Pickering, ON, January 28, 2010 - “On behalf of the Pickering Advisory Committee on Race Relations & Equity, I wish to extend deepest condolences to the people of Haiti and the Pickering families who have also been affected,” said David Pickles, Chair Pickering Advisory Committee on Race Relations & Equity, and City Councillor, Ward 3.  “Through our sustained efforts, we can make a real and meaningful difference in the lives of many in Haiti who are looking to rebuild their shattered lives.”

At the January 18th Pickering Council meeting, Mayor Ryan and Members of Council recognized the Haiti disaster, which was followed by a moment of silence for those who perished.  The Mayor and Members of Council all pledged to make donations to the Canadian Red Cross and publicly asked the community to aid in the relief efforts.

As such, the City is proud of the community-wide response to date.  Many Pickering residents, community groups and businesses have already made donations to the Haitian relief efforts and/or organized fundraising events.  Al Dente Restaurant, Veridian Corporation, Lone Star Restaurant, and Port restaurant are some of the many Pickering businesses who are helping to raise funds.

From now until February 12, 2010, the Government of Canada has announced it would match the generosity of individual Canadians up to $50 million for a total of $100 million in aid for Haiti.  This goal has not yet been reached, so the Mayor, Members of council and the Pickering Advisory Committee on Race Relations & Equity urge Pickering residents to continue with their donations and fundraising efforts.

Residents are advised to donate only to registered Canadian charitable agencies.  Some of the well-known Canadian organizations currently involved in Haiti relief efforts are:  Canadian Red Cross; World Vision; Unicef; Plan Canada; Doctors Without Borders; and Humanitarian Coalition.

“This tragedy has exacted a terrible toll, and my heartfelt condolences goes out to all those who lost a loved one in Haiti,” said Mayor Dave Ryan.  “Moving forward, we need to continue with our humanitarian efforts, as it will take time, money, and resources to rebuild a better, stronger and more self-sufficient nation of Haiti.”

About the City of Pickering Advisory Committee on Race Relations & Equity:

The City of Pickering Advisory Committee on Race Relations & Equity, made up of municipal leaders, school board representatives, community cultural associations, community appointees and students, has been involved in the design and delivery of race relations programs and initiatives in the community for nearly 20 years.

The first municipality in the Durham Region to form a Race Relations Committee, the Pickering Advisory Committee on Race Relations & Equity has worked closely over the years with many different groups and organizations, particularly youth, to promote racial and ethnic harmony - a key objective detailed in its Race Relations Policy.

The City of Pickering Advisory Committee on Race Relations and Equity is also charged with the responsibility of giving guidance to and advising the municipality, through the Mayor and the Council of the Corporation of the City of Pickering, on matters involving race relations and equity issues within the community.

Jason Liebregts / Metroland PICKERING -- Fred Gibson and Susan Maturine, from the Pickering Carib-Canadian Cultural Association, spoke about Haiti, during a Haiti relief fundraiser at Al Dente restaurant on Jan. 20.  January 20, 2010

PICKERING -- Local generosity poured in at a fundraiser Wednesday night to help the victims of the Haiti earthquake.

Al Dente Restaurant in Pickering donated its space for the event and provided food and drink to relief supporters throughout the evening.  Mayor Dave Ryan, council and community members donated items to a silent auction and residents emptied their wallets to help the Canadian Red Cross provide food, water and other necessities to Haitian residents, and to help start rebuilding the devastated country.

“It's good for the collection of money and it's great for awareness too,” said Michael Head, Pickering resident and partner in Walker Head Lawyers, an injury law firm based in Pickering, as he purchased a large block of raffle tickets.

His wife Debbie Andersen said the event provided an outlet for people to get together and not only donate, but discuss the tragedy in Haiti, much more meaningful than the solitude of clicking a button online to donate.

“It's really nice to have something where people can come together,” she said.

The evening saw more than $6,000 from ticket sales and donations, which the federal government will match.  That's not including silent auction money and donations promised from corporations.

Politicians and community members worked quickly with Al Dente when restaurant owners called to see how they could help Haiti.  The Pickering Community for Haitian Relief Effort was then born.

The committee's ultimate goal is to raise $100,000, but more so to encourage other community organizations to do their own fundraising for Haiti.

“A lot of people get frustrated because they don't know how to (donate),” said mayoral candidate Maurice Brenner, relief effort co-chairman.

Ward 1 City Councillor Jennifer O'Connell, also co-chairwoman, said councillors and politicians have a unique opportunity to help raise awareness on the issue through their wide range of contacts.

“It's also a challenge to other politicians to help mobilize communities to hold similar functions and raise some money,” she said.

The Pickering Carib-Canadian Cultural Association is a community partner in the effort and vice president Fred Gibson noted the quake hasn't only hurt people in Haiti, but many in Pickering's diverse community.

“You've got to get up and do something,” he said, adding the PCCCA will do what it can to help.

President Susan Maturine, whose friends have lost people in the quake, mentioned the PCCCA sponsors a teenage girl in Haiti and has her fingers crossed she wasn't one of the victims.

Mr. Head feels people, including the federal government and admittedly himself, should do more for the relief effort than they are.

“I appreciate everybody doesn't make the same amount but there has to be a line to draw to give until they notice,” he said.

To get involved:

E-MAIL: maurice.brenner@rogers.com

The opportunity to celebrate a bicentennial is a special time, but given the economic difficulties faced by many in the community, the City is right to take a modest approach.

Pickering officially turns 200 on March 4, 2011, so there is plenty of lead time to get the bicentennial year just right.  On Monday, the City decided to budget $43,000 to beef up existing events and add new ones.  But the extra events planned won't go through unless the City can find sponsorships or grants to pay for them.

That's smart thinking on council's part as tax dollars are needed to pay for local essentials and any increase must go to bread, not circuses.  The occasion of a 200th birthday celebration should generate some sponsorship opportunities and, with plenty of lead time, some grant money should be available from Queen's Park and Ottawa.

One of the biggest and brightest happenings should take place on July 1, 2011, when the City is planning to have a huge Canada Day celebration.  The $25,000 event will only go ahead should grants come through, but the City is hoping to have a Canadian headliner and a swearing-in ceremony for new Canadians.

Much of the cash is needed for branding and marketing purposes over the next year.  The City will be looking to work with local groups, such as putting on a speaker series with the Pickering Public Library, a soccer tournament with the Pickering Soccer Club and an Italian heritage multicultural and sporting event put on by the Ajax-Pickering Italian Social Club.

All are great ideas as they involve community-minded local citizens who will be more than happy to spread the word about Pickering's big birthday celebration.  The City should do all it can to bring as many clubs and organizations into the big party tent so that a large number of Pickering citizens are directly involved.  Not only does it make for a bigger party, it helps to build community spirit, something you can never have enough of.

The usual events that fill the City calendar, like Family Day, Christmas in the Village, the New Year's Eve Family Countdown and the Waterfront Concert Series, will also get the Pickering 200 touch.

Keeping costs down will ensure taxpayers get good bang for their buck but will ensure a suitable year-long celebration recognizing a special birthday.

PICKERING -- In an attempt to attract appropriate development and bring business taxes into the city, City staff is looking to phase in development fees.

