Thornhill December 31 by Thornhill Liberal

SERVING THE THORNHILL COMMUNITY SINCE 1878

ThORNHILL LIBERAL Publicationmail agreement #40051189

$1 INCLUDING HST /16 PAGES

EAST EDITION

■

Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015

■

yorkregion.com

905-881-3373

Looking to Grow? We can help you Co-Presenting Sponsor

Presents

2nd Annual

January 30 & 31, 2016 Hilton Toronto/Markham Suites Conference Centre & Spa

Knowledgable Speakers, Fun Demos and Lots of Exciting Exhibitors!

SPACE IS FILLING UP FAST! Reserve your booth Now!

Fore more information: 905-943-6112 • thriveexpo.ca E

SERVING THE THORNHILL COMMUNITY SINCE 1878

ThORNHILL LIBERAL Publicationmail agreement #40051189

$1 INCLUDING HST /16 PAGES

WEST EDITION

■

Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015

■

yorkregion.com

905-881-3373

0 84 1,500 %

WILLOWDALE NISSAN

†

APR

FINANCING FOR UP TO

UP TO

HOLIDAY CASH* ON ALTIMA TIMA 2.5 SL

MONTHS

NISSAN RETAILER IN CANADA YEAR TO DATE

OR NO PAYMENTS UNTIL JUNE 2016 FOR HIS & HERS -

2015 NISSAN SENTRA 1.8 S CVT AND 2015 NISSAN MICRA 1.6 S A/T

ONLY UNTIL JANUARY 4th

2016 NISSAN ROGUE

281

+HST

WITH

DOWN AT

FINANCE† RATES AS LOW AS

1.99

FOR % APR 60 MONTHS

Available Features Include: • Around View Monitor with 360° Birds’Eye View‡ • Nissan Safety Shield with Forward Emergency Braking°

THAT’S LIKE PAYING ONLY $ * WEEKLY +HST ON ROGUE S FWD

379

2015 NISSAN SENTRA

≠

MONTHLY LEASE FROM

60 MONTH LEASE

/month $ all in ARE YOU IN?

APR FOR 84 MONTHS ON SENTRA 1.8 SR PREMIUM

+ GET $1,000 HOLIDAY CASH*

Available Features Include: • 17-inch Aluminum Alloy Wheels • Standard Bluetooth Handsfree Phone System

1,000

+ GET $

HOLIDAY CASH*

THE “HIGHEST RANKED COMPACT CAR IN INITIAL QUALITY” IN THE U.S.

1.8 SL model shown▲

TOP SAFETY AND TOP QUALITY ONLY IN 2015 NISSAN SENTRA

SL AWD Premium model shown▲

2015 NISSAN MICRA® FINANCE† RATES AS LOW AS APR FOR 60 MONTHS

2015 NISSAN PATHFINDER

+ GET $500 HOLIDAY CASH*

FINANCE† RATES AS LOW AS APR FOR 72 MONTHS ON PATHFINDER S 4X2

Safety Comes Standard: • Nissan Advanced Airbag System (6 airbags) • Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)

+ GET $1,500 HOLIDAY CASH*

OR GET UP TO

5,250

CASH DISCOUNT+ ON PATHFINDER PLATINUM 4X4 MODEL

Available Features Include: • Tri-Zone Entertainment • Class-Exclusive Around View® Monitor^ ≠

MONTHLY LEASE FROM

393

+HST

WITH

SR AT model shown▲

DOWN AT

2.49%

APR FOR 60 MONTHS

Platinum model shown▲ THAT’S LIKE PAYING ONLY $ * +HST WEEKLY ON PATHFINDER S FWD

ALREADY DRIVING A NISSAN? OUR LOYALTY PROGRAM HAS GREAT OFFERS!

VISIT WWW.WILLOWDALENISSAN.COM • ENDS JANUARY 4TH WITH EACH PURCHASE RECEIVE A CAR CARE KIT WILLOWDALE NISSAN 7200 Yonge St., Thornhill ON

1-888-684-2540 www.willowdalenissan.com Monday - Thursday: 9:00am - 9:00pm

Friday - Saturday: 9:00am - 6:00pm

NISSAN GTR DEALER IN CANADA

NISSAN DEALER IN ONTARIO YEAR TO DATE

ALL LEASE PAYMENTS ARE PLUS HST WITH $0 DOWN. 20,000 KM. PER YEAR, 10 CENTS PER KM. OVERAGE, 60 MONTHS. HOLIDAY CASH (SENTRA $1,000/MICRA $500/PATHFINDER $1,500) IS INCLUDED IN MONTHLY PAYMENTS. OPTIONAL BUYBACK: ROGUE $11,584/SENTRA $6,803/ MICRA $4,787/PATHFINDER $4,787/P THFINDER $10,607. SALE ENDS JANUARY 4, 2016.

SERVING THE THORNHILL COMMUNITY SINCE 1878

ThORNHILL LIBERAL Publicationmail agreement #40051189

$1 INCLUDING HST /16 PAGES

EAST EDITION

■

Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015

■

yorkregion.com

905-881-3373

PAGE 3

Resolution time?

~ arts ~ food ~ shop ~ travel

magazine

Don’t miss out Be a part of the Good Life 905.943.6100

SHARING CHRISTMAS and New Year’s CHEER

Memorable in 2015

Even with back turned; you remember Pan Am runner

~ home

STAFF PHOTO/STEVE SOMERVILLE

The York Region Media Group Christmas elves enjoyed buying toys for families in need, thanks to donations from readers and fundraising by staff for the YRMG Santa Fund. Pictured are Amanda Pizzurro (above, from left), Erin Smyth, Courtney Atherton and Lauren Smyth. Thanks to generous advertisers, staff from The Liberal also shared Beary Merry cheer (right) at Mackenzie Health, bringing stuffed bears to children staying in hospital over the holidays. See more on page 10.

January count of homeless a first for York BY LISA QUEEN

lqueen@yrmg.com

Forget typical resolutions; treasure family moments PAGE 8

Homelessness is a growing concern in York Region, according to social service officials and poverty activists, but just how many people without a place to call home live in the region? In a first-ever for York, a small army of as many as 150 volunteers will span out over the region dur-

ing a 24-hour period in January to tally as many homeless people as they can find in shelters and living outside. The hidden homeless, those people who are “couch surfing” with friends and family during that period, will not be included. The point-in-time count will provide an estimated snapshot of how many people are homeless in the region over a one-night and

one-day period, said Pedro Barata, vice-president of communications and public affairs with United Way Toronto and York Region, which is overseeing the initiative. The United Way is responsible for administering federal funding in the region through a homelessness partnering strategy and coordinates an advisory group that includes people who have experienced homelessness, community

agencies, policing services, the region and others. “This (count) will allow us to look at two groups. The first is sheltered people who are in a whole variety of emergency shelters, violence against women shelters, individuals who may be in transitional housing, young people in youth shelters,” Barata said. See INFO SESSIONS, page 2.

ReadeRs’ ChoiCe

Visit yorkregion.com to vote now or watch out for our in-paper ballots January 7th & 14th

SERVING THE THORNHILL COMMUNITY SINCE 1878

ThORNHILL LIBERAL Publicationmail agreement #40051189

$1 INCLUDING HST /16 PAGES

WEST EDITION ■

Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015

■

yorkregion.com

905-881-3373

PAGE 3

Resolution time?

~ arts ~ food ~ shop ~ travel

magazine

Don’t miss out Be a part of the Good Life 905.943.6100

SHARING CHRISTMAS and New Year’s CHEER

Memorable in 2015

Even with back turned; you remember Pan Am runner

~ home

STAFF PHOTO/STEVE SOMERVILLE

January count of homeless a first for York BY LISA QUEEN

lqueen@yrmg.com

Forget typical resolutions; treasure family moments PAGE 8

ReadeRs’ ChoiCe

Visit yorkregion.com to vote now or watch out for our in-paper ballots January 7th & 14th

The Thornhill Liberal | Thursday, December 31, 2015 |

TOP STORY ON YORKREGION.COM The top story on our yorkregion.com website in December was ‘Looks like plea deal coming in Muzzo case, outside lawyer says’. The story focused on the possible plea of Marco Muzzo, a suspected drunk driver who killed three children and their grandfather in a Vaughan crash. Muzzo is due back in court Jan. 6; stay with yorkregion.com for the latest on this story.

