared entrance.

Utilities included. No smoking or pets.

Professional Preferred. $800 per month, First/ last.

Contact Christine 905-716-1207.

SIBBALD'S POINT 3 bedroom. Stove, fridge. $1100+ utilities. Small deck, front & back yard. Available immediately.

(416)769-5809 call after 4pm.

HWY. 48/ Davis- new luxury 2 bedroom semi, no pets/ smoking, quiet professionals. $835+. Lease, first/ last. Immediately. (905)473-9983

Houses for Rent

VACATION RENTAL

call

1-800-743-3353

Articles for Sale (Misc.)

Studio at Carriage Hills Resort in Orillia.

Available from Friday, December 18th to Friday, December 25th $700. Call 905-778-1411

Articles for Sale (Misc.)

Real Estate Misc./Services

Real Estate Misc./Services

YORK REGION HOME HUNTERS

JEEP OWNERS. Holiday Sale Starts Now!!

Parts, Accessories for JEEPS from 1942 to 2016. Huge Discounts. Easy Gift Shopping BUY CANADIAN. Visit us at www.gemini-sales.com Phone 604-294-4214.

Free List of Distressed, Unclaimed, Abandoned, & Fixer-Upper Homes All need cosmetic work only

$294K - $501K

SNOW TIRES Firestone Winterforce - only used 2 seasons, approx.

20,000 km. P215/70R16 - asking $350. Call or text 289-231-9984

Courtesy Brent Hillis, Sales Rep, Re/Max Realtron Realty Inc. Brokerage.

Independently owned and operated. 905-715-2762

41" SONY Projection TV and stand, works great $200 OBO. Call or text 289-231-9984

CANCEL YOUR TIMESHARE. NO Risk Program STOP Mortgage & Maintenance Payments Today. 100% Money Back Guarantee. FREE Consultation. Call Us NOW. We Can Help! 1-888-356-5248

Lifestories

FREE List with pics, addresses, & details Register at:

www.PropertyFixerUppers.com

A celebration of lives well lived and people well loved Read more Life Stories on yorkregion.com

Wonderful doctor, mother touched many lives

BY HEIDI RIEDNER

hriedner@yrmg.com

D

escribed by all accounts as a wonderful doctor, woman and mother, Dr. Vivian Moir is being remembered and praised for touching so many lives during her career with her warmth, compassion and dedication.

Moir, 55, and her brother, 57-year-old Thomas Kristek of St. Catharines, died Friday after being involved in a five-vehicle, chain-reaction accident on the QEW near Stoney Creek.

A heavy sense of sadness and loss hung over the Woodbine Medical Centre in the Arlington Plaza in Keswick Monday, echoing the widespread sentiment across social media over the news.

Colleagues, patients, friends, businesses and politicians were quick to offer condolences and their utmost respect and admiration of a woman highly regarded for her consummate professionalism and kind heart. “We are still stunned by her premature passing and are left with an enormous void,� fellow Woodbine Medical Centre doctor Harry Jim said. “Her colleagues and staff will most certainly miss that wonderful smile, her enthusiasm,

Lstories ife

Dr. Vivian Moir. her kindness and her warmth.

Although we deal with life and death on a daily basis, it is especially hard when we lose someone who is an integral part of what we do and who we are. She will be missed by all those she had touched and may she rest in peace.�

On behalf of the entire town, Mayor Margaret Quirk extended her condolences to not only Moir’s family and friends, but an entire health-care community and Moir’s former patients. “It is a tragic and devastating loss,� Quirk said, adding Moir’s passing leaves an aching void for

Celebrate a life well lived!

“Adored by children, universally respected and an inspiration to her peers, Mrs. McCluskey was a tireless volunteer, quick to deflect the praise heaped on her.�

the so many lives she touched as a wife, mother and doctor.

Former mayor Rob Grossi, whose wife and children were patients of Moir for the past two decades, said the tragedy is a huge loss for the community and commended Moir for not only her professional and respectful demeanour and decorum, but also her compassionate and loving nature. “She had the kindest, gentlest way about her,� he said, adding his esteem for her mindful and considerate manner, especially in light of the fact his public office often left him open to community opinion no matter what the circumstance. “She was always respectful of everyone’s personal space.