“We need to at least look at possible City initiatives, without giving up any dollars due to the City,” said Ward 3 City Councillor David Pickles.

Coun. Pickles introduced a motion at the latest council meeting calling for staff to create a development incentive program that will attract more business, jobs and sustainable elements to building in Pickering.

Coun. Pickles pointed out that the foggy financial climate may be making it difficult to secure financing from possible clients who are interested in developing in the city.

Payments such as development charges, building permit fees and payments in lieu of parkland are usually substantial when it comes to large projects.  That payment is currently required up-front “and may act as a deterrent to projects getting underway.”

The plan is to still charge the same total amount of fees payable to the City, but to accept them through phased-in payment.

“Incentives may help attract more business, more jobs and lessen taxes on residents,” Coun. Pickles said.

A possible program could include tying the payment to construction progress based on the City's objectives of density, sustainable elements and job creation the project will provide.

Staff will work on the plan and take it to council for approval.

With climate change back in the public mind following the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen last month, we thought we'd take a look at some homegrown green innovators in cities across our country.

Read more about the innovators here.

Councillor David Pickles received his 2nd round energy audit from Durham Sustain Ability and Windfall Ecology Centre Last month.

Read more about the results here.

From Friday's Globe and Mail Published on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009

If something goes terribly wrong at a nuclear power plant, how much liability should the operator bear?

The federal government is introducing a new limit of $650-million for damages that can be claimed from nuclear companies after an accident at one of their stations.  The amount represents a massive leap from the previous $75-million ceiling, which anti-nuclear groups called a hidden subsidy.

Questions remain, however, as to whether the new amount would cover all the claims due to the psychological trauma of living through such a mishap, the health impacts of being showered with radiation and damage to property.

The compensation figure, contained in a bill now before Parliament, is much less than amounts in some other countries, including the United States, Japan and Germany.  Reactors in the U.S. have a call on about $10-billion to cover accidents, the Japanese have about $1.4-billion and the Germans have unlimited liability.

Natural Resources Minister Lisa Raitt is defending the new limit, telling a parliamentary committee hearing on the proposal earlier this month that the figure is in line with international standards and is a fair compromise balancing “the needs of victims with society's interest in nuclear development.”

Under the new legislation, once the $650-million is exhausted, Parliament has the option, but not the obligation, to vote to give additional funds to compensate victims.  If it did vote to give out money, it would potentially put taxpayers at risk of a huge bill for damages.

The limit, which applies to such companies as Ontario Power Generation, Hydro-Québec, and NB Power, has prompted controversy.  Greenpeace issued a report this week estimating there would be about $50-billion in health damages from a worst-case accident at just one of Ontario's Bruce stations, located on a relatively isolated section of Lake Huron.

Shawn-Patrick Stensil, a spokesman for the group, said the new compensation limit is “definitely not” adequate and would be quickly used up by those with claims from a major incident.  He said accidents at the Pickering or Darlington stations, which are closer to the densely populated region around Toronto, could have even larger impacts.

He contended that because nuclear plant operators have a relatively low limit on the amount of insurance they need to cover accidents, they are able to sell power at rates that do not reflect the true costs of generating it.  It is special treatment that isn't available to other industries.  “This is a huge hidden subsidy,” he said of the damage cap of $650-million.

The current $75-million compensation limit was established in 1976, before such nuclear accidents as the one at Chernobyl in the former Soviet Union in 1986 and at Three Mile Island in the U.S. in 1979.

But the nuclear industry and the federal government say such worst-case, catastrophic accidents are extremely unlikely. George Christidis, director of regulatory affairs for the Canadian Nuclear Association, says the industry's safety record has been exemplary, with no accident claims to date, justifying a cap on damages well below the levels of a severe incident.

“There has never been an injury, a radiation-based injury” due to a nuclear power plant mishap in Canada, he said.

Natural Resources Canada, in an e-mailed response to questions, said that it based the liability limit in part on its estimates of the effects of the “worst case foreseeable nuclear incidents” likely to occur in Canada.

Mr. Christidis rejected claims the cap on damages amounts to a handout to the nuclear industry, which he says plays a major role in promoting exports and in generating power.  “In our view, it's not seen as a subsidy,” he said.

Under the proposed legislation, nuclear plant operators wouldn't be liable for damages if their plants had accidents resulting from war, civil war or insurrection, according to the Library of Parliament's summary of its contents.  However, payments will be made if a terrorist attack causes the damages.

Sabrina Byrnes / Metroland PICKERING -- Peter Rodrigues, with the organization Stop the Stink, chatted with Jim Ward, before the organization's meeting at Pine Ridge Secondary School Nov. 11. November 11, 2009

PICKERING -- The City of Pickering is officially raising a stink.

Pickering is suing York Region for allegedly breaching the memorandum of understanding signed between York and Pickering in 2005 when plans to expand the ‘Big Pipe’ were discussed.

The York-Durham sewage system, or the ‘Big Pipe’, was built in the 1970s to carry waste from York Region into south Pickering for treatment at the Duffin Creek Water Pollution Control Plant, owned by York and Durham regions.

York currently plans to expand the pipe to accommodate its growing population.

The expansion will require an odour control facility, which was originally set to go near the Cherrywood West subdivision in Pickering.  However, York moved it just into its own region on the west side of the York-Durham Townline, north of Taunton Road, after receiving strong resistance from Pickering and Durham councils and residents who felt they weren't properly consulted.

This new location was agreed upon without Durham council's approval during the summer recess.

“As a result, the City continues to disproportionately bear the risk of potential negative impacts, while York Region proposes to disproportionately receive the benefits of the undertaking,” said lawyers representing Pickering, Rubinoff Fogler and Peter W.G Carey.

Erin Mahoney, York's commissioner of environmental services, however, said it will cost York “millions of dollars” to move the odour facility to York, but it chose to do so to satisfy local concerns.

The notice of application from the City accuses York of breaching its duty in fairness and to consult with residents, property owners and the City as part of the memorandum.

Ms. Mahoney maintained York has continuously consulted residents, Durham Region and the City through numerous town hall meetings, neighbourhood sessions, advertisements, welcoming comments, and door-knocking. She said York plans to “vigorously” defend the suit.

“We assessed 13 alternative routes,” she said.  “Not only do we think we've consulted with the public in a meaningful way; the Province has agreed with us.”

The Ministry of the Environment has seen the environmental assessment and gave York the OK to go ahead with the project.

But, according to Ms. Mahoney, York knew the suit “was in the mix of possibilities” since Pickering told York in a letter in October the City wanted its concerns addressed and threatened legal action if they weren't.  York responded, but denied any breach and refused to reconsider its position.

A number of residents have been involved and opposed to the issue, and community group Stop the Stink has held a number of meetings and collected thousands of signatures in opposition to the plans.

“I personally am quite ecstatic that the City has acknowledged this is not just one community that will face problems, but the entire city of Pickering,” said resident Devi Gopalan.

She said Stop the Stink, unsatisfied with the ministry's review, has started a letter-writing campaign to further oppose the facility.

“We've looked at the MOE's review of the matter and we're quite disappointed,” she said.

