Planning Act not OMB Reform Needed

Farms dwindle as developers play the system

Our system of development across York Region is a ripe field primed and teed up for corruption's ugly makeover. I'm speaking of loopholes in our planning system, including amendments often made to official plans, overlooked by the Ontario Municipal Board, and how those in the know are able to take advantage of the corruptible system.

Sam Orrico stands symbolically in front of an emptied home

Did you know in Italy, when a Farmer has worked a property for a number of years they get compensated should they be moved off it so that it can be used for other purposes such as development? It translates to English as " Goodwill Out" and is considered fair to the Farmer. Not so here, as witnessed recently by one Farmer in Markham who has worked a property for 35 years, who with agreement still in hand, has been systematically removed prematurely. In fact he claims the bylaw officers have followed him to the new property he's had to plop his trailer home on even, the previous property's house having burnt down some 12 years ago, farmer Sam lucky to have been out at the time.

Who's really in charge of City planning?

They apparently plan to eventually develop Condos there at 14th west of Markham Road - in return for a community centre they built at the west end of the same property block. Problem is, Sam's block in question is not yet zoned for any development, and so as they move towards stripping the now fertile land, after years of care without even having posted signs to the affect they plan to apply for re-zoning, we now have a property at the cusp of ending years of his work - with no compensation to that displaced farmer, made to move his operation at an accelerated rate, at his cost. There are now loads of dirt piles, bulldozers, and other development type equipment set up ready to go. All with no permits or zoning to even develop it. That's how smug they are about it. Control.

It's not the first time it's happened to Sam Orrico, he was removed from the Pickering Airport land in the 80's, now a proposed dump, and certainly not he first time I've written about his incredible story. But make no mistake, he's here for the long haul, and not done his legal fight yet, especially now that the York Region Legal Clinic has a Lawyer on staff for issues involving possible homelessness, that Sam has now met with, although this may be out of their realm of mandated reach...But expect him to once again rise to run for public office in Markham to expose the "corrupt ways" and close the loop-holes through which unscrupulous developers - possibly aided by council unwittingly - can crawl through, to do what they like with a property, despite its official plan designation.

This sat on Sam's door step to spur him along, his remaining daffodils, nearby, went missing that day also.

That is if they don't manage to have him locked up on bogus " threats" charges again through the election ( he was also running as a candidate against Scarpetti) and then manage another unprecedented year long publication ban on quoting anything about him. I kid you not. Sam has always maintained it was false with the charge based on one witness only, also running for council, and he with a thick Italian accent.. He was let out after the election but with a publication ban.... And no one else finds that unusual I guess. It shook Sam up, but didn't end his resolve about exposing this "corrupting of the system" as he calls it.

One such planning loop-hole is that "there are no designated areas for community centres or libraries according to Sam, who has attended every planning meeting on the area properties since the 80's. And should be as they use these loop-holes to influence changing zoning - I'll build a community centre for you here and you in turn agree to look at changing zoning over there for me. This is literally what is happening in York Region and its allowed by our system.

In Sam's case, the same fellow who proposed the big Markham Arena deal, which was backed by Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti at the time, and to which tax-payers were to be on the hook for the lions share - with promises of helping the poor attached to it even, owns the property located on 14th Avenue near Markham Rd. he owns much of Main St. Markham from my understanding.

After moving Sam to the property's edge in Sept 2015, he was ordered out in May 2016, illegally Sam believes.

Ironic that they've "evicted" Sam essentially from his trailer home location there though using a new yet incomplete bylaw and even using residential tenancy court to try and be rid of him, tricking / using police to remove him for trespassing before relenting - despite his legal agreement. Trying to hasten the way for?...There is no approved plan.

And who is the fellow that Sam says kept threatening him to go or they'll "find him" etc...He / they claim to work for the property owners. Sam reported it. Yet it has been only Sam who was removed with hand-cuffs this past Sept, with no legal reason I can see, for 'trespassing" he was then told - for which he was not ever charged. After an embarrassing, escorted trip to hospital for an "assessment', the area 35 year Farmer was let go and was back in his trailer home a few days later. But the bylaw police now had him / it in their sites too, using  a new, incomplete bylaw, designed for residential areas, not farms, to hound him with.