Vaughan crash victim sought in Peel shooting By Louie Rosella ed after a shooting in Erin Mills on A man who injured three people Christmas Eve. and himself during a Christmas Day Peel Regional Police are expected car crash in Vaughan is also want- to formally charge the man, who remains in hospital with serious injuries, in connection with the Mississauga shooting that left a 22-year-old man injured.The incident occurred around 11:50 p.m. on Christmas Eve. The shot man was driven to a local hospital before being transferred to a Toronto trauma centre, where he underwent surgery. He is expected to survive. A man left the shooting scene in a vehicle and was arrested just after 1:30 a.m. in Vaughan, after a twovehicle crash involving a Chrysler 300 and a compact SUV at Weston and Rutherford roads, according to York

You’re just not my type

Regional Police. The driver of the Chrysler was seriously injured, while three people in the SUV sustained minor injuries. When officers responded to the crash, they located a handgun in the car, police said. Investigators believe the seriously injured driver had also fled the scene of a prior crash. Peel police said the suspect and victim are known to each other. Mark Khomytskyy, 22, from Etobicoke, has been charged with failing to remain at the scene of an accident, dangerous driving causing bodily harm, five firearm-related charges and two counts of failure to comply with recognizance. — with files from Toronto Star

Info sessions offered in Markham and Vaughan From page 1.

“The second is really the unsheltered homeless and those are people who are living in the rough or outdoors, in bus shelters, in ravines, often away from sight.” Tom Vegh, executive director of Inn from the Cold, which is involved in the project, applauded the count.

Don’t miss these flyers in today’s Liberal! Inserts for Thursday December 31, 2015

Not all types of plastic are recyclable in your blue box.

2001 Audio Video

metro

Ashley Furniture

michAels

Atmosphere

no Frills

Brick mAttress

orientAl Food mArt

Toys, utensils and plastic wrap are just a few items NOT accepted in the blue box. Plastic that cannot be recycled or reused should go in the garbage. For more information on what can go in your blue box, please visit york.ca/bluebox or call 1-866-665-6752

cAnAdiAn tire

phArmAchoice

coppA’s Fresh mArket

phArmAsAVe drugs

Food BAsics

reAl cAnAdiAn

BETTER BLUE STARTS WITH YOU Space provided through a partnership between industry and Ontario municipalities to support waste diversion programs.

Fortino’s

superstore

Freshco

rexAll phArmA plus

home hArdwAre

seArs cAnAdA

hudson’s BAy

shoppers drug mArt

idA

soBeys

kung Fu cuisine

the Brick

loBlAws

VAlumArt

longo’s

wAlmArt cAnAdA

lowes cAnAdA

Some flyers delivered to selected areas only To book your flyer call 905-881-3373 For Distribution info call 905-660-9887 TH

“It will give us our first fairly accurate count of the homeless. It’s not going to capture everyone, it’s a bit of a variable population,” he said. The United Way is holding information sessions in January for volunteers who want to help with the count. “This is a big effort. It’s the first time we’re doing it and we’re going to rely on volunteers that night and that day to really help us run this volunteering effort and conduct a short survey with people who are homeless,” Barata said. York is one of 30 communities taking part in the count. Residents may be surprised to learn the extent of homelessness in the region, Vegh said. “I think the public will be surprised, because it is somewhat invisible here in York Region. The simple reason for that is York Region has a lot of land. In Toronto, it’s very difficult to stay out of sight if you’re homeless,” he said. “There are (in York) what we refer to as tent cities etc. They (people who are homeless) are not always on the sidewalk in front of you. Just because we have so much land here, they are afforded a bit of anonymity. For that reason, I think (residents) will be surprised with the number, because it’s just not in your face the way it is in a larger urban centre.” The date of the count is not being publicly released, but the project will take place in late January. The information session in Markham is Jan. 6 from 6 to 9 p.m. in meeting room AB at the Milliken Mills Community Centre, 7600 Kennedy Rd. The Vaughan information session will be held Jan. 9 from 2 to 5 p.m. in activity room 4 of the Chancellor Community Centre at 350 Ansley Grove Rd. in Woodbridge. If you are interested, email Susie Kim at skim@uwgt.org

High-flying dancers wearing blue rehearsed in Thornhill for a charity FlashMob event at a March Raptors game, encouraging autism acceptance, while Thornhill’s Patricia Bezzoubenko earned bronze in rhythmic gymnastics at the Pan Am Games.

|The Thornhill Liberal | Thursday, December 31, 2015

Memorable moments of 2015

STAFF PHOTOS/NICK IWANYSHYN

Markham’s native son, sprinter Andre De Grasse, shows the cheering crowd he’s number one after taking gold in the men’s 200m final at the Pan Am Games July 24. Much more somber reaction greeted one of two terror attacks in Paris this year, with this peace vigil staged at Markham’s Civic Centre after the November massacre at several bars and a nightclub killed 130 people and wounded many more.

STAFF PHOTOS/STEVE SOMERVILLE

Red-light cameras may be disliked, but proving to be effective ‘safety tool’ By Jeremy Grimaldi

jgrimaldi@yrmg.com

The Road Ahead is a series of stories on issues and topics and the people and organizations that will undoubtedly be a major part of the conversation in York Region in the new year. See more at yorkregion.com

Mosaic Interfaith continues fight against child poverty BY LISA QUEEN

lqueen@yrmg.com

With the federal election now in the rear view mirror, York Region’s faith community is determined to keep the issues of child poverty and affordable, high quality daycare in the public eye in 2016. Mosaic Interfaith, made up of York residents belonging to the faiths of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism and Zoroastrianism, urged politicians to address the concerns during the election. Now, they plan to pressure the new Liberal government to follow through on its election promises. “With the new federal government having made significant commitments to both a new child benefit system and to establishing an early learning and child care framework with provinces (and) territories and indigenous communities, I think we will have lots of opportunities to keep this issue top of mind,” said Carolyn Ferns, public policy and government relations co-ordinator with the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care, who will be a speaker at Mosaic Interfaith’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. event Jan. 17. “The trick will be to continue to push the federal government on their promises and

to convince Ontario to take a leadership role among provinces in getting the (early learning and child care) framework right.” Mosaic Interfaith has focused on the need to provide universal and high quality child care as a key strategy to reducing child poverty, said Natalie Doucet, a member of the organization’s steering committee and a pastoral associate at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Thornhill. At the same time, members recognize the concerns require a long-term approach. “This is an issue in progress. It will take time, energy and patience to bring the goal of affordable and universal childcare to fruition,” she said. “It is an important issue because it says something about the kind of society we want to be. So, in 2016, we will continue to highlight this issue whenever we have an opportunity to do so.” Mosaic Interfaith will continue to advocate at all levels of government, Doucet said. “Investing in children and families, helping to break the cycle of poverty, raising some families out of poverty, (of) which affordable child care is a component, helps build a more just, equitable society and peaceful society, hence affects us all and should matter to all of us,” she said.

