For Immediate Release
December 5, 2006

Mayor Barrow Shares Town's Direction at Inaugural Meeting

RICHMOND HILL - Last night at the Inaugural Meeting of Richmond Hill Council, the newly elected Mayor and Members of Council got down to business by announcing to hundreds of attendees their visions and plans for the Town for the next four years.

Mayor Dave Barrow said, “Our Town is in transition, the pattern of growth that has become familiar and routine has nearly reached its end and different issues will dominate the growth discussions.” He added, “The Town is reaching a mature stage of growth.”

Mayor Barrow said that one of the many big projects the Town undertakes starting in 2007 will be a comprehensive review of the Official Plan. A Task Force will be created to oversee this undertaking, expected to get underway in June. “For most of us, the discussion of planning matters, social policy, visions and the like…quickly shift to concrete issues such as housing densities, green space and traffic congestion. Our new Official Plan will not be drawn on maps of green fields as in the past, but rather it will be the realization of the wishes and aspirations of the people who already live and work here.” The Mayor added, “It will not be a plan about land; it will be a plan about people.”

Mayor Barrow noted that Richmond Hill Council will continue its commitment to solving the problem of gridlock by moving the Town’s new Transportation Master Plan from paper to implementation.

Also on Council’s agenda will be the continued revitalization of Richmond Hill’s Downtown Core. “Council will continue its support of downtown initiatives, ensuring it returns as the vibrant centre of our town. In particular, the opening of the new theatre in 2008 and a review to consider moving the Town offices back to Yonge Street will be high priority,” he said.

Further, the Mayor noted that Council must be more vocal about the funding gap that exists between what the Provincial government receives and then allocates back to municipalities to cover costs associated with social housing, heath care and social services. “It does not make sense; it is unfair and does not allow us to address our own needs in our own community,” said Mayor Barrow.

Touching on Richmond Hill’s rich cultural diversity, the Mayor expressed his commitment to involving everyone in the community, inviting residents to take part in events that celebrate the cultures of all people, whether they were born in Richmond Hill or have chosen it as their place to live. Mayor Barrow said, “It’s my hope that everyone will feel that sense of belonging, that sense of pride in our Town. I want our town to be one where families are strong, homes and streets are safe, and neighbours know and respect one another.”

Mayor Barrow expressed his thanks to his supporters and the community by saying, “Thank you for your belief in me, I will not let you down.”

The event, held at the Sheraton Parkway Hotel, began with a piped processional of all Members of Council including Regional & Local Councillor's Brenda Hogg and Vito Spatafora, as well as Councillor's Greg Beros (Ward 1), Arnie Warner (Ward 2), David L. Cohen (Ward 3), Lynn Foster (Ward 4), Nick Papa (Ward 5) and Godwin Chan (Ward 6). The processional was led by piper C.S. Leung and was followed by an Invocation by Pastor Doug Sargeant of Grace Baptist Church. The Members of Council also took their Declarations of Office (official swearing in) administered by the Honourable Justice Joseph F. Kenkel. Richmond Hill’s own Jackie Richardson sang O’Canada. After Mayor Barrow’s address, each member of Council also addressed the public by thanking their families, supporters and shared their goals and plans for their term of Council (2006-2010).

Read Inaugural Address

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