I guess they were not aware the property had an assessment and was taxed accordingly as a farm property with as a resident, and that the owners had enjoyed the perks of that arangement - having it kept with the lower tax rates in lieu of having the farmer who invests in machinery and works and maintains the the land. Farming is expensive and so is land maintenance - thus the mutual benefits. It is a mutual arrangement, but as new land owners, A.K.A. wannabe developers, bring in their own "farmers" we see this begin to erode. If they really wanted Sam out they could take him to civil court but, instead, using a bylaw prevents developers from looking the bad guy. Not us, it was a bylaw.

I take it the city chooses to believe the developers over a 35 year area farmer? It's not zoned for anything but a Farm w a residence or industrial at this time still. 

Like Sam has maintained all along, he'd of been more than willing to move should they have an approved plan to develop - but they don't - and as such they should not be given unchecked use of the land meantime, and be stripping what took years to build up before having any of that in place, and even if so, certainly not at Sam's expense for moving and re-cropping. His plan didn't include early leave of his home of 35 years - the last 12 in that trailer on that property and dragging thousands of pounds of machinery and belongings to another locale. That's why he'd secured an agreement. New land owners can't just do as they please in such cases. But it helps if the City's on board.

Land Sam made fertile and holding crops to be stripped for development - with no permits. Trees and bushes gone already

Municipalities need control of their plans and need to wrest that control back from unscrupulous players in this easily manipulated system - wide open to be corrupted - and have those loopholes closed up - not play along with them!

Eliminating the OMB, the one neutral body that is there to look at these issues, is most definitely not the way to go and anyone saying so doesn't understand how it all works - or does and wants to gain more control. We certainly can't trust councils themselves to decide, when they can be so easily swayed through a promise. We want to take away, not add, more control for them. It's the system of planning itself that needs the nose job.

Plans have things in a place. Schools go here, hospitals here, residential communities here, industrial and farms here. They are set up this way for good reason - such as eliminate gridlock, which is why you see industrial areas set near highways for truckers - so they don't have to travel into and create congestion. When we lose control of the plan's elements, it isn't just a matter of a favour for one property its the entire area or city and it has a dominoes effect, especially when you start to factor in the province's expectations for your growth plan. We cannot just do what we want with a property because we own it as one Markham Councilor tried to tell me. She doesn't even understand the planning process in my opinion and it is the process that needs changing so that the people that do cannot take advantage.

Who's next for targeting? whoever they wish until the loops holes are closed up.

Sam before they removed him to develop this.

It was the previous land owner who'd approached Sam to be the farmer there, gaining years of tax rebates and relaxed property maintenance governance because of it - not he who approached them. And in transferring or purchasing a property, you get all liens or attachments, including the Farmer, unless you make arrangements otherwise or forge your own agreement. That would have been the honourable thing for this property owner to do but they've been, or their agents have been nothing but hostile to the issue and this man

Sam plans to tighten up these loop holes up as part of his platform in the next municipal election as well as raise some rights issues at Queen's Park for those facing homelessness in the future having had little luck accessing emergency funds he says we have rights to as laid out in the Act, but is being controlled by York Region's social services administrators - which he says is against his and others' rights. Carry on Sam. We'll be watching.

" He's the land owner Sam, he can do what he wants" Markham Councilor Karen Rae 

" We own the land Sam get off. We own all of it. We own you" - Agent of the land owners allegedly to Sam

" What's the sense of having an official plan and taking in the puiblic's input into it if they can just do whatever they want?" Sam Orrico

TP out

Markham Farmer claims Legal Right to Land use

Hear from Sam himself - video

Markham Farmer, Sam Orrico, who has been farming in the area 35 years, had been given until Sat May 14th to move or face having his remaining belongings destroyed including his home, now a trailer, after the original house burned down some years ago during a dispute on repairs raised by Sam who has an agreement for the property. Yet both the town and the property's new (and "powerful") owner seem to have teamed up to oust him prematurely, using a newly created and incomplete bylaw, designed for residential properties as it's launch pad vehicle.


Before that, it was April 29 2016, and before that Sept 14 2015, and before that pressure and threats he says. Farmers like Sam forge these entrance agreements so just this very thing does not happen. It clearly states he'd move upon approval for development and to date there is no such thing.

If you'd like to know more background follow this link, but in a nutshell the town has asked the property owners to 'clean up' the property in question, suddenly calling Sam's farming equipment, parts, signs, storage areas, etc junk with Markham Councilor Karen Rae even calling him a hoarder.

"I'm no hoarder", Sam barked, "That's insulting. A hoarder hoards things they don't need. I need these things to farm and for equipment maintenance and many things. People who are not farmers do not know." He was offended. Even more so than back in Sept 2015 when the property owners reps first "ordered" him out, to have his stuff gone or they'd remove it, and then sent 7 cops to take him away in hand cuffs to prove they meant it - despite having his agreement. He came back that next day, after a humiliating stop for an "assessment". But belongings were now missing.


