We look back at highs and lows of 2016 in York Region
Yorkregion.com
Jan. 5, 2017
With 2016 over and done with, our reporters took some time to look back at some of the highs and lows that stood out over the past 12 months in York Region.
York Region
High:
Democracy is finally coming to York Region’s top political job, now held by regional chair Wayne Emmerson.
That was the comment from a pleased Newmarket-Aurora MPP Chris Ballard after the provincial government introduced legislation in November to make regional chairs elected.
If adopted, as expected, the change will be in effect for the Oct. 22, 2018 municipal election.
Low:
For many years, more than 2,000 lower income York Region residents annually have relied on the Housing Help Centre and Identification Clinic to help them find affordable housing and to secure much-needed documentation.
But the region, the sole source of funding for the programs, is ending its $340,500 annual grant at the end of the year, forcing the centre to close its doors.
York Regional Police
Low:
On Aug. 29, an allegedly inebriated Christopher Singh, his baby in the back, crossed the centre line on 16th Avenue hitting and killing Markham’s Inoka Athuraliya-Liyana-Waduge, 42 and her daughter Savani Guruge, 4.
Aurora
High:
One of Aurora’s highlights from 2016 is the focus of physical literacy and well-being of residents. This year, Mayor Geoff Dawe launched the healthy kids challenge and Activate Aurora, an initiative to make Aurora the most active community in Canada.
Low:
While Highland Gate Developments Inc. may see the redevelopment of the former golf course a high, the town, residents and associations publicly noted a sense of defeat and loss when the Ontario Municipal Board gave the nod of approval to the redevelopment applications after all parties had signed settlement agreements.
Bradford
High:
Astronaut Chris Hadfield made a special visit to staff and students at BWG’s newly opened Chris Hadfield Public School in June. He talked about his time in space, sang a couple of his original songs and toured the school to check out what the new facility has to offer.
Low:
Residents and witnesses were shocked when a pickup truck hit and dragged a 55-year-old Bradford West Gwillimbury man more than 500 metres along Holland Street West. The incident, which occurred March 6, required the man to be extracted from underneath the vehicle with help from EMS, fire crews and police.
East Gwillimbury
High:
On snowy Sunday in December I made the trek from Stouffville to the Gem Theatre in Keswick to catch the "King Kong" premiere from Queensville Filmmaker Jack Buchanan. The 24-year-old Autistic film buff spent six years on the project. It was heartwarming to be part of what he called one of the best nights of his life.
Low:
I have gotten to know Sharon Beekeeper James Murray the past few years by frequenting the East Gwillimbury farmer’s market. That’s why when I wrote about a good portion of his hives being wiped out by disease it was tough to see him lose out and so much after putting so much effort into his bees.
Georgina
High:
Various events and activities all year celebrating the 125th anniversary of the first full year of the incorporated Village of Sutton was a definite high point.
It culminated in a two-day Sutton/Jackson’s Point 125 party Sept. 10 and 11 at the Sutton fairgrounds. Marking the achievements of some of the area’s founding fathers, families, industries and communities, the year-long celebration not only reminded residents of the area’s strong roots, but the indomitable spirit, sense of community and the heart of the area’s people that continue to shape us to this very day.
Low:
Looking back at 2016, the death of longtime Georgina resident Danny Wheeler at the age of 69 in November shocked the region and was one of the year’s low points.
The man described as a true gentleman served on regional council since 1988 and was the longest-serving member in council's history. He started his political career as a Georgina ward councillor in 1982, serving two, three-year terms.
At the region, he served on many committees, including chairing both the police services board from and the accessibility advisory committee.
"He was a true gentleman and he did a lot for the Town of Georgina and the region of York," regional chair Wayne Emmerson said. "He didn't have to speak very much but when he did, everyone listened. He will be very missed."
King
High:
It was an amazing year for King City native Rosie MacLennan. The women’s trampoline gymnast not only repeated as gold medal champion at the Rio Olympics in August after winning Canada’s only gold medal at the London 2012 Games, but she was also chosen as Canada’s flag-bearer for the opening ceremonies.