The letter stated a number of problems with not only the MOE's assessment of the environmental process, but with York's actions in general.

“The only solution that is acceptable to me is that the Minister of Environment rejects the proponents' SEC EA in its entirety and requires the proponents to fully meet all the requirements for this undertaking,” the letter said.

If not, the matter should be referred to the Environmental Review Tribunal, it said.

Ms. Gopalan hopes to get 5,000 letters to the MOE by Friday, Nov. 20.

The case is scheduled to be heard in superior court in Whitby on March 1, 2010.

Photo by Laura Stanley PICKERING -- Homeowner and Councillor David Pickles and David Drodge, senior certified energy advisor from the Windfall Ecology Centre, tested and measured air leaks at Mr. Pickles' home November 12. November 12, 2009

PICKERING -- A local non-profit organization wants Durham Region to stand up for the environment.

Pickering-based Durham Sustain Ability, which provides community-based solutions centred around sustainability, has re-launched its We have the Power program with hopes that 1,500 residents will make a pledge to reduce and conserve in the areas of energy, transportation, waste and water by March.

Rachael Wraith, DSA public relations coordinator, said these small steps will bring a brighter future and will not only save the environment, but also residents' wallets.

“It's not a trend anymore,” she said. “It's the way things are moving.”

At least one Pickering councillor has taken the challenge.

About 18 months ago, Ward 3 City Councillor David Pickles had an audit conducted on his home by senior certified energy advisor David Drodge, of Windfall Ecology Centre, to see where he should make improvements for a more efficient family home.  After making upgrades, Mr. Drodge returned to measure the difference and determine how much money Coun. Pickles would be reimbursed through the federal government's ecoENERGY retrofit grant program, which offers grants to homeowners after improving efficiency.  The Province matches the federal amount.

He learned replacing his 22-year-old furnace with a new, high-efficiency one, plus getting new windows, replacing insulation, weather-stripping and caulking would be the best changes.  He did just that and has seen lower energy bills since.

“It's an absolute money-saver if you have to replace your furnace anyway,” Coun. Pickles said

He added people in homes around 20 years old should seriously consider replacing their furnaces before they break down.

He's also made a number of small changes such as replacing old light bulbs with low-energy ones as they burn out and installing ceiling fans in the bedrooms.

“It keeps you comfortable without having to turn on the air conditioning,” he said.

All told, the changes cost about $4,000.

Last week, Mr. Drodge returned to determine the improvements.  The audits cost less than $500 for the two visits.

“We've been real busy this year,” Mr. Drodge said. “This is the busiest I've seen it.”

Results showed Coun. Pickles' energuide rating (a measurement used for the ecoENERGY program) increased from 64 to 75 and he reduced his greenhouse gas emissions by 2.8 tonnes per year.

He'll get $2,000 back in provincial and federal grants.  Although he was hoping for a little more, “to put out $4,000 and to get $2,000 back is well worth it.”

Plus, he said, he's going to save on energy bills in the long run and, after replacing the furnace, “the place is more comfortable now.”

DSA will hand out prizes to those who excel with their changes.  People who simply take the pledge will receive tools to start up.

To make the pledge or for more information:
Visit: www.wehavethepower.ca
Call: 905-427-0061

If you're looking for a little financial incentive to take a big step toward making energy efficiency changes to your home, the ecoENERGY retrofit grant program might be the answer.

Durham Sustain Ability, a local group which seeks ecological solutions to problems that encourage sustainability, is pushing its We Have the Power program and wants 1,500 residents to try to conserve energy, water, waste and transportation.

The goal is to cut emissions and reduce consumption.

A great place to start is right in your very own home. Reducing energy will not only help the environment, but also, in the long run, be less of a drain on your wallet.

Pickering Councillor David Pickles is a case in point.  The local rep had an energy audit done on his home 18 months ago. He then followed the advice of the auditor, making about $4,000 worth of changes.  The biggest purchase was his decision to replace his 22-year-old furnace with a new, high-efficiency one.  He also got some new windows, replaced some insulation and weather-stripping and made some minor alterations like replacing old light bulbs with low-energy ones and installing ceiling fans.

For all those changes, he'll get back $2,000 in total in provincial and federal grants.

Those living in homes with a furnace hitting the 20-year-old mark are due for a replacement anyway, Mr. Pickles reasons, and an energy-efficient one will save money, reduce energy use and allow the owner to receive a grant.

It all makes sense.

The two energy audits cost him a total of $500 and he feels the money spent was well worth it. He was also able to reduce his greenhouse gas emissions by 2.8 tonnes per year.

For Rachel Wraith, Durham Sustain Ability public relations co-ordinator, the move to energy reduction “is not a trend anymore, it's the way things are moving.”

And David Drodge of Windfall Ecology Centre, the auditor who visited Mr. Pickles's home to check his energy efficiency before and after he made changes, said he's never been busier.

With the cost of energy on the rise and the need to conserve growing ever more important, it's probably never been a better time to take that step to greater efficiency.  The federal and provincial governments should be encouraged to continue this program and expand it as Canadians push to be greener.

-- Ajax-Pickering News Advertiser

The Pickering Advisory Commitee on Race Relations & Equity is pleased to partner with the Durham District School Board and the Durham Catholic District School Board to present a creative arts contest for students across Durham Region entitled “In Your Words & Expressions”.

Read more about this contest here.

A number of rules to tighten up financing situation

DURHAM -- Proposed municipal election reform announced by the Province this week is “baby steps in the right direction,” but still doesn't deal with the real “cancer on our municipal election process” -- developer and union campaign contributions, says Ajax Mayor Steve Parish.

In fact, neither he nor a York University professor who has long argued the need to ban corporate, developer and union contributions feel the Provincial proposal goes far enough.

“It's a start,” Professor Robert MacDermid, a longtime critic of allowing such contributions to election campaigns.  “I think there's still work to be done ... We need to do what the federal politicians have done and ban those contribution sources.”

Proposed changes include moving election day up by two weeks to the fourth Monday in October; barring councillors from using campaign fundraising surpluses in future elections; requiring councils to appoint compliance and audit committees to oversee any public complaints about campaign violations; raising penalties for violating the Elections Act to $25,000 for individuals and $50,000 for corporations and trade unions; requiring electronic filing with election expense records having to be posted online; increasing the identification requirements for voters; and closing loopholes in fundraising rules that allow for almost unbridled spending if it's in the name of fundraising.

That's an issue, Mr. MacDermid said, pointing to one Ontario municipal politician who spent more than twice on fundraisers than what he reported he raised for his campaign.

“That's just using other people's money to host other people at an event where they're told how great the candidate is,” he said.

But, the major issue remains the ability of developers and trade unions to contribute to campaigns.  The proposed changes do limit total donations from any single source to $5,000 in any municipality.  It leaves the maximum donation from any source to any one candidate at $750.

“We don't want to even have the perception that one company can, in essence, go off and purchase favour with the whole council,” Municipal Affairs Minister Jim Watson said.  “It forces those companies and individuals to think long and hard about who they want to give the money, as opposed to spreading it out to anyone and everyone.”

But that's not necessarily so, Mayor Parish said, noting the smaller size of many Durham and other GTA councils.  In places like Ajax and Clarington, where there are only seven councillors, developers can still contribute the maximum to most of the front-runners, even under the new rules.

