Pedestrian Bridge Vision
Back in 1996, there were not too many politicians or residents who thought much about my vision to have an enclosed pedestrian bridge spanning the 401 from the Pickering Town Centre (PTC) side over to the GO Station. However, Council, in its wisdom, endorsed my motion to spend $95,000 to install bridge footings in the 401 and did it during the 401 road expansion construction. We are now seeking Federal & Provincial stimulus funding to proceed with construction - the engineering and design was completed in 2008.

Today, I am pleased and proud that GO Board officials have embraced this vision within their expansion plans. As also mentioned many months ago in this column, we were in discussions with PTC officials to locate two office towers on their property - one of which would directly connect to the bridge - and hold this as a primary reason for their recent announcement that construction on the first tower, containing some 132,000 sq. ft. of office space, will commence next month. This begins the transformation of vision into reality.

Economic News
In recent months, I have also mentioned a U.S. firm re-locating to Pickering. Ennis Paint, headquartered in Atlanta, GA, have now completed their negotiations and will be operating out of freshly renovated facilities in the Brock Industrial Area. Ennis will employ approx. 50 employees and plan on growing their business to include a total of 100 staff within 12 - 18 months. The company manufacturers paint primarily used on roadways and highways, exports internationally and are a welcome new corporate citizen in Pickering.

In the very first issue of Retail Pages (June '07), I discussed plans for Frenchmans Bay and the redevelopment of the harbour entrance. Now I can tell you that the Environmental Assessment process is nearly complete and the design has been narrowed to three concepts. Personally, I still favour an entrance that would allow visitors to walk out on the breakwater piers and savor the view while allowing safe passage for boaters and sailors. We ought to know the final design and construction time-table by the end of summer.

City Budget
During my absence from Council, (2001-2004) Pickering's budgets hovered just above 9% yearly. Vowing to lower those rates upon returning, we began a downward movement which has resulted in this year's rate of 3.53%. On a single detached home assessed at $289,400, the total tax levy for the City equates to $1.30 per week.

While Council is not pleased that some very worthy projects and road works will not proceed this year, we recognize that like everyone else, our income from investment interest earned has plummeted from the 4% range to less than 1%. However, some major notable items were approved including $1.75 million for a Krosno Creek Storm Water Facility; $925 k for the Waterfront Trail Western Gateway; $895 k for the Museum Hotel restoration project; and $850 k to the Fire Department for a new pumper/rescue vehicle. The positive tax revenue resulting from the growth of new businesses that I have highlighted each month is beginning to be felt in our bank account. With new business continuing to see Pickering as being ideally suited to their needs coupled with the lowest business and residential taxes in the Region, we ought to experience even higher revenue going forward. With new revenue and by exercising sound business judgment, Pickering is poised to catch up on many of its needs during the next couple of years.

Sustainable Pickering
As Chair of Sustainable Pickering, I am pleased to provide you with the details of our third Sustainable Pickering Day. It will again be hosted by PTC in the newly renovated Centre Court on Saturday, June 13th between the hours of 9:30 am and 6:00 pm. The focus this year is: "Take the Challenge and Get Involved in Your Community". The new and innovative Sustainable Pickering website will be launched at the event along with the "MY Challenge" initiative. In addition, there will be a variety of exhibits that represent the City of Pickering's sustainability objectives relating specifically to opportunities of community engagement.

Along with fellow members, Councillor Jennifer O'Connell and Councillor David Pickles, we wish to extend an invitation to all residents to view, discuss and participate in making our City a little better than when we found it. A huge vote of thanks is extended to our sustainability sponsors: Veridian, Enbridge, Ontario Power Generation and Coughlan Homes.

As always, I welcome your comments, thoughts and suggestions.
 

Contact Doug Dickerson
City Councillor, Ward 2
City of Pickering
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