When red-light cameras were rolled out at 20 of the most dangerous intersections across York Region, it was easy to call the move a cash grab. But now, a year later and armed with impressive new facts, York Region hopes you will re-evaluate your position. “This is based on science, not politics,” said Brian Titherington, the region’s director of road and traffic operations. According to his office, there has been huge reductions in right-angle crashes — aka T-bones, by far the most dangerous — across a number of intersections in the region. For example, at Green Lane and Yonge Street, between Newmarket and East Gwillimbury, collisions fell from 14 in 2013 to four in 2014. At Hwy. 7 and Weston Road in Vaughan, they dropped from 15 to nine. In all, Titherington said there has been an almost 50 per cent drop in collisions at all 20 intersections, falling from 71 collisions to 37. “It’s a safety tool,” he added. “And we’re quite proud of the data is bearing that out.” This is not the only information the region wants you to consider. He added that, so far, the project has been largely revenue neutral. While it raised some $1.5 million from the $325 fines, the court costs are equal to or

even outweigh that number, he said. And Titherington said if anyone out there doubts that municipal staff get nailed like the rest of us, he said they do. To prove it, he explained how one of his regional staff has already paid the fine. In 2016, the region will be adding 20 more cameras and switching some existing locations. By 2017, those new cameras will be running, as long as council agrees with the budget. So far, the busiest sites in terms of tickets include Bathurst and Hwy. 7 in Thornhill, which up-to-date-data indicates has been the site of 2,469 tickets and Yonge and Hwy. 7, which has resulted in 1,057 tickets. Although Titherington understands the cameras can be annoying for motorists, he said you can’t argue with safety statistics, especially when so many people are already dying on our roads. “It frustrates people,” he admitted, “but numbers are numbers.” He noted that once people start getting used to cameras being so prevalent, he expects the 50-per-cent drop in collisions will settle somewhere around a 30-per-cent reduction. Some of the other jurisdictions that have red-light cameras include Toronto, Ottawa, Peel, Hamilton, Halton and Waterloo.

THE ROAD AHEAD

THE CITY PAGE

MAR KHAM CIVIC CE NTR E 101 TOWN CE NTR E BOULEVAR D MAR KHAM , ONTARIO L3R 9W3 905 - 477-5530 • MAR KHAM .C A

City of Markham News & Announcements

Connect with us today!

COUNCIL

Markham Council, Standing Committee and several Advisory and Sub-Committee meetings take place at the Civic Centre and are open to the public. No meetings are scheduled this week Need more information? Contact the Clerk’s Office at 905.475.4744 for a complete listing of all meetings that residents are welcome to attend, meeting agendas and live audio streaming for Council and Standing Committees. Visit markham.ca

VOTE W IN

TREE-CYCLE!

This important project will connect neighbourhoods, protect our natural features, species and wildlife habitats, encourage physical activity, and much more.

Markham recycles real Christmas trees into mulch for our parks.

La st Ca ll

The Thornhill Liberal | Thursday, December 31, 2015 |

for a chance to

We need YOUR help to choose the name for our NEW MULTI-USE PATHWAY

Markham residents are invited to vote for their favourite name by Friday, January 8, 2016. Visit markham.ca/WinIt for contest details.

‘Tis the Season to January 5-15, 2016

Please have your tree: • At the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your collection day • Free of all decorations, lights, wires and stand • Unwrapped – NO PLASTIC BAG • Loose - not frozen to the ground or buried in snow Check your 2016 Recycling Collection Schedule or visit markham.ca for your tree pick-up dates.

Markham’s Race Relations Committee Presents

MANY FACES OF MARKHAM

Volunteers Needed!

Community participation is a key part of building Markham’s future. Markham Boards/ Committees provide advice to Council on their mandate. Get involved and play an active role in your community!

Aboriginal Celebrations:

Voices from the Past, Present & Future

Sunday, March 20, 2016

CALLING ALL COMMUNITY PERFORMERS Sign up by Jan. 19 to audition for the concert ART CONTEST Submit your creative works of art by Feb. 5 Winners will be announced at the event

Learn more at markham.ca/ManyFaces

Volunteer positions are currently available on the following Committees: • Advisory Committee on Accessibility • Achievement & Civic Recognition Committee • Animal Care Committee • Environmental Advisory Committee • Heritage Markham Committee • RBC Markham-Milliken Children’s Festival Committee • Seniors’ Hall of Fame Committee Application deadline: January 15, 2016

For more information and applications visit markham.ca or the Clerk’s Office (101 Town Centre Boulevard, Markham).

HOLIDAY RECYCLING & WASTE COLLECTION NO COLLECTION SERVICES ON DECEMBER 25 OR JANUARY 1 Your collection day moves to the next day IF YOUR COLLECTION DAY IS:

IT CHANGES TO:

Friday, Dec. 25 (Area A & B) Friday, Jan. 1 (Area A & B)

Saturday, Dec. 26 Saturday, Jan. 2

RECYCLING DEPOT HOLIDAY HOURS & CLOSURES

Celebrate Markham Grant Program Apply Now

Applications are now being accepted for activities taking place April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017. Application deadline: January 7, 2016 Not-for-profit organizations are invited to apply for: Cultural Events l Major Festivals l Sports Events l Seniors’ Clubs Details & application forms available at markham.ca/celebratemarkham

December 24 & 31 Markham, Unionville & Thornhill locations are OPEN 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. December 25, 26 & January 1 Markham, Unionville, Thornhill & Milliken Mills locations are CLOSED TUESDAY - A

2016

Switch to your 2016 Recycling Collection Schedule on January 1 For more information, visit markham.ca

The Thornhill Liberal | Thursday, December 31, 2015 |

Buy Online:

50% off

$25.00

$17 for a 3-Piece sun kissed fresHwaTer Pearl seT (a $72 Value) neverland sales

Buy Online:

46% off

$59.00

$59 for an annual Trail Pass (a $110 Value) Park to Park trail association

Buy Online:

48% off

$21.00

$21 for admission for one Person To a 2 Hour social PainT eVenT (a $40 Value) art.circle - social art

Buy Online:

28% off

$219.00

uP To 35% off TickeTs To see THe ToronTo raPTors Vs. deTroiT PisTons in deTroiT on feBruary 8, 2016 TransPorTaTion included roundtriP tours inc.

Buy Online:

62% off

81% off

WagJag.com

Buy Online:

$18.00

uP To 81% off PrinT or diGiTal suBscriPTions To THe Hockey news maGazine (2 oPTions) tva Publications

Buy

$42.00

TickeTs To monTreal canadiens Games - Home and away seatGiant

Buy Online:

$49.00

$49 for a 1-Hour rmT massaGe wiTH insurance receiPT (a $129 Value) ocean breeze sPa

Buy Online:

Visit

87% off

$19.00

$19 for a windsHield rePair on uP To 3 cHiPs (a $150 Value) mrm auto Glass

Buy Online:

69% off

$75.00

uP To 70% off snowkiTinG wiTH flyBoard XTreme kite Xtreme In partnership with

brought to you by your trusted hometown Metroland Newspaper

THORNHILL LIBERAL

To advertise your deal call one of our Metroland Sales Representatives at 905-943-6100

MPP Gila Martow Thornhill human trafficking, and relayed many of his suggestions to the Legislature. Each MPP has at least one chance per year to introduce a private member’s bill. My bill called on the government to address better management of accidents on our highways. Blocked lanes are far more than just a nuisance, they are a serious impediment to economic success. We had a successful turn in committee and I am looking forward debating this in the Legislature. The debates are fully televised, so tune in if you want to watch your elected officials talk, talk and talk some more. Imagine all the talking we do all day at Queen’s Park, only to stop in at events at the end of the day. The amazing thing is that the politicians still want a

chance at the microphone! As one of the representatives for the francophone community, I should mention there is a French channel, as well. In our own riding of Thornhill are many who are fluent in French. I thank those who have been assisting me at events, or messaging me some corrections or notes of encouragement. Merci! While I am making an effort to meet with many of the francophone communities in Ontario, the vast majority of my communication is with constituents in Thornhill. Many of you share my concerns regarding our evergrowing provincial debt and wonder how we will afford to pay for the things we need including education, health care and infrastructure, when so much of the taxes collected go to paying just the interest on our collective debt. Yet, in spite of our current government’s struggles, many of our businesses continue to function and, in some sectors, grow — a sign of hope that we should not take for granted. Let us look forward to a happy and healthy 2016 for our families and friends and hope we have much more to celebrate when 2017 rolls in.

jgrimaldi@yrmg.com

Man, 18, stabbed in street robbery

Roads were closed for hours Tuesday morning, and two people were sent to hospital with life-threatening injuries, after a serious crash in Markham. The police reconstruction unit investigated the 6:30 a.m. crash and had closed roads around Ninth Line and Elgin Mills Road. It was just one of 10 crashes across York Region Tuesday morning as the season’s first snowfall wreaked havoc for some commuters. However, according to York Regional Police Const. Andy Pattenden, the low number of crashes indicates many people are still off work for the holidays.