People would often make comments about politicians or things in community and how they felt about who I was relevant to the public position I held in the community. Dr. Moir, however, was always respectful that I had a job to do and, when I would ask her about her comments about health care in the community, she was always very open, but also very respectful of the kind of challenges and decisions that needed to be made.�

An overwhelming outpouring of shock and loss flooded social media pages from all those whom

Your community newspaper is celebrating the achievements and contributions of everyday, ordinary people, who have affected the lives of others in extraordinary ways. Leaving a lasting impression on the community, our award-winning journalists will write a fitting tribute in memory of those who have a special story to share.

Through your community newspaper and LifeNews.ca, we celebrate those no longer with us and remember the memories we share.

Moir touched. “Our families’ hearts are truly aching at the loss of a such an amazing lady,� posted Kelly Buckle in tribute. “Dr Vivian Moir was one of the most genuine, kind-hearted, selfless people I have ever met. It was a complete pleasure to know her on a personal basis and then to have her as our doctor. I will never understand why someone that has dedicated their entire life to their children and helping others is taken in such a way.

May her three children find the strength to get through this tragedy and feel the love and support from all those whom she touched the hearts of.�

Social media was also a way for former patients and residents to express their feelings and remain connected to a community in shared grief, mourning and remembrance. “We now live in Mexico, but have just learned of the death of Dr. Vivian Moir, who was our doctor for 30 years,â€? Joan Wright posted on The Advocate’s Facebook page. “She was one-of-a-kind — always had time to talk — no matter how many ‘issues’ you had on your mind ‌ She even made house calls. She was one-of-akind and our hearts go out to her family. She will be sorely missed.â€?

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.POEBZ UP 'SJEBZ BN UP QN r r 5PMM 'SFF r 'BY r 'PS EFMJWFSZ RVFTUJPOT QMFBTF DPOUBDU Joyce Elming (nee Raynor)

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TRIBUTES

March 20, 1932 - November 17, 2015

December 24

Beloved mother of Endel and his wife Debbie, Linda and her husband Tino Freda, and Kristi. Proud nana and grandma of Rebecca, Elizabeth and Raechel.

She will be missed by her aunt Joan Cole of Bradford, many cousins and her cherished friends at CHATS Aurora. Predeceased by her loving husband Erich of 37 years and her parents Clifford and Alice Raynor. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the caring nurses and PSWs at St Elizabeth and GEM Healthcare especially Kelsey, and to Dr. Arnell Baguio and Dr. Carol Bates.

Visitation was held on Monday, November 23, 2015 at the Thompson Funeral Home, 530 Industrial Parkway South, Aurora (at Yonge St.) from 10-11 a.m. and a Celebration of Life followed in the Thompson Funeral Home Chapel at 11 a.m.

Interment followed at Aurora Cemetery.

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1-800-743-3353 STANYON, Ruth Alma P e a c e f u l l y i n h e r 9 9 t h y e a r, a t Aurora Resthaven (Chartwell A u r o r a L o n g Te r m C a r e ) o n Monday, December 7th, 2015.

Ruth is predeceased by her h u s b a n d C h a r l e s W a l k e r, a n d daughter Margaret Moody (Jack).

Loving mother to Jane Hinder (Steve) and Doreen Greason (Gary) of Aurora. Dear grandmother to Cliff Moody (Julie), Anne Kinister, Kim Goodman (Matt), Michael Hinder (Kara) and to nine greatgrandchildren.

Over the past 10 years, Ruth has been cared for by her "Families" at Park Place Manor and Aurora Resthaven. A special thank you to Rachel Smith and the loving team at Resthaven for the care and support given to both Ruth and to the f a m i l y. R u t h w i l l b e f o n d l y remembered for her quick wit, warm heart and strong will.

Visitation took place Wednesday, December 9th from 6-8 p.m. at Thompson Funeral Home, 530 Industrial Parkway S., Aurora (905-727-5421) (Dignity). Service Thursday, December 10th at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer's Society or charity of choice would be appreciated by the family.

On-line condolences may be left at www.thompsonfh-aurora.com THOMAS, Norma Dawna It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Norma DawnaThomas (nee Abraham) at the age of 73 on Friday, December 4th 2015 after a long illness with Alzheimer's Disease.