“In the 905, it really is a very limited reform,” Mr. Parish said. In terms of developer contributions, “there is too much of it in the system and it's having a negative impact on how we plan municipalities.”

Mr. MacDermid agrees.

“It really isn't a limit at all because it means that a single contributor could give $750 to six candidates, which would be a majority on most councils outside Toronto,” he said.

“More importantly, it doesn't stop them from giving $5,000 in 10 municipalities or more.”

In so doing, it allows developers to potentially "ensure there are candidates favourable to development interests on council," he said.

In February, Pickering Ward 3 City Councillor David Pickles introduced a motion requesting the Province to undertake a review of the Municipal Elections Act to ensure rules regarding election expenses and financing are appropriate and transparent across all municipalities.  It was passed unanimously by council and forwarded to the Province.

He was glad to hear that eight months later, something was done about it.

“I'm pleased,” he said after hearing the news.  “I think a number of things they're looking at are going to help level the playing field.”

Oshawa Mayor John Gray said he supports most of the proposed reform, but worries about the earlier date, if the Province doesn't also move up the date of swearing in ceremonies for councils, which traditionally have taken place the first week of December, not long after the November election.

On many points, moving the election date to late October is positive, he said, pointing to the likelihood of better weather for voting and the possibility local snowbirds might still be at home.

But, unless the swearing in date is moved up accordingly, “the lame duck phase (for councils) is extended,” Mayor Gray said.  “That means that for an extended period of time, there's really no ability to make simple decisions that need council approval.”

Overall, the proposed reforms are “a start,” Mr. MacDermid said.

-- with files from the Torstar network

Sabrina Byrnes / Metroland PICKERING -- Laura Drake from the Pickering Museum Village chatted with David Boccia at the open house hosted by Ward 1 Regional Councillor Bonnie Littley at the Petticoat Creek Community Centre on Oct. 17.  Local organizations set up booths to inform the public about issues related to climate change, urban growth and food security. October 17, 2009

PICKERING -- Pickering residents may be voting on more than who will be running their city next November.

At the latest council meeting, Ward 2 Regional Councillor Bill McLean introduced a motion that the question of whether residents support a possible airport in north Pickering be added to the municipal election ballot in 2010.  He felt public opinion is an important factor to be considered regarding plans for the land, expropriated by the federal government in 1972 and now sitting mainly vacant.

The ballot would include the question: ‘Do you support the City of Pickering's position to oppose construction and operation of an airport in the City of Pickering? Yes or No’

“This I think is an important question to put on the ballot,” Coun.  McLean said, adding council is strongly opposed to an airport.

He said many people new to Pickering don't even know about the federal government's plans.  Plus, he feels the referendum would encourage people to get out and vote.

Ward 3 Regional Councillor Rick Johnson felt it would convolute the election process and did not support the motion.  Plus, he's expecting an answer from the Greater Toronto Airports Authority by the end of 2009 on whether the airport will go ahead.

“The people in Ward 3 know our position,” he said, referring to council's opposition.

Ward 1 City Councillor Jennifer O'Connell said it would send a message to the Region of Durham, which currently has a Pickering airport mapped out in its official plan.  Also, not everyone gets involved in political matters, she said, and this is a good time to let those residents express their feelings on the topic.

Ward 3 City Councillor David Pickles didn't support the motion, since after putting forward many motions in opposition to an airport, he feels it's obvious most Pickering residents don't support one either.

But Ward 2 City Councillor Doug Dickerson felt the question is necessary.

“At some point you have to ask people the question,” he said.  “It's been floating around for 37 years.”

Five of the seven councillors supported the motion.

This is only the first step in a long process for the possible referendum, which will include giving notice to the public and holding a public meeting, said City Clerk Debi Wilcox.

“This is basically step one,” she said.

Sabrina Byrnes / Metroland PICKERING -- Rick Nicolussi, with the organization Stop the Stink, set up an information table at the open house held at the Petticoat Creek Community Centre October 17 by Ward 1 Regional Councillor Bonnie Littley.  Local organizations had booth sets up to inform the public about certain issues relating to climate change, urban growth and food security.  Stop the Stink is opposed to the location of an odour control facility for the York-Durham sewer facility.  October 17, 2009

DURHAM -- Less than a week after regional council turned its nose up at a request for a time-out in dealing with an odour control facility for the 'Big Pipe' expansion, Pickering council put its foot down.

Durham councillors last Wednesday voted down a request from its Pickering members to stop the environmental assessment process so completed studies can be reviewed.  York Region has completed an EA for the project and submitted it to the provincial environment ministry in late August.  Pickering residents and politicians are upset the EA was filed without first being considered by Durham council and requested the EA process be put on hold for about four months so opponents of the expansion can review all the information.

Despite the Region's refusal, Pickering council agreed Monday to petition the Minister of the Environment to reject the EA, and if he doesn't, launch a judicial review.  It has also hired environmental law expert Rodney V. Northey, of Fogler, Rubinoff LLP.

“We had to take this further action to continue to oppose the odour control facility and support our residents who could be negatively impacted,” said Ward 3 City Councillor David Pickles.

York Region needs to expand the sewer system leading to the York-Durham Sewage Treatment facility in south Pickering, next to the nuclear station.  One aspect of the expansion is an odour control facility York had wanted to put in Pickering, on Altona Road near the hamlet of Cherrywood West.  Residents living nearby opposed the site, fearing odours would come from the facility.

York officials have since moved the facility site to the west side of the York-Durham Townline, north of Taunton Road.

Pickering resident Devi Gopalan said at the Region she didn't want the process to be stopped, but was simply asking for a review.  After the plans were rejected, she attended Pickering council Monday.

“Pickering council did today what our MPPs and Durham Region failed to do, which is to look out for the residents of Pickering,” she said.

Ward 2 Regional Councillor Bonnie Littley proposed the time-out, saying it would give Regional and City officials a chance to review matters.

“We're not asking to stop the EA or the plant expansion,” Coun.  Littley said.  “With a time-out we'll get an EA we can all live with.”

Cliff Curtis, the Region's works commissioner, said the MOE has released its preliminary review of the EA material and didn't have a problem with it.

Ninety-nine per cent of the time residents won't notice an odour, he said, and in that other one per cent, the odours will be very minimal.

At Pickering council, Mayor Dave Ryan assured the more than 200 residents in attendance “based on legal opinions you should feel comfortable your Council is representing you vigorously,“ against York's proposal.

A four-month time-out, Ward 2 Regional Councillor Bill McLean said, would have been "worth a try to see if we can get this together.

“The last thing we at the Region and the City want to do is get into a legal fight over this,” he said.  “What is four months to ensure this process is done right?”

But since that plan was rejected, Pickering chose to launch a legal challenge.

Ward 1 City Councillor Jennifer O'Connell accused York of breaching its obligations under the memorandum of understanding it signed with Pickering in 2005 upon original plans to expand the 'Big Pipe.' It included clauses that York would treat residents fairly and provide full and timely communication with them on all project issues.

But she said it wasn't just York's fault Pickering chose to take legal action.

