From the Desk of Mayor David West
February E-Newsletter 2024
Dear Neighbours,
On January 8, I was honoured to join the families and loved ones at the PS752 Memorial at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts. It was a heart wrenching event as we gathered with so many loved ones, witnessing their ongoing grief and sadness, as fresh and raw as it was 4 years ago when flight PS752 was shot down. The 176 souls onboard were all killed and of those, 44 were connected to Richmond Hill. These were our friends, neighbours, colleagues, and loved ones. I hope you can watch the full coverage of the event on CPAC.
I was proud to host these brave families and the as well as the Right Honourable Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly, Ralph Goodale, the High Commissioner for Canada in the UK, Conservative Deputy Leader Lantsman, our local Federal and Provincial Members of Parliament, York Region Chairman Emmerson, and most of the City of Richmond Hill Council members. The City of Richmond Hill staff including the terrific team at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, did an exceptional job working with the organizers, the Association of Families of Flight PS752 Victims.
Sincerely,
Mayor David West
City of Richmond Hill
The 55th Annual Winter Carnival is this weekend! Feb. 3 and 4, 2024 at Mill Pond Park.
Join the fun this Saturday and Sunday for a terrific mix of traditional and new events and activities, perfect for families to enjoy, including Sunday morning pancake breakfast, the trackless train ride, children’s games, woodcarver, and Circus Jonathan. Details on the Winter Carnival website.
Ookpik, the selfie-magnet mascot, invites everyone to enjoy carnival weekend.
Admission is free; but everyone is encouraged to purchase the collectible carnival button.
Support the 360°Experience
There is still time to sponsor the “York Region Mayors Team”.
As Captain, I look forward to making a tangible impact raising awareness and funds for homeless youth, together with my Mayoral colleagues across the Region.
Please support my “York Region Mayor’s Team” for the upcoming 360°Experience on Thursday, February 29th, 2024 as I join with my municipal colleagues at the Corporate experience to better understand the challenges faced by our homeless population.
Thank you for any support you can lend to our team
What's On in Richmond Hill
Traffic Safety is top of mind for Richmond Hill and you are invited to attend a Public Education Session to hear about the Traffic Safety Operations Strategy. There are numerous traffic safety measures that the City employs to manage traffic on our streets, including radar message boards, pedestrian crossovers, and speed humps to name a few. Learn more
Have you subscribed to RichmondHill.ca/WinterUpdates and followed the City on Twitter @myRichmondHill to be notified about winter event declarations and winter maintenance activities?
This is the best way to stay up to date on our City’s efforts to manage winter weather conditions.
The City of Richmond Hill Wants to Hear from You!
There are numerous surveys available right now, so please add your voice to the conversation and help shape your city.
- Draft Mill Pond Park Revitalization Master Plan – open until February 2 – click here
- Pickleball Survey – open until February 5 – click here
- Home Energy Improvement Survey – open until February 15 – click here
Richmond Hill Rampage is Here!
Great news Richmond Hill!
There is a new expansion team with the GMHL launching for the upcoming 2024/2025 season in the South Division. With the promise of great off ice management and a strong and talented ‘on ice’ coaching staff boasting years of experience in Junior and professional hockey, this is very exciting news.
The Rampage will be playing their home games out of Elvis Stojko Arena at 16th Ave in Richmond Hill.
This offers an opportunity to players in the community to compete at a high level after they finish their minor hockey experience.
There is a Prospect Camp scheduled April 26-28, 2024, with limited spots. Register today
We are the Richmond Hill Rampage
News from the Office of the Mayor
I spoke at the Regional Governance Study Tour of the Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy this month to share my perspective on our Regional Government. As I stated at the meeting, I feel the current two-tier system meets the needs of Richmond Hill residents and York Region well. I continue to believe that the Region plays a valuable role in our local governance. That said, I will always be open to exploring efficiencies and best practices.
Homelessness and the recently awarded $31 million from the Housing Accelerator Fund are topics that are top of mind for many Richmond Hill residents and community groups right now.
I appreciated the chance to speak about both these important topics with the South Central Richmond Hill Community Action Table and Family Services York Region during their monthly Housing Committee meeting.
Connecting with our residents in Richmond Hill is my favourite part of this job, and I was happy to attend MPP Daisy Wai’s “Monday Matters” this month to share my “top 10” list of what’s in store for 2024. We were fortunate to have City staff share an excellent Economic Insight presentation. Thank you for the invitation MPP Wai!
We were experiencing technical difficulty…
It seems that there were some glitches delivering my December and January e-newsletters. Please remember that you can always read back issues on my website.