Sam issues his own letters!

Well Sam has sent a letter of notice of his own this week to the police, council, lawyers for the property, the property owners, you name it, letting everyone know he will no longer accept letters from anyone unless it's from a court of law. That he disputes their claims, and has an agreement as proof of his claims, and means to have his day in court.

He's been treated terribly for years with just enough interference by both the city and the land owner, he claims, to keep him from becoming a viable business. But it's more like disappearing lately, as equipment's has gone missing, farming tools, generators, even in the last few days the bolts to his trailer wheel chassis have gone and even his dug in flower perennials. They also expected him to move everything on their timetable at his own expense.

They lined his stuff up to scrap it

Yet, they, for some reason, have no problem moving in some other fellow in at the back of the property into another trailer over a year ago now, who Sam says he's just there to spy on him and cause grief, yet for some reason they need Sam out - before this property is even zoned for development - or rather re-zoned as the property owners and city are hoping for smooth sailing to condo development, superseding the official plan which called for industrial, being near the highway. Gridlock.

They ripped up all the trees and bushes too

I'm afraid they've all misjudged this old man of principle with a rock solid contract to be there.

On April 29, the day of the OMB hearing on the property (was put over), daffodils he had growing still on the property were removed while he was away.

Keep Markham Beautiful . Ha. Right.

Sept 2015 They moved Sams trailer right next to traffic

TP out

Sam's Daffodils seen here April 29 day...gone Ap 29 Eve

Developers, Cities & Farmers - not news to Yourk News

Looking out from Farmer Sam Orrico's Markham roost, Aug 2015

The recent article published by York Region Media group headline screams out - Ban Developers Contribution from Campaigns - then describes a newly released independent report about how most of our locally elected officials accept donations from developers for fundraising for their election campaigns in increasingly higher numbers and most often where development is being looked at or already being done.

Told be out April 29 2016 despite his contract

The alarm is being raised now as they are looking at changing the rules, since roads and development are primarily the main decisions these bodies get to make. That, and fitting them into official plans. Sort of. I think the reshaping  comes along with new fundraising rules to be announced by the provincial government, that which I believe, itself, stems from the federal govs plans at fundraising rule changes. So it's systematic, and again, we actually have no choice but to go along. Making us think we have a say is part of the fun.

Sept 2015 Councilor Karen Rae 'helps'

Yourk News first brought the issue of farmers being treated unfriendly via the story of Markham Farmer Sam Orrico, who claims he has been railroaded for years now. by a system that has included both the city and property owners making life hard to survive or earn a living - through permits hassles and systematic harassment  - to ever let him get established or re-established again, after a fire burned the property home down 12 years ago.

Intimidating machinery was brought in Sept 2015

And recently using a new, currently being re-worked bylaw, called "Keep Markham Beautiful", to appear to pressure land owners there to "clean it/him up", using the ruse to have the long time area farmer removed for good, like garbage off a property. Sam claims the bylaw is designed for residences, not farming properties anyway, and that he has an iron clad entrance rights agreement for as long as the zoning still allows for farming - which it still does. That and the fact that the bylaw as written is incomplete.

Funny thing is, they've long ( Sept 2015) begun removing trees and much of Sam's equipment or had tossed it in bins & carted off, with years of parts for machinery, fencing & tools along with it whilst still "allowing" him to remain in the trailer he's called home for the past 12 years. Albeit after they force-moved it to a more publicly accessible locale on the property while trying to legally have him declared a non-tenant.

The agents of the property owners also tried to have Sam declared a trespasser at one point, police handcuffing him and escorting him off Sept 12, 2015, like a criminal, to have him "assessed" at the hospital. No charges, nothing.

In reflection, perhaps his freedom rights were violated, and if so, only based on information provided on letterhead of the developers agents highlighting a ruling they managed to get from a landlord tenant adjudicator. One who'd refused Sam time to get smart council, and who would not dismiss as requested - as the directives say to do -  because it had 3 addresses on it, making it ambiguous stating, "Don't worry, I think this is an easy application to rule on." Easy for whom? She had no jurisdiction to rule on Sam's entrance agreement though. That much she also read into her judgement, only ruling that he had no residential tenancy agreement - a big difference.

