March 2011
Your council has begun deliberations on our 2011 tax rate and this always requires tough decisions as we seek to balance needs, services and cost. In Ward 4 I will be lobbying for remedial work at Rumble Pond, (Mill Street and Bathurst Street) which will require a public meeting to decide how the park will be remodeled. We also need some engineering work done at the back of Mill Pond to help move stormwater through that part of the forest in a manner that does not cause flooding and destroy the trails. There will also be a need for new play structures at Laratt Lea Park and maybe a reconfiguration of the amenities there that will also require a meeting with all the neighbours.
I will also be asking for the purchase of more of the solar-powered, pole-mounted radar signs. We presently have two of them installed up on Canyon Hill and they are very effective in helping drivers control their speed on the wide open areas of that roadway.
We have also been discussing for some time the possibility of a small percentage of tax relief for residents living in designated heritage homes in Richmond Hill, with the thought that since those homes are so important to the ambience of the community, that there should be some fiscal help to encourage designation of more homes and to help maintain the flavour of those heritage areas of Richmond Hill.
My fellow councillors will also be asking for the needs in their wards to be addressed. As you can imagine, this will facilitate lively discussion and much consideration, as we attempt to bring together a budget that satisfies those needs and our commitment to keeping taxes low. I am sure that we will be successful in doing so when we produce the budget at the end of the month. For more information on the budget process you can contact my office at 905-771-2480.