An 18-year-old man was stabbed during a street robbery Dec. 21 in Vaughan. York Regional Police say the victim was wounded in the abdomen in the incident that occurred after midnight on Kimber Crescent near Rutherford and Weston roads. The man’s injuries were non-life threatening in the attack that took place when a suspect demanded the victim’s wallet, then stabbed him. There has been no arrest and York police did not release a description of the suspect involved in the robbery.

By Jeremy Grimaldi

NOTICE: NEW MARKHAM BY-LAWS RELATED TO DEVELOPMENT CHARGES The City of Markham Council passed by-laws 2015-167 to 2015-169, inclusive, on December 15, 2015 under Section 2 of the Development Charges Act, 1997, S.O. 1997, c.27. These by-laws came into effect on December 16, 2015. By-laws 2015-167 to 2015-169 establish development charges for specific areas in Markham, and apply to new developments within those areas. These by-laws set rates to recover the cost of constructing sanitary sewers, storm water management, and roads and other related infrastructure. The charges imposed under by-laws 2015-167 to 2015-169 are as follows: Bylaw No. 2015-167 2015-168 2015-169

Area No. 9 42B.6 42B.8

Area Name PD 1-7 Markham Centre - South Hwy 7 Markham Centre - Sciberras

Charge (per net hectare) $703,457 $1,292,166 $1,463,786

Key maps are not provided in this notice as the detail and scale of such maps would be difficult to reproduce in an accurate and legible form. Key maps showing each of the applicable areas are available for review at the Office of the City Clerk or on the City’s website at www.markham.ca. Any person or organization may appeal the passing of these by-laws to the Ontario Municipal Board by filing a notice of appeal with the City Clerk of The Corporation of the City of Markham no later than Monday, January 25 2016 setting out the objection to the by-law or by-laws and the reasons supporting the objection. DATED at The Corporation of the City of Markham this 30th day of December 2015. Kimberley Kitteringham, City Clerk, City of Markham, 101 Town Centre Blvd., Markham, ON L3R 9W3 | 905-475-4744

I don’t want this column to be a negative review of all the scandals, mismanagement and OPP investigations down at Queen’s Park in 2015. I do not want to be reminded of our soaring electricity costs — among the highest in North America. Nor do I want to focus on medical professionals’ legitimate complaints that health care spending is not keeping pace with new treatments, our aging population or population growth. Instead, let’s do our best to be thankful to live in a community that is easily accessible to health care, entertainment, airports, and just about anything you could want (except, perhaps, some sunshine.) In spite of being in opposition down at our legislature, I felt involved and able to provide comment in my role at Thornhill MPP. Laurie Scott, MPP Haliburton-Kiwartha Lakes-Brock, introduced a private member’s motion which called on the government to create a provincial task force to combat human trafficking. Most victims are girls between 12 and 21, and more than 90 per cent are born in Canada. I spoke to Officer Peter Casey, who is part of own York Region Police team to combat

5 |The Thornhill Liberal | Thursday, December 31, 2015

Bill aims to better manage highway crashes

Two injured in serious Markham crash

OFF THE PURCHASE OF MOTRIMAX™ 12 HOUR PRODUCTS

04396420

TO THE DEALER/RETAILER: McNeil Consumer Healthcare, division of Johnson & Johnson Inc. (McNeil) will reimburse you for the coupon’s face value plus our specified handling fee provided your customer redeems it at the time of purchase of any item(s) specified. Limit one coupon per purchase and per person, and may not be combined with any other offer. Other applications may constitute fraud. In Quebec, do not redeem this coupon for your customer. McNeil, in its sole discretion, may refuse reimbursement where it suspects fraudulent redemption has occurred or where applications for reimbursement are received more than one month from the expiry date indicated on the coupon. Failure to send in, on request, evidence that sufficient stock was purchased in the previous 90 days to cover coupons will void coupons. Coupons submitted become McNeil property. Reproduction of this coupon is expressly prohibited. For redemption, mail to: McNeil Consumer Healthcare, division of Johnson & Johnson Inc., P.O. Box 3000, Saint John, N.B. E2L 4L3. NOT VALID FOR REDEMPTION IN ANY STORE OR PHARMACY IN QUEBEC. TO THE CUSTOMER/CONSUMER: Provincial Law may require the retailer to charge the applicable tax on the full value of the purchase(s) before the redemption in coupon value. GST, HST, QST and PST are included in face value, where applicable. Coupon is void if reproduced or altered from original. Any other use constitutes fraud. Limit one coupon per purchase and per person, and may not be combined with any other offer. No facsimiles. Offer valid only at participating retailers in Canada excluding Quebec. Available while quantities last. COUPON EXPIRY DATE: December 31, 2015 © Johnson & Johnson Inc. 2015 EW

The Thornhill Liberal | Thursday, December 31, 2015 |

Publisher Ian Proudfoot

Established 1878

OPINION 2015 The year according to

Business Manager Robert Lazurko

General manager Shaun Sauve EDITORIAL 905-881-3373 DISTRIBUTION 1-855-853-5613

ADVERTISING 905-943-6095 Classified: 1-800-743-3353

THORNHILL LIBERAL 50 McIntosh Dr., Markham, unit 115, Ont. L3R 9T3

www.yorkregion.com

FEBRUARY

Director, Distribution and Circulation Carol Lamb Editor Marney Beck

October

mbeck@yrmg.com

Assistant Editor Patrick Mangion pmangion@yrmg.com

Regional Director of Creative Services Katherine Porcheron Director, ADVERTISING Maureen Christie Advertising Manager Mara Sepe msepe@yrmg.com

Circulation Co-ordinator Daphne Lawrie

MARCH

dlawrie@yrmg.com

Delivery inquiries? e-mail

yrcustomerservice @yrmg.com DISTRIBUTION

1-855-853-5613 ADVERTISING 905-943-6095 CLASSIFIED 905-884-1105

thornhill liberal York Region Media Group community newspapers The Thornhill Liberal, published every Thursday, is a division of the Metroland Media Group Ltd., a whollyowned subsidiary of Torstar Corp.

LETTERS POLICY All submissions must be less than 400 words and include a daytime telephone number, name and address. The Liberal reserves the right to publish or not publish and to edit for clarity and space. E-mail mbeck@yrmg.com

Ontario Press Council

ONTARIO PRESS COUNCIL

Canadian Circulations Audit Board Member

MAY

JULY

NOVEMBER

Numerous Thornhill athletes earned national and international acclaim in 2015. Local tennis players received high honours when Tennis Canada announced their annual award winners last week. Milos Raonic was named the Birks Male Player of the Year. For the 24-year-old Thornhill resident, his selection marked the fifth straight year he earned that distinction. Raonic had a strong start to the season, making the final at Brisbane and the quarterfinals of the Australian Open. At Indian Wells in March, he defeated Rafael Nadal for the first time to advance into his fifth Masters 1000 semifinal. He hit a career-high ranking of world No. 4 in May to become the first Cana-

dian to ever rank Top 4 in singles. His best result in the back half of the season was capturing his seventh ATP World Tour title at St. Petersburg to make it five straight years he has won at least one trophy.

