May E-Newsletter 2023
Dear Neighbours,
The saying “April showers bring May flowers” seems appropriate this year as gardens everywhere are springing to life! Now more than ever we can see and appreciate our clean city which had an army of volunteers picking up litter during Clean Up Green Up Weeks to give our City a spring cleaning. The warmer weather also allows scheduled maintenance and improvement projects all around Richmond Hill and York Region. While this may cause some disruptions to our normal routines, I hope you will agree it is a small price to pay to ensure our City’s infrastructure is maintained. You can read more about some of the opportunities for all residents to join in celebrating and supporting both our 150th birthday and our beautiful and clean city in this month’s e-newsletter.
This is also a time that fundraising walks and runs begin in earnest, so consider how you might like to support your favourite charity whether that is by volunteering, donating, or joining the event.
April was another very busy month in my office, as I travelled to Ottawa to meet with Federal MPs and on April 18th was excited to share my State of the City address at the Richmond Hill Country Club, hosted by the Richmond Hill Board of Trade.
Please share this e-newsletter with anyone you know who would like to receive this mailing and encourage them to sign up to receive the e-newsletter in their inbox.
Sincerely,
Mayor David West
City of Richmond Hill
Mayor’s State of the City
On April 18th at the Richmond Hill Golf and Country Club, hosted by the Richmond Hill Board of Trade, I was delighted to deliver my State of the City Address. Sharing highlights of the great progress we are making in our City with our community is an honour.
I’m happy to acknowledge the many hard working staff who deliver the fantastic programs and initiatives that we enjoy in Richmond Hill. I would like to share my standing ovation with each and every one of you! If you missed it, here is a full transcript of my speech.
See you next year!
Thanks to the
Richmond Hill Board of Trade
For hosting and excellent event.
Thanks to Nikki Hessami and Erfan Tohidinia for sharing photos
What’s On in Richmond Hill
| May continues to be busy with outdoor activities with so many options to beautify and improve our City. The Clean Up Green Up official program is ending but I hope the effort to keep our parks, trails, and public spaces will continue year round as we is full of activities to support your gardening, greening, and outdoor fun. The Healthy Yards program encompasses many different aspects including information to supporting our gardens, lawns, and trees. Learn about free wood chips, the L.E.A.F.organization that supports backyard tree planting, and several gardening resources. Another element of the program is Richmond Hill Blooms, back for another year and welcoming all Richmond Hill residents to showcase their front gardens. Nominations open June 2nd. Richmond Hill Blooms is a partnership between the City of Richmond Hill and the Richmond Hill Garden and Horticultural Society (RHGHS). Visit richmondhillgardensociety.org to learn more about the RHGHS and how you can become a member. If you need to spruce up your garden, the Richmond Hill Horticultural Plant Sale is on Saturday May 13th from 9-12. And for your convenience, here is a quick link to the Yard Waste collection schedule. As always, there are lots of opportunities to learn new gardening tips, both through the City webinar series and through the TRCA both in person and online with their e-learning program. Fun fact: did you know that Richmond Hill was called the “Rose Capital of Canada”? On May 28th, join a walking tour as part of the #RH150 celebrations and learn more about our City’s illustrious history. It seems our passion for gardening and beauty is as old as our City! |
May Dates
In May, there are many dates to celebrate.
During Asian Heritage Month, we celebrate our rich and diverse history in Canada and Richmond Hill. The Richmond Hill Public Library has ongoing programming and recommended reading to highlight and showcase Asian culture and authors.
May is Jewish Heritage Month and an important time to recognize the many contributions of our Jewish friends and neighbours to our thriving Richmond Hill society. It was my pleasure to submit a video message in support of the B’nai Brith Canada Jewish Heritage month campaign.
In Ontario, we acknowledge Dutch Heritage Month in May and as with all our Heritage Dates, we can take this time to appreciate the gifts our Dutch residents have given Richmond Hill and how our diversity is our strength.
Today, May 5th, is Red Dress Day, a time for National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirited people in Canada. #MMIWG2S
Let’s continue to SHOW our diversity, our equity, and
our inclusive attitudes through actions.
#InclusiveRH
Council News
“All of these efforts work together to protect our natural environment and tackle climate change issues from every angle. I’m proud that Richmond Hill and our community is so forward-thinking on the environment and that we are taking action together.” Mayor David West
We were happy to invite the Toronto Six Women’s Professional Hockey team to be acknowledged for their recent win of the Isobel Cup. We welcomed Angela James, GM, Sami Jo Small, President, and Carly Jackson, Goalie, and Izzy, the Isobel Cup. Last year I was honoured to meet and recognize Angela James for appointment to the Order of Canada and it is a pleasure to continue to celebrate these momentous events with our talented Richmond Hill residents.
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.
York Region Mayors in Ottawa
I was happy to attend meetings with our Members of Parliament in Ottawa with York Region Mayors.
In 10 meetings over 2 long days, I participated in discussions on topics of importance to our Richmond Hill community and York Region overall. It was a valuable opportunity to share perspectives and priorities.
Road improvements are scheduled through York Region during the warmer season. For a full understanding of the planned work, you can visit the York Region Transportation site.
In Richmond Hill, you might notice improvement work in some parks and trails. Here is a list of both projects that are underway and planned.
One of the best qualities we enjoy in Richmond Hill is our access to parks and green space, in my opinion. But with this attribute there are, of course, more chances to encounter wild animals and it is important that we seek to coexist in a health way.
Both the City of Richmond Hill and York Region monitor trends in our city’s wildlife and lately, they have been observing an increase in birds presumed dead due to the Avian Influenza, or Bird Flu. The risk to humans is low at this time. To read more about the sickness, what you can do to protect your pets and families, and suggestions for interacting with our local wildlife, you can visit both the City’s pageand the Region’s website.
Community Events
Hike for Hill House Hospice
Join us on Sunday May 7th for Hill House Hospice’s Signature Hike for Hospice event.
It is a day to celebrate and connect with the community.
The fundraising will support the compassionate and expert medical care provided at Hill House Hospice.
After the stroll through the community, enjoy a free BBQ, music and a chance to win tickets to Hamilton, the musical.
Join the Richmond Hill Garden and Horticultural Society
PLANT SALE
on May 13, 2023
between 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
McConaghy Centre
10100 Yonge Street, Richmond Hill
Visit the RHGHS website for all the details and other upcoming events.
L’Arche Daybreak
Walk with Hope event
Join this first in-person walk in over three years
for a 2km or 5km walk.
Celebrating “Together Again”
on May 13th
Donations and Event Sign up here
Doors Open Richmond Hill
Celebrating Richmond Hill’s 150th anniversary!
May 13, 2023 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Doors Open Richmond Hill supports cultural sites in the community by open their doors to everyone.
A free event is part of Doors Open Ontario, launched in 2002 by the Ontario Heritage Trust.
This year is a reason to celebrate! We are offering Doors Open Richmond Hill for the first time in three years and we are celebrating Richmond Hill’s 150th birthday!
Odeiwin presentation with
Richmond Hill Public Library
Saturday May 27th
from 2 – 4 p.m.
Medicine Garden Planting
(Registration on EventBrite)
Join Odeiwin on Facebook for more information
and upcoming events.
Richmond Hill April Events
Here are a few of the events I was privileged to participate in lately,
on behalf of the City of Richmond Hill
International Day of Pink
Important Numbers and Information
ACCESS Richmond Hill
905-771-8800
Access@RichmondHill.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