“Had (Durham) Region as a whole protected us like they were supposed to, we would not be in this position,” she said.  A letter from York Region's chief administrative officer stated York's disappointment with Pickering's legal plans, calling many of the allegations incorrect.

PICKERING -- It's official: Rover and Fido will be able to run freely with other leash-free dogs at a location council approved early Tuesday morning.

For three years, the dog park working group has been working with the City of Pickering to find an appropriate location for the city's first off-leash dog park that would be safe for residents, children and dogs, and nuisance-free for nearby homeowners.

“The goal is to make this park a success, not an area of concern,” working group member Nicole Scarlett said at a recent executive committee meeting.

After many other locations were rejected, council unanimously approved the location of Grand Valley Park, lands owned by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, west of Valley Farm Road and south of Third Concession Road, to house the park.  The 41-hectare area has been used by dog walkers and as an access to the Seaton Hiking Trail in recent years.  It will contain a fenced-in park, a parking lot and remaining areas will be reviewed for possible future uses such as new public trail loops and connections.

The City had originally intended for Pickering's first dog park to be a pilot project, but staff and council hope it'll become permanent since they've found an ideal location.

The TRCA has approved the use of the land and the park will go ahead as long as staff approves the site plan.

PICKERING -- After about seven hours of discussing the southeast collector trunk sewer (Big Pipe) expansion and its accompanying odour control facility at Pickering's packed City Hall Monday, council chose to seek legal action against York Region.

The Duffin Creek Water Pollution Control Plant in south Pickering treats 94 per cent of York's sewage, and York is seeking to expand the Big Pipe that carries the sewage, in order to accommodate York's growing population.

After Pickering residents, the community group Stop the Stink and council opposed the original planned location of the odour control facility in the Cherrywood West subdivision, York Region chose a new location just over the York-Durham line, between the Taunton-Steeles connection and 4th Concession Road.  York Region Chairman Bill Fisch and Durham Region Chairman Roger Anderson signed an agreement on the new location during summer break.  The plans were then submitted to the Ministry of the Environment for an environmental assessment, which is currently being reviewed.

“What it really comes down to is 'in our face,'” said community activist and former Pickering regional councillor Maurice Brenner.

Ward 1 City Councillor Jennifer O'Connell and Ward 2 Regional Councillor Bill McLean put forward a motion that staff launch legal action against York Region for breaching conditions set out in a memorandum of understanding Pickering and York signed in 2005 regarding the Big Pipe, and failure to carry out timely communication with residents, which is a requirement of the Environmental Assessment Act.  The memorandum also stipulates York treat its residents and the City fairly and with equal justice when making decisions on the Big Pipe.

“The time for talk is over,” Coun. O'Connell said. “The time for action is now.”

She recounted Pickering's legal action it launched and won against the City of Toronto to have the Brock West dump closed in 1996.

Coun. McLean asked nearly every public speaker if they felt launching legal action would be a useful way to spend taxpayers' dollars, and the residents unanimously said yes.

Coun. O'Connell reminded everyone that the City was reimbursed for the cost of the 1996 action.

After a lengthy debate by council, changes to some of the wording were made to the motion, including changing the words that council must “seek out” legal action instead of “pursue” legal action.

After Coun. O'Connell feared the motion might be referred back to staff for information, she asked Jim Robb, executive director of the Friends of the Rouge Watershed, who's been involved in similar legal actions in the past, for his opinion.

“You don't have much time to beat around the bush,” Mr. Robb said.

While the City has its own solicitor, council directed staff to seek out all legal activity provided by law, such as environmental lawyers.

“You can't be a jack-of-all-trades in these things,” Mr. Robb said, referring to the need for more legal opinions.

Carla Thomas shared the reasons her neighbourhood, close to the proposed odour control facility, is precious to her.  She commutes to Toronto for work each day and feels she already gets enough of the “putrid” smell there.

“"My home is a getaway from that,” she said.

She added she'd hate to lose the local wildlife if the facility actually goes in.

In the end, Coun. O'Connell and Coun. McLean did not support their own motion because they thought it had less impact after the changes, but council passed it nonetheless.

Another motion was passed by Ward 1 Regional Councillor Bonnie Littley and Ward 3 Regional Councillor Rick Johnson requesting the MOE halt its decision on the environmental assessment until an acceptable location is found for the odour control facility, and that the study area be expanded to include areas south of Finch Avenue, which hasn't been looked at.  If it isn't adhered to, council agreed to request a judicial review on the process.

Council also passed Ward 2 City Councillor Doug Dickerson's motion that the City request financial contributions from the City of Toronto and the Rouge Park Alliance, which are also opposed to York's actions.

An update will be provided at the next council meeting.

a) YORK/DURHAM ODOUR CONTROL FACILITY

WHEREAS the Region of York has recommended a site under the Environmental Assessment Act to construct an Odour Control Facility (OCF) on the York/Durham Townline south of Concession 5; and

WHEREAS the Region of Durham has passed by unanimous vote that the OCF be moved out of Durham; and

WHEREAS while recommending the construction of the OCF to the West Side of the York/Durham Town Line the Region of York has failed to address the impacts that the OFC on the Pickering community and has failed to address both the location and impacts of the proposed infrastructure fans with-in boundaries of Durham and specifically the urban envelope of Pickering; and

WHEREAS the recommended location for the OCF and its infrastructures will negatively impact the sustainability of Pickering and it's residents; and

WHEREAS the City of Pickering is opposed to any location and it's infrastructure where it continues to impact Pickering residents and our sustainability; and

WHEREAS residents of Pickering have raised concerns through petition, letters and presentations opposing any facility that may impact their quality of life, social, environmental and economic; and

WHEREAS in bringing forward their recommended location for the OCF, York Region failed to consult and seek input from impacted community members; and

WHEREAS the Region of York failed to expand it's study area for the purpose of consultation to include additional communities who may be impacted by the OCF and it's supporting infrastructure; and

WHEREAS prior to submitting its final recommendations, the residents of Pickering, through their Elected Officials at the City level and the Regional level where not afforded an opportunity to discuss and comment on the what York Region was recommending; and

WHEREAS the recommended route and location of the OCF fails to address the concerns raised by the Rouge Park Alliance, which the City of Pickering and Durham Region are both members of.  As well the concerns raised by the City of Toronto have also yet to be addressed; and

WHEREAS York Region entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to recognized the need for all parties to act in the interest of their respective Municipalities; and

• Well mitigation for Pickering residents and compensation for adverse impacts
• Full and timely communication with residents on all project issues
• Restoration and/or resurfacing of local roads damaged during construction
• Landscaped and enhanced lands in permanent shaft locations
• Realignment and enhancements to the Waterfront Trail within the limits of the Duffin Creek Water Pollution Control Plant; and

WHEREAS York Region has failed to fulfill the conditions and intent of the MOU with the City of Pickering.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Council for the Corporation of the City of Pickering direct staff with a view to commencing legal action against York Region by investigating all legal actions available by law and further that an external expert environmental lawyer be retained as directed and Council to be updated as to the actions to be taken at the next regular meeting; and

That the City of Toronto and the Rouge Park Alliance be requested to be a partner with the City of Pickering in the legal action including funding;

AND THAT a copy of this resolution and it's attachments be sent to Durham Regional Council, York Region Council, Ministry of the Environment, Rouge Park Alliance, City of Toronto Council, MPP Wayne Arthurs, (Scarborough/Pickering), John O'Toole, MPP Durham and MPP Joe Dickson, (Ajax/Pickering).

