Vallhalla Newsletter March 2015

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It has been a cold winter and now we have below normal temperatures for spring. A number of the birds are already back. Robin, Red Wing Black Birds, Canada Geese, Ducks, ... saw a number of Cardinals this year.

Proposed Fire Station

As you may know, there is a proposed fire station to be built at Yonge and St. John's Sideroad that may include a training center for the fire fighters. Hopefully it will be located on the north side of St. John's Sideroad ... maybe beside Hadley Grange. According to the Draft Master Fire Plan a new fire station is required near the border of both towns. Consultants retained by the CYFS to draft the plan have earmarked a location near Yonge Street and St. John’s Sideroad as the ideal spot. For more information click here for the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs article

What are the negatives if built? (a) Additional Noise - more sirens (b) Increase in our property tax to pay for the facility. What are the positives? (a) Should be better response time to an emergency. (b) If and when the fire station is built, remember to call your home insurance company. There is a possibility that your home insurance may go down with the proximity of the fire station to the Valhalla Area.

Fire Hydrants

You may have noticed an orange bag over some fire hydrants within the Valhalla area. After speaking to staff on site, they stated the contractor who checks the hydrants found that the ones covered with an orange bag were not functioning. Thank goodness there were no fire emergencies in those areas. Town staff had a real challenge fixing a few of them. From my understanding the fire hydrants have been repaired. The hydrants that have been repaired have shiny new bolts around the bottom.

Responsible Pet Ownership Philosophy:

As far as I know, there has been no further discussion on this proposal or any line item for it within the budget. I would not be surprised if there ends up being some major issues over the next few years regarding pets in our Town. I'm also certain that the number of complaints regarding pets in our town will increase. It will be interesting to see how our Town Staff and our Elected Officials handle this. Web site.

The picture on the right shows a child blinded by dog feces.

Problems Reported

The frost / winter has raised and moved the sidewalk located beside McAlpine that goes between Old Yonge and Yonge street. It has now moved so much I felt it was time to report this to our town since it is a safety issue to those walking at night, the physically challenged, and may also damage the contractor snow equipment that clears this walkway if the blade got caught. The safety of the driver would also be in jeopardy. Look at the width of the cracks and the raised height from one level to the other. A few years back you may recall we suggested to the town to budget for this since we noticed more and more cracks forming. When it rains, the water goes in-between the cracks. The water then goes into the marshland beside it. What makes me wonder now is after so many years of this occurring, what is under the sidewalk? Has the water washed away the soil underneath? The following is Town Staff response: Hi Eric, please see my answers in blue below.

From: Eric McCartney [mailto:eric@mccartney.me]
Sent: March-16-15 3:07 PM
Subject: Sidewalk Raised between Old Yonge & Yonge Street beside McAlpine
Just in case you are not aware … please see attached. I’ve copied our roads staff who will look at this walkway and look at our options in repairing this walkway later on in the spring once all the frost is out of the ground.
This may damage the sidewalk snowplough. Thought you should beware before another snowstorm. (Hopefully not) The sidewalk has lifted more then usual this year that could become a safety issue.
If it is not in the budget already, you may want to think about creating an addendum to it. My budget for sidewalk repairs is already set for 2015 Eric.
Further to the middle of the sidewalk, another 200 ft up from where this picture was taken, the water runs down into one of the cracks then into the wetlands beside it. It would be interesting to know if the water washed away the soil underneath it. I presume there is a reason why the cracks were never filled over the years.
Is there room in the budget to repair the sidewalk between Old Yonge & Yonge this year? No I can’t promise that Eric, we’ll access this walkway and how we repair it later this spring. Is it possible the YRT/VIVA may help to fix this since a number of the people using this sidewalk are catching the bus at the end of it since the YRT removed the bus stops on Old Yonge a few years back. FYI: Student and people who work at St. Andrews, Car Dealerships, and walk like myself … use this walkway daily. Understood Eric.
Cheers,
Eric

Interesting YRT/VIVA: On the 30th a Transit Facilities Technician called me at home thanking me for bringing the platform on Yonge in front of SAC to their attention. He stated that he viewed the location and also felt it was a major tripping hazard. The platform will be monitored throughout the year to see if it shifts again. The ashphalt is a temporary fix. Hopefully it will not happen, but we both agree the probability is high that the platform will move again. Was asked for my opinion / suggestions ... Here are a few: (a) Informed the Facilities Technician that it would be a benefit to the residents if VIVA stopped at both these locations. (b) To save YRT/VIVA money suggested that they remove the bus stop sign and stop maintaining the pad / area on the North Side of Batson at Yonge. The bus does NOT run on Batson. YRT/VIVA had no idea, yet their records show the stop as active at that location. Eric, thank you ... we will remove it ASAP ... Then I stated, since I just save YRT/VIVA some funds (guess all of us in the long run) plus the other items reported over the years ... would it be possible for YRT/VIVA to partner with the Town of Aurora to fix the walkway between Old Yonge and Yonge Street? Hmmm, I see ... build me a case / report and I will ensure it is looked at. So stay tuned.