Sam's home of 12 years, worked it for 35

I know about the escort, because the officer called asking if Sam could stay the night with me (Sam gave my # ) as they were removing him. And as I informed the officer he had every right to be there, he, like the rest of the world it seems, including Markham Councillor Karen Rae who Sam sought understanding from, but who seems to only recognize that the property is owned by a landowner and therefore can do what they want, all seemingly are unaware that a new property owner is also bound by old agreements on a property with farmers - only that he "needs to go sometime".

hot water heater

Well, yes he does, he doesn't dispute that, It takes years to move farm equipment or crops, not weeks, which is why he learned to protect himself through such agreements. Property owners also receive years of perks through favourable tax rebates and rates, so it's not just a one way street, but when they want to develop they want you gone. Their time. Sam being gone would make things very neat. He tried to again address Markham council Sept 21 2015 but  they ignored his actual address to them - that their bylaw is missing subsections.

Farmers recycle everything

Did I mention it was a property owner who originally approached Sam to work it so they'd get a more favourable tax rate and have noxious weeds controlled? This allows developers to hold onto a property while paying minimum tax and maintenance costs indefinitely.

What he disputes now is the fact that his agreement specifically mentions that he would be agreeable to move upon approval of the land being re-zoned for development (which at present it is not) within a reasonable time frame once approved. Instead, in Sam's view, they have been trying to get him off with various means for years prior, most vigorously since last September, to his detriment of doing business or farming as he'd like. So he also now additionally has an issue about the manner he has been treated throughout this process including threats and thefts.

This man says has been spoken to in threatening tones in the past for continuing on there, been told he's mental, stinks, no one cares...and he's lived through two house fires during disputes of house repair issues on farm properties moving towards development, with no one ever being charged or held accountable - Sam escaping with second degree burns in the first fire, the second occurring within 20 minutes of him leaving the property. Ironically that 1st property is now the hospital.

Unlike Sam, who himself when running for Mayor, was actually jailed during the 2010 Markham municipal election for supposedly threatening " he'd kill" Mayor Scarpitti, - of which Sam vehemently denies and "witnessed" through a third party, a rival also running for council, claiming he'd said it. Based on this, they held him throughout the election, effectively removing him from running as mayor and silencing him from perhaps revealing info that could have changed the election. Even made him Mayor. But we'll never know will we?

Farmers need to know official plans to plan themselves

Afterwards the presiding judge, who Sam claims also seemed to have political aspirations, ordered a rare, precedent setting publication ban on anything to do with Sam Orrico for a year. Sam, an expert on planning issues and the Official Planning Act, having attended every area meeting regarding the numerous properties he's work in the Markham area since the 1980's, had been set to reveal some embarrassing, developer-city related info. Old, broken English Sam. Yea. So, excuse me if something just doesn't seem just right here.

Click Here and Hear Sam Tell it!

Fast forward to today, expected to get out 35 years worth of his life, home, and equipment out at his own expense, while being unable, and now not even healthy enough, to earn a living. With no money for lawyers he's often had to be his own but knowing the Planning Act better than most councilors ever will, and mayors, has sometimes worked against him it would seem. Sometimes he tends to use a gotcha effect that politicians and others don't like and so perhaps start throwing barriers up to avoid it. Like publication bans, or suddenly enforcing by-laws designed for residences not farm properties for the 1st time in 12 years.

The other evening as Sam went to attend a meeting for local issues, he was hit by a hit and run car. The snow banks were such that they may have played a role, but Sam is not so sure and fears it may have been on purpose. Paranoid? Perhaps, but from where I see it, he has every right to be. Geez, even the local papers nor any other will write a right a thing about him, first removed from the Pickering AIRPORT LANDS so many years ago now, having come here lured from Argentina, as the best place to farm and live. They did cover that issue.

All I know is PACC spent this winter trying to acquire him heat because no one from any official capacity seems to want to do anything other than "push him into a shelter". Thank goodness for the Lions Club of Markham and some churches. Even with having a place to go from other farmers in the farming circles doesn't get him his trailer and belongings and remaining tools and equipment moved, or the new location prepared let alone, especially when you spend your days seeking sources for heat and food because of cruel circumstances and a system that punishes the shallow pocketed.

Markham is revamping its by-laws. Members support the OMB being reviewed to get councils 'more control"

Sam's tools missing after forced 'assessment"

Pay him some respect. In fact pay him some $ to end his contract early as you are essentially asking him to do at his expense, and to also recoup lost property and earnings, and to help him move his beat up trailer, as the developers and the city are poised to make future $ millions in the end. Geez at the very least he's made sure that land stayed clean of toxic dumping for 35 years. He's saved everyone a bundle there.

