Top 5 Richmond Hill stories you may have missed this summer

Tax payment in Bitcoin, old library closing, the DDO being recognized nationally and more.

Yorkregion.com
Sept. 4, 2019
Sheila Wang

The good, the bad and the undecided. Richmond Hill has had yet another splendid summer with a lot of going on from the city council to the community.

As many residents are flocking back from their vacations from every corner of the world, it’s about time to cool down and have a review of what has happened in the past three months.

Councillor Greg Beros to be audited

Four councillors were in question, and one investigation has been ordered.

An outside auditor has been appointed to look into Richmond Hill Ward 1 Coun. Greg Beros’s campaign expenses for possible violations of the Municipal Elections Act. It was a result of a vote by a joint compliance audit committee on July 18 who decided to grant the investigation after resident Carol Davidson brought forward a long list of possible contraventions in Beros’s election campaign finances to a hearing.

Crosby shooting brings neighbours together

It was the second community meeting, and their list of concerns has gotten longer.

Residents on Crosby Avenue came together July 25 to address issues related to 360Kids following a shooting in the neighbourhood. The community, shaken up by the incident and fearing for their own safety, came up with a wide range of proposals at the meeting, from erecting a tall fence to increasing security presence to removing the Beer Store. No consensus was reached, but regional Coun. Carmine Perrelli promised to bring their concerns and proposals to York Region council in September.

David Dunlap Observatory declared national historic site

This calls for a celebration from all parties.

The 76.5-hectare observatory property, bordered by Hillsview Drive, Bayview Avenue, 16th Avenue and the CN Railway line, was designated as one of eight new national historic sites in Canada, announced by Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, who is responsible for Parks Canada. It is the first national heritage site declared in Richmond Hill. Residents, city staff, council members and scientists were excited about the national recognition as they had fought hard for 10 years to preserve the heritage site.

Richmond Hill accepting Bitcoin for tax payments

This bold move has drawn mixed reactions, and confusion from the community.

Richmond Hill residents are expected to be able to pay property taxes in Bitcoin as an alternative payment method in 2020. It will make Richmond Hill the second Canadian city to offer the payment option, after Innisfil. It was not a unanimous council decision July 9 as Coun. Godwin Chan spoke strongly against the motion. Dave D'Silva from Bitcoin North applauded the idea but warned of potential risks.

Old Oak Ridges library is closing for transition to the new one

Calling all book-lovers! The new Oak Ridges Library is opening soon.

The 30-year-old Oak Ridges Moraine Library is set to close its doors for good on Sept. 9, and the new Oak Ridges Library -- 19,000 square feet -- is expected to open to public in late fall following massive delays. A library-goer said it was “bittersweet” to see the closure of the old library which served the community the way it was needed and left many good memories, and excited about the new opportunities that the new library will offer.