St. Andrew's College Bus Shelter - Please refer to pictures below.

Dear YRT/Viva:

About four years ago a foundation for a bus shelter was installed in front of St. Andrew’s College (SAC) in Aurora on Yonge Street, located just south of St. John’s Sideroad on the West side of Yonge.

My opinion back then was that the foundation for the shelter pad was not installed correctly for the grading. Each year the foundation pad is moving west away from the sidewalk. Please view the attached picture and note the space between the foundation pad and the sidewalk that has been filling up with debris. When this pad was originally constructed the pad was almost touching the sidewalk.

This could and/or has become a safety issue. It is possible that the bus pad may require pinning to stop it from moving further. ....................

Thank you for your time. Just thought I should bring this to your attention.

Hello Eric,

Thank you for your email regarding the concrete pad at the bus stop near St. John’s Sideroad and Yonge Street.

Your concerns have been forwarded to YRT/Viva Facilities section for investigate and repair.

We appreciate you taking the time to notify us of your concerns. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any further questions.

Sincerely

Within 24hrs YRT/Viva filled the space in-between the sidewalk and the bus pad. See picture below. You will note that the bus pad is now on an angle falling away from the sidewalk because of the weight of the structure built on a hill without, IMHO, proper footings. It will only get worse.

During the snowmelt, a few weeks back, the town was busy clearing the storm drains within our area.

Refer to the picture below.

Park Trash Containers

Please refer to the slideshow on the left.

The following e-mail was sent to specific Park Department staff we work with.

The park trash cans look much better. Please pass on our thanks to your staff.

A few ideas … You may not recall, but back in 2004, I presented a school children’s activity project for trash cans. Personally I felt it had numerous benefits for both the children and our town. It was not passed. At that time, it was also suggested that Aurora Town markers be installed entering the town from various main regional roads. Felt that the town name should be shown more throughout since visitors often did not know where they were. Another idea was to create a reusable stencil that you could use a paint roller over to put a short message on the trash can. (See slideshow to the left) Another idea to help the Parks department raise revenue was to sell advertising space on the trash cans. Have a great weekend! Eric

Staff Reply: Thanks Eric , great suggestions , ................................

GO TRAIN

The slideshow to the right also shows the railway tracks used by GO. Metrolinks has confirmed again this month that double tracks will be installed beside the existing tracks within the next nine to ten years. Trains will run ALL day. Hopefully our elected officials are on this and voicing our concerns & recomendations. Here is a PDF to the 2010 GO TRAIN improvement plan.

Hopefully Metrolinks will use a new type of train with fewer cars, quiter engine, and wheels.

It looks to me that the second set of tracks will be installed WEST of the current track. Why? Grading and proximity to the industrial buildings. This means that the second set of tracks will be installed closer to the homes and Wilson park that backs onto the tracks.

As predicted, the number of homes that have gone up for sale over the last year backing onto the tracks has dramatically increased over the last year. Seven have sold in just the last half year and there are currently three properties now for sale just on Atkinson backing onto the tracks. All the homes currently for sale have all been reduced from their original asking price. What will this mean for all of us?

The plan is to add a monthly picture at the same location to the slideshow so you can see the progress of the Joint Operations Center.

Electrical Outages / Improvements

Nothing to report. Delighted our letter to Power Stream has made some changes. You may have noticed a number of new shiny green transformers on the street. Power Stream have been quietly making some improvements. I don't know if they have desalted / cleaned the lines in our area. You may recall the fire that occurred December 24th on a hydro pole. Power Stream stated the cause of the fire was salt build up on the lines.

April Showers ... are you ready?

Ensure your gutters are clear and the water is moving away from your home. Your foundation will thank you.

Please refer to the picture on the right.

The charts / graphs for

Aurora Homes Sales Statisitcs

have been updated.

Click the home below to open a new window.