Isn't it Ironic!?

Sam's now been told he must vacate by April 29 - ironically the same day as the OMB hearing of the property. They've reportedly said they'll destroy his trailer if its not gone and If he doesn't attend the zoning will get a bye right through without public or interested party objections.

And being that the very property is being considered for re-zoning on that very date and is itself payback to the city from the land developers for having built them a "cultural centre" on an adjacent block of the same property for the city - yet across the street from an industrial complex of which Sam's area of the property is currently still zoned for - Industrial or farming, decided years ago when creating Markham's official plan, but now being sought to change which will cause grid-lock.

Currently zoned for industrial , farm

Speaking of farming, the Campaign Fairness report was contributed to by York University Political Science Professor, Robert Mcdermid, who stated, 

"Development campaign donations are an important role to play, when you think that one of the things that council does is create profit for developers. A developer purchases a piece of land, a farm maybe when it is zoned for agriculture(sounding familiar?) and as the boundary of the city creeps out they have it switched to residential. And in that switch, the developer multiplies the investment several times over. And when he further subdivides that land into further parcels, he multiplies that wealth again. It is acts of council that create profit for developers. So it's hugely important and developers understand that"

Political Science Professor, Robert Mcdermid

Yes indeed.


Tom Out

Tom's Green Show - Part 2 - Farmer's Last Stand

Farmer's Last Stand in Markham

Farmer Sam Orrico has attended the planning meetings since the 80's.

I find it ironic that community's are pushing community gardens when they are actively pushing farmers out the door. Literally. For one Farmer, Sam Orrico, that time is now. Sam is very experienced at being displaced. He was one of those affected in the headlines that screamed out, " Province Gets Farmers off the land", back in 1979 when the still unused airport lands were being cleared for building that never happened.

At his cost Orrico moved tractor to comply with Town "Bylaw"

As a Farmer working the land, they make more than a commitment to labour but to fields and yields and property maintenance and noxious weed control, as well as ensuring quality soil is being maintained and toxic materials are not being dumped on properties. Although property owners were compensated for the acquired airport lands, most farmers weren't so lucky - the ones effectively renting and farming the land. Sam estimates he lost $100,000 dollars worth of business, crops, and equipment as a result. He saw no compensation from the Ontario government.

Such farming properties are also given a certain tax rebate to owners which encourages the land owners to have farming. Owners buy these properties knowing they are not zoned for residential or any other type with no promises that will ever change. Of course that doesn't stop them from doing so if left unchecked and that is why we have official plans and zoning and

See video!

Mr Orrico has come to be somewhat of an expert on local planning over the years since his first removal.

After that, there was a property at highway 7 and Markham Rd. which had sported a large house in which Sam lived and performed basic maintenance for while farming the land and several others. This time he got an agreement but when a dispute arose over rising costs for the more major fixes, such as plumbing, the owner balked. "We'll just bull doze it then."

But this was a heritage home and Mr. Orrico made sure to inform about that to those who mattered, stopping such an action in its tracks. Two weeks later it burnt down, effectively removing him, and paving the way for the property to be developed. Arson was never ruled out although the electrical was an issue Mr Orrico had wanted fixed at the time... He's sure it was no accident.

Meantime he was working another property as well located at Markham Rd and 14th Side Road where he's still at today, although for how long we're yet to see as he fights for his rights against a corporation. It too sported a house on the property at one time, and here too began a dispute about who was to pay for what when it came to major costs on the house. Again there is a fire, " Escaped by Miracle" and Sam is again homeless. But this time he was staying put, his agreement to be on the land in fist, and moved into a trailer on the property.

Property next door being prepped without a plan yet in place which is against protocol

Although Sam had agreed to do certain upkeep on the house, he'd also made to sure include higher end costs in his agreement which was being disputed in court at that time. He'd additionally added a clause that ensured he could remain on the property until such time it was to be otherwise developed and had it written in to carry over to any new owners in order to cover his being able to invest in one spot for a long time. It's a protection for the Farmer so they are not investing time and $ in a spot only to be made move without proper notice. Like now.

And that is where we sit today. The past year he's spent fighting them at every turn as the developers reps, as well as the town of Markham, seemingly are trying to cast him aside again without using the proper procedures. And he hasn't been treated nicely either in the process with the first move to try and get him off the property he's been on since 1980 a 7 days notice for a bylaw infraction!

