From the Desk of Mayor David West
October E-Newsletter 2023
Dear Neighbours,
As we approach Thanksgiving weekend and having just celebrated the Mid-Autumn festival, a celebration of the harvest for many East Asian cultures, feelings of gratitude and thankfulness are plentiful throughout our city and you will see that reflected in this newsletter. From our City staffs’ United Way Giving Campaign kick off, to the many Food Bank donation efforts and charity fundraising activities happening, October in Richmond Hill offers many opportunities to get involved and make an impact.
In the spirit of giving thanks and giving back as global citizens, I am looking forward to walking with the Vishnu Mandir Temple to raise money for dialysis and eye treatments, to ensure that regardless of race, age, religion, or gender, that there is equal access to these services in Guyana through the Global Care Outreach Program. Please help me support them by donating if you can, and by sharing this message with your community.
Thank you to the many participants in my I Love Richmond Hill Photo Exhibition. The entries are incredible! Stay tuned for the updates about the selected photos.
The fall colours herald the changing season and fall activities are happening everywhere across York Region. I hope that the spirit of giving thanks and enjoying the bounty of our region is fulfilling for you and your loved ones.
Thanks for reading!
Sincerely,
Mayor David West
City of Richmond Hill
What's On in Richmond Hill
There are two opportunities for you to help shape your city in October. Please share your thoughts and opinions
The City of Richmond Hill is developing its new 2023-2027 Strategic Plan, which will act as a roadmap, setting out the top priorities and shared vision for the future of the community. This is the Consultation Summary Report which highlights the key findings from the Strategic Plan community engagements, survey, and open houses. Please review the Report and provide any additional feedback you may have by October 12, 2023 by email to Lise Conde, Manager, Strategy and Government Relations at lise.conde@richmondhill.ca.
How is the Official Plan different than the Strategic Plan?
An official plan is a land-use planning policy document focusing mainly on the growth of the City. Guided by the priorities set in the Strategic Plan, the Official Plan includes goals and objectives to manage growth, protect natural and cultural heritage, and other resources in Richmond Hill.
The City of Richmond Hill is reviewing and updating its Property Standards By-law and they want to hear from residents! These By-laws regulate maintenance standards for properties, including vacant and heritage properties. It also includes provisions for fences, yards, driveways and buildings on the property.
Get Involved!
As a Richmond Hill resident, how satisfied are you with property maintenance in your neighbourhood? What is your biggest concern? Share your thoughts and take the property standards survey. Your feedback will help shape how to regulate and govern standards for properties in the city. For more information about the City’s by-laws and upcoming surveys, visit RichmondHill.ca/Bylaw.
October Heritage Dates
Each month we acknowledge dates of importance to create awareness, give recognition, and promote education about our cultural and historical heritage.
In October Canada acknowledges Canadian Islamic History Month, Latin American Heritage Month, German Heritage Month, and Women’s History Month. This month, we take the time to appreciate the unique contributions to our Canadian society each of these important communities has made. Through our Richmond Hill Public Library and local cultural groups, there are opportunities for everyone to learn something new about the important groups who have historically, and who continue to, impact our society here in Richmond Hill, and all across Canada.
Celebrate and appreciate our diverse culture with Culture Days, the national, month long event that promotes local cultural awareness through visual arts, music, dance, theatre, architecture, heritage, film and video, literature, culinary arts and new media.
Let’s continue to SHOW our diversity, our equity, and
our inclusive attitudes through actions.
#InclusiveRH
Council News
It was an honour to join the Federal Infrastructure Funding announcement in September at the Richmond Hill David Dunlop Observatory as we acknowledged the $6.1M grant to build the proposed bridge and foot/bicycle path over the Canadian National Railway tracks on the west side of the DDO property – this pedestrian/cyclist bridge will ensure safe passageway for our residents, connecting the DDO Park to Wards 5 & 6, the Yonge/16th/Carrville Key Development Area (KDA) and Major Transit Station Area (MTSA), to the 111 acre DDO Park.
York Regional Police invited us to join them in launching Operation Auto Guard to address and combat the increase in auto thefts that York Region residents have experienced in the past year. Analysts have observed the southern end of our city is experiencing more auto thefts and Officers will be going door-to-door in these neighbourhoods to educate residents and provide them with crime prevention information and Faraday bags, an effective tool that blocks signal-duplicating devices used to replicate key fobs. Faraday bags are also available at each district station for pick up by citizens. Visit the YRP website for information and watch their social media for ongoing news and updates.
September 21 was a great day for the environment as the Premier reversed his plan to open Greenbelt lands for development. I would like to acknowledge the many advocates from Richmond Hill who raised their voices on this contentious topic – thank you for remaining engaged and active in your community.
Watch Council Meetings Live or Watch the Recording
We continue to offer the opportunity for residents to attend Council meetings in person, to watch live, or to watch a recording.
News from Our Neighbours
Cooking Safety Starts With YOU! Pay Attention to Fire Prevention.
October 8 – 14 is Fire Prevention Week in Richmond Hill
This year’s Fire Prevention Week™ (FPW™) campaign is “Cooking safety starts with YOU.
Pay attention to fire prevention™,” works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe when cooking. Did you know:
- Cooking is the leading cause of home fires in Ontario
- fire departments respond to more than 1,123 cooking fires annually,
- resulting in an average of 6 deaths and 200 non-fatal injuries a year.
Richmond Hill Fire & Emergency Services urges everyone in Richmond Hill to check their kitchens for fire hazards and use safe cooking practices during Fire Prevention Week 2023 (and all year round).
For more information visit: RichmondHill.ca/FirePreventionWeek
Community Events
The calendar of events in Richmond Hill continues to offer something for everyone. Here are a few ideas to fill your free time. Please also visit the following calendars for local events:
Enjoy a Free Concert at the Legion
October 6, 2023 @ 8:00 p.m.
Richmond Hill Legion – Lounge 233 Centre St. E., Richmond Hill.
Artists’ Coop Richmond Hill is back!
Boynton House – Richmond Green
October 7 to December 30, Wednesdays to Sundays
11 am to 6 pm
Join us for our Exclusive Pre-Event Shopping Celebration
October 6 from 4 to 7 pm
Giveaways, Refreshments and Honoured Guests!
Register for your invitation by subscribing to our Newsletter.
Yellow Brick House’s Annual Break the Silence “Step in My Shoes” Walk is Back!
Walk hand in hand with your partner, bring your family, rally your friends, and unite with coworkers—all for a cause that matters.
- Sunday, November 5, 2023
- St. Andrew’s College – 15800 Yonge St, Aurora, ON L4G 3H7
Donate today, or join the walk to make a powerful statement against domestic violence by breaking the silence together.
I was happy to have unanimous support from my colleagues for my Member Motion to declare Intimate Partner Violence an epidemic and to call for further actions from the Provincial and Federal governments. Here is my full Member Motion
Fill a Purse for a Sister
Join me in supporting this York Region initiative to bring comfort, hope and dignity to women and youth in crisis with the gift of purses filled with personal necessities.
Donations of filled purses will be donated to domestic violence shelters, womens shelters, rape crisis centers, & social services that support women.
Contact my office to arrange a donation until December 1, 2023.
Richmond Hill September Events
Here are a few of the events I was privileged to participate in lately, on behalf of the City of Richmond Hill
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