Vallhalla Newsletter January 2016

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Background Picture
The background picture this month was taken on the North Side of Craddock park Jan. 14th during the snowfall.

Well we can’t complain about the winter … 

Crime Report The following are incidents reported to and by police.
Please note; because you are being informed monthly of the crime within our area, you may think Valhalla is a high crime neighbourhood. Really it is not compared to other areas within Aurora and other municipalities. We seem to have sudden spurts now and then. The graffiti portion lasts a year or two when either they move on or “usually” young adults grow out of it, ...  The less crime we have within our area the better for numerous reasons; i.e. home/car insurance rates, overhead costs to our town and us, home/area property value, beauty within our area, ...

Yonge St / St. John’s
  • Vehicle Stop - Traffic Stop - Qty 36 
  • Community Policing - Street Check - Qty 10

St. John's / Old Yonge St.
  • Vehicle Stop - Traffic Stop - Qty 4
  • Vehicle Stop -  Carless Driving HTA - Qty 1
  • Community Policing - Street Check - Qty 2

Old Yonge / Tara Hill Circle
  • Community Policing - Street Check - Qty 1

Hollingshead Drive
  • Community Policing - Street Check - Qty 1

Moorcrest Drive
  • Missing Person - Youth - Jan. 17th 8:15pm 

Yonge / Batson
  • Vehicle Stop - Drive Disqual - Suspended   Jan. 6th

Valhalla Court
  • Community Policing - Street Check
  • Impaird Alcohol over 80 mgs  Jan. 3rd 1:43pm 

Yonge / Valhalla Court
  • Community Policing - Street Check - Qty 4

Yonge / Mark Street
  • Liquor - Intoxicated - Jan. 9th  11:43pm

Walton Dr. / Cedar Cr.
  • Vehicle Stop - Traffic Stop - Qty 17
  • Community Policing - Street Check - Qty 6

The picture below are drug scales found on the walkway between Old Yonge and Yonge Street.  YRP was informed and gave instructions to throw them out.  They are around the size of a plastic folder for a CD. 

YRP have recommended to all residents to install a video surveillance system. (This was presented within an YRP video at the start of last year in our newsletter.)

Surveillance system installation update.
  • After viewing more garbage and doggie doodles at the front and side of my home it has given me the momentum to install some of my surveillance cameras. Other than standing on the top of the ladder it was really not that bad to install. I have installed four outside thus far. Two are pointing from the north side of my home. One by the side entrance and one at the front of the home. I do plan to add one or two more at the front. Most all the wires have been hidden within the soffits or behind the downspouts.
  • The colour and resolution in my opinion is well above norm. The one negative I have is since the cameras are radio frequency the manufacture is recommending that the cameras not be more than sixty feet from the camera receiver. I know mine are but they still seem to be working fine.
  • Hopefully the cameras will deter those who do not pick up.
  • View slideshow on the right.
  • At night when each camera goes into a black and white mode a red light is displayed on each camera.


Take this link to report community concerns (traffic, graffitti, disorderly use, dumping) to York Regional Police: https://onlinereporting.yrp.ca/communityconcerns.html

Coyote Sighting - view picture below

January 8th around 8:00am while walking my dog “Bro” along Yonge Street in front of St. Andrew’s College a Coyote was spotted in the front soccer field walking towards us to Yonge Street.    A newscast stated to be careful if you spot one with your dog and ensure your dog is on a short leash because they are armorist this time of year. Luckily the coyote turned around and walked westwards then walked along the river.   Not sure if this is the same Coyote our neighbour saw at Craddock park last month that he felt maybe injured. This incident was reported to our town but the Ministry of Natural Resources also wants to be made aware of any Coyote sightings. For more information on Coyotes view our town Web page.  Link below.   

Town Response:
Good afternoon Eric,
Thank you for making us aware of the coyote sighting in Aurora. I will call it in to the Ministry of Natural Resources later today. You can also do this as an individual citizen if this happens again. Please refer to the coyote information found on our website below:
Take care 

The Town sent me an e-mail requesting that I help promote the 
Aurora Community Recognition Awards  
If you know anyone who has contributed to our town please nominate them. 
Here is the link http://bit.ly/20h3j7t
Some of the Awards are;
Volunteer Service Award
Youth Volunteer Achievement Award
Environmental Award
Achievement in Sports Award
Arts and Culture Award
Community Organizer / Organiation of the Year Award
Good Neighbour Award
Not-For-Profit Organization Award
Good Business Award
Accessibility Award
Citzen of the Year Award
Nominations will be accepted until Friday, March 4th.   For more information regarding each arward please click here -> http://bit.ly/20h3j7t
Responsible Pet Ownership Philosphy

Happy to report the following:
  1. The town has implement a new Web site that has incorporated a number of our suggestions.  The town is calling it "Aurora Pet Program"  You can also order your pet tags on the Web site.   Here is the link -> https://aurora.docupet.com/
  2. One of our Councillors is asking that the Responsible Pet Ownership suggestions be added to the Parks and Recreation Committee agenda.  This may help in regards to those not picking up after their pet.   