35 years on a property and they just say get out in 7 days?

Wrong, he has his agreement, and besides, the " Making Markham Beautiful" bylaw refers to residential properties and this property is zoned for industrial right now. It is also INCOMPLETE as written referring to sections that are not missing. Next up a visit to Markham committee to get to the bottom of this sudden need for him to "clean up" the property that has no specific list of things. He moved a tractor already at a cost. But that Bylaw is not legal if it's missing section 4.21 despite being publicly posted. I mentioned to the developers reps that the bylaw was not binding and to fight it but they weren't interested, just wanted Sam off. Why? You have no plan approved.

2 properties over, same owner had no plan but developed for town on a promise to consider zoning changes elsewhere.

Sam doesn't feel respected throughout the process and especially now. Sam has had nothing but intimidation from the other side, who are not even the developers really, but a company representing them. He says he's been told " You stink Sam" etc by a nice chap who shows up whenever he feels, supposedly to negotiate Sam's exit peaceably, and despite Sam's agreement stating they need inform him in advance to come by. " We do what we want". He's had stuff and equipment go missing, and recently was accosted by some people on the property he suspects are connected to the group wanting him gone. His rabbit was killed Sam says, and returned to its locked cage, eyes missing. He's reported this all to police, yet he's been treated like the criminal it seems.

As far as Sam's concerned he's willing to go - after they have approval to develop - which is spelled out in his agreement they now have a copy of, from the last court session, after bringing Sam to court for "non payment of rent" - or they work it out. And yet at first they claimed he wasn't a tenant. No respect.They want him to come to terms being treated like that? Good luck, with a man of principle and a contract in his pocket.

Why change the official plan to become residential when industrial is across the road from Sam's farming location?

The past days after the last landlord tenant board appearance he's seen an increase of tire marks on his site as the rep seems suddenly emboldened. He seems to think because the judge ruled the agreement wasn't a rental unit lease agreement that they can "evict' him for trespassing which they've now applied for based on that, but the landlord and tenant law does not apply to this type of agreement, and this old man is not done fighting that fight yet.

As he says, "Why do they want me off now when they don't even have a plan? or zoning for developing? Why? Why should I move again before I have to, and they have been interfering so much I can't hardly even farm."

Why indeed? In his heyday he shipped 20 tons a week of produce. He grew up in Argentina on a farm living off the land. It's what he knows. He's an expert on how to find and acquire water, growing, and now planning, he's even run for Mayor of Markham twice, and they found a way to silence him then too on planning issues, through a total whitewash charge which he hotly disputes and still does on appeal of a bogus threatening charge, purportedly said to a third party with no other witnesses, who was also running to be elected! After he was released a publication ban was placed on anything about him for a year. Does no one else find this suspicious?

Sam has great ideas about a world food terminal where the airport lands now are despite his displacement from there so long ago, as well as ideas for developing the electricity corridors for farming... and what better person for community farming to teach the real Mcoy? They should be using his knowledge not trying to muzzle him and toss him away as if he's an ignorant old man. He's smart and knowledgeable and he's earned a little respect.

The developers reps maintain they are acting now because the town ordered the property cleaned up, despite me pointing out the by-law is incomplete and therefore invalid... and Mr Orrico it would seem is part of that sweep. 

At the end of the day, unfortunately, for them, it is he who has the contract and right to be there, and it is they who are asking he break his agreement to accommodate them - not the other way around - and for that he needs compensation for again uprooting his life to appease them and for the degrading treatment he's received in the process, especially in the last few days, taken in cuffs like a common street thug and paraded at the hospital with police in tow.

I suggest they start treating him with a little more respect if they expect to get anywhere. 

Bully, bully..

TP Out

Fri Sept 11 2015 - I just received a call from the police. They are removing Sam from the property and have asked if I would put him up for the night. They seem to acknowledge and accept on the surface the developers position and not Sam's. He was removed in handcuffs escorted by about 7 or 8 officers and taken to the hospital for an " assessment" Sam says.  Stay tuned.

Monday Sept 21 2015 -

Sam is scared and looking for supporters to come out Sept 28 from 7am on to help him protest the loss of his home as they plan to flatten trees and remove anything still there. He is homeless now as he continues to fight for access to the property and his home. His farming property is located at Markham Rd & 14th SR.

Main St Canada

Town's Under Siege? Each has it's own unique make-up to satisfy....and locals to satisfy.

