Many residents have contacted myself, and other Members of Council, with respect to a two page letter discovered either on their windshields or in their mailboxes suggesting a new waste facility was about to open on Toy Ave. For those unfamiliar with Toy Ave., it runs between Hwy 401 & Bayly St, one block east of Brock Rd. and is located within the Brock Industrial Area. Regrettably, the author of this false and inflammatory letter didn't have the courage of conviction to sign their name; but, did do their homework - and then distorted the facts.

Now, for the rest of the story!

    Direct Line Environmental Services Inc. has been helping to reduce the illegal disposal of untreated liquid waste (ie: engine oil, waste water, used anti-freeze, deep-fryer oil) in Ontario for over forty years, employing approx. 100 people. Purchasing industrial land near the north end of Toy Ave., Direct Line applied for, and obtained, a Provincial Ministry of Environment (MOE) 'Certificate of Approval' (CofA), in 1998, to grow their business here in Pickering. Amongst other items, their CofA authorized the site to transport, receive and process waste and has full general and environmental liability insurance coverage for treatment and transport.

    Outside of regular business hours, the CofA authorizes the firm, which is properly equipped, to receive, manage and process emergency shipments of waste from spill clean-ups, anytime.

    With the recent acquisition of surplus CN rail lands and rail spur to the north and the adjacent property to the south, Direct Line has applied to the MOE to amend their existing certificate to include these new properties for the purpose of storing empty containers and waste management equipment; and the City was invited to comment. Staff research found there has not been an event, incident or by-law infraction recorded by the City. Direct Line is a responsible corporate citizen doing a job very few others are qualified to do - treat and re-cycle liquid industrial waste.

    In many of these articles, I have referenced the many new businesses opening up here, regretting the ones we have lost; and the increasing amount of new, non-residential property tax assisting our treasury. Over the full 2008 year, building permits topped $140.9 million - a 60% increase over 2007! Our industrial/commercial growth continues to outperform our residential growth! (This is good). The result is the creation of a significant number of skilled positions in our community - many filled by local residents.

    Businesses having 10, or fewer, employees continue to make up roughly 75% of the business community in Pickering. To assist them, our economic development staff partner with our Library to provide information seminars and training opportunities. I would urge any business that has not already done so, big or small, to call our Economic Development Team at 905 420-4625 and discover how we can help you.

    On a final note, Durham Hospice, whose 122 volunteers do something most of us would find extremely difficult - comfort with reason and compassion terminally ill clients through their final months and assist the family in many ways to get through that difficult period. Durham Hospice is expanding and wants to provide a 10-bedroom Hospice Home for their clients at a time when, for any number of valid reasons, the family is unable to provide the 24-hr care they would want their loved one to have.

    To assist in the dream, Durham Hospice is presenting their FLYING HIGH GALA, an extravaganza of food, friends and entertainment. This spectacular gala, for such a tremendously great cause in our community, takes place on May 9th, at the Enterprise Air Hanger located at the Oshawa Airport. For additional information and tickets, call 905 430-4522 or visit their website at www.durhamhospice.com