The main motion, as amended, was then CARRIED ON A RECORDED VOTE AS FOLLOWS:

b) Southeast Collector (SEC) Trunk Sewer

That the Council of the City of Pickering request that the Provincial Minister of the Environment not issue any decision on the Final (Amended) Southeast Collector (SEC) Trunk Sewer Environmental Assessment (EA) Report currently under review until an acceptable location has been found for the Odour Control Facility in York Region;

Further, we request that in order to determine an appropriate location the Minister instruct York Region to expand the study area to include the urban areas south of Finch Avenue in Pickering to assess potential health and social impacts to area residents from the proposed Odour Control Facility and its infrastructure on the Pickering community; and

Further, that in the event this is not granted, that legal action be taken for a judicial review under the Environmental Assessment Act;

Further that the proponent be required to undertake further review of the items noted below and be directed to provide this information to the City and present this information at a public meeting to be arranged by York Region in the City of Pickering;

• Review of public consultation undertaken on the pipe related facilities, including the Odour Control Facility, fans and metre facilities,
• Review of options available for the location and design/technology of the proposed Odour Control Facility,
• Review of the proposed location and design/technology of the Odour Control Facility,
• Review of options for and proposed location and design/technology of fans and metres and any other facilities proposed to be located in Pickering,
• Identification and review of potential adverse affects, including health affects, of the pipe, Odour Control Facility and any other related facilities,

Further that York Region agree to provide sufficient funds to the City of Pickering for the purpose of retaining a professional peer review of the above and any other pertinent information related to the pipe and related facilities, including the Odour Control Facility, and potential adverse affect and prepare a report to MOE and the City of Pickering; and

Further that York Region be requested to cease any expropriations until the final decision;

AND THAT a copy of this resolution be sent to Durham Regional Council, Regional Municipality of York, Ministry of the Environment, Rouge Park Alliance, City of Toronto Council, MPP Wayne Arthurs, (Scarborough/Pickering), John O'Toole, MPP Durham and MPP Joe Dickson, (Ajax/Pickering).

The main motion, as amended, was then CARRIED ON A RECORDED VOTE AS FOLLOWS:

DURHAM -- Pickering residents are continuing their fight against an odour control facility York Region wants to build near the city.

York submitted the environmental assessment with the provincial Ministry of the Environment on Aug. 21.

The facility is part of the 'Big Pipe', an expansion of the sewage system in York needed to accommodate future growth. York and Durham jointly own the Duffins Creek Water Pollution Control Plant, in south Pickering, which the expansion would tie into.

About a dozen residents turned out on Wednesday for a meeting of Durham council's works committee to continue protesting the facility.  York had originally wanted to build it on Altona Road, just south of the hamlet of Cherrywood West. Residents opposed that and Pickering and Durham councils both voted to have York move the facility.

A site on the east side of the York-Durham townline, north of Taunton Road, was next proposed, but the facility would still be in Pickering.  Finally, York officials moved the location across the road to the opposite side of townline.

“Pickering will not be a willing host. This will be with us for 30 years,” Pickering resident Peter Rodriques said.

“Until we're convinced it will have no impact on Pickering residents, we'll continue to oppose this,” Barb Findlay stated.

Betty Burkholder said York has begun proceedings to expropriate land in Pickering needed for the facility.

York officials told her last week they would be expropriating a parcel of her property. She said the land would be “a fraction of an acre.”

Wayne Green, the project manager from York Region, said a portion of 10 properties in Pickering are needed for the facility, with six in York.

“This process has been off track since day one,” Pickering Councillor Rick Johnson said.  “It's totally unacceptable.  For us to sign off on anything is something I can't support.”

Devi Gopalan said, “Consultation is the cornerstone of the Environmental Assessment Act.  We haven't been involved.  We haven't been consulted.  They've said 'This is what will happen. So sad, too bad.'”

Ms. Gopalan noted she's spoken with MOE officials and was told “if you want to take a time out, there's no reason you can't.”

Coun. Johnson put forward a motion requesting a three-month “time-out” be taken by the MOE to expand the study area and possible effects the facility could have on residents.  The motion was defeated.

Regional Chairman Roger Anderson said he wouldn't support the motion, saying it's “just putting off somebody making a decision.  There's not one thing we heard today we haven't heard 68 times.

“It's not an easy decision, especially for councillors from Pickering.  They've been through this dozens of times, literally dozens of times.  Pickering councillors are supporting their residents,” Mr. Anderson said.

Pickering Councillor Bill McLean said, “What's the rush?  So what if it takes three more months?  It's transparency.”

Coun. Johnson said, “All I want to see is this work some place without odours.  If you can show me, I'll raise my hand (in support).”

He visited facilities in Edmonton and Ottawa and there were odours in the neighbourhoods nearby.

“It just doesn't work anywhere else.  Three months isn't a long time to wait,” Coun. Johnson said.  ldquo;All I've heard from residents is it's an insult where they put it.

“All I'm asking is a little more time be spent.  Prove to me it works and I can stand up in my community and be a leader,” Coun. Johnson said.

Sabrina Byrnes / Metroland George Buckles, principal of 20 VIC Management Inc., and Gary McNeil, executive vice president of Metrolinx and managing director of GO Transit, had their hard hats and shovels ready September 9 at the funding annoucment for a pedestrian bridge to be built over Hwy. 401 from an office tower to the GO Transit station. September 9, 2009

PICKERING -- A project that's been an idea for 13 years is finally becoming a reality after the provincial and federal governments announced significant joint funding Wednesday.

A fully-enclosed pedestrian bridge will connect the Pickering GO station to Pickering Parkway, the Pickering Town Centre, a future office tower and a future transportation hub.

The project will receive $10 million from the provincial and federal governments, local MPs and MPPs announced Wednesday.  The bridge will be built and maintained by GO Transit and construction should be complete by March, 2011.

“I think what we have accomplished is the bridge to a sustainable future in downtown Pickering,” said an excited Mayor Dave Ryan in an interview, adding the project won't cost taxpayers or the City anything.

He feels the bridge will be the catalyst for Pickering's long-awaited downtown with its competitive tax rates and its ideal location as the first municipality east of Toronto.  He added the drive from Toronto to Pickering offers a reverse commute with less traffic. He envisions businesses, transit and culture thriving in the area, which he calls a “gateway to Durham.”

In its regional transportation plan, the Province has identified that area of Pickering as a transportation hub and an urban growth centre.  The project and enhanced transit will not only put Pickering on the map as a place to do business, visit and shop, but it will benefit transit users, said Gary McNeil, executive vice president of Metrolinx and managing director of GO Transit.

“It's going to be a real benefit to our customers to improve access to the station,” he said.

