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l -sv- fiv economist suntribune the environment saturday june 12002 funding still murky for park purchase by kathleen griffin staff writer much is still shrouded in secrecy but that didnt stop the town of markham from holding a press conference thursday on the impending acquisition of a 18acre piece of land fronting thornhilts setders park about two dozen residents milled around the front of the german mills community centre as deputy mayor frank scarpitti announced councils tuesday night decision to expropriate the parcel for parkland effectively halt ing development plans his words were met with applause and cheers what we are doing is the right thing and in the interest of the public he said setders park is protected the forest is protected access through german mills is protected and the don mills ecosystem is protected he said this is a great day for the german mills community lined up on the hastilyputtogether dais thomhill mpp tina molinari councillors scarpitti erin shapero and khalid usman joined ratepayer and environmental group representatives to explain sort of about how the 2to3 million purchase will be funded the province of ontario thanks to the efforts of ms molinari and markham mpp dave tsubouchi has agreed to assist with the funding through an ontario realty corporation land swap in lieu of cash the orc will give the town between four and six acres of land explained deputy mayor scarpitti but the location of the land and how much its actually worth remains confi dential at least for now the region of york will chip in 100000 the evergreen foundation has agreed to raise up to 500000 and the friends of setders park will begin a fundraising campaign as well he said the loudest cheers were reserved for ward 2 councillor shapero who led the fight for the lands protection she said the cooperation between three levels of government and the persistence of the community finally paid off the land is owned by the bianchini family who have paid taxes on the prop erty for more than 40 years it was only when they submit ted a development application in 1999 that some council lors and residents realized the land wasnt part of the townowned setders park agent for the family tom christoff attended thursdays press conference as well telling the crowd family mem bers realize they will be paid for the land but disagree with the towns plan they dont want the taxpayers to pay millions of dollars for this littie piece he said erin shapero government cooperation helped if they care to donate the money well consider that responded deputy mayor scarpitti to laughs and applause resident louise aimone who has lived in thornhill 38 years also ques tioned deputy mayor scarpitti we have a lot of green space in this area she said what is this going to cost and what is this going to do to my taxes he replied the town has paid any where from 335000 an acre to 1 mil lion an acre for other town acquisitions but at this point in time the money will not have to be paid from property taxes at all m dales ii pharmacy your family pharmacists xusive provider of apothecare home medication management services 4711234 377 church st markham next to markham stouffville hospital open 7 days a week 8811616 8200 bayview ave thornhill lblksofhwy7 free delivery service kidney- foundation of canada give the greatest gift the gift of life wsm ewoa j this message brought to you as a community service of the economist suntribune boatndock hewitt lift rolladock life jackets fenders safety equipment ladders steps dock edging dock bumpers flag poles cleats line cleaning supplies more pwcuft boat dock marine equipment sales inc 461 alden rd unit 34a markham on l3r 3l4 monfri 1000600 sat 1100400 phone 9054152770 fax 905 4753223 vertical lift rolladock check us out on the web boatndockcom sliest mcffilbndhill 05rs848818 m 16th avenue 32 c3 cd 1 o wecarfy all the designer brand names ftbz- previewing now new homes fabulous location 99ooo 500 deposit 0 total o down payment all 2002 infiniti spas purchased or ordered before june 15th 2002 w colour optic lights 29900 ozonator 21900 40 amp gfci 1 27900 standard delivery 24900 total value 97600 at no extra charge