Tony Van Bynen

I have been on Facebook, Twitter & LinkedIn for about 3 years now, hoping that it could be an effective tool to connect with our community. For the most part is has been. Unfortunately, there is also a destructive, mean-spirited side to the way some people use Social Media.

I am troubled by the tone of the debate and the proceedings which we have witnessed in the past few months. They have been unproductive. Emotion, accusations, rhetoric and hyperbole have distracted council from doing the very work that our residents sent us to Town Hall to accomplish when they voted last October.

I dislike tax increases as much as the next person, however, a responsible budget (and a responsible council) balances the increase in taxes with the delivery of services that Newmarket residents ask for.

We are at an important crossroad for Newmarket. The world around us is changing and how we respond will determine the future we leave for our children & grandchildren.

Now the cost for proposed renovations to the Old Town Hall is estimated to be $8.4 million, up from the $6 million estimate as recently as November last year. It begs the question, what is an appropriate investment in this building to best serve the community? Here is the background.

Should we redevelop our downtown parking lot to include a community-gathering place as an extension of our Fairy Lake Park and trail system? Doing so would change the availability of parking somewhat and has raised some concerns.

How do they work and are they really a solution? My files go back over 5 years and I truly appreciate the concerns raised by our residents. Like many of my neighbours, I can hear the Go Train whistles from my house starting with the first southbound train 6:15 in the morning. Here is an update on the issue.

On January 05, 2009 we received a comprehensive staff report that recommended reducing the current container/bag limit of three (3) per residential unit (which has been in place since 2002) to two (2) containers/bags for garbage to be sent to landfill sites. There still is the option to place up to five (5) bags for pickup but a fee of $2.40 would apply for every bag over the two (2) bag limit. There is no limit on the number of Green Bins and Blue Boxes.

With all this economic uncertainty, 2010 will without doubt be a very challenging year for all of us. Probably more than we have seen in decades. That makes it particularly difficult for us in terms of planning our service levels and the related costs in providing them. I need your input.

Newmarket has been designated as one of four Urban Growth Centres in York Region. With that come as many benefits as do challenges. Along with the creation of jobs, particularly in manufacturing industries, the sense of community also needs to be preserved.

Starting in the fall of 2009 (and subject to funding) there will be a lot of construction along Yonge Street and Davis Drive. The plan is to widen both corridors to accommodate dedicated lanes for the Viva Rapid Transit Buses as well as address long standing road capacity issues. It can also be an opportunity to create positive growth for Newmarket's main arteries.