Beloved wife of 51 years to Paul Thomas of Bayshore Village.

Treasured mother to Sheryl Thomas (Brad Morrison) and Laurie Thomas.

Proud Nana to Jordan and Nicole Amirault and predeceased by her sister Colleen Anderson. She will be missed by her aunts, many cousins, nieces and nephews and her cherished friends.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the caring nurses and PSWs at Lakeview Manor in Beaverton as well as the staff at Parkview Home in Stouffville.

A Celebration of Norma's Life will be held at Simcoe Funeral Home, 38 James Street E., Orillia on Saturday, December 12th at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer's Society would be appreciated by the family.

Messages of condolence are welcomed at www.simcoefuneralhome.ca

McGUIGAN, Theresa 1947-2015

O n D e c e m b e r 8 , Te r r i M c G u i g a n passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family.

She will be remembered by her husband Ed, her daughter Kate (Gord), her brothers and sisters, teaching colleagues and many friends.

Visitation will be held Friday December 11 from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm at TAYLOR FUNERAL HOME, 524 Davis Dr, Newmarket (905-898-2100).

Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, December 12 at 11 am at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church, 17955 Leslie St, Newmarket.

Online condolences may be left at www.taylorfh.ca.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer Society of York Region (www.alzheimer.ca/en/york).

THOMPSON, Michael In memory of a dear son and brother who passed away 2 years ago, December 9, 2013.

If we could have one lifetime wish, One dream that could come true, We'd pray to God with all our hearts, For yesterday and you.

Mom, Kathy, Joanne and family.

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It is with profound sadness we announce that our beautiful mother Joyce passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Tuesday, November 17, 2015 after a brief illness.

Memorial donations made to CHATS Aurora, CNIB or Hill House Hospice would be appreciated by the family.

Online condolences may be made at: www.thompsonfh-aurora.com

FAWNS, Unamarie

www.marshallfuneralhome.com

GIBSON, Ivan Edmond (Former Milk Man and volunteer Fire Fighter in Newmarket) Passed away at the Roberta Place Nursing Home in Barrie on Wednesday December 2nd 2015.

Ivan Gibson in his 88th year.

Ivan was the beloved husband of Lois Gibson (Balsdon). Dear father of Robin Gibson of Barrie and Pam Macdonald (Bob) of Iowa.

Loving grandfather of Christopher and Jordan Golzlin. Pre-deceased by brother Don Gibson. Also survived by sister-in-law Lois Gibson of Sharon as well as many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. As an expression of sympathy memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association or to Roberta Place through the Jennett Funeral & Cremation Centre in Barrie. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family by visiting www.funeralhome.on.ca "A special thank you to the staff at Roberta Place for their care and concern"

MARSH, Eleanor Daisy

HASKELL-ARCHDEKIN (Charlton), Florence

PAYNE, Bruce Denton

of Newmarket. On a beautiful sunny Sunday morning December 6th, 2015 at Southlake Regional Health Centre in his 71st year, peacefully, with his wife of 48, years Kathryn, by his side.

She will miss his love and compassion. He will be missed deeply by his children Glenda (Christopher) and Warren (Susan) of Australia, grandchildren Denton, Jenna, Kurt and Shannon. Brother to Kenneth (Brenda) and Helen. He will be remembered fondly by cousins, nieces and nephews.

Friends and family may visit at THE MARSHALL FUNERAL HOME, 10366 Yonge St., Richmond Hill (4th traffic light north of Major Mackenzie Dr.) on Thursday, December 10th from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral service will be held in the chapel on Friday at 2 p.m.

Heartfelt thanks to the great team at the Heart Function Clinic for years of care, to Susan Kelly and Cindy Rose for their professional compassionate nursing care at home, and to the MACU palliative nurses at Southlake for making Bruce's last days comfortable.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Southlake Regional Health Centre Heart Function Clinic, or to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank.

Peacefully, surrounded by her family, at Southlake Regional Health Centre, Newmarket, on Saturday, December 5, 2015, Eleanor Bradley, wife of the late Robert Marsh. Loving companion to Garrie Wayne. Devoted mom to Joanne and Alan Thompson, Julie Carhart and Howard Goldman, Lisa and Larry Allen, Darryl Marsh and Sarah, Donna and Steve Smith and predeceased by Sharon and Janice Marsh. Doting grandma to Greg, Kyle (deceased), Megan, Brianna, C o u r t n e y, C h e l s e a , C o n n o r, Kamryn,Tanner and Jackson. Proud great grandma to Hunter and Tatum.

