In 2008, our commercial construction value stood-out at $5,950,000 - in 2009, to the end of June, it stands at $6,625,000. Last year's industrial construction added up to $37,400,000 - to the end of June this year, it stands at $36,262,000 with a lot more moving along within the pipeline. As I have said on many occasions, Pickering is darn near recession-proof due to the quality and diversity of our non-residential sectors.

I like to think that in addition to our excellent location and skilled labour pool, we continue to be the location of choice for many businesses due to one of the lowest tax rates within the GTA and the excellent working relationship I, other Members of Council and our staff, form with every new applicant walking through our doors.

As hard as I work to make the above figures possible, there are times when the opposite must occur. Our residential construction value has fallen from $49,200,000 last year to $7,000,000 thus far this year. Now that's not a bad thing - it does allow time for new residents to assimilate into their new community and to become a part of it.

Duffin Heights Neighbourhood
On July 13th, Council considered the first application for this new, green-field development surrounding the Seaton Golf Course on Brock Rd. From all the talk coming from politicians at every level, you would think this would be one of the most 'sustainable' communities currently being developed in Canada. Sustainable in terms of energy efficiency, density, diversity of housing type, pathway connectivity, transit friendly, mixed-uses and probably twenty more elements I could suggest.

The first submission by Mattamy Homes was certainly moving in the right direction. But then they re- submitted the application that moved significantly, in my opinion, in the opposite direction. As the first, and current, Chair of Sustainable Pickering, as much as I encourage development, I could not bring myself to vote in favour of what future generations will have to live with.

Together with very much appreciated votes of Councillors O'Connell and Littley, we turned down the application from Mattamy on a tie-vote. Councillor Johnson was on a long-planned vacation overseas with his wife. Those who voted in favour of Mattamy may have done so because they do not want the Ontario Municipal Board to be the approval body. But from my perspective, either we're committed to sustainable development - or we're not! If you're going to talk the talk - be prepared to walk the talk.

At least three Members of Council do not want their name attached to this application in its present form. But I am still prepared to meet with senior executives of Mattamy in an effort to come up with a great design and to discover something we can point to as a "net community benefit". The Mattamy Recreation Complex has a nice ring to it! Let's see who wants to give something back to the existing community and who simply wants to make their profit and run.

Canada Day
Once again, tens of thousands of local residents made their way down to Kinsmen Park both for the many daytime children activities and the fabulous stage show headlined by Kim Mitchell and the perennial Rick Johnson County Band. The fireworks show continued to dazzle all who watched and kudos to our city staff members who directed individuals, directed traffic and made the whole event pleasant and a pleasure to attend.

It was again a big day for MP Dan McTeague who hosted his annual Canada Day party at the Legion Branch 606 on Bayly St. As a long time Legion member, I am pleased that the Branch plays such a huge role on this special day. Along with Dan and myself, attending were MP Mark Holland, MPPs Arthurs and Dickson, Mayor Ryan and Councillor Johnson.

Another significant June event was the 2nd Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Event hosted by my significant other, Joann, in the back-yard of our Maple Ridge home. This year saw attendance soar to over seventy ladies from last year's total of forty-three. This year saw Heather Butler collect some $1800 in pledges for her Run for the Cure. Heather is a City staffer at Petticoat Creek Library Branch and a volunteer Auxiliary Police Officer with the Durham Regional Police Service. And my personal thanks to our neighbours and friends who helped to decorate the yard - thus saving my energies for additional course turf-management practices.
 

Contact Doug Dickerson
City Councillor, Ward 2
City of Pickering
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