Maintaining a functioning town's Main Street is a dilemma that is featured across small town Canada, heck even small town USA. It's not unique to have an issue with Main St's being that they are expected to reflect the culture of a town and by extension its town folk while also remaining functional, able to do enough business to continue existing.

Main St USA, Newmarket!... during filming of Regression

By leaving it up to fate, sometimes you end up with too many restaurants or coffee shops, and the ones with the best deal or product or deepest pockets survive, but that's not a way to create a good, functioning Main St. You should have a plan. And you should know a number of variables - foremost of which would be adding, shops, restaurants and events that attract business and feed each other - not off each other. What I would do would be to compile a wish list of best case scenario tenants for a Main St. coming off a master wish list designed to enhance the street.

Movie filmed on Main

To Newmarket's credit they've already done a study and produced a detailed town / downtown action plan that pretty much mirrors what I've mentioned thus far, but in the end, leaves no conduit that leads to those changes.

The 72 page 2013 released action plan mentions 4 main pillars people fell into for going to the downtown core which included,

Unionville converted fire hall

Special Events or Festivals on Main, Restaurants on Main, The Farmer's Market, History charm and architecture. 

Notably still missing on Main in 2015 - arts and culture, a mentioned desired space taker according to the action plan, not to mention people don't list it tops as a destination to actually SHOP!

Recently I had a good look at the Town of Unionville's set up, attending on a Thursday evening where the patios, shops and street were packed with people. Of course they have a different dynamic than, say, Main St Newmarket, with Unionville having a much wider road and sidewalks areas to work with allowing for more patio frontage, and adorning both sides of the street in stretches.

Use mural art to spruce and add culture

The night I attended, they also had their "band in the park" event,a very high end Beatles clone band who could also be heard from nearby patios adding to the ambiance, as they have a Gazebo style stage right on their Main St..

After the concert, and presumably before, people would swarm through town along Main, parking, often strategically taking people along it as well increasing the ease and opportunity for business to occur. Live bands or piped music could be heard starting up in some pubs and establishments alongside the murmur of chatter from the abundance of patios and street walkers.The restaurants, shops and patios were bustling with people, but, like any Main St, they too had a few gaps yet to be filled.

Orillia Main St

Improving the mix and composition of Main St Newmarket was deemed critical to the future success  according to the plan, a job for captain obvious, but how to get er done!?. I'd mentioned a wish list of desired prospective tenants earlier and lo and behold this very report may indeed have already done that! Cool!

So what types of establishments do we need? According to the plan and one of it's committee members, Nancy Bernard, not " too many restaurants", as Unionville apparently had too many in 2012, but they still have many more with patios than we do now, and on both sides of the road, which we do not!

Ladies and gentlemen..The Beatles!Unionville Main St. Gazebo stage

All things being equal though, we're not the same, thus why every Main St has its own unique challenges. For example after an event at Riverwalk Commons, nothing pulls people naturally along Main St like Unionville's does, and nor is there a stage right on Main in Newmarket, unless for a rare special event or festival.

Made in Newmarket - new patios on Main

Brand identity is another mentioned and I've long maintained we should market Newmarket as Canada's Main St, with movie productions shot here listed as well as local landmarks and postcards, Newmarket shirts, Main St T's, Mugs etc could support that branding. The feature film Regression for example coming out in theatres was shot right on Main, as were many others - that's marketable stuff to outsiders not from here, but they need to be informed. Behind the scenes filmimg video. Other recent productions shot on Main St Newmarket was 2011 thriller Dream House.

Another new Main St Newmarket restaurant

Another point the study makes - attract the public to Main St. following the farmer's market - but again, no plan. One could always move the market right onto Main St. which has been done here successfully, or hold simultaneous events with vendors while the farmers market is on.... or what else could be done is an information flyer advertising various specials and attractions about Main St. and made available via a booth at the farmers market and / or any festivals held at nearby Riverwalk Commons. Include a coupon discount type design into it and encourage people to visit Main.

But once they arrive on Main, and they get beyond the beauty and the restaurants, we want to turn that leisurely stroll into higher numbers of strolls and ultimately sales, by adding more interesting shops / attractions.

Main St Unionville on a Thursday

One main obstacle is parking, an ongoing issue which could be resolved through several means. One Councilor suggested knocking down a 50's era fire house to accomplish more parking while I prefer a new spanking patio there, where none exist on the west side..a gap that needs filling but not with a parking lot.

The tennis club seems to me the best spot for new parking and logical being its located adjacent to existing parking. Moving the club to , say , the property on Davis Drive already a community centre already, that the town spoke about selling, would allow for a move without having to change the official development plan for the area. No variance would then need be applied for resulting in the quickest route to new parking.