The mayor was first opposed to the idea of a pedestrian bridge from the GO station since it didn't have a destination point.  But in April of 2006 he was told by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC), which currently has an office at Liverpool Road and Pickering Parkway, that more than 200 jobs would be forced to leave Pickering because the company was expanding and there was no space in the City to support the extra jobs.  So the mayor contacted 20 Vic Management Inc. (Pickering Town Centre owner) and said he had an ideal tenant in mind if the company wanted to finally build a new office tower on the southwest corner of the PTC parking lot.

“We now had a destination point,” he said.

Back in June, 20 Vic announced it was in fact building an eight-storey, 132,000-square foot office tower, constructed to LEED Silver standards, and the primary tenants would be MPAC. That got the ball rolling for the public-private partnership on the bridge.

“Bringing in GO Transit is in full credit to the mayor,” said George Buckles, principal of 20 Vic.  He added GO's involvement is substantial in the development of the downtown core, and the bridge and mobility hub will also benefit the mall's customers and merchants.

It was also announced that GO Transit and 20 Vic are jointly building a parking structure at the base of the building that will increase the tower's height by an additional three storeys and provide more parking for GO customers.

Mayor Ryan hopes the announcement puts at least some criticism to rest.

“For those who say we don't have a downtown I say 'just watch us',” he said.

Graphic showing what a proposed odour control facility is expected to look like once built as part of an expansion being considered at the Duffin's Creek sewage disposal plant. Feb. 25, 2009

PICKERING -- Despite York Region's decision to move the location for a proposed odour-control facility (OCF) originally planned for Pickering back to York, residents are still fighting it.

“Why should it affect us and not York at the same time?” said Cherrywood West resident Gordon Belfry at a recent meeting on the topic.

The Region of York had originally planned to build an odour control facility that's needed to accommodate the expansion of the 'Big Pipe,' which takes sewage from York to the Duffin Creek Water Pollution Control Plant in south Pickering, on Altona Road, south of Cherrywood West.

But after opposition from residents, Durham Region council didn't support the location. Durham chairman Roger Anderson and York chairman Bill Fisch then signed an agreement to build the OCF on the west side of the York-Durham boundary, between the Taunton-Steeles connection and the 4th Concession Road.

Booster fans, which will help push the odour back into York Region, are still planned for Altona Road, Fairport Road and Scarborough-Pickering Townline Road.

Local group Stop the Stink formed early this year to fight an OCF they feel would negatively affect Pickering residents.  The group held a meeting to update residents last Thursday.

Mr. Belfry's home would have been 300 metres from the original location, and is now 800 metres away.  However, since the winds travel southeast, it'll be even worse, he said.

“It's like a straight shot right across the field,” he said.

Also, since he uses well water, he's concerned with the water quality should any toxins from the facility leak into the soil.

Stop the Stink member Devi Gopalan listed a number of concerns.  Residents are worried about possible health risks, the fact they have yet to see a properly working OCF and mostly, that weren't consulted on the new location, which wasn't passed by council.  Ms. Gopalan added the environmental assessment has already been handed to the Minister of the Environment, who has final say.

Jennifer O'Connell, Pickering Ward 1 City Councillor, informed the group that she and Ward 2 Regional Councillor Bill McLean are planning to bring forward a motion that will seek a judicial review of the process.

At Tuesday's planning and development committee meeting, she gave formal notice the motion will come to the next council meeting.

No one from York Region attended Thursday's meeting.  But at a past public information session, Erin Mahoney, the commissioner of environmental services for York Region, said the OCF has been moved out of the concentrated area and into a rural one instead based on the community's opposition.

“We responded to the community,” she said. “The best place is where we had it.  On balance, we've heard the needs of the community and we've responded to it.”

There would be “non-detectable odours coming out of the stack,” she said.

Stop the Stink hopes as many people as possible will sign up for upcoming Durham Region council meetings to show their disagreement with the current location.

More than 2,000 people have signed a petition against the OCF.  Also, Stop the Stink attended a rally recently at Bob Hunter Memorial Park in Markham, named after the founder of Greenpeace and where the pipe is planned to run through.

-- with files from Keith Gilligan

Pickering, ON, September 10, 2009 - Yesterday, the Government of Canada, Province of Ontario, and GO Transit announced $30 million in key infrastructure investments that will transform downtown Pickering by supporting intensification, urban renewal and public transit.

Through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, the Federal and Provincial governments are committing $5 million each towards the construction of a fully enclosed pedestrian bridge.  The $10 million structure will span Highway 401 and connect the Pickering GO Station to a new 132,000 square foot, “Class A”, LEED-Silver office tower in Pickering's downtown precinct.  Together, the new pedestrian bridge and office tower will be the most visible examples of sustainability in the entire province.  Equally as important, it will create a more cohesive and accessible downtown district.

With funding secured for the pedestrian bridge, GO Transit has committed to building a $20 million parking structure at the base of the office tower.  This will result in 500 new parking spaces for the Pickering GO Station - a 25 percent increase in total parking capacity.  This will facilitate greater public transit usage without exacerbating traffic congestion in and around the terminal.

The pedestrian bridge and parking facility will be owned and operated by GO Transit, which means it will be also be responsible for all of the construction, operating, and maintenance costs.  “I am very pleased with the level of commitment to the City of Pickering expressed by the senior levels of government and the business community,” said Mayor Dave Ryan.  “In addition, I am extremely proud that we were able to bring these significant infrastructure projects forward without impacting our residential tax base.  It truly is a bridge to our sustainable future.”

While a proposed pedestrian bridge had been in the planning stages for more than a decade, it never had the required support to advance beyond the conceptual stage.  However, when the new office tower was announced back in May of this year, it created a small window of opportunity to plan for and incorporate complementary infrastructure.  Consequently, Mayor Ryan was actively involved in intense negotiations with a wide array of government ministries and agencies on a daily basis for the past four months.  With funding commitments now in place, all three projects will be built concurrently with an estimated completion date of March 2011.

20 Vic Management Inc. is the developer of the new office tower and has been working diligently with the City of Pickering and GO Transit with respect to the pedestrian bridge and parking structure.  “I would like to congratulate Mayor Ryan and the City of Pickering.  Their vision and tireless efforts have led to this truly defining moment in this young city's history,” said George Buckles, director Leasing & Development, 20 Vic Management Inc.  “In conjunction with the Pickering Town Centre, we are proud to be the foundation of Pickering's dynamic and burgeoning downtown core.”

As the gateway to the east GTA, Pickering (population 94,000) is strategically located where Toronto, York and Durham Regions meet and has been recognized by Profit magazine as one of the ten best cities in Canada for growth companies.  Pickering's downtown has been named by the Province of Ontario as an Urban Growth Centre and future Anchor Mobility Hub.  The City of Pickering is considered a municipal leader in fiscal management, service delivery, sustainability and the environment.  In 2008, it received the FCM-CH2M Hill Sustainable Community Planning Award.  With its direct access to major highways, educated and skilled labour force, prime employment lands, a world class EN3 (Energy/Environmental/Engineering) sector, and supportive municipal government, Pickering offers unrivalled competitive advantages for business.

As Pickering councillors return to the council table, Mayor Dave Ryan hopes to overcome Pickering's identity crisis.

Pickering has been seen alternately as a service centre, as a home to the Ontario Power Generation nuclear station, or even as a host of the City of Toronto dump sites.