I’m so sorry if you were impacted. I have been assured the problem is fixed.
Thank you for staying in touch and choosing to receive my monthly updates.
Committee of the Whole meetings and Council Public Meetings are back!
As always, we welcome and encourage the residents of Richmond Hill to participate in these meetings in any way that is convenient for you. The link to the City’s YouTube page is below, where you can watch the meetings live or watch a recording. All the particulars about the meetings are on the City website if you prefer to attend in person.
Thank you for your civic engagement.
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News from Our Neighbours
Expect the unexpected this winter!
Winters in Ontario can be unpredictable, but Richmond Hill Fire & Emergency Services wants to keep everyone safe. Here are some tips to help ensure you are ready for anything – from winter storms to icy roads to power outages.
· Keep an emergency preparedness kit – Households are encouraged to build an emergency kit, including non-perishable, easy-to-prepare food in case of a power outage or winter conditions that prevent people from being able to leave their homes.
· Weather-proof your homes – Remember to check for potential hazards around your home, including those that may not be top of mind such as trimming branches hanging over your house or vehicle, shutting off outdoor water, and stocking up on salt to prevent falls on your driveway/sidewalk. Remind neighbours, friends and family to do the same.
· Get ready for winter driving with a vehicle winter kit – Help reduce the stress of winter driving by preparing a winter emergency car kit to stay safe on your journeys: pack essentials like a blanket, candles, and a shovel.
While you can’t control the weather, you can #BePrepared. For more information on being prepared, and building an emergency kit, visit RichmondHill.ca/EmergencyPreparedness.
Dates of Importance and Significance
February is Black History Month
We are invited to participate in Black History Month events and festivities that honour the legacy of Black people in Canada and their communities.
The 2024 theme is: “Black Excellence: A Heritage to Celebrate; a Future to Build” which celebrates the tremendous contributions of Black people in Canada to date, while aspiring for future potential.
During the month of February, you will find opportunities to participate in our community. Watch the Richmond Hill Public Library and the York Region Alliance of African Canadian Communities for local events.
Happy Lunar New Year to everyone celebrating this month!
I look forward to joining the many exciting events planned throughout the month of February to mark this important date with our Richmond Hill community. The Lunar New Year is February 10.
On February 15th, we recognize National Flag of Canada Day, commemorating the first time Canada’s red and white maple leaf flag was raised on Parliament Hill. As stated on the Government of Canada’s website,
“Our national flag is a symbol that unites Canadians and reflects the common values we take pride in — equality, freedom and inclusion.”
I couldn’t agree more! On February 15, let’s celebrate the #CanadianFlag!
Let’s continue to SHOW our diversity, our equity, and our inclusive attitudes through actions.
#InclusiveRH
Community Events and News
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:
FEBRUARY IS VISION MONTH FOR OAK RIDGES LIONS CLUB
Please donate your old, used and unwanted eyewear in any of our drop box locations listed on our flyer in the month of February.
Our past campaigns have been very successful and we are hoping to keep that momentum going!
All your old, tired and unwanted eyewear is a “gift” to those who suffer with poor eyesight, and the gift you give to those who receive them is two-fold. Someone desperately in need of glasses can finally see, and we keep them out of the landfill here at home!
It’s a win-win situation! If you have any questions, please reach out to Walter!
Unlock a world beyond books at Richmond Hill Public Library—a vibrant community hub with unlimited possibilities!
Enjoy free programs, top-notch gaming, LinkedIn Learning for professionals, and a diverse range of digital resources.
Yes, at the library!
Visit any branch to register for your free membership.
March Virtual Volunteer Orientation
Love trees and want to give back to your community?
Join L.E.A.F. the Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests non-profit organization, on March 4th from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for our FIRST volunteer orientation of 2024. Volunteer opportunities include tree planting, garden stewardship and more!
SAVE THE DATE! Saturday April 6 2024
Richmond Hill January Events
Here are a few of the events I was privileged to participate in lately, on behalf of the City of Richmond Hill
Important Numbers and Information
ACCESS Richmond Hill
905-771-8800
Ac****@Ri**********.ca
City services, updates on damaged City property, snow clearing, streetlight maintenance
Animal Services
905-832-2281
Animal control and shelter services contracted through City of Vaughan
Alectra Utilities
1-833-253-2872
Hydro outage information, downed power lines
Inclement Weather Hotline
905-771-5487
City facility closures and recreation program cancellations
Parking Control
905-771-8860
Cars parked illegally on the street
York Region Roads
1-877-464-9675 ext 75200
Snow removal on regional roads
York Region Transit/Viva
905-762-2100
Snow removal at bus stops