Newmarket specialty stores at Main

Existing events on Main need support and as well nearby ones need include them as much as possible including the Jazz+ Festival which should have events coinciding with Main St as part of the festival and perhaps include it on Main for a portion of it. There was not enough spill over business in 2015 from my observations and so an area that can really be improved still!

Still, if one's honest, one can say we are lacking somewhat on Main regardless and do have some gaps to fill but with what?

Cool style shops in Newmarket's Main St and various services

One area of concern is the old post office that used to house seniors but now site empty, the owners hoping for approval for condominiums, a plan for which was rejected. Since that ruling, the owners who also own the adjoining row of buildings that housed stores and residents vacated them, the properties now boarded up and an eyesore. At some point this will have to be revisited again, but one would think some sort of tenants will be an end result which would serve to help support Main as well. The city of Hamilton has made it law that old buildings such as churches must keep the outer structure intact and designs that wrap around keeping them.
Ultimately Newmarket's clock tower will need something doing to appease the parties involved, including the towns folk, and keeping part will certainly have to be in the design mix.

Made to move out in Newmarket

 Two things the study mentions in relation to restaurants were to do with cashing in on grants for using local vegetables. I say great, but whatever happened to actual stores selling fresh fruit and produce and flowers etc. In the old days you'd see them in abundance and today not so much - but China town is ripe full of such places and we could be following the directive goal of including culture two ways here!

Canada Day Newmarket 2015 Video

In Orillia I saw a General Store that started up in 2015, and believe it or not it's an idea I've mentioned previously for Newmarket's Main - should it includes hardware supplies, keys cut, unique souvineers, minor groceries and maybe even photocopying for the modern version, it might fly.

Orillia even has an entire store dedicated to music and art mostly from the Beatles era called AlleyCats as well as a guitar / music store! Mind you they have had a Beatles festival going there for the past 8 years competing with semi-nearby Collingwood and their Elvis fest. 

A Beatles Festival would fit the definition of bringing a diversity of people across all nationalities, as the Beatles were a world-wide phenomenon, not to mention the British roots, from whence Newmarket got her name. They would also cover many marketing demographics including all age groups and Main st lends itself naturally to the era. Hmmm..Beatle Mainia! Lol.

WISH LIST

In addition to an increase in events on Main, my wish list may include;

A Music Store and place to develop talent / lessons / workshops would definitely suit both the needs of the street to add character, but also functionally, and is one of the directives sought out tenant types.

Old and Rare Records store....alongside our famous comic books author on Main  a records shop with retro and nostalgic trade-ables would also be cool. Some may not know this but we had one for a short time and it was beginning to look good when they had to leave.

Condo Convert to be in Hamilton

Convenience Grocery Store - the old days saw typical Main St's with stores selling fresh fruits and vegetables and certainly there is room for that on Main for the right vendor, possibly representing the Asian community or Italian or Mexican and include some products unique to their culture - again covers the plan's directives.

Newmarket could use this

Art Gallery(s) / Arts Centre / Independant Artists - showings, sales, lessons.

Visual Arts Centre - including photography and film / video


Aboriginal themed shop - Art, crafts sales, native drumming / circles / workshops

Antiques - convince someone to relocate to the Main S

Grocery Store - once condos are built nearby in the future it could be sustained.

Hamilton - Rock-T's

West Side - Restaurant / Confectionary / Patio - West side of main part of Main St south has the only natural spaces for a street side patio of size..Either where the fire hall is, post office, or existing Brad Jone's Karate, are the only spots wide enough to accommodate such a move however.
A converted fire hall works in Unionville.

True Cyber Cafe - offering free connection for patrons and chat spaces. Make it Cool and unique w music.

Shishi Bar - popular, cultural - maybe too early in Newmarket for this.

Transform an existing business to include an Asian style karaoke / sushi / dim sum bar

Cool Retro or Collectibles

Goodwill re-use / sale type store 

Condo's / low rise apartments convert

For sale... one town clock and  4 store units!

To pursue these types of businesses is one thing, but to convince someone to do a startup or move an existing business there from another location may not be so easy - so I propose offering an incentive to those businesses on a wish list via grants / rent rebates for the 1st year or two to get established. Then they'll be able to proactively seek them out and fill up Main st Newmarket with new and interesting businesses and have the parking to support it!

TP out!

Capture an era using old cars as part of your street events