The family received their friends at the Egan Funeral Home, 203 Queen Street S. (Hwy 50), Bolton (905-857-2213) Tuesday evening from 7 t o 9 o ' c l o c k a n d W e d n e s d a y, December 9 from 12 noon until time of funeral service in the chapel at 2 o'clock.

Followed by cremation.

If desired, memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice.

Condolences for the family may be offered at www.EganFuneralHome.com VAN DIGGELEN, Hendrina Maria (Rika) Peacefully passed away at Southlake Regional Health Centre, Newmarket on Wednesday, December 9, 2015.

Rika Van Diggelen (nee Jassen) of Bradford at 86 years of age. Beloved wife of late Peter Van Diggelen.

Loving mother of late Maria (Ria) Coakwell. Proud Oma of Chris Coakwell and Carrie-Anne (Cory) Kirkbride. Cherished Great Oma of Alyssa, Reanna, Taylor and Christian.

Private family arrangements will be held.

In Rika's memory, donations may be made to Southlake Regional Health Centre, Newmarket.

Arrangements entrusted to S K WA R C H U K F U N E R A L H O M E , Bradford.

CATTON, Don In loving memory of dear father and gramp, who passed away two years ago today - December 16, 2013.

Remembering you on this day, Comforted by so many memories.

Love Nanc, Mike, Kevin and Jamie

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Passed away peacefully at Southlake Regional Health Centre on November 25, 2015 at the age of 92.

Beloved wife of the late James Haskell and Clure Archdekin. Loving mother of Paul (Karen), Robert (Cathy) and Lee (Scott). Cherished grandmother of 7 and greatgrandmother of 3. Step-mother and step-grandmother to the Archdekin family. Predeceased by her siblings Arnott, Marj, Dorothy, Carm and Bill.

A Memorial Service was held at The Campus Church, 14430 Bathurst St., Aurora, on Friday, November 27th.

Donations in memory of Florence may be made to the Aurora Food Pantry.

NEWMAN, Wayne (P. Eng.) Passed away peacefully at his residence on Sunday, December 6, 2015, in his 74th year.

Beloved husband of Heather for 46 years. Loving father of Sorlie Madox (Helen Kong) and Mara (Darryl Cole).

He will be fondly remembered by his grandchildren Matt, Josh, Dan and Grace. Wayne is also survived by Pam, Fay, Garth, Suzy, Marcia and Neville. Predeceased by his brothers Guy, Pat and David.

A Celebration of Wayne's Life will be held in the chapel at the Thompson Funeral Home (530 Industrial Parkway South, Aurora) on Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. Cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, in memoriam donations may be made to either the Heart & Stroke foundation of Ontario.

On line condolences may be made at www.thompsonfh-aurora.com

HOWLETT, Douglas Passed away suddenly Wednesday, December 9, 2015.

on

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Roadhouse & Rose Funeral Home, Newmarket, (905-895-6631). www.roadhouseandrose.com

In memory of a wonderful sister

Tina Johnson-Beckett June 14,1939 - December 14, 2014

On Saturday, December 5, 2015 the magnificent spirit of Una Fawns ascended into the afterlife at Toronto Western Hospital following complications from a spinal cord injury acquired almost 4 years ago. Una's personage was one of strength, courage and will. Within that, however, she possessed a heart for everyone. Through thick and thin, Una was there to help in whatever way she could. In passing Una became an organ donor and has extended the lives of two other people. Una's ascension was preceded by her parents, Jack and Marion Fawns. She will be sadly missed by her children Mercedes (Saydie) and Maximilian (Max) Fawns-Podstatzky, brothers Ken and Chris, sister Barb, sisterin-law Dawn and good friend Nick Podstatzky. Una was the loving aunt of Sarah, Dawn, Darren, Kris-Jan, Dale, Evan and Nathan. Special hearty thanks are extended to the caregivers and doctors at the E.W. Bickle Centre, Melinda, Dolly and Iladia of the Bayshore Agency, Jimmy of Motion Transit, Edna of Pro-Resp Toronto, and the amazing physiotherapy staff at Aim 2 Walk. While living as a quadriplegic since her accident made life very difficult for Una, she was grateful for the chance to live. The caring support of all those who gave encouragement to Una is greatly appreciated. A Funeral Service will be held at the TAYLOR FUNERAL HOME-NEWMARKET CHAPEL, 524 Davis Dr., 905-898-2100 on Friday, December 11, 2015 at 11:00a.m. with visitation one hour prior. Interment will follow at Foster Memorial Cemetery, Uxbridge. In lieu of flowers, kindly make a memorial donation in Una's memory to Spinal Cord Injury Ontario at www.sciontario.org/tribute-giving.