CAROL ZHAO Carol Zhao was named Most Improved Female Player by Tennis Canada. A 20-yearold Vaughan resident, currently at Stanford University and member of their women’s tennis team, Zhao made her mark in the National Collegiate Athletic Association circuit where she advanced into the Division I singles final and began the 2015-16 season as the No. 1-ranked player in the NCAA.

Zhao and partner Gaby Dabrowski won the gold medal in the women’s doubles final at the 2015 Pan American Games.

ANDREW WIGGINS On the hardwood courts, Thornhill resident and former Vaughan Secondary School student Andrew Wiggins lived up to all the hype he was given prior to making his debut in the National Basketball Association by earning the league’s Rookie of the Year Award as a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Originally drafted first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2014-15 NBA draft before being dealt to Minnesota during the offseason, the 20-year-old, six-foot-eight inch guard-for-

ward averaged 16.9 points a game while playing in all 82 regular season games.

Mitch Marner After finishing second in the Ontario Hockey League’s regular season scoring race with 44 goals and 82 assists in 63 regular season games while playing for the London Knights, Thornhill’s Mitchell Marner was chosen fourth overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2015 National Hockey League draft. Marner made the 23-player Team Canada roster playing in the 2015-16 World Junior Championships in Finland — chasing the gold medal. - Michael Hayakawa

|The Thornhill Liberal | Thursday, December 31, 2015

Raonic, Zhao, Wiggins, earn sports acclaim in 2016

THE FASTEST GROWING AUTOMOTIVE BRAND Based on full-line brands, on 12 IN CANADA month, year over year rolling unit sales ONLY UNTIL JANUARY 4TH

0 84 + 1,500 %

†

APR

UP TO

FINANCING FOR UP TO

MONTHS MONTHS

2 2015 015 N NISSAN ISSAN ALTIMA

2 2015 015 N NISSAN ISSAN SENTRA SENTR A

HOLIDAY CASH* ON ALTIMA 2.5 SL

2 2016 016 N NISSAN ISSAN ROGUE

2 2015 015 N NISSAN ISSAN PATHFINDER PATHFINDER

2 2015 015 N NISSAN ISSAN MICRA®

VISIT CHOOSENISSAN.CA OR YOUR LOCAL RETAILER ALREADY DRIVING A NISSAN? OUR LOYALTY PROGRAM HAS GREAT OFFERS! Offers available from December 1, 2015 – January 4, 2016. †Representative finance offer based on any new 2015 Altima 2.5 SL (T4TG15 AA00). Selling price is $30,029 financed at 0% APR equals 84 monthly payments of $357 for a 84 month term. $0 down payment required. Total finance obligation is $30,029. $1,500 Holiday Cash included in advertised offers. Dealer trade may be nessessary. *Altima 2.5 SL and Pathfinder S 4x4 can be financed at 0% for 84/72 month and receive $1,500 Holiday Cash. The $1,500 discount is available on any 2015 Altima/2015 Pathfinder when leased or financed with NCF. See your dealer or visit Nissan.ca/Loyalty. Holiday Cash consist of $500/$1,000/$1,000/$1,500/$1,500 on 2015 Micra/2015 Sentra/2016 Rogue/2015 Altima/2015 Pathfinder models. The Nissan Loyalty Offer (“Offer”) is available only to eligible customers who (as of September 1, 2015) lease/leased, finance/financed or own/owned a 2007 or newer Nissan brand vehicle (an “Existing Vehicle”). Eligibility for the Offer will be determined by Nissan Canada Inc. (“NCI”) in its sole discretion. Proof of current or previous ownership/lease/finance contract will be required. Offer is not transferrable or assignable, except to a co-owner/co-lessee of the Existing Vehicle who resides within the same household as the intended recipient of the Offer. If the eligible customer elects to lease or finance a new and previously unregistered model year 2015 and 2016 Nissan brand vehicle (excluding NV, Fleet and daily rentals) (an “Eligible New Vehicle”) through NCI and Nissan Canada Financial Services Inc. (collectively “NCF”), then he/she will receive a specified amount of stackable loyalty dollars (“Loyalty Dollars”), as follows: (i) Micra/Versa/Sentra ($500); (ii) Juke/Rogue ($600); (iii) Altima/Frontier/Xterra/Leaf/Murano/Pathfinder ($800); and (iv) Maxima/Z/Titan, Armada/GT-R ($1000). Loyalty Dollars will be applied after taxes, which means that Loyalty Dollars are inclusive of all applicable taxes. Alternatively, if the eligible customer elects to purchase or lease/finance an Eligible New Vehicle (excluding GT-R and LEAF™ ) other than through NCF, then he/she will receive a three-year/48,000 kilometer (whichever comes first) Oil Change and Tire Rotation Plan which consists of a maximum of 6 service visits, each consisting of 1 oil change (using conventional 5W30 motor oil) and 1 tire rotation. For complete details on the Oil Change and Tire Rotation Plan, ask your dealer. Offer has no cash redemption value and can be combined with other offers. Offer valid on Eligible New Vehicles purchased/leased/financed and delivered between December 1, 2015 and January 4, 2016. Conditions apply. Model(s) shown for illustration purposes only. Offer subject to change or cancellation without notice. While quantities last. Ask your dealer or visit www.nissan.ca for complete details. Nissan names, logos and slogans are trademarks owned by or licensed to Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. and/or its North American subsidiaries. ©2015 Nissan Canada Inc. Conditions apply. Model(s) shown for illustration purposes only. Offer subject to change or cancellation without notice. While quantities last. Nissan names, logos and slogans are trademarks owned by or licensed to Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. and/or its North American subsidiaries. See your participating Nissan retailer for complete details. ©2015 Nissan Canada Inc. and Nissan Canada Financial Services Inc. a division of Nissan Canada Inc.

WILLOWDALE NISSAN 7200 YONGE STREET, THORNHILL TEL: (905) 881-3900 EW

The Thornhill Liberal | Thursday, December 31, 2015 |

Resolve to savour with loved ones each moment of 2016 The end of a year and beginning of the next is often a time for reflection. Time to consider both good and bad from the year that’s been and plan for changes and good intentions for the year to come. Along with reflecting back and planning for the future, the new year is also a time for resolutions. This year I have decided to forgo the traditional ones such as losing weight and exercising more. Instead, I have decided to live each day and to cherish each moment as if it were the last. I don’t mean for this to sound morbid.

SISTER’S LABOUR OF LOVE I have my youngest sister, Alison, to thank for bringing this realization to the forefront of my conscious mind recently. She was telling me about an interaction between herself and her 15-year-old daughter. Tired after a long day at school, my niece approached my sister with a request to wash her hair. My sister jumped at the opportunity. As she lathered her hair with shampoo, massaged her head and washed out the soapy suds, she spent extra time at something she had previously rushed through and taken for granted. So much so, that her daughter asked her to hurry it up. After she wrapped the towel around her daughter’s head and offered to comb out her hair (my niece declined this), my sister felt a lump in her throat and a tear in her eye as she remembered a time when washing her daughter’s hair was considered a laborious chore, rather than the labour of love she felt that day. Little did she imagine that this opportunity to connect with her daughter in such a nurturing way would be unthinkable years ago when she longed for her youngest child to hurry up and be more independent.

Sara Dimerman Parenting column

3rd

ANNUAL

E SAVATE!

THE

UR YO CH ET A E G R TAR KET! R MA

CAREGIVERSHOW.CA

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

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

SpOnSOREd BY:

OPEN TODAY

8:30AM - UNTIL THE LAST CUSTOMER LEAVES

FINANCE RA RATES AS LOW AS

2015 NISSAN SENTRA

≠

MONTHLY LEASE FROM

281 +HST

WITH

DOWN AT

1.99%

FINANCE RATES AS LOW AS

1,000

†

APR FOR 60 MONTHS

Available Features Include: • Around View Monitor with 360° Birds’Eye View‡ • Nissan Safety Shield with Forward Emergency Braking° THAT’S LIKE PAYING ONLY $ * WEEKLY ON ROGUE S FWD GET +HST

LEARN. CONNECT. REJUVENATE.

