Key themes identified through Click with Markham

Markham, ON ~ December 3, 2007 ~ More than 3,600 people who live or work in Markham responded during last month's click with Markham innovative on-line review and questionnaire on the Town's proposed strategic priorities.

These priorities are: Growth; Transportation; the Environment; Municipal Services; Park, Recreation, Culture and Library master Plan/ Public Safety; and Diversity.

The response has been terrific. We've heard from far more people through this process than with any other public consultation program we've held in Markham or at the Region," said Mayor Frank Scarpitti." "The program has confirmed that we're moving in the right direction and has given us excellent feedback on our focus areas and emerging actions plans."

An initial review of the responses showed the following themes in each of the priority areas.

Growth Management
- Limit growth north of Major Mackenzie Drive, keep intensification within existing urban boundaries.
-Potential negative impact of growth on existing neighbourhoods
- Need to link growth with transportation improvements
-Need more investment in roads, public transit and alternative transportation
- Keep taxes down

Transportation/Transit
- Rapid transit one solution to traffic congestion
-Current service needs improvement
-Need for road improvement

Environment
- more emphasis on recycling, composting, waste disposal
- Preserve green spaces, limit development, protect woodlots,
streams and wildlife habitats
- Continue focus on sustainability
- Encourage local production

Municipal Services
- Provide one number to call and extended hours to access Town services
- Improved yard waste and snow removal, street litter and parks maintenance
- Improved by-law enforcement

Parks, Recreation, Culture, Library Master Plan, & Public Safety
- Provide parks and open spaces with connecting trails and bike paths
- Ensure excellent recreation programs and facilities with pools, arenas and good program space

Diversity
- Put the focus on unity and inclusiveness
- Focus on serious, youth and those with disabilities
- Hire the most qualified, regardless of background. Don't make Canadian experience a requirement

In addition to the above priorities, questionnaire responses identified Economic Development, Value for Tax Dollars and High Quality Education/Youth Focus as other important areas for attention.

''Once we have completed a more detailed analysis of the responses, Council will make adjustments to the action plans already identified," said Councillor Joseph Virgillo. "We will provide regular updates on the plans and actions taken and continue to keep the click with Markham public dialogue going.