Aurora Banner, May 26, 2016

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TRAFFIC

Council approves speed cushion pilot Traffic calming coming to 3 local streets in Aurora BY TERESA LATCHFORD

tlatchford@yrmg.com

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aking a page from Kennedy Street residents, one denizen of Mavrinac Boulevard secured speed cushions to slow down traffic on his street.

Residents of Aurora’s Kennedy Street left council chambers feeling victorious last week when their deputations proved sufficient to make council disregard a staff recommendation not to proceed with a one-year speed cushion pilot project on the route. Mavrinac resident Brian Wilson heard the discussion last week at the committee meeting

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For more stories on traffic issues in Aurora go to: bit.ly/25hQB7M

and decided to take matters into his own hands to advocate for traffic calming measures where he lives. “I listened to what every single one of you (council members) said last week. You need to get a champion, someone to go out and do the work and get the support of the community,” he said. “I went out and I petitioned. “It was a great way to spend my long weekend — trying to convince people I wasn’t selling vacuums.” He approached neighbours from Borealis Avenue to Spring Farm Road. He door-knocked at 27 houses and 24 residents signed the petition. Every person he spoke to had a story about the traffic on the street.

Brian Wilson, a resident of Mavrinac Boulevard, took a page from the Kennedy Street deputants and returned with signatures from residents on his street in the hope of getting speed cushions installed.

See page A4.

WHAT’S ONLINE

Staff photo/Teresa Latchford

INSIDE STORY

‘He was best of all of us’ DON’T SEE IT IN THE PAPER? CHECK OUT MORE STORIES ONLINE INCLUDING:

Mother speaks out about her little boy and the organization meant to protect him BY JEREMY GRIMALDI

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Jgrimaldi@yrmg.com

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your email every morning: bit.ly/1WMDTfv ❐ ROBBERY SUSPECTS AT LARGE: Police seek suspects in two convenience store robberies: bit.ly/1NMQZXg ❐ PHOTO GALLERIES: A picture worth 1,000 words. Check out our galleries: bit.ly/1Igqpjw ❐ DINE SAFE YORK: Find our which restaurants and pubs aren’t meeting health standards. bit.ly/1KpTRrt

he young mother’s face brightens as she recalls the tiny son to whom she used to read goodnight stories. “He was the best of all of us, he always did what he was asked,” she said “He was full of life and had the biggest heart, the brightest smile.” But it didn’t take long for twoyear-old Mathias “Ty” Wint’s flame to be snuffed out. He was killed after being struck by his father, Mario Wint, the man Simcoe Children’s Aid Society workers — the agency meant to protect our

province’s most vulnerable children — deemed best to care for him. “(Ty) was not cut out for this world,” she adds, her eyes now cast downward. “He was too good for this world.” It was on Jan. 22, 2015 when Ty was struck in the stomach so many times with such force that his liver and pancreas were split in two resulting in his death. Ty’s mother, Melissa, (not her real See page A3.

IN PHOTO: Ty Wint, 2, was killed after being struck by his father, Mario Wint, Jan. 22, 2015.

SENIORS’ ISSUES

GROWTH

Seniors air concerns at Aurora meeting LISA QUEEN

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lqueen@yrmg.com

ith York Region’s seniors population expected to increase by almost 150 per cent during the next two decades, older residents are facing a number of concerns, groups representing older residents Staff photo/Susie Kockerscheidt told Ontario Seniors MinisMPP Chris Ballard (left), and Minister for Seniors Mario Sergio, held ter Mario Sergio in Aurora a discussion on seniors’ programs and issues at the Aurora Seniors Wednesday. Affordable housing, food secu- Centre yesterday. Also in the photo is Maureen Huismans from the rity, access to health care, lack Newmarket Seniors’ Meeting Place. of transportation and the need not get sufficient, decent food for more recreational opportunito eat and they don’t have good ties are “top of mind issues” for housing at a reasonable price, the region’s growing number of they can’t contribute to commu❑ Tell us what you think about seniors, Maureen Huismans, nity or active engagement in the this issue. Email tkibble@yrmg. retired chairperson of the board community,” Huismans said. com of the Newmarket Seniors’ Cen“When I first joined the food tre and a past chairperson of the panty, we had 220 families in Newmarket Food Pantry, and Jim pated in the event at the Aurora Newmarket coming for help and Abram, president of the Aurora Seniors’ Centre. only 3 per cent of that memberSeniors’ Association, said. “A major concern is food and They were two of about a housing and food is more impordozen representatives who partici- tant than housing. If people do See page A9.

GET CONNECTED

Town hoping for mediation with Highland Gate developer BY TERESA LATCHFORD

tlatchford@yrmg.com

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urora has announced it is willing to attempt mediation with Highland Gate Developments Inc. At this week’s council meeting, the town officially stated its opposition to the development proposed for Highland Gate Golf Course. It directed staff to engage all interested parties in mediation with respect to the Ontario Municipal Board appeal and address council’s concerns, while also exploring better options in terms of design and density for the site. “Aurora town council is not in support of the Highland Gate development in its current form and believes that there are better options, in terms of design and density, for that site,” a statement from the town said. “Aurora town council is willing to attempt mediation with the other parties to try and resolve council’s concerns.” All councillors supported the

motion at this week’s meeting despite having concerns about not giving the public time to review and comment on the action. “I think we have been clear of our feelings throughout this process, but residents may be wondering why we are officially declaring our opposition now,” Councillor Michael Thompson said. The town has been told by legal counsel not to make a statement, staff said. That advice has changed. Highland Gate submitted official plan amendment, zoning bylaw amendment and draft plan of subdivision applications Feb. 27, 2015 proposing construction of 184 detached residential homes and a 10-storey condominium building on the former golf course lands. Following several public planning meetings on the proposal and council’s request for another, Highland Gate filed an OMB appeal as the town had surpassed the 180-day deadline to make a decision. For its part, Highland Gate said it is open to mediation.

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