But Mayor Ryan wants to change that with a focus this term on establishing a downtown and setting the groundwork for a Durham West Arts Centre.

While Pickering has a lot of shopping areas, the mayor has long been an advocate for a downtown, which he hopes to establish along Kingston Road.

To coincide with a new downtown, the mayor hopes to get moving on a new arts centre, one he strongly believes should be in Pickering.

“People go to downtown Toronto to the theatre because there isn't anywhere else to go,” he said.  In 2004 the City and PineRidge Arts Council got together with other partners to begin the planning for the centre, which the mayor believes will bring jobs to the area and stimulate the economy.  It may not be built for five years but the mayor realizes work has to begin now if it is to become a reality.

The two would make a great focal point for a city looking for an identity.

And like many other communities, Pickering has to deal with issues surrounding growth. But in Pickering's case, that growth is massive with the Seaton community planned to be home to 70,000 new people within the next 20 years.  Pickering has consistently fought for new jobs to accompany the residential growth and has stated over and over again that one new job must be created for every two new residents.  That's a lofty goal but one that makes sense to ensure the city doesn't become more of a bedroom community.

Council will also be faced with a decision to approve a new, third tower at the San Francisco by the Bay residential development.  If approved, the tower will provide for a total of 734 units on the site. While area residents are concerned about traffic, the tower is a good fit and should be approved by council.

As we draw nearer to a municipal election year, councillors should stay focused on the job they were elected for, manage growth properly and keep taxes as low as possible.

By Keith Gilligan

PICKERING -- An odour control facility originally planned for Pickering has been moved back into York Region.  But, just barely.

The facility will be built on the west side of the York-Durham boundary, between the Taunton-Steeles connection and the 4th Concession Road.

It's part of the expansion of the 'Big Pipe', which carries sewage from York to the treatment plant in south Pickering, next to the nuclear generating station.  York is doing to the work to accommodate growth in that region.

The odour control facility was originally planned to be constructed on Altona Road, south of the Cherrywood West hamlet.  However, residents living near there objected and York officials agreed to consider another site.

In May, they announced a location immediately opposite the site where York now wants to put the facility.  Again residents complained, feeling the site was still too close to homes and the facility should be in York, where the waste is generated.

York officials hosted a public information session at the Cedar Grove Community Centre in Markham on Thursday, July 23.

“Obviously, there's the spirit of (the law) and the letter of (the law)” Whitevale resident Peter Rodrigues said of putting the facility just across the border from Pickering.

“We are going to continue to fight it right through to the Ministry of the Environment,” Mr. Rodrigues added.

Peter Herrmann said he was “disappointed” with the latest location.

“They heard our disappointment and they only put it on the other side of the town line,” Mr. Herrmann said. “There's no guarantee there's no odour.”

York Chairman Bill Fisch had spoken of “a partnership and how he wanted to work with the citizens of Pickering,” Mr. Herrmann noted.  Moving the facility “to one side of the road to adhere to a council decision is insulting.”

The latest option shows “a lack of consideration for the residents of Pickering,” Mr. Herrmann said. “It's only shown York had very little interest in the benefit of Pickering residents.  It's only for the benefit of the residents of York Region.”

“They're not meeting the spirit and intent of the motion of Durham Region,” said Rick Nicolussi, a Cherrywood West resident.

He dismissed the claim no odours would come from the plant.

“They can't prove that.  There's been no other facility this big.  They have nothing to show us.”

“I've lived in Pickering all my life.  I'm an antique.  Why is Durham Region picked to be the dumping ground for everything from York Region?” asked Lydia Dobbin of Cherrywood West.

Erin Mahoney, the commissioner of environmental services for York Region, disagreed with comments about not meeting the intent of council motions.

“I actually think it is in the spirit. We're moving away from a more concentrated centre of development.  It's out of Durham,” she said.  “It's out in rural area.”

“Can an odour control facility be within urban areas? They can,” she said, noting York is building one in the area of Bayview Avenue and Hwy. 407.

“The community didn't want” the facility near Cherrywood West, she said.  “We responded to the community.  The best place is where we had it.  On balance, we've heard the needs of the community and we've responded to it.”

There would be “non-detectable odours coming out of the stack,” she said.

York is completing an environmental assessment for the expansion and will be filing that with the provincial environment ministry by the end of the summer.

Markham

Proposed site moved to Markham after outcry in Pickering
Keely Grasser

A sewage odour control facility, moved from a planned site in Pickering after residents' outcry, is now proposed to be in southeast Markham.

York Region is proposing to build the facility, for the southeast collector trunk sewer project, on the west side of the York Durham Line, north of Steeles Avenue.

It's part of the Big Pipe, a sewage system being expanded by York and Durham.

But earlier this year, Pickering residents said they didn't want the odour control facility, which will filter and release air flow from the trunk sewer, which moves raw sewage from York to a treatment facility in Pickering, in their town.

More than 4,500 e-mails and petitions from residents spurred Durham council to pass a resolution asking York to put the facility in its back yard.

The regions went to the public this week with the new proposed site.

The region said the closest neighbours to the rural site are more than 300 metres away, so they shouldn't notice vibrations or noise during construction or operation.

And it won't stink, it claims.

Erin Mahoney, York Region's commissioner of environmental services, said a number of design elements should give the public assurance about that.

Biofilter systems will break down odour-causing substances, the region said, and two carbon filters will back that up.

The system will also have 100-per-cent extra capacity in case it has to go off-line, Ms Mahoney said,

Spare parts will be on-site for mechanical equipment and the regions have committed to a short turn-around response time for any incidents, she said.

That should give residents in York and Durham regions the comfort the facility won't release odours, Ms Mahoney said.

She said York and Peel regions share an odour control facility near a convention centre.

“We know odour control facilities do work,” she said.

However, Markham Councillor Logan Kanapathi, whose ward is home to the proposed site, said some residents have concerns about odours.

He's raised his concern at committee meetings.

“I raised my concerns on behalf of residents and I don't like it, personally,” he said.

Paul Reesor, the president of the Cedar Grove Community Club, said his group has not yet spoken about the issue.

The regions held a public information session on the new proposed site in Markham Thursday.  It attracted some residents from Pickering, where homeowners expressed concerns about smell, lower property values and health concerns when the facility was proposed for Altona Road and Finch Avenue East.

Regional staff were on hand with handouts to assure the public the facility won't smell and won't be visible, since it will be partially buried and landscaped.

It also won't affect groundwater, according to the regions.

The site is close to Rouge Park, but it's outside the park boundary, Ms Mahoney said.

The region will also pay for enhancement features inside of the park.

York has been talking to Rouge Park staff about the proposal, she said.

Alan Wells, the chairperson of the Rouge Park Alliance, wasn't immediately available for comment.

Residents are able to offer their thoughts to the region until Aug. 7.

Ms Mahoney said any comments collected at Thursday's session will be included.

After that, the region will be resubmitting an environmental assessment for the project to the Ministry of the Environment.  The public will then get another chance to comment to the ministry.

Asked what will happen if there is public outcry over the Markham site, Ms Mahoney said she thinks concerns have been addressed by moving the facility into York.