The Face of Our City is changing - Don't be surprised by the future!!

These are exciting times for the City of Vaughan. Within the next 10 years we will open a hospital, two subway lines, a new (very green!!!) City Hall, and a corporate centre - downtown Vaughan - in the Jane and Highway 7 area. Yonge Street in Thornhill will be transformed from a busy, undistinguished, pedestrian unfriendly street to a transit-oriented urban environment. Intensification of our existing urban areas, especially along Yonge Street and Bathurst, will be occurring everywhere in Ward 5 and throughout the City.

City Council is hard at work attempting to grapple with each of these changes and ensure that what we will have in that near future is the best possible city for people to live, work and play. This edition of W5 Update will help guide you through the many studies, plans and projects that are taking place including the development of a new city-wide official plan, the Yonge Street subway, the planning review of Yonge Street from Steeles to the 407 (exclusive of the historic district) and the Vaughan Hospital. 

Please remember that for each of these projects every effort possible is being made to provide opportunities for the involvement and input of residents. Over the next few years there will be public meetings, consultation sessions, briefings and other attempts to get your input. Please take advantage of these consultations. We need to hear from you as early and often as possible!

Vaughan Tomorrow - The Official Plan Review

The last edition of W5 Update brought you the detail of our Vaughan Tomorrow program. This is one of the largest projects undertaken in the City's history. It is a three year program that will involve the development of a new Official Plan, Environmental Master Plan, Transportation Master Plan, Parks and Recreation Master Plan and a number of sector or corridor studies including the Corporate Centre and Yonge Street. This project will set in writing a roadmap for the future of our City.  More detailed information is available at www.vaughantomorrow.ca  Over the last six weeks or so we have sponsored three sessions with a wide variety of speakers to provide us with a range of different ideas about sustainability and city building.

Take part in the Vaughan Tomorrow Consultation being held on Tuesday May 27, 7:00 - 9:00 PM at the Centre for the Arts, (northern end of St. Elizabeth C.H.S., Centre Street and New Westminster)

We are now entering our first community consultation or visioning program. For details of this program including times and locations go to:   http://tinyurl.com/5da89b  If you are planning to attend, register at www.vaughantomorrow.ca or phone 905-832-2281 (ask for community visioning workshops). This workshop is your opportunity to have your voice heard on the future of your neighbourhood and the City of Vaughan.   

 Yonge Street Study

In response to a variety of issues, but primarily the plans for rapid transit on Yonge Street, the City initiated a comprehensive study of Yonge Street from Steeles Avenue to the historic district area and then continuing north to the 407 Highway. Markham has already been studying the southern part of their side of Yonge and is currently initiating a second study that will parallel ours to the north. The goal is to develop a compatible vision for the future of one of Ontario's most important streets. 

With the imminent arrival of a subway along Yonge Street and the Provincial Government Policy on intensification, there is no doubt that the Vaughan part of Yonge Street will change dramatically in the next few years. This is a chance to have your say on the future of this most important street. 

The study is now underway and one of the first steps in the process is to consult with residents about their issues and concerns.

A public open house is scheduled for:

Thursday, June 5, 2008 from 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm at the Thornhill Presbyterian Church Hall located at 271 Centre Street, just opposite the Thornbank Pond.

The purpose of the meeting is to introduce the Study to area residents, discuss the timing and process that will be used and to identify members of the public who would like to sit on a committee to provide input for the duration of the Study.  

 Yonge Street Subway 

The proposed Yonge Street subway extension up to the 407 Highway area is looking more and more like a reality. The Region is working diligently through Viva to conduct a variety of feasibility and planning studies, the most important one being an Environmental Assessment that must be conducted prior to a subway being built. Under new legislation, the Region is planning to do a "fast-track" Environment Assessment, beginning shortly. It is expected that Metrolinx, the new agency established by the Provincial Government to oversee rapid transit development in the GTA will be announcing its priority funding projects sometime in the fall. Once Yonge Street is announced (I am an optimist!!) it will be full steam ahead. 

Recently I attended the first meeting of the Yonge Street Subway Planning Committee along with Council colleagues, Mayor Linda Jackson and Regional Councillor Joyce Frustaglio. Also sitting on the Committee is Vaughan resident H.Tom Wilson. We will be working with other representatives from Viva, York Region, Markham and Richmond Hill to provide advice and leadership in the development of our plan to build the subway as quickly as possible.  Once again, an opportunity to get more information and to provide input into the planning process is being offered. 

You are invited to attend the first public consultation sessions on Tuesday, June 17th and Wednesday, June 18th at the Premiere Ballroom and Convention Centre, 9019 Leslie Street in Richmond Hill.

An opportunity to review plans in an open house setting will be available from 4 to 9 pm, and two presentations will focus on:

       Highway 7 Rapidways between Yonge Street and Kennedy Road at 6 pm

Yonge Street subway extension from Finch to Highway 7 at 7 pm  

Alan Speaking to participants at this year's 20 Minute Makeover - April 18, 2008 at Promenade Park. Students from St. Elizabeth's and the Promenade Mall paricipated in the event

Without a doubt our Vaughan loves its Volunteers!

Volunteers are very special people. At a time when everyone wants to be paid or just doesn't want to get involved, the people identified below are to be congratulated for their extraordinary contribution to our community. On Wednesday April 30th the City of Vaughan honoured our residents. The following are people recognized at the program either live or volunteer in the Ward 5 area.

Nechama Shubov ( see right with Councillor Shefman) -- Nechama is a volunteer for friendship Circle., an organization that pairs teenage volunteers who mentor children with special needs on a weekly basis. She is a sensitive, caring and consistent volunteer.                                                               

Marilyn Braude -- For her work with the Gallanough Resource Centre. Marilyn is the founding Director and Officer of the Centre. Marilyn's accounting expertise, leaderships skills and key role in the daily operation of Gallanough have been invaluable.

Claribelle Camacho -- Ms. Camacho is the Treasurer of the VYAA. She is entrusted with keeping the books in order and has performed her assigned tasks admirably over the past 4 years.

Nicolina DiPalma -- Nicolina is recognized for her continued volunterism at the Girabaldi Seniors Club

David Elmaleh -- A volunteer for the NCYA organization for the past 3 years, David is a dedicated and talented individual who serves as an excellent mentor to the the teenagers the works with.

Steven Hisey -- Steven has been a volunteer with the Glen Shields soccer club for 13 years. He is an excellent mentor and role model to the young girls on his team.

Ron Mernick -- Ron is an adviser, fundraiser and Youth Group leader for Aish HaTorah

Farley Mernick -- Farley volunteers in charitable and good works projects with Chabad Flamigo

 Gallanough Summer Programs July - August 2008

There are exciting summer programs at the Gallanough Resource Centre! Programs begin July 2, 2008. For more information please call 905-881-2828 or visit their website at www.gallanough.com

 PICNIC!!  PICNIC!! - Mark the date for the 2nd ANNUAL COUNCILLOR ALAN SHEFMAN'S COMMUNITY PICNIC which will be held TUESDAY AUGUST 12, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. followed by a City of Vaughan Concert in the Park at 7:30 p.m.

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