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c economist suntribune regional issues saturday aug 26 2000 4 rjf wjt irk e at ensigns initingeon sion from page 1 t and since that decision the courts have- consistently held that a total ban onsignsis ah unacceptable infringe ment on freedom of expression for years council has resisted this type of proposal but legal issues make this necessary explained regional chairperson bui fisch during a trans- pqftatioh and works committee meet ing last week- in 1994 torontos bylaw banning signs on highways was- held invalid even though it permitted signs on other public property and the wording of tbrontbslaw was- similar to york regions meanwhile to ensure traffic safety is notcomprorhisedvthe regions new pro posal insists removable signs not exceed 12 square metres insize are only per mitted at intersections on weekends arid no mdrethan12 signs per business or individual will be allowed in tire case of new home develop ment there can be no more than 40 signs foreach planned subdivision review how it is working within a year there also shouldbe communication when this bylaw goes forward this has to get out to the builders and the sign companies that do thisvtfork however fisch said the bylaw was not drafted solely for the home building association but- affects all businesses and local organizations the new home industry is most concerned but make no mistake- this is a sign bylaw for everyone hesaid this is for all people transportation commissioner kees schipper said setbacks at the six affected intersections are quite generous allow ing use of the temporary signs meanwhile thejdraft bylaw which will proceed to thursdays regional council meeting for final approval also requires applicants to submit requests forasignpeffnit breach of the bylaw if prosecuted- will carry a maximum fine of 5000 and confiscated signs will face a 50 retrieval fee within 30 days clv season from page 1 finance meeting in newmarket right now the figures are not available to us there have been initial problems with rain- fall but there will be problems carried out with the crops in the fall fanners have not fully quantified the problem with nearly 2800 working farms across the region the properties generate more than 13 million in annual tax rev- enue r of that amount nearly 563000 goes to the region 365000 is issued to local rhiinicipalities and another 410000 is directed to the pub lic and catholic school boards the municipal act already allows farm lands to be taxed at 25 per cent of the propertys market value and exempts farms greater than two hectares from paying taxes relating to- servjces such as garbage collec- tion sidewalks fire protection and waterworks programs we have some advantages for them already added- cartwright warm drier weather has returned to southern ontario for most of august but the dev astation was felt during the prime planting months of may and june when 278 millimetres of rain fell washing away hectares of planted seeds and causing farmers to leave por tions of their fields empty soil erosion tremendous soil erosion has also helped to wipe out any hope for profits this season newmarket mayor tom taylor pointed to a provision in the municipal act that allows individuals to apply for relief due to financial hardship a- route farmers may wish to seek but georgina mayor rob grossi who first requested a tax deferral at a regional council meeting in july- was puzzled why the staff report focused on- graritsand rebates for affected farmers v never mentioned grants or rebates in my motion he said i realize thedifficulty for us to give a rebate or a grant i was trying to open the door to other applications t the property owners or farmers couldapply through the local municipality for a deferral there- might be an opportunity to assist in some way shape or form meanwhile the region could consider the use of direct grants to provide tax relief but the tar geting of relief only to farmers that own and farm their proper- ty in york region could be inter preted as boniising said cartwright which is prohibited under the municipal act r and this type of targeted grant would not necessarily benefit tenant farmers its cleaf if the municipality wants to look at this they- should let their farmers know said regional chairperson bill fisch- if there is a hardship you have to take it to the local level the new home industry is most concerned but this is a sign bylaw jor- everyone fofthe majority of regional intersec- tions7 20 signs can be accommodated five per cprhertwhile several intersec tions can onlyhariclle two signson each corner although the region identified 31 intersections where signs should not be permitted dueto poor sight lines high traffic and pedestrian levels arid restricted property jim murphy the gthbas director of government rela tions helped convince the region to remove six intersections from the restricted list including such high-pro- file areas ashwy 7 and keele street mccowan road warden avenue bayview avenue and bathurst street- the comer of leslie street and davis drive in newmarket was also added to the list- j but murphy remains upset york region has held a tough stance in the past over the use of the advertising sighs- this issue has been around for a while but there is no other municipali ty inthe gtathat restricts these signs outright said murphy in a deputation enforcement of the bylaw is obvi ously going to be a key component recommendations should be made to books for kids starbucks coffee outlets in ontario 7 are launching a book drive sept 6 col lecting newandgently used books that will be donated to local literacy organi zations and childrens charities the all books for children drive continues to problem gambling the gosti family counselling centre now hasa program for problem gamblirigjservices include counselling education support groups and refer- rals semces arefree arid confidential calf416 2447714ext 270 w iv f x until theres a cure theres us call and donate 1 800 567cure this message brought to you as a community service of the economisttribune muscular dystrophy association of canada participation house is hosting its 8 annual golf tournament on thursday september 28 at sleepy hollow golf country club in stouffville cost150 per person with lunch and dinner included needed are players sponsorsdonation of prizes or donations get a 4sorhe together and come out and join us for a day of fun while supporting the residents of v participation house adults with multiple disabilities here in markham por further jnformatidn or to register or make donations please call margaret at 9052940944 or lynda at t 9052949734 pidpriho the marktones a mixed choral ensemble have been performing musical cabaret shows in the markham area for- 5 years yflo are presently looking for singers for this years variety show to take place at the end offebfuary particularly tenors and basses rehearsals take place at st andrews united church in markham from 830 to 1030 pm on monday and wednesday nights join us youllhave fun if interested please call linda garment musicaldirector at 9052945859 to arrange an audition wham ambassador ambassador competition and video dance sat 16 800 pm tickets 1000 notice -yi- you are invited to compete in the miss markham fair competition entry form name il age 1 824 byoa01- addressi phone no hobbies 1 dropoffor send to markham fair grounds 10801 mccowan rd markham ontl3p3j3 for information tickets 6423247 proud sponsors avco rnanclal angus glen golf country club barthau jewellers fair shoppe georges auto service tim hortons fireball sports patricias bridal the school of fine dining cornercopia- sue joyceavon unds floral boutique balloon experts forsythe family farms basically bagels fathers steak house pine apple inn edelweiss floral design stouffville florist trevi hair design village grocer uz pauls hair design arttsslmo hair salon vitality suites second cup rogers video- ttyear sponsors qeorqes auto service patricias bridal to all members of the public who have made written submissions andor requested notification regarding box grove community secondary plan on july 11 2000 the council of the town of markham received and endorsed inprinciple the draft secondary plan for the box grove area and directed that the plan be brought back to council on august 29 2000 for adoption subject to the following conditions being fulfilled 1 execution by the participating landowners of a memorandum of understanding and 2 thezoning provisions ministers zoning order are in place to relocate the cemetery s be advised that the town of markham will be considering the draft memorandum of understanding at the development services committee meeting scheduled for tuesday august 29th 2000 at 1030am in the council chambers at the markham civic centre 101 town centre blvd the ministerial order for the proposed cemetery relocation has not been issued by the province to date but if it is issued prior to the august 29th meeting a recommendation may be forwarded for a decision at the council meeting scheduled for 200 pm- at the samejocation if the matter is deferred to the council meeting scheduled for september 12 2000 at 700 pm or a later date a further notice will be placed in the economist sun if your require further confirmation or information please contact mr scott heaslip pjannerand sr project coordinator or mr alan laver development 1 engineer at 905 477 ext 31 40 or 3400 respectively rkham wbmhof excellence