On line condolences can be left at www.taylorfh.ca MONK, Brenda Jean (nee Junkin) In loving memory of Brenda Jean Monk, 62 years.

Peacefully, Sunday, November 29th, 2015, at the Southlake Regional Health Center, with family & friends at her side.

Beloved wife of Stephen Monk. Loving mother of Christopher (Tanya), Jeffrey (Kari) and Alison (John). Cherished Grannie of Ella, Owen, Madeline, Nate and soon to be Sam. Loving daughter of Keith Elwood Junkin and Margaret Junkin, both predeceased. Dear sister of Jon, Stephen (Monique) and Kim. Special daughter-in-law of Sam and Olga Monk, both predeceased. Sadly missed by her nieces and nephew and many other family members and friends.

Brenda finished at the top of the last graduating class of the Hamilton & District School of Nursing, (HADSON). She spent all of her nursing career in the Intensive Care or Cardiac Care units. She loved her flower gardens and we made many trips to the Garden Centers in the spring & summer. When asked where the flowers would go, she always said she would find a space.

Cremation was at the Forest Lawn Crematorium, in Toronto. A celebration of her life will be held at 600 Stonehaven Avenue, Newmarket on February 13, 2016, from 2:00 to 5:00 pm. Donations to the Breast Cancer Foundation would be appreciated.

On-line condolences may be left at www.thompsonfh-aurora.com ADAMS, Josephine (nee Wostyn) Passed away peacefully at Southlake Regional Health Centre on December 4, 2015 in her 88th year.

Loving wife of the late Clyde Roy Adams. Loving mother of Tammy, Todd (wife Mary) and Tracey. Special nana of Brett and Troy. Survived by sisters Jessie and Mary Wostyn.

The family would like to thank the staff at Southlake Regional Health Centre.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Roadhouse & Rose Funeral Home. At Josephine's request cremation has taken place and a private family gathering will be held at a later date.

(Andy)

Andrew Allan

December 11, 2012 In memory of a dearest friend who passed away 3 years ago.

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Lovingly remembered and sadly missed, Marjorie and Family.

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HILLIER, Reginald - In loving memory of a dear husband, father and grandfather who passed away on December 10, 1996.

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PREECE, Gladys In loving memory of my wife who passed away December 14, 1998.

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STRONGE, Brittany Lisa

Suddenly at her home in Keswick on Sunday, November 29, 2015 at the age of 20 years.

Beloved daughter of Tina Schaefer and her husband Gordon Matt and of the late Percy Stronge, and granddaughter of Robert Schaefer. Loving sister of Caitlin. Dear niece of Cheryl, M a r y a n n e , J u a n i t a a n d H e a t h e r.

Brittany will be greatly missed by her loving cousins, her first step-father Mike Norris (Jenn) and his children, Mikey, Aaliyah, many relatives and all her beloved friends.

Visitation was held on Saturday, December 5, 2015 from 2-5 p.m.

Followed by a Funeral Service in the Chapel at 5 p.m. Cremation followed.

If desired, donations to Sick Kids Hospital would be appreciated.

Online condolences may be made at www.mwbeckerfuneralhome.com

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B14

Your Region, Thursday, December 10, 2015

sports

Sport Aurora’s voice loud and clear on future plans

G

ive Sport Aurora credit — it is a leader in creating a climate for discussion of athletic and active lifestyle needs in the Town of Aurora.

Not to say Aurora is or isn’t unique as a sport-minded community, but fair enough to suggest the municipality at least has a track to follow for creating a healthier town.

