York Region tries to sway neighbours of proposed Aurora shelter
Aurora News | NewmarketToday.ca, Published January 30, 2024: https://www.newmarkettoday.ca/local-news/york-region-tries-to-sway-neighbours-of-proposed-aurora-shelter-8183349
“Housing York chair and Newmarket Mayor John Taylor said that he hopes the open house event could create positive dialogue, however, some residents do not want to see the project move forward. “I would suggest we think about the impact on the community if it’s not built. There are communities all around the GTA where the neighbourhood parks have four, five, six tents in them,” Taylor said, adding if the need is not addressed, “then we’ll have people unsupported in tents and bus shelters. Those are the options. We can’t will this away or pretend it’s not something we need to step up and address.””
Aurora residents group draws battle line for proposed shelter
Aurora News | NewmarketToday.ca, Published January 25, 2024: https://www.newmarkettoday.ca/local-news/aurora-residents-group-draws-battle-line-for-proposed-shelter-8161659
“The group, which has launched a website, Auroraresidents.ca, plans to continue the protest as the proposal comes before Aurora council once again Feb. 13. “We are not in favour of this location because it is poorly located in relation to resources and services, the proposal violates the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan, and the disturbances from the sewage pump and expanding railway would be inconsiderate to users,” the group told NewmarketToday. “The proposed location was chosen for expediency, not relevance.””
Proposed townhouses would threaten Aurora’s McKenzie Marsh environmental ‘jewel,’ residents say
Aurora News | YorkRegion.com, Published January 22, 2024: https://www.yorkregion.com/news/proposed-townhouses-would-threaten-auroras-mckenzie-marsh-environmental-jewel-residents-say/article_a753716a-cfc1-5a2a-8caa-60260e79e4ba.html
“A proposed 45-townhouse development on St. John’s Sideroad threatens the McKenzie Marsh, an environmental “jewel” and designated provincially significant wetland home to many fish and wildlife species, residents fighting the project say. “It’s not a case of NIMBYism because we understand that there is a need to develop and we’re all accepting that the land is going to be transformed at one point or another,” said Paul Martinelli, who is helping to lead a campaign against the proposed development.”
Open house set to get community input on Men’s Emergency and Transitional Shelter
The Auroran, Published January 18, 2024: http://www.newspapers-online.com/auroran/open-house-set-to-get-community-input-on-mens-emergency-and-transitional-shelter/
“Proposals for a men’s emergency and transitional shelter for a site on Yonge Street, just south of the railway bridge, have not been fully placed on the backburner. The Region of York is set to solicit public feedback at a special open house at the Aurora Public Library on Monday, January 29 from 5 – 8 p.m. If brought to fruition, the emergency and transitional shelter will share land with a York Region pumping station already operational on site.”
Town raises voice for federal support on homelessness crisis
The Auroran, Published January 18, 2024: http://www.newspapers-online.com/auroran/town-raises-voice-for-federal-support-on-homelessness-crisis/
“The homelessness crisis has taken a devastating toll on families and communities, prompting municipalities to take action. Following an approved motion put forward by Ward 2 Councillor Rachel Gilliland, the Town of Aurora has recognized the challenges of mental health, addictions, and homelessness which have had a significant and detrimental impact on the residents of Aurora and surrounding communities in Ontario.”
New strategies coming to help Aurora deal with infill developments in existing neighbourhoods
The Auroran, Published January 18, 2024: http://www.newspapers-online.com/auroran/rise-in-auto-thefts-in-spotlight-for-crime-stoppers-month/
“The theme of Crime Stoppers Month in 2024 is “Be a Crime Stopper, Keep Your Community Safe” and the group, and its community partners, are underscoring not just the rash of auto-related crimes in York Region and beyond, but the impacts such thefts have on the community as a whole.”
Ford government failed to meet its own housing targets in 2023
Global News, Published January 17, 2024: https://globalnews.ca/news/10230448/ford-government-housing-targets-2023/
“The Ford government failed to meet its own housing target in 2023, new figures reveal, putting the province further behind in its goal of building 1.5 million homes by 2031. ____ The data shows the government fell short of its goal of 110,000 new housing starts during the calendar year. The number of new home starts — just 78 per cent of that target — raises questions over how the Ford government plans to boost construction numbers in the years ahead.
‘This isn’t over,’ Ont. woman convicted of first-degree murder, arson sentenced
CTVNews.ca Barrie Digital Producer, Published January 05, 2024: https://barrie.ctvnews.ca/this-isn-t-over-ont-woman-convicted-of-first-degree-murder-arson-faces-sentencing-1.6713357
A woman convicted of first-degree murder and arson after a house went up in flames four years ago, claiming the life of a 38-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison. A jury found Melissa Galea, 41, of Aurora, Ont., guilty in the stabbing death of Troy Stephen Oakley back in November. His remains were discovered inside an Edward Street house in Aurora once firefighters extinguished the flames on July 27, 2019.
Town acquires Yonge Street greenspace for more than $3.2 million
The Auroran, Published January 04, 2024: http://www.newspapers-online.com/auroran/town-acquires-yonge-street-greenspace-for-more-than-3-2-million/
“A parcel of greenspace has been secured by the Town of Aurora for $3.23 million dollars. The deal, which closed December 15, includes the lot at 14378 Yonge Street, 2,400 square metres of which is the location of the Aurora Pet Cemetery, a long-closed and somewhat forgotten burial place which has seen renewed interest in recent decades as a historic site.”
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