Lighting within Valhalla
LED Lighting update:
Slideshow displayed on right. ->
Our Town lighting contractors has intalled some more LED lighting within Valhalla. Burgon Place, welve Oaks, Pitty Pat Court, Raiford, Moorcrest, Attridge, Buchanan, Hollingshead, and Old Yonge. The spaceship design streetlight fixtures on Batson and most of the streets south of Batson have been very costly for our Town to maintain. It would have been better to replace those poles and fixtures with the decorative standard that we have for our new subdivisions. When I spoke to the town about this sometime ago I was asked: “Do you think the residents would go for it?” I felt they would. In my opinion they are a lot more attractive than the current fixtures and would illuminate the area better. The savings for our town would have really outweighed the cost. Unfortunately the streets, curbs, and additional CUSTOM streetlights have already been replaced. Another example of our tax dollars not being used smartly. But I could be wrong, maybe the current residents living within this section of Valhalla want to keep and maintain the sacuer shap fixture to maintain the look of that era.    Myself, I would rather the decorative standard in front and side of my home then the current modern standard installed. 

I have thus far received mixed reviews regarding the LED lighting. More negative than positive. Most are stating they find it darker within our area. Areas that were lite are no longer. Some don’t like the bright white cold light. As stated in a previous newsletter the LED lighting will save our Town thousands in electrical costs in the long run plus maintenance. Unfortunately, the fixture our town has chosen is 2x2=4 LED lights instead of 2x3=6 LED lights. LED lighting points directly down. The old high pressure sodium lighting, illuminates in a circular area illuminating a much larger area of the boulevard. If we had the 6 LED fixture the back or front two lights can be redirected similar to ceiling pot lights within our homes, to the sidewalks.   Now, if the LED light post is not on the side of the sidewalk it is totally dark.  

When I noticed this plus the complaints I had received the following e-mail was sent to one of our town staff lighting contacts on the weekend.

Can you answer the following questions or send them on to a staff member that maybe able too just in case this has not been thought of?
Questions:
1. The LED Street Lighting change over has almost been completed within the North Valhalla section of town. (Twelve Oaks, Raiford, Hollingshead, Buchanan, … ) The actual LED lights installed are the four LED light model and the height from the ground is about 30-35 feet since the light post arm increases the height of the light. My question is: Will the SAME four LED lights be installed on OLD YONGE were the lighting is poor to begin with and the current high pressure sodium lamps are less then half this height. 14 feet Here is a link -> https://www.google.ca/maps/@44.0140338,-79.4686729,3a,37.5y,191.45h,86.94t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s6lcUeICPsPgSuyPZgtCquw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Logically the higher the light is from the ground the greater the distribution of the light. I do understand the LED lighting is direct but I think anything installed on this street may require redirection.
Hopefully the engineers / consultants have considered the above before installation. It is my opinion our Town may require something like this on Old Yonge that can be redirected.  

2. Does the town have an ETA on the additional street lighting for Old Yonge that residents and the town’s hired consultant recommended? Please note, residents along with a YRP Detective have also recommended another light on the existing Power Stream post on Old Yonge at the intersection of Closs Square.
3. A lot of the illumination from the new LED lights on Twelve Oaks, Raiford, Attridge, Hollinghead, and Buchanan are being blocked by tree branches already when the leaves are not even present. Are their plans on pruning these trees so the streetlights can illuminate the area?
Thank you for your time.

On Monday around 12:36pm I received a voice mail on my cell phone from London Ontario.   The person was our Town's lighting contractor.   He asked that I call him.  I was with clients in Innsifil at the time and decided I would give him a call back the next day.   When I got home, most all the lights on Old Yonge had been changed to the 4 LED light.  No change.   The sidewalks are completely black.  Strange thoughts now cross my mind.   I called the number around 10am the next day.  He stated that the lights that will be installed on Old Yonge will be different.   I told him they are already installed and they are the same.  We now have zero lighting on the sidewalk.   I then asked him regarding a update on the additional lighting.  He said he knows nothing about this but agrees the lighting on Old Yonge is poor and additional poles should be installed.  "OMG here we go again."   I do agree that in some sections additional poles would be great but the residents and consultants agreed to use the existing poles that are currently present along with PowerStream approval to add additional streetlights.   He stated that he would look at the consultants proposal and speak with the town.  I asked for an ETA.  He stated he will do this tomorrow and contact me by e-mail.   I will add his response next month. 

An Senior Infrastructure Manager that was great to work with has left our town to pursue his career in another muncipality.  He will be missed.  It looks like we will need to get who ever replaced him up-to-date with our concerns.   



VERY VERY Close Call
The following occurred even before the streetlights were changed on Twelve Oaks.

While walking my dog north on Old Yonge between 5:30-6pm I was halfway across Twelve Oaks. A black SUV was going southbound on Old Yonge. The person (female) did not have her blinker on and was not slowing down. She made a left hand turn onto Twelve Oaks directly into me and my dog. When I caught this happening I jumped out of the way with the 100 pound dog. I needed to catch my breath. I thought that was it. The lady did not stop but yelled out the window; “Sorry I did not see you!” and kept going. Unbelievable. So much for the reflective leash, reflective stuff on my boots, and coat. What if I did not move? What if the dog decided not to move? What if I had a physical problem with my legs and could not move quickly? What if I had a bad heart? This is the THIRD close call I have had at this intersection over the years. The day after this took place I went to Wal-Mart and purchased a reflective vest that I now wear over my coat. The vests are around $10.00. I hope now I do not become a target for these drivers.