2016 NISSAN ROGUE

APR FOR 84 MONTHS ON SENTRA 1.8 SR PREMIUM

†

APR

UP TO

OR NO PAYMENTS UNTIL

JUNE 2016

1,000

+ GET $

FINANCE† RATES AS LOW AS APR FOR 60 MONTHS

HOLIDAY CASH*

THE “HIGHEST RANKED COMPACT CAR IN INITIAL QUALITY” IN THE U.S.

NISSAN RETAILER IN CANADA YEAR TO DATE

HOLIDAY CASH*

ON SELECT MODELS

2015 NISSAN PATHFINDER

+ GET $500 HOLIDAY CASH*

FINANCE† RATES AS LOW AS APR FOR 72 MONTHS ON PATHFINDER S 4X2

OR GET UP TO

≠

MONTHLY LEASE FROM

174

+HST WITH DOWN AT

≠

THAT’S LIKE PAYING ONLY $ * +HST +HST WEEKLY ON SENTRA S CVT TOP SAFETY AND TOP QUALITY ONLY IN 2015 NISSAN SENTRA

DOWN AT

APR FOR 60 MONTHS

SR AT model shown▲

HOLIDAY CASH*

5,250

CASH DISCOUNT+ ON PATHFINDER PLATINUM 4X4 MODEL

≠

MONTHLY LEASE FROM

393

APR FOR 60 MONTHS

+ GET $1,500

Available Features Include: • Tri-Zone Entertainment • Class-Exclusive Around View® Monitor^

0 1.49% $

1.8 SL model shown▲

SL AWD Premium model shown▲

WILLOWDALE NISSAN

2015 NISSAN MICRA®

Safety Comes Standard: • Nissan Advanced Airbag System (6 airbags) • Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)

214

Thornhill’s Sara Dimerman is a psychologist, author and mom to two daughters. For more advice, connect at www.helpmesara.com or on Twitter @helpmesara.

1,500

Available vailable Features Include: • 17-inch Aluminum Alloy Wheels • Standard Bluetooth Handsfree Phone System

MONTHLY LEASE FROM WITH $

WHAT IF IT WERE THE LAST TIME? What if I had known that the last time I snuggled in bed with my daughter as she fell asleep would be the last time she allowed me to do so? Would I have lingered a little bit longer, as opposed to counting down the minutes before I could go back to my own bed? What if I had known that the last time I fed my beloved pet would have been the final dish of food I put on his mat, before he refused to eat and declined rapidly? The bottom line is to try not to take things for granted or to rush through life. As the new year begins, try to savour each moment, appreciate every task — profound or menial — and linger just a little bit longer before moving on. Wishing you and yours a meaningful, mindful 2016!

HOLIDAY CASH*

This led my sister and me into a discussion about whether we might have treasured or more fully experienced the last time we engaged in an activity differently — if we knew it was the last. What if I had known that the scrambled egg I made my dad and fed to him during his last conscious hours a couple of months ago would have been the last thing he ate? Would I have made the egg with even more tender loving care?

What I mean is that I will take on even the simplest and tedious tasks with more appreciation. I will feel more gratitude that I have the ability to do what I am doing — both mentally and physically — and will treasure the moment and not take it for granted.

+HST

THAT’S LIKE PAYING ONLY $ * +HST WEEKLY ON MICRA S AUTOMATIC

WITH

ALREADY DRIVING A NISSAN? OUR LOYALTY PROGRAM HAS GREAT OFFERS!

DOWN AT

2.49%

APR FOR 60 MONTHS

Platinum model shown▲ THAT’S LIKE PAYING ONLY $ * +HST WEEKLY ON PATHFINDER S FWD

VISIT WWW.WILLOWDALENISSAN.COM • ENDS JANUARY 4TH

WITH EACH PURCHASE RECEIVE A CAR CARE KIT WILLOWDALE NISSAN 7200 Yonge St., Thornhill ON

1-888-684-2540 www.willowdalenissan.com EW

Monday - Thursday: 9:00am - 9:00pm

Friday - Saturday: 9:00am - 6:00pm

NISSAN GTR DEALER IN CANADA

NISSAN DEALER IN ONTARIO YEAR TO DATE

30 % 50 MINIMUM

OFF*

9 |The Thornhill Liberal | Thursday, December 31, 2015

UNTIL JANUARY 3 , 2016 RD

Winter Clothing & Winter Boots

BOXING DAY CONTINUES

DEALS IN ALL DEPARTMENTS! INCLUDES JUNIOR COLLECTIONS MINIMUM

20 % 50 Snowshoes

OFF*

MINIMUM

15 Rods, Reels

% OFF *

& Firearms

30 % 50

OFF*

Junior Winter Clothing & Winter Boots

VISIT SAIL.CA BURLINGTON | CAMBRIDGE | ETOBICOKE | OSHAWA | VAUGHAN *Applies to our regular price only. Excludes hunting & fishing clothing & boots & waders, baselayers and accessories. Arcâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;teryx and Canada Goose are excluded from this promotion. Other Exclusions may apply. Details in-store. While quantities last.

The Thornhill Liberal | Thursday, December 31, 2015 |

Thornhill actress recognized for talents By DAVID LI

When Berkley Silverman took up acting about five years ago, it was a way to overcome her anxiety of communicating with others. It’s since become a passion for the now 11-year-old Thornhill resident. “At first, I was shy and I was scared and nervous to talk to people and my mom and dad wanted to do something to fix this, so they enrolled me in a theatre school,” recalled the young actress. “They didn’t even think I would get on stage, but I did and it didn’t take me long to realize how much I liked acting, singing, and dancing,” she continued. One of her big breaks came in 2013 when Berkley auditioned for Paw Patrol — currently Nickelodeon’s top animated children’s show which airs on TVO Kids. Despite being sick with a cold, Berkley decided to audition and was eventually selected as the voice actor for Everest, one of the show’s key characters. The Grade 7 student’s talents have not gone unnoticed, as she recently won a Joey Award — Canadian Entertainment Industry Awards that celebrate young Canadian performers — for her work on Paw Patrol. “It was one of the best experiences of my life, because I’ve never been to an award show before ... And winning an award was just icing on the cake,” Berkley said. According to her mother, Shari Quallenberg, Berkley’s success has been a pleasant surprise for the entire family. “She’s so much more confident talking to people now and it’s evident that she’s quite talented. We’re super proud to see how far she’s come,” said Quallenberg of her daughter’s progression, honing her skills through community theatre performances with Charactors Theatre Troupe and City Youth Players in Thornhill. - David Li is a Thornhill freelance writer.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Friday, Jan. 1 Hillcrest Mall in Richmond Hill is open New Year’s Day, Friday, Jan. 1 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more, visit hillcrestmall.ca. The Promenade Mall in Thornhill, Bathurst and Centre, is also open New Year’s Day, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., visit cfpromenade.ca

Sunday, Jan. 3 TD Markham Jazz Festival is holding its Annual General Meeting Jan. 3 at 2 p.m. at the Markham Civic Centre, 101 Town Centre Blvd., Markham (northwest corner of Warden and Hwy. 7) in the Canada Room. All jazz lovers and interested citizens invited to attend, especially those considering volunteering with the 2016 festival committee or wishing to help during jazz festival weekend. Meeting will include presentation of 2015 financial statements, election of 2016 directors, and overview and highlights of the 2015 TD jazz festival. For details, call Linda Briggs, executive director at 416200-4306.

Monday, Jan. 11 Traditional Persian Storytelling for Youth program, presented by Markham Public Library in collaboration with BOOSTAN Multicultural Collective, runs Mondays starting Jan. 11, 6:30 to 7 p.m., in the children’s department of Thornhill Community Centre Library, Bayview and John streets., Thornhill. Read books, play games, sing songs, and make friends; free drop-in program that continues until March 7, 2016.

