Press Release - Town Of Markham Council Approves Hiring Auditor General

October 17, 2007... At Last week's Council meeting, Town of Markham Councillors approved the hiring of an Auditor General for an intial two-year full time contact. The Auditor General will be responsible for assisting Council in holding itself and its administrators accountable for the quality of stewardship over public funds and for achievement of value for money in municipal operators. The Auditor General will report to Council on a quarterly basis.

"This is an important position that will help us ensure that the Town's operations are being managed as effectibely as possible. While I believe Town of Markham staff are among the very best in Canada, I also believe an independent perspective can help us identify ways in which we can do an even better job for Town residents," said Mayor Frank Scarpitti. "This new position is really all about ensuring added value for taxpayers dollars.

The Auditor General postion, added to Ontario's Municipal Act in 2006, has broad powers. For example:

- the municipality, its local boards and municipally-controlled corporations shall provide the Auditor General any information he or she believes is necessary to perform his or her duties.

-the Auditor General is entitled to free access to anything necessary to perform his or her duties.

- the Auditor General may examine any person on oath on any matter pertinent to an audit examination.

Markham will be among the first Ontario municipalities to hier an Auditor General. An Interview Committee comprised of Mayor Frank Scarpitti; Chair of the Finance Committe Councillor Joe Virgillo; and chair of the Budget Sub-Committee Councillor Dan Horchik has been established to select the Town of Markham Auditor General.

Press Release: Smart Thinking About Alternative Commuting Drives Award-Winning Partnership

York Region , ON ~ Richmond Hill and Markham are together in the driver’s seat of an innovative partnership between a number of levels of government and the business community. Their joint venture – Smart Commute 404-7 – was selected as the recipient of the Sustainable Urban Transportation Award, from the Transportation Association of Canada. The award recognizes the partnership that was formed between the two communities and acknowledged their work as environmental leaders. "We are honoured that our urban transportation initiative, Smart Commute 404-7, has been selected as a role model for other communities," said Richmond Hill Mayor Dave Barrow. "We are bringing government and local businesses together to find answers to traffic problems.""Markham is an environmental leader," said Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti. "This is another way we can be partners as we jointly work together to maintain our communities’ quality of life."Smart Commute 404-7 was formed when the municipalities of Richmond Hill and Markham joined forces with the Regional Municipality of York, the Richmond Hill Chamber of Commerce, the Markham Board of Trade, local business leaders with funding from Transport Canada, and the Urban Transportation Showcase Program to improve mobility and accessibility in the two communities. As an alternative commuting program, it promotes public transit, teleworking, carpooling and parking management, while capitalizing on the shared expertise and resources of the partners to reduce traffic congestion, increase mobility, and create more livable communities.The Sustainable Urban Transportation Award, from the Transportation Association of Canada, was presented at the Transportation Association of Canada’s 2007 conference in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, on Monday, October 15. It recognizes exemplary and innovative contributions to the development and enhancement of sustainable urban transportation. For more information on Smart Commute 404-7, please see attached backgrounder or call George Flint, Manager of Smart Commute 404-7, at 416-557-2092 or visit www.smartcommute404-7.ca

Press Release: Markham Launches Respect In Sport

Markham, ON ~ Markham officially launched its participation in the Respect in Sport (RiS) program, today, October 16. Respect in Sport is an online training program for coaches and parents to prevent abuse, neglect, harassment and bullying in sport, and address the legal and ethical responsibilities associated with these issues. “We’re the first community in Canada to launch this important program because we believe sport helps build character and helps build a community,” said Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti. “This innovative new program gives coaches and parents the tools they need to teach good sportsmanship and helps prevent abuse.” Former NHL player Sheldon Kennedy joined Mayor Frank Scarpitti and community representatives to announce the program’s launch. Mr. Kennedy, one of the founders of Respect in Sport, brought awareness to the issue of abuse in sport when he charged his long-time hockey coach with sexual abuse.The launch was part of Character Community Week celebrations, which are aimed at keeping and enhancing our communities as places where families are strong, homes and streets are safe, education is effective, businesses are productive and neighbours care about one another. Character Community celebrations will take place at Markville Shopping Centre on Tuesday, October 16 from 7 to 9 p.m. The Markham Sport Council is part of True Sport, a national movement of communities and groups across Canada working to ensure a positive, meaningful and enriching experience for all who participate in sport. For more information on Respect in Sport, visit www.respectinsport.com . For information on the Markham Sport Council visit www.markham.ca/markhamsportcouncil.

Sports Report

NBA Pre-Season: Toronto 105 Zalgiris Kaunas 99


OHL: Oshawa 6 Mississauga 3


Tonight

NHL: Florida vs. Toronto; 7:30pm, Air Canada Centre

OHL: Sudbury vs. Brampton; 7:00pm, Poweade Centre