Council connection: Georgina council wants your input

Upcoming surveys and meetings give residents the chance to tell us what they think, writes Margaret Quirk

Yorkregion.com
Oct. 3, 2019

We have a busy few months ahead of us! In September, we started the Keswick secondary plan review process. This review is to assist in managing the growth and development of the largest urban area in Georgina. There will be public input sessions and surveys for residents to offer their comments on their future vision of Keswick. Check our website www.georgina.ca for updates.

The council meeting on Oct. 9 will have the short-term rental issue return. This will have the draft bylaw coming to council and the public for comment. We want to have a solid bylaw that will be both defendable and that meets the needs and concerns of our residents and community.

The topic of urban hens returns to council with an online survey starting Sept. 30 and a meeting at the ROC (Recreational Outdoor Campus) on Oct. 10. We want to hear from you the positive and negatives of this topic.

Town staff and the region’s YorkNet staff are hosting two information sessions on bringing high-speed internet to more areas of Georgina: One on Oct. 15 at the Udora Community Hall and one on Nov. 20 at the ROC Chalet, both from 7 to 9 p.m. Funding was received by York Region to bring new “backbone” fibre infrastructure into Georgina. Work will start in 2020, to be completed in 2021. While YorkNet will not be providing internet services directly to residents, they will be making fibre connection available to internet providers, who can then offer services to residents and businesses in underserviced areas. Residents will have the opportunity to learn more about this program and to talk to internet service providers about connection opportunities. For more details, please visit: georgina.ca/broadband.

The draft budget will be presented to council on Oct. 23. Council will hold the budget deliberations days on Dec. 3 and 4.

The Mayor and Council Business Milestone Awards are being held Oct. 24 and we will be recognizing businesses that have been in operation 40-plus years. We are fortunate to have many long-term businesses that deserve our thanks and acknowledgment. Join us at the ROC for that celebration.

Don’t forget about my October one-on-one with the mayor at the Pefferlaw Library from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday Oct. 19.