PLEASE PLEASE be careful while walking. Drivers today can be so preoccupied with other things. IMHO some should not even be driving … especially at night.


Water Main Break on Old Yonge
Luckily one of our subscribers who lives on Closs square reported the problem before it got too much out of control.  View the slideshow below. 
Temporary Signage within our area.  
Over the last month contractors have been posting numerous signs within our area without town permission.  This creates visual pollution within our neighbourhood / Town.  See photo below.  There were at least four of these signs on every street within Valhalla.   If you see temporary signs being installed, try to obtain a picture of the vehicle, licence plate, and the person installing the signs.  Then give this information to our Town.   They would then be fined and/or asked to remove them.   According to our town by-law office you have every right to remove them.  It costs our town a number of labour hours each year to remove these type of signs. 
On January 14th the following questions were sent to our town for a response.

Town Response is typed in BLUE. 
Hi ____:
Happy New Year!
1. Could you let the contractor know that they don’t seem to have the walkway between Old Yonge and Yonge St. including the connection walkway in front of 100 Old Yonge that connects to the main sidewalk on their list or areas to clear. I don’t recall the walkway being cleared or sanded thus far this year.     I can state that I am very pleased with the other sidewalks in our area and the amount of time it is taking them to plough them. It seems much better then last year. Our Contractor has a couple of new Sidewalk Operators this season and missed that section, my apologies, hope this won’t happen again?  Noticed other connection sidewalks within Valhalla were also not being cleared.  

2. Regarding the LED lighting in our area. I did notice the Burgon Place had been changed over to the LED Lighting but only two streetlights on Attridge were changed over. I presume there is a reason, maybe weather conditions for installations. They may had to break away for emergency reasons? However they are in Town installing and hope to be completed by the end Feburary.

3. As you may know we have had an increase in collisions, traffic stops, mischief, vandalism, and break-ins in our area mostly along Old Yonge Street. Can you give me an ETA when the additional LED Lights will be installed that both the residents and your consultant have recommended? I would also request (as suggested by a YRP Detective) that a light be installed on the pole on Old Yonge at Closs square. As you know, no additional poles are required to be installed. Our town would just require approval from Power Stream to use the existing poles.  THERE WAS NO RESPONSE.

4. Since our town is changing over to LED Streetlights I have not reported the lights out within our area. Seems like a waste of time and labour if they will be changed over. Thank you, however, please report any lights so we have a list.

5. Noticed on the South Side of St. Andrews Plaza across from Centra Foods on Orchard Heights Blvd there has been some type of maintenance / construction with the road for sometime. Do you know what the problem is? This is a York Region Construction project (new Sewer lines)?

6. Does our town / region have any intentions to request PowerStream / Bell to remove the half poles located on the North Side of St. John’s Sideroad from Bayview to the reailway tracks. It has been like this for sometime. Was just wondering if someone has forgotten about it …  It does not make our town look it's best. FYI: There is also one on Yonge St. in front of Aurora Auto Wholesalers Engineering is looking after under contract, I believe this year.

Thank you for your time.



The charts / graphs for

Aurora Homes Sales Statisitcs

has been updated.
 
Click the home below to open a new window.



There are currently "NO" properties listed within Valhalla.  
The property listed on Twelve Oaks with the sign posted has expired for sometime on TREB. 

In 2015 Aurora set a record of 1,087 homes SOLD 
that were posted on TREB MLS.  This total does not included the homes sold by builders / developers or those sold privately. 

 
Life Planning in the Digital Age
As a Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES) I have encountered clients facing a number of challenges. 
 Have you organized all your essential digital and traditional information so it’s accessible to whomever you designate?
Benjamin Franklin famously claimed that death and taxes are life’s only certainties. 

Power Stream Janurary Statement

Did you notice that your January Power Stream Statement had double line items for the same item being charged?   There was no explanation on the statement.  Was this a mistake?  Were we being charged twice?   After 40 minutes on the phone with Power Stream Customer Service who also did not know why I had received the following official e-mail at the end of the day to explain why. 

Please be advised the Ontario Clean Energy Benefit, along with the Debt Retirement Charge are no longer being applied to Residential customer’s bills as of December 31, 2015.
The bill you just received covers the period from November 17, 2015 to January 15, 2016.
Since your bill covers the period of time PAST December 31, 2015, your bill has 2 sets of charges. One set of charges that includes the Ontario Clean Energy Benefit of 10% as well as the Debt Retirement Charge.
The Ontario Clean Energy Benefit is a 10% credit applied to your bill total INCLUDING tax. These changes during the billing cycle have prompted the two separate line item for each charge.


 

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.  
Cheers, Eric 
Web site: www.McCartney.me  



 
 
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