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Contractor apologizes for garbage service Towns inundated with your complaints BY CHRIS SIMON
csimon@yrmg.com
and hampered road and sidewalk clearing efforts throughout the region. It has also created a slowdown in mail service for sections of Newmarket and Aurora, Canada Post spokesperson Eugene Knapik said. “We have been experiencing some challenges over the last couple of weeks... related to weather,” he said. “We have been delivering with fewer than normal people. We’re having some staffing difficulties, in particular in the rural routes. We’ve struggled to cover all the routes every day.” Parcel volume also increased about 20 per
They’re sorry. Representatives of Green For Life, the waste collection contractor for municipalities in northern York Region and several other municipalities in the Greater Toronto Area, have apologized for the company’s oft-delayed local service over the last month. The statement was made to Newmarket council members at a committee meeting Tuesday night. “I wish we could have done something to improve the collections,” GFL Environmental Corp. district manager Craig Nelson said, noting the company is proud of its record and is taking the complains seriously. Newmarket is one of several local municipalities that has experienced delays in collection over the last few weeks. Aurora council has asked for an immediate review of its collection contract, while WhitchurchStouffville councillors met this week to debate the issue. GFL blames last month’s ice storm, heavy snowfall and recent extremely cold temperatures for the bulk of the problems. The weather caused driver injuries and vehicle breakdowns for the company. Increased collection volume from the holiday season and GFL staff turnover also contributed to the backlog. Everyone appreciates there were unique weather events, Councillor Chris Emanuel said, but these issues go back much further. Councillor Joe Sponga refused to accept the apology. “GFL is a national company. You expect me to buy this story?” he
See NOBODY, page A8.
See DELAYS, page A10.
STAFF PHOTO/MIKE BARRETT
Former Canada Post employee Ron Cone has only received mail three times in the past two weeks.
Weather slows mail delivery: Canada Post Former postal employee not impressed by service level since late December
TELL YOUR STORY Did you experience a slowdown in mail delivery this winter? Tell us how you were impacted by emailing editor Ted McFadden at tmcfadden@yrmg.com
BY CHRIS SIMON
csimon@yrmg.com
Ron Cone is expecting mail that never seems to arrive. The Newmarket resident and retired Canada Post employee said he has only received mail a few times since late December. He was expecting a few important envelopes to show up early this month, before he leaves
on vacation. “I know I’m missing a lot of stuff,” he said from his Roywood Crescent home. “It’s not good service.” The weather over the last month has knocked out electricity, caused garbage pickup delays
Cop sues police force for $15M Halted officer’s hearing had nothing to do with court action: chief
Bikes, boards still welcome Town considers banning HAVE YOUR SAY skateboards, roller blades Do you think the town should ban skatefrom Main sidewalks boards, rollerblades and bikes from Main
BY JEREMY GRIMALDI
BY CHRIS SIMON
jgrimaldi@yrmg.com
csimon@yrmg.com
Street sidewalks? Email tmcfadden@yrmg. com
A controversial police hearing against a York Regional Police officer has been dropped only weeks after the constable launched a $15-million lawsuit against the force and those involved in the tribunal. The decision to halt the “unusual” hearing regarding charges of insubordination, discreditable conduct and neglect of duty was made Monday after it was found to be causing more damage than benefit to “members, citizens and taxpayers”, Chief Eric Jolliffe said. However, he insisted the lawsuit has nothing to do with his decision to scrap the proceedings. The case began in May 2011 after Const. Dameian Muirhead was called to a bush party in Auro-
You can ride bicycles, roller blades and skateboards along Main Street’s sidewalks and that’s not likely to change anytime soon. In September The Main Street District Business Improvement Area asked town staff to investigate the feasibility of barring them on sidewalks. However, a ban would be difficult to enforce, town senior transportation co-ordinator Mark Kryzanowski said in a report to council. The town’s draft active transportation plan also encourages onstreet bike lanes and off-street paths in the downtown, he said. Instead of a ban, the town could consider running a courtesy campaign, which would ask riders to dismount and walk. “Users would be compelled
to dismount their... travel mode in favour of the slower and safer pedestrian alternative,” he said, noting the town would likely spend about $2,450 on related signs and pavement markings for that proposal. Eventually, walking could also be encouraged through the erection of skateboard lockers and bicycle racks. Town council is expected to approve the courtesy campaign next week. Oshawa, Peterborough and Perth have bylaws in place banning certain modes of transportation on sidewalks in their downtown cores.
Const. Dameian Muirhead has launched a $15-million lawsuit against York Regional Police and tribunal members. ra where there had been reports of violence against a woman. Once there, the officer was subjected to racial taunts by a party-goer. Three days later, Rheal Duguay, a local landscaper who was at the party, encountered Const. Muirhead at a gas station and was
arrested and charged with uttering threats after a heated conversation. Mr. Duguay later complained to police about the incident, which triggered a police investigation into Const. Muirhead’s behaviour. See HEARING, page A7.
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