York Catholic District School Board

Kindergarten Registration

Registration for the 2016-2017 school year begins

January 4, 2016

• Roman Catholic Baptismal Certificate (child or parent) • Proof of age • Proof of legal status in Canada • Proof of residency • Proof of Separate School Support (i.e. MPAC Assessment Notice), or you can complete a school support form that is included in the registration package.

You helped Santa Fund bring hope, gifts to families By Amanda Persico

apersico@yrmg.com

While a simple gift card can buy a sweater, it can also be a gift of empowerment — especially for a woman forced to leave an abusive home. This year the southern York Region Media Group Santa Fund helped support 30 families associated with Yellow Brick House, a shelter for homeless and battered women and children, along with the Canadian Mental Health Association. Many of the women who find themselves in shelters flee their home with nothing. Everyday items such as towels and bedding are not on the important-to-take list when a woman flees, said Yellow Brick House direct services manager Joanne Borris. And it is everyday items along with grocery store gift cards that top the wish list each year. “Toys and gifts are wonderful,” said Borris. “But that mother has to give her child a bath that night or has to go grocery shopping the next day. It can be horrific not to have those basic items or to struggle to buy a pack of diapers.” And gift cards, while simple, are the one of greatest gifts, bringing a sense of empowerment, Borris said.

COMMUNITY

NEWS

“Many of these women had everything taken away, their home, their income,” she said. “A gift card can bring dignity in that this woman can pick something special for her child. It can give her a sense of control, something she may never have had before.”

‘I’m amazed the community continues to give ... the community cares without even knowing these women.’ Yellow Brick House has been associated with the Santa Fund program for the last few years and the community’s generosity never ceases to impress. “I’m amazed the community continues to give, because they don’t see the end result, they don’t see the tears,” Borris said. “It is more than a gift. It’s the giving gesture that brings tears. The community cares without even knowing these women.” Studies in the last few

years have shown calls to the shelter’s crisis line increase by about 30 per cent during November and December. “That shows us the holidays already bring a heightened level of stress,” she said. And finding themselves in a shelter is the last place anyone would want to be, especially during the holiday season. Both shelter locations in Aurora and Markham are at capacity, Borris said earlier this month. At the Aurora shelter, 25 beds and seven cribs were occupied, while in Markham the 16 beds and five cribs were full, too. Over the past decade, the Santa Fund has put gifts under the Christmas tree of more than 200 families in Markham, Thornhill, Richmond Hill and WhitchurchStouffville. Every year, the need is getting stronger, said Santa Fund co-ordinator Tyler Duncan of The Liberal newspaper, noting it’s all about building community during a time of celebration and hope. “We need to help our neighbours who need a helping hand,” Duncan explained. “If we can place gifts under the tree for those who otherwise would go without, then we are making our communities stronger.”

ON NOW AT THE BRICK!

JK: Children must be 4 years old by Dec. 31, 2016 (born in 2012) SK: Children must be 5 years old by Dec. 31, 2016 (born in 2011)

If your child is already attending a YCDSB school for JK you do not need to register for SK

Parents/Guardians are encouraged to call the school before visiting.

Find your local Catholic school at: locator.ycdsb.ca For information, contact the Admissions Department: EW

www.ycdsb.ca/admissions

@ycdsb

905-713-2711 or 416-221-5050

SAVING YOU MORE For more details go instore or online @thebrick.com.

LocalWork.ca

Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5pm • 905-853-2527 • Toll Free 1-800-743-3353 • Fax 905-853-1765 • For delivery questions, please contact 1-855-853-5613 CONSTRUCTION ADMIN CLERK for utility contractor at Hwy#7/Dufferin area. Obtain and follow up utility locates, safety and equipment record keeping. Need Excel skills. Own car.

Email: jobs2015@con-elco.com

Real Estate Misc./Services

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

Vehicles Wanted/Wrecking

$100-$10,000

Vehicles Wanted/Wrecking

Cash 4 Cars

Dead or alive Same day Fast FREE Towing 416-831-7399

Domestic Help Available

ABSOLUTELY BEST cleaning ladies available. Honest & hard working, insured/ bonded. 416-897-6782. www.maidforyoutorontoltd.com Legals

Legals

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND OTHERS In the Estate of Freda Isabelle Johnstone

For door-to-door newspaper delivery 1 day per week. Reliable vehicle required Call 1-855-853-5613 ext. 8

Legal Services

Flooring & Carpeting

CARPET, LAMINATELinoleum. A1, sales, installation, repair, restretch. Seniors discount. For expert workmanship/ low rates, free estimate call (416)569-5606

Dated at Niagara Falls, Ontario, this 10th day of December, 2015.

NANNY/HOUSEKEEPER NEEDED for 7 year old twins. Live in or out, part or full time. Light cleaning, some cooking, lunch and snack preparation, pet care, activities etc.. Monday to Friday, own car required. Salary negotiable. Call 647-298-4223. Richmond Hill area.

Legal Services

CRIMINAL RECORD? Canadian Record Suspension (Criminal pardon) seals record. American waiver allows legal entry. Why risk employment, business, travel, licensing, deportation, peace of mind? Free consultation: 1-800-347-2540

Mortgages/Loans

Domestic Help Wanted

NOW HIRING Full Time

• Learn skills • Win prizes • Fun carrier events • Bonus point program

For door-to-door newspaper delivery 1 day per week. Call 1-855-853-5613 ext. 8

SALES / DESIGN

Home Renovations

HOME RENO. 25 years exp. Basement. Kitchen. Bathroom. Drywall. Painting. Call Cam 647-388-1866 www.hongfuconstruction.com Mortgages/Loans

$$$ MONEY $$$

CONSOLIDATE Debts Mortgages to 90% No income, Bad credit OK! Better Option Mortgage #10969 1-800-282-1169 www.mortgageontario.com

Moving & Storage

Full time, part time, on call. $11.25/hr. Company vehicle provided. Great opportunity! Email: hrcity@outlook.com

Join the Industry Leader

Earn up to $1K - $3K comm./month • Preset Appointments • No cold calling

Fun ~ Creative ~ Rewarding

Must have own vehicle and fluently speak, read, and write English. Training provided.

Call Rita 800-293-3744

Home Renovations

Domestic Help Wanted

CARRIERS NEEDED

ADULT CARRIERS NEEDED

All claims against the Estate of Freda Isabelle Johnstone, late of Richmond Hill, Ontario, who died on January 26, 2015, must be filed with the undersigned on or before January 14, 2016. The Estate will then be distributed with regard only to claims for which notice was received prior to that date, and without liability for any subsequent claims.

Denise M. Elliott MARTIN SHEPPARD FRASER LLP Barristers & Solicitors 4701 St. Clair Avenue, P.O. Box 900 Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6V7

29 DRIVERS needed ASAP

Classifieds

F/T CAREGIVER to care for elderly person with a spine condition, private home (Thornhill). 40hrs/wk. Mon-Fri 8am-6pm including unpaid breaks. Temp 2yr position. $13.76/hr (overtime $20.64). 10 days vacation. 5 days paid sick leave. Live-in option available at no charge (not a condition of employment). Duties: Administer bedside and personal care/hygiene, dressing/undressing, housekeeping, meal preparation, childcare, pet care. 1yr exp or 6 months training req’d and completion of secondary school. Must be able to communicate in English. Contact: mary@vinbon.ca, 416-746-4501.

Lifenews.ca

Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5pm • 905-853-2527 • Toll Free 1-800-743-3353 • Fax 905-853-1765 For delivery questions, please contact 1-855-853-5613 BAGLEY, Robert (December 1st, 1922 December 23rd, 2015),

DICKSON, Joan Thelma

Peacefully, with his family by his side, at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital.

Passed away at the Elginwood Long Term Care on Saturday, December 26, 2015.