It is one thing to speak to the need for this arena or that playing field. It is quite another, however, to have a watchdog group whose mandate is ensuring the sports community has a distinctive and credible voice and that is heard at town hall.

It is not always the case that a body such as Sport Aurora, which includes 31 member groups, can find a common ground and, as importantly, maintain focus on a larger picture. Take the short-lived attempt to establish a sports watchdog group in Newmarket a few years ago, before its Aurora counterpart came along.

There, a similar concept, spurred by the promise of providing strength in numbers to ensure a voice for the jock set, quickly dispersed when it turned out the steering wheel was in the hands of a special interest group.

In that case, the one specific interest was a 50-metre pool at the Magna Centre. When that concept sank, so, too, did Sport Newmarket, a rather embarrassing conclusion to

John Cudmore Cuddy Shark that short-lived venture.

By contrast, Sport Aurora has been wise enough to embrace the all-for-one, onefor-all concept among its membership. It is an approach that is effective and, to a large degree, portrays the group as a serious player.

Steve Kimmerer, president of Sport Aurora, correctly notes that monetary commitments are necessary for all the projects that are underlined as needs for the next decade.

Money is foremost but not that far removed from a pledge by town council to be effective leaders in this area.

Every municipality that has designs on enhancing its image as a sport-friendly community would be wise to understand how Sport Aurora has arrived at its current stand-

ing and how it is getting to its destination.

The recently presented parks and recreation master plan contains 41 recommendations, many involving expansion and conversion of existing facilities, to upgrade the present roster of venues and services.

Clearly, not all will be achieved in a snap of the fingers or over the next decade for that matter, but there is a thoughtful game plan to it all.

That is the strength to be found in Sport Aurora that is lacking in many communities.

Dining out, workouts in On the subject of municipal recreation facilities, it will be interesting to monitor the situation at Magna Centre in Newmarket, where it appears the restaurant/bar area located within the facility is approaching last call.

In its place may stand a fitness facility by as early as the start of 2017 – gotta be ready for those New Year’s resolutions – should the town’s taller foreheads decide to go that revenue-generating route.

As destination dining or drop in for a plate of pub grub, the restaurant located on the main level of the facility has never won over the taste buds of the masses since the Magna Centre opened its doors in 2007.

One can suppose the intent was for the

food area to feast on post-game traffic of adult beer leagues, as well as tournament and regular daily/nightly traffic.

On paper, perhaps not a bad idea. In reality, it didn’t turn out that way, at least partially since ice-users enter and exit the complex on a different floor. D’oh!

Despite the overwhelmingly positive role Magna Centre has played in the community and the largely glowing reviews from users and visitors alike, not enough people are inclined to darken the doorway of the food area.

Already, the contractor — Ontario Concessions — has pulled services out of the Ray Twinney Complex, leaving the Newmarket Hurricanes, among other users, high and dry. Its five-year contract as food supplier to the rinks expires in May, unlikely to be renewed.

One notable absence from the very first day Magna Centre opened its doors is a public fitness facility.

More than a few folks have expressed disappointment the facility did not include a gymnasium along the lines of a YMCA model to compete with big box and privately owned fitness clubs.

That the current food establishment appears set to vacate when its contract with the Town of Newmarket ends opens up potential space to address that issue.

, a t n a S r a e D It’s been a while since my last letter. I’ve grown up a bit and after a lot of school and hard work, fulfilled my dream of becoming a doctor. Every day, I get to help people in my own community, practising at Southlake.

But, it’s not always easy. New and replacement equipment is always needed, but the hospital isn’t funded for it, so sometimes we struggle to get the tools we need. I just want to treat people who need my expertise, so this Christmas, I’m hoping you’ll answer one more letter and help a hospital that helps so many.

I’ve been pretty good this year, but my patients have been better and they deserve the best I can give them.

Please help.

Your friend, Dr. Eddie Chan, Physician Leader, Emergency Services Program

THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, GIVE A GIFT THAT WILL HELP TRANSFORM LIVES. Your support will help ensure that new and replacement equipment is purchased across Southlake, giving all our providers the tools they need, when they need them.

TEXT “SOUTHLAKE” TO 45678 TO DONATE $10

DONATE | southlakefoundation.ca C

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