Dates to Remember

Good Friday April 3rd

Town Easter Egg Hunt Saturday April 4th

Easter Sunday April 5th

Anti-Litter Clean-Up Day Saturday April 25th

Collections (BTW: Clear bag program will NOT be implemented.)

Garbage Thursday April 2nd, 16th, 26th

Yard Waste Thursday April 9th & 23rd

If you need more bins they can be purchased at the town for the following:

Blue Box $13

Green Bin $25

Kitchen Catcher $7

Backyard Composter $31

If your Blue Box or Green Bin is damaged / broken bring it with you to the Town Hall, 100 John West Way or the Town Operation Yard at 9 Scanlon Court. The Town will replace it free of charge. FYI: There is more of a selection regarding Blue Box size at 9 Scanlon.

You may have noticed the amount of sand on our roads, walkways, driveways. Unfortunately the Town cannot reuse the sand cleaned up off the roads because it has lost it's coarseness. Do you have any ideas on how this sand / dirt / debris can be recycled within our town?

If everyone would just pick up ONE piece of garbage a day, be it on the street, boulevard ... this would really help to enhance our area.

What's with some of the neighbours that have "X" number of papers & other trash at the end of their driveway / yard? It really brings down our area. If just one paper opens up ... If something similar to this bothers you with one of your neighbours, you can call the town and ask them to implement the "Clean Yards Bylaw". When I sold a home last year on the east side of Aurora, a neighbour next to the home used his backyard as a dumping ground. You would not beleive it. The town implement the bylaw. The owner had "X" weeks to comply.

We are going to have some windy / rainy days over the next month or two. Make sure your home is ready. Ensure your 72 hr emergency kit has been update and is ready for you and your family. You MUST be able to look after yourself and your family for at minimum of three days. Get Prepared! Click to open.

All my life I thought air was free...

until I bought a bag of chips.

Eric … are there ways I can save some money?

Check your insurance … do you really need all the bells and whistles? Increase your deductable to $500 or even $1,000. If you have two cars do you really need a loaner car?
Eat-in … if you are eating out … take the coupons.
Use public transportation.
Stop smoking.
Make your coffee at home.
Do you have cable TV? Do you really watch all those channels? Reduce the number of hook ups. Ask for Roger’s LITE. $15.99+HST per month and you get over 20+ channels. If there is a specific channel you watch, make certain it is within the package.
As stated last month, ask to speak to the “LOYALTY” department of the service provider you currently subscribe to.

You will be surprised with the thousands of dollars you will save from just the above.

Would you like some more ideas next month?

CRIME REPORT

Spoke to YRP and they state there have been no incidents within the Valhalla area. The crime map states the same. Although, a neighbour on Batson stated the following; " ... we had a single young man witnessed attempting to open car doors parked in driveways on Batson Drive early Monday morning (1 AM). He was spotted going from various cars when my neighbour called the police. Two vehicles showed but no suspect was apprehended. Vehicles approached from both ends of Batson. Hopefully this isn't an indication of what the good weather may entail on our streets again. Lock doors, be vigilant and our thanks to watchful neighbours (thank heavens for insomnia)."

Some friends on the west side of Aurora had their vehicle broken into. Items stolen; small change and a portable navigation system. Viewed the crime map for Aurora and this vehicle break-in has NOT been posted but noticed 9 others have been. Suggest you put your car in the garage. Keep it locked. Put all valuables ... even small change hidden from view.

YRP have stated to me again they feel that everyone should install a survalence camera on their home even if it is a dummy one. The YRP has given us the following video that shows theives about to break into the back of a home in Richmond Hill but then noticed the camera. Flash Player required.

TARGET - sorry to see them leave Aurora but got some great buys. One of the employees told me "This store is jinxed." Wished them luck.

STERN Acura - maybe moving if all approvals given. The owner about 3/4 of a year ago stated to me he needed to expand .... and there was no space to do so where they are currently located. He wants to move the dealership to 300 Earl Stewart Drive. (Beside the Superstore) There is a lot more to this that I cannot expand on here. Personally I will miss them since I could just drop my car off and walk home. There should be less noise for the homes behind the dealership if and when they move. It is possible McAlpine may take over the buidling and car lot since they are short on space. It may become their Used Car Sales area.

Volunteering

How many hours have you volunteered this month? Try something you may enjoy doing.

Until next month, keep safe, keep laughing, stay healthy, and say hello to everyone you meet. Do what you can to help those around you. There is always someone worse off than you. How fortunate most of us are. Happy Easter!

Cheers, Eric

Web site: www.McCartney.me E-mail: eric@mccartney.me

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