Devoted husband for 72 years to the love of his life, Joan (Raynor); supportive and caring father to John (Diane), David (Frances) and Lynn (Cecil); proud grandfather to Michelle, Kimberley, Karyn, Greg, Tracey, Michael & Lisa; great grandfather to 14 and great great grandfather to 3. Dad was a decorated Veteran of WWII, serving overseas with the 2nd Army Group, Royal Canadian Artillery. A hard working man who along with his wife built their family home, one log at a time in Richmond Hill, where they have resided since 1949. A long life well lived, we are all privileged and honoured to have had him in our lives. At Dad’s request, there will be no funeral service. Cremation has taken place. As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made to Hill House Hospice, Richmond Hill.

“Remember When”, “Livin’ On Love”

Joan, wife of the late Robert (Bob Dickson). Mother of Robert Anderson. A Memorial Service will be held at THE MARSHALL FUNERAL HOME, 10366 Yonge St., Richmond Hill (4th traffic light north of Major Mackenzie Dr.) on Tuesday, January 5th, 2016 at 2 p.m. Cremated Remains to be interred in the Yelverton Cemetery in the spring with her parents.

CRAIGIE, Irene Helen (of Richmond Hill, member of Richvale Lioness Club) Peacefully at Hill House Hospice, on Sunday, December 27, 2015, in her 92nd year. Beloved wife of the late James Craigie, and dear mother of Cynthia (Ted Smith) of Newmarket, Neil (Lyn) of Saskatoon and Alan (Wendy) of Shining Tree. Loving Grandma of Alexa (Chris Laughren), Drew, Stephanie Anne, Kirsten (Kelly Singer), and Ry (Vickie). Great grandmother of Noah Singer. As per Irene’s wishes, a private graveside service was held at Aurora Cemetery. In memory of Irene, please consider a donation to Hill House Hospice. On-line condolences and donations may be made at www.roadhouseandrose.com

Call 1-800-743-3353 to plan your advertising campaign today!

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

THORNHILL LIBERAL www.yorkregion.com

| The Liberal | Thursday, December 31, 2015

Classifieds

The Liberal | Thursday, December 31, 2015 |

ife stories L

A celebration of lives well lived and people well loved Read more Life Stories on yorkregion.com

Fiddle champion Arbuckle was devoted husband, father R By Simone JoSeph

sjoseph@yrmg.com

obert Arbuckle was rarely idle. When daughters Roberta or Adrienne visited their father, he always seemed to be doing something. He would be practising music, or trying out a new recipe. Robert was always trying to improve — in music, cooking and baking. He never stopped learning, according to Roberta. Robert bought a mandolin about two years ago and was teaching himself to play. He loved baking and was forever on the Internet, looking for new recipes. He was continually challenging himself to come up with ways to keep busy, Roberta said. Cooking was definitely one of his passions. A case in point: He could be out cutting grass or in the middle of gardening. When the Canadian cooking show Urban Peasant came on, he would drop whatever he was doing, stop, watch the show, write down the recipe of the day and try it out. Robert grew up outside of King City. At age 11, he started violin lessons and would later go on to become a renowned fiddler. He learned his first songs from his parents, also fiddle players. By age 14, he was already playing at square dances around his hometown of Laskay, Ontario. Robert, or “Bob” as he was also known, played with various groups

Lstories ife

over the years, including Art Celsie and the Singing Plainsmen, who had a weekly radio show on CJRH Richmond Hill and later a TV show on CKVR Barrie during the early 1960s. Robert met his wife Ginny Sherratt while playing with a group in Aurora and they later had their own group from 1965 to1970. Ginny was a singer/guitar player from the U.S. She played with singer/accordionist/arranger Joan Fairfax. Ginny’s parents were both wellknown Toronto musicians during the 1930s and ‘40s. In her last year of high school, she joined a local band called The Country Squires, where she met Robert. The couple would go on to play music for dances at Musselman’s Lake. The family lived in Oak Ridges for about 20 years. Robert coached for the Oak Ridges Minor Ball Association and also served as president of the association. The Arbuckle family also lived in Cedar Valley, near Newmarket. Roberta and Adrienne have happy memories of spending time together as a family tapping syrup from trees and making maple syrup. Their parents flooded the back yard so anyone could skate on the homemade rink. The family also enjoyed cross-country skiing on the property. Later, Robert and Adrienne ended up performing on the first Friday of every month at a seniors centre in Newmarket, with Robert

Robert Arbuckle (inset and at right) and beloved wife Ginny were accomplished musicians, making music together throughout York and across Ontario.

playing the fiddle and Adrienne playing the piano. Robert and Ginny started fiddler and step dancing competitions at Black Creek Pioneer Village and competed at the Royal Winter Fair. The couple ended up competing in step dance and fiddle competitions throughout the province, eventually graduating to judging the competitions. When Ginny went back to school at age 40 to become a legal secretary, Robert took over duties around the house. “He was a nice guy and a true gentleman,” Roberta said.

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.”

Not surprisingly, when Ginny battled cancer for 2-1/2 years, Robert supported her and put his own life on hold to help her. “It was amazing the time and effort he put in to look after her,” Roberta said. “It was a tireless effort. It was what he wanted to do. He was dedicated and devoted.” Ginny died in August of 2010. Robert missed her terribly since they had been partners both in love and in song, performing as a duo across York Region and Toronto. Robert died suddenly of a heart attack Nov. 22, 2015 and funeral services were held at Richmond Hill’s 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.

Marshall Funeral Home. The weekend he died, he had attended a bluegrass awards event in Huntsville. “He had a great weekend,” Roberta said. “He was doing something he enjoyed.” Karen Reed knew Robert through the fiddle contest circuit, posting an online condolence message: “He leaves behind many memories of kindness, gentleness, wisdom, great tunes and great playing. His life touched hundreds of people in a positive and encouraging way. His contribution to the fiddle world has been highly significant”.

FOR MORE INFORMATION or to contact one of our professional writers please call

Newmarket/Aurora EG Tracy Kibble ..................905-853-8888 Georgina & Bradford Ted McFadden .............905-853-8888 Markham, Bernie O’Neill ...............905-294-2200 Stouffville Jim Mason ....................905-640-2612 Vaughan & King PaulChampion Futhey...................905-264-8703 Kim Richmond Hill/Thornhill Marney Beck ................905-294-2200

Classifieds

Home Improvement

Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5pm • 905-853-2527 • Toll Free 1-800-743-3353 • Fax 905-853-1765 For delivery questions, please contact 1-855-853-5613

Mortgages & Loans

Apartments for Rent

Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5pm • 905-853-2527 Toll Free 1-800-743-3353 • Fax 905-853-1765

Gottarent.com Apartments for Rent

UNIONVILLE- MAIN STREET, Newly renovated large open-concept basement, S/E, parking, laundry, cable, internet, quiet professional. Non-smoking/ pets. $800 inclusive. 905-940-2877

Houses for Rent

New member of the family ? Share the News!

Houses for Rent

WESTON ROAD/ Major MacKenzieDetached 2-storey home, 3 bedrooms, finished basement. Appliances included. $2350/ month + utilities. Call Frank, Realty Executives 416-579-7355 YONGE/HWY#7, 1 Bedroom ground level apartment in newly renovated semi-detached house. 4 Appliances, parking, $1150 inclusive. 905-881-4568.

Houses for Rent

BRADFORD, BRIGHT spacious, 3 bedroom bungalow with partial basement. Parking, non-smoking/pets. $1200+ utilities, first/last, references. Available immediately. 905-856-3848, after 5pm.

Houses for Rent

Travel & Vacations

RICHMOND H ILL Bayview and Major Mackenzie, three bedrooms bungalow, two bathrooms, finished basement +two bedrooms, main floor hardwood, appliances, big deck, parking, $1750, 647-632-8218.

Travel & Vacations

REAL ESTATE. NW Montana. Tungstenholdings.com 406-293-3714

Call 1-800-743-3353 to place your ad