Low:
After the 2015 euphoria of Magna International’s announcement it would be opening its new global headquarters in 2017 and locating 625 employees in King City, the township was told in September by the auto-parts giant it had renewed its Aurora office lease until 2022 and the move to King was shelved until at least then.
Markham
High:
York University is not only coming to Markham, it’s here. This year, the five-acre campus located at Rivis Road and Enterprise Boulevard in Downtown Markham went form a drawing on paper to stakes in the ground.
The academic programs have been set and will have both a business and technology element.The new year will bring new classroom designs and plans for transportation and library services as well as the opening of the Innovation and Community Engagement hub.
Low:
There was a glimmer of hope that skating would resume at Toogood Pond in Unionville this winter. But no. Markham council got bogged down by insurance, risk and liability. A working group was setup to establish parameters for ice monitoring - costing the city about $100,000 for about eight weeks of ice monitoring by ice engineers.
Within a few weeks, Markham flip-flopped on its decision and decided to stay with the status quo and not permit skating on Toogood Pond.
Newmarket
High:
The people. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and profiling some outstanding local residents this year - from retiring Southlake Foundation president and CEO Neila Poscente to SickKids patient Hartley Bernier. We also profiled the First World War trench masterfully developed by a dedicated team of Newmarket Historical Society volunteers.
Low:
Mean spirit. An unwillingness to treat each other with respect and understanding seemed to be a lingering theme. A bitter fight between Ward 5 Coun. Joe Sponga and members of the Main Street BIA led, at least partly, to the councillor’s resignation and triggered a byelection. The alleged bigotry against members of a Newmarket Muslim family in September, and social media comments directed toward a pregnant homeless woman and her boyfriend, were also troubling.
Richmond Hill
High:
After decades of discussion, council voted to move town hall back to the heart of Richmond Hill. Councillors agreed in September to build the long-awaited civic centre in the downtown core at Yonge Street and Major Mackenzie Drive. The $200-million project is expected to include an expanded library, public square, reflecting pool/skating rink and amphitheatre.
Low:
Residents were shocked by a string of deaths - suicides and domestic homicides - involving grown children with mental illness. Parents say it points to a dire need for good psychiatrists (to keep patients out of hospital) and more hospital beds to prevent premature discharge.
Thornhill
High:
Community generosity was a high. York Region residents, including Thornhill organizers, raised money for the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Research Program at Toronto’s SickKids Hospital during October’s Walk for Andrea. A Thornhill kindness club raised money in August for a girl with Cerebral Palsy who needs surgeries and therapy.
Low:
Shaar Shalom synagogue closed its doors June 30 after 45 years. A former director from Leo Back Hebrew Day School was charged in connection with child pornography offences in California.
An outbreak of norovirus hit Thornhill Woods Public School and other locations in York Region.
Vaughan
High:
Vaughan’s eye-catching Civic Centre Resource Library with its upward curving roof and walls made of glass and reflective metal opened its doors May 14. The $13.3-million, 36,000-square-foot building boasts armchairs with sound-muffling privacy hoods, heated floors in the kids’ section and a Create It Space featuring a video room with green screens and a recording studio space with a sound mixing board plus more than 70,000 books and magazines.
Low:
The Longo’s grocery store at Weston Road and Rutherford Road in Woodbridge was forced to close for more than two weeks following a massive blaze Sunday, May 29. It was allegedly started by a pair of teens - a 15-year-old from Bolton and a 14-year-old from Vaughan - lighting a bag of chips on fire and putting it back on the rack.
Whitchurch-Stouffville
High:
For his public wedding, Mayor Justin Altmann asked for donations to the mobile washroom trailer instead of gifts. The trailer would be a first of its kind in York Region, and would be used in several events to accommodate people with disabilities. With a goal of $125,000, the mobile washroom trailer fund has reached $90,000 since the announcement this past summer. Truly a community effort.
Low:
