PICKERING

THE TRAIL -- The Pickering trail starts near the Rouge River, with a spectacular view as you head east through the Petticoat Creek Conservation Area, a good place to stop for a quick rest or picnic.  The trail takes one along residential roads around Frenchman's Bay; don't try to take a shortcut along the waterfront past West Shore Boulevard, it's a dead end.  Once you bike or hike back down the east side of the bay and reach the bottom of Liverpool Road, it's along the boardwalk where one can view the large OPG wind turbine.

RESTROOMS -- There are limited opportunities for a restroom break along the Pickering trail; restrooms can be found at the west side in Petticoat Creek Conservation Area, but one won't find another public washroom until reaching the east side of Frenchman's Bay, with another facility at the foot of Liverpool Road (Millennium Square).

PICNIC SPOTS -- The Pickering waterfront trail offers a few spectacular areas for picnics; perhaps the most scenic is at the Petticoat Creek conservation area with another at the Frenchman's Bay east park.  One could also easily set up a picnic basket on the greenery near the wind turbine at the eastern part of the trail.

GRAB A BITE -- While there are great spots along the trail for picnics, if one doesn't pack food it could be a hungry journey.  However, there are some restaurants at the bottom of Liverpool Road including the quaint Waterfront Bistro overlooking the lake.

PHOTO OP -- A picturesque view of the Pickering marina is afforded at the base of Liverpool Road, especially nice during sunrise/sunset.  Getting 'underneath' the OPG windmill further east from that point can also make a dramatic shot.

AJAX

THE TRAIL -- After heading past the Pickering nuclear generating station past Brock Road, one launches onto a section of trail covered by nature's canopy.  A bridge crossing requires riders to dismount; for those on inline skates, beware as the trail turns to gravel almost immediately east of the bridge.  After an uphill battle, the trail is fairly smooth sailing with a nice view of the lake.

RESTROOMS -- Ajax's Rotary Park, on the western part of the Ajax trail, boasts washroom facilities.  More can be found slightly east of that point, but beyond that one will not find another restroom for some distance.

PICNIC SPOTS -- Ajax's trail offers several spots for picnics, with picnic tables along the way near the pedestrian bridge, and another nice spot at the waterfront park east of Shoal Point Road.  There are also large grassy areas to the north of the trail along the way (one in particular just east of Rotary Park) that could accommodate a homemade feast.

GRAB A BITE -- Rotary Park boasts a concession stand, but finding food for sale along the way is not an easy task.  It's probably best to take food for this section of trail rather than buying it.

PHOTO OP -- The footbridge just west of Rotary Park allows a nice view of a beachy area, and there are several spots along the trail east of Rotary to snap photos of the lake.  Paradise Park is another ideal area for photography near the water, just west of Shoal Point Road.

WHITBY

THE TRAIL -- Much of Whitby's waterfront trail is not on the waterfront, including a dangerous stretch of gravel shoulder along Victoria Street where large trucks and other vehicles whizz by.  (Tip: there is a narrow 'track' created by bicycles on the inside of the shoulder to smooth out the ride).  After travelling along some residential roads, one eventually finds oneself near the water near the Whitby Mental Health Centre.  But then it's back up Gordon Street, with an option to cut through a park to Watson Street or back up to Victoria for a short stretch.

RESTROOMS -- There are portable toilets on Whitby Shores Greenway just south of Victoria Street, also at the foot of the shortcut from Gordon Street to Watson Street.  Port Whitby boasts washrooms and one can also find facilities at Heydenshore Kiwanis Park near where Water Street meets South Blair Street, and portable potties on Thickson Road near Thickson Woods.

PICNIC SPOTS -- Because much of Whitby's waterfront trail is not actually on the waterfront, there are limited picnic spots.  However, there is a picnic area near Heydenshore Kiwanis Park.

GRAB A BITE -- Those feeling peckish along the Whitby trail can stop at a plaza at Gordon and Victoria streets, and there has traditionally been a chip truck stationed along Water Street near the foot of Brock Street South.  The Town boasts the Port Whitby Marina's clubhouse is open to the public for food and refreshment.

PHOTO OP -- A quaint lighthouse stands at the foot of a pier off Water Street, with more attractive scenery along the trail eastbound to Thickson Road.  Thickson's Point, just west of Thickson, is a nice lookout spot near the lake.

OSHAWA

THE TRAIL -- A new section of trail is being offered along the waterfront from the Whitby-Oshawa border to the base of Park Road, but you can also travel along Phillip Murray Avenue.  The trail then takes tourists through a picturesque wildlife reserve, before snaking up though Lakeview Park with some traveling along roadways.  But the trail east of Farewell Street is a treat; another wildlife area, and smooth sailing from there into Clarington.

RESTROOMS -- There is a portable toilet right on Boundary Road as one enters Oshawa's trail system, and facilities at Lakeview Park (slightly off the marked trail).  But it's a bit of a hike until one comes across another restroom near Darlington Provincial Park.

PICNIC SPOTS -- There aren't many picnic spots per se along the Oshawa trail, but Lakeview Park would make a suitable venue.  If you can bike or hike a little further, there is a nice picnic area at Darlington Provincial Park.

GRAB A BITE -- Food is available at Lakeview Park, but don't count on finding too many other options along the route.

PHOTO OP -- Oshawa's trail has its fair share of photo opportunities; there is a wildlife reserve just east of Cedar Street off the end of Stone Street, with ideal photo-snapping surroundings a little further along the trail at Second Marsh Wildlife Area and McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve.

CLARINGTON

THE TRAIL -- The trail opens with a trip through Darlington Provincial Park near campgrounds and picnic areas with smooth going to Courtice Road up to South Service Road.  But as the trail heads back south along Osbourne Road, it turns to gravel, not suitable for those on inline skates.  And a bit further down the trail the surface becomes clay/gravel which is also not inviting for inlines.  Be careful not to miss the OPG Darlington trail head off Solina Road.  But it's a treat for bicyclists; picnic areas, scenery, even a grassy trail leads visitors east.

RESTROOMS -- There are plenty of opportunities to stop for a break along the Clarington trail; there's a washroom just east of the McLaughlin reserve, the Ontario Parks Store in Darlington Provincial Park also boasts facilities.  There's a portable toilet at the parking lot near Park Road, with another at the parking area off West Beach Road.

PICNIC SPOTS -- Clarington also boasts pretty picnic areas; some at Darlington park, with another nice spot near the parking area at Park Road.

GRAB A BITE -- The Parks Store (in Darlington Park) boasts food and snacks.  There's the Fifth Wheel truck stop at South Service and Waverley roads, and Bobby C's restaurant offers a nice patio view of Port Darlington near the foot of Port Darlington Road.

PHOTO OP -- There is much scenery to snap along the Clarington trail, with Port Darlington a nice sight to take in.  Samuel Wilmot nature area, further east on the trail, boasts lookout points near the lake.

PICKERING -- Thanks to a financial break from the City, and the relocation of a longtime tenant who before April refused to budge, San Francisco by the Bay will soon get off the ground.

The mixed-use development at Liverpool Road and Bayly Street, made up of storefronts, townhomes and condominium apartments, has caused an uproar in the community, but the City approved the plans in 2007.

The Millennium City Veterinary Hospital, which was delaying development as the last remaining business in the old Bay Ridges Plaza, moved out and relocated in April.

The townhouses have already been constructed, and SR and R Bay Ridges Ltd.  wants to get its apartment towers off the ground.  It has asked to delay its development charges payment of $1,069,000 for that tower until after the foundation has been constructed, or when above-grade work begins.  That's just the City's share; SR and R will have to pay $3,108,975 to the City, the Region of Durham and the school boards combined.

Pickering's executive committee granted SR and R's wish Monday.

The staff report noted building a condo involves huge up-front costs and deferring the matter will get the work started, and demonstrate the City's commitment to residential intensification.

Ward 3 City Councillor David Pickles said deferral plans allow the City to provide some relief to the developer without it costing the City.

“What we lose in time, we'll get back in interest,” he said.

Ward 3 Regional Councillor Rick Johnson agreed.

“Even if we had development funds coming in right now, they would not be spent until two, three years down the road,” he said, adding he encourages intensification development in the downtown core.

According to the staff report, SR and R has told the City that construction should begin within 30 days of council's approval, and that its former beef with parkland dedication payments, which it thought was too high, is no longer an issue.

Although this is a one-time case, staff is currently creating a development incentive program after Coun. Pickles requested them to do so earlier this year.

The committee also approved a staff report to decrease DCs by 2.4 per cent as of July 1 due to a nationwide decrease in construction prices.

“I imagine that the decrease would help increase the people coming here,” said City treasurer Gil Paterson, adding it will apply to housing and commercial industries.

Coun.  Johnson noted new Pickering applications and building permits have increased greatly in the past year.  For example, the construction value for new applications was only $47 million a year ago, compared to $110 million already this year.

“I think this is the step in the right direction,” he said.

Ward 2 Regional Councillor Bill McLean asked Mr. Paterson if SR and R could benefit from the DC decrease, and the treasurer agreed it is possible.  The report noted SR and R could end up paying $26,000 less, depending on when the permit is issued.  Coun. McLean also raised concerns that taxpayers will end up paying for the decreased development charges.

Both matters will come to council for a final decision June 21.

DURHAM -- The Region will investigate having an integrity commissioner who could be used by all Durham communities.

Regional council's finance committee decided to have staff prepare a report on the matter, including how much it could cost.

In February, Pickering council endorsed having an integrity commissioner, at the Regional level, who could be shared by all municipalities.  Pickering let the other Durham communities, along with the Region, know what it had done.

Some municipalities, such as Ajax, supported the idea, while others, such as Clarington and Port Perry, didn't.

Committee member and Clarington Mayor Jim Abernethy said he wanted a report from staff.

Scugog Mayor and committee chairwoman Marilyn Pearce said a report could be done by June, as staff would have begun work on the 2011 budget by then.

The Pickering motion suggested the issue be dealt with during the 2010 budget deliberations, but Mayor Pearce noted it was too late, as the budget has been passed.

“I feel this should be a cost borne by the municipalities, not the Region.  It could be on a user-fee basis,” Mayor Abernethy said.

“A municipality could use it if it needs to,” he said.  “I think this is something important.  It's important we move forward on this in a positive way.”

Oshawa Councillor John Henry joked, “I don't think Oshawa could afford it on a user-fee basis.”

Mayor Pearce noted the Region could use an integrity commissioner, if needed, through the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, a lobby group for municipal governments.

Garry Cubitt, the Region's chief administrative officer, said the Region has an internal ethics program offered through the human resources department.

Mayor Pearce said the report would include the cost of having a commissioner in-house or retaining someone.

Metroland file photo WHITBY -- Durham Region chairman Roger Anderson.  March 9, 2010.

PICKERING -- Pickering councillors questioned the regional chairman for the good portion of an hour last week on everything from the widening of Hwy.  407 to the public alerting system for the nuclear plant.

Roger Anderson gave his annual address at the latest council meeting, listing ways the Region has supported Pickering in 2009.  Improvements included the $8.3-million expansion of Brock Road from Dellbrook Avenue to Rossland Road, which will continue into 2010.  He also mentioned the widening of Altona Road between Kingston Road and Sheppard Avenue, valued at $6.5 million, expected to be completed in 2010.

“In addition, the Region invested $2.9 million to rehabilitate 12.5 kilometres of regional roadways in Pickering,” Mr. Anderson said.  “We also invested $750,000 to install or improve traffic control systems at 10 locations in the city.”

He also mentioned the Region's largest project ever, the $575-million Stage 3 expansion of the Duffin Creek water pollution control plant.  It includes shares from York and Durham regions and $94 million in federal and provincial infrastructure programs funding.  The Region has contributed almost $73 million to it this year.

He noted recent work on the Region's strategic plan, which focuses on promoting a vibrant economy, protecting and sustaining the environment, balancing growth, enabling sustainable communities and ensuring Durham is safe, healthy and inclusive.

Ward 2 City Councillor Doug Dickerson commented Mr. Anderson didn't bring up the topic of the alerting system project for the nuclear plant.  The Region is provincially required to install sirens throughout a three-kilometre radius of the plant.  After years of planning and agreements between Pickering and the Region, the number of sirens has changed dramatically, and Coun. Dickerson felt the Region has ordered more sirens than is required.  It's also recently asked for Pickering's support to add six more.

“Why would we want to put up more sirens than we have to?” Coun. Dickerson said.

Mr.  Anderson said he'd share the concerns with staff.

Ward 3 City Councillor David Pickles mentioned concerns Greenwood residents have with plans for a bypass being put at Westney Road as part of the Hwy.  407 east expansion.

The chairman said the top priority is moving forward on the 407, and while he'd be hard pressed to ask for a delay, he'll relay the concerns to Aecon Group Inc., designers of the project.

Ward 1 City Councillor Jennifer O'Connell questioned Mr. Anderson on signing off on the change in location for a contentious odour control facility that was set to go in west Pickering.  Over the summer recess, Mr. Anderson and York Regional Chairman Bill Fisch agreed that the facility be moved just west of Pickering, over York-Durham Townline Road, without consulting council.

To Mr.  Anderson, the answer was simple since Regional council had signed a resolution that if York were to move it out of Durham Region, he could sign off on it.

“I don't know why you'd think I'd go back to council when I had authority to sign off on it,” he said.

PICKERING -- Hiring a shared integrity commissioner to handle complaints across Durham Region will allow for consistent rules, application and economic efficiency, says a Pickering councillor.

Ward 3 City Councillor David Pickles and Ward 1 Regional Councillor Bonnie Littley introduced a motion at council's latest meeting asking the Region of Durham to establish the position or hire an integrity commissioner to serve Durham and all of its municipalities.

“A hodgepodge of several different integrity commissioners and codes of conduct in the Region and municipalities would be confusing and ineffective,” Coun. Pickles said.

The idea is to get an integrity commissioner in place to work across the region on a common code of conduct for elected officials.  Coun. Pickles suggested retaining the commissioner as a common request for services by the Region and municipalities.  That way they can get the best price and consistency, but be billed separately for the service required, “which I think and hope will be very little.”

Ward 2 Regional Councillor Bill McLean argued the idea doesn't have enough teeth to pass at Regional council.

“It's not even going to get out of the gate at the Region,” he said.

Mayor Dave Ryan supported the motion but pointed out if it fails at the Region, it can come back to Pickering council for alternate plans.

Council approved the motion unanimously.

Clarington's council is expected to consider the motion at its March 1 meeting.

PICKERING -- Pickering could soon ask the Region of Durham to seek out an integrity commissioner to serve all municipalities across Durham.

Ward 3 City Councillor David Pickles recently gave notice that he and Ward 1 Regional Councillor Bonnie Littley will introduce a motion at the next council meeting to ask the Region to hire or establish the position of an integrity commissioner to serve the Region and all eight of its municipalities.

The integrity commissioner would review inquiries or complaints on matters regulated in the municipalities' code of conduct or code of practice.

Changes in 2006 to the Municipal Act allowed individual municipalities to establish the role. Coun. Pickles feels a shared commissioner will maintain accountability and transparency in Durham's municipalities. It would also be economically feasible, practical and consistent, he said.

Clarington's council is expected to consider the motion at its March 1 meeting. Coun. Pickles is glad to see others are endorsing the idea and hopes more municipalities will catch on.

“There's a greater efficiency and accountability if other councils will change the position,” he said in an interview.

Pickering council is expected to consider the motion Tuesday, Feb. 16.

From Friday's Globe and Mail Published on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009

If something goes terribly wrong at a nuclear power plant, how much liability should the operator bear?

The federal government is introducing a new limit of $650-million for damages that can be claimed from nuclear companies after an accident at one of their stations.  The amount represents a massive leap from the previous $75-million ceiling, which anti-nuclear groups called a hidden subsidy.

Questions remain, however, as to whether the new amount would cover all the claims due to the psychological trauma of living through such a mishap, the health impacts of being showered with radiation and damage to property.

The compensation figure, contained in a bill now before Parliament, is much less than amounts in some other countries, including the United States, Japan and Germany.  Reactors in the U.S. have a call on about $10-billion to cover accidents, the Japanese have about $1.4-billion and the Germans have unlimited liability.

Natural Resources Minister Lisa Raitt is defending the new limit, telling a parliamentary committee hearing on the proposal earlier this month that the figure is in line with international standards and is a fair compromise balancing “the needs of victims with society's interest in nuclear development.”

Under the new legislation, once the $650-million is exhausted, Parliament has the option, but not the obligation, to vote to give additional funds to compensate victims.  If it did vote to give out money, it would potentially put taxpayers at risk of a huge bill for damages.

The limit, which applies to such companies as Ontario Power Generation, Hydro-Québec, and NB Power, has prompted controversy.  Greenpeace issued a report this week estimating there would be about $50-billion in health damages from a worst-case accident at just one of Ontario's Bruce stations, located on a relatively isolated section of Lake Huron.

Shawn-Patrick Stensil, a spokesman for the group, said the new compensation limit is “definitely not” adequate and would be quickly used up by those with claims from a major incident.  He said accidents at the Pickering or Darlington stations, which are closer to the densely populated region around Toronto, could have even larger impacts.

He contended that because nuclear plant operators have a relatively low limit on the amount of insurance they need to cover accidents, they are able to sell power at rates that do not reflect the true costs of generating it.  It is special treatment that isn't available to other industries.  “This is a huge hidden subsidy,” he said of the damage cap of $650-million.

The current $75-million compensation limit was established in 1976, before such nuclear accidents as the one at Chernobyl in the former Soviet Union in 1986 and at Three Mile Island in the U.S. in 1979.

But the nuclear industry and the federal government say such worst-case, catastrophic accidents are extremely unlikely. George Christidis, director of regulatory affairs for the Canadian Nuclear Association, says the industry's safety record has been exemplary, with no accident claims to date, justifying a cap on damages well below the levels of a severe incident.

“There has never been an injury, a radiation-based injury” due to a nuclear power plant mishap in Canada, he said.

Natural Resources Canada, in an e-mailed response to questions, said that it based the liability limit in part on its estimates of the effects of the “worst case foreseeable nuclear incidents” likely to occur in Canada.

Mr. Christidis rejected claims the cap on damages amounts to a handout to the nuclear industry, which he says plays a major role in promoting exports and in generating power.  “In our view, it's not seen as a subsidy,” he said.

Under the proposed legislation, nuclear plant operators wouldn't be liable for damages if their plants had accidents resulting from war, civil war or insurrection, according to the Library of Parliament's summary of its contents.  However, payments will be made if a terrorist attack causes the damages.

At any given time more than 1,700 people in Ontario are on organ transplant awaiting lists. However, each year the number of donated organs and tissue falls short of the provinceâs waiting lists and many individuals die waiting for much needed transplants.

Most, if not all, of us know of someone in our community who has either received an organ transplant or is awaiting a transplant and a second chance to live to its fullest. It is my hope that increasing awareness of the importance of organ and tissue donation will increase donations for transplantation, which will contribute to saving lives and improving the quality of life for many people.

Many people will spend months, and in many cases years waiting for a second chance to live, see and walk because the need for organs and tissue outweighs their availability. However, it doesn't have to be this way. Everyone is a potential donor, regardless of age.

So, give someone a second chance and join me and others in your community by signing a donor card and/or registering with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. You can do so when renewing your driver licence, or by updating your health card, or by obtaining a Gift of Life Donor Card. For more information, contact the Trillium Gift of Life Network at 1-800-263-2833 or www.giftoflife.on.ca

The City of Pickering has been recognized as one of Canada's best cities for growth companies in the June 2006 issue of Profit magazine.  Pickering is ranked eight best in Canada, just behind Waterloo and ahead of Mississauga and Oakville respectively.

The magazine cites several factors that make a city good for business: close proximity to major transportation hubs and post-secondary institutions; a large and thriving population of young, motivated knowledge workers; and easy access to big investors.  The magazine made special mention that Pickering is expected to lead the country in population growth over the next 10-to-15 years.

- From the June 14, 2006 edition of Novae Res Urbis.

Pickering's own Perdita Felicien shows Councillor Pickles her IAAF world champion gold medal won at Paris, France.

In September of 2003, the 20th anniversary celebration of the opening of the Pickering Recreation Centre and an event at the Pickering Town Centre attracked enthusiastic crowds for Pickering's own women's 100M hurdles 2003 IAAF World Track and Field world champion Perdita Felicien's homecoming.  The Pickering and Ward 3 resident impressed fans with her gracious appreciatation to Pickering and provided inspiration as well as the message to stay in school and earn a degree to our youth.

Council named Perdita as the City's Ambassador to the World in 2004, leading up to the Athen's Olympics.

Councillor Pickles welcomes Gary Riches of The Water Drop to the Pickering business community.

Our Corporate Promotions program involves activities and events directed at maintaining and enhancing the City of Pickering's image, and marketing the City as an excellent place to live, work, and invest.

Redevelopment of the Metro East Trade Centre is complete on Brock Road, which saw many new businesses open their doors including Sam's Club and Sobeys.  The Pickering Markets opened their new location (at the southwest corner of Bayly Street and Squires Beach Road).  New office space is growing with Ontario Power Generation moving many of its head office nuclear support staff to our community and to a new six storey 174,000 square foot facility at Brock and Clements Roads.

Many small businesses are also locating and growing in Pickering.  Such as The Water Drop, a new water purification and products business that recently opened at the plaza located at 1900 Dixie Road (and Finch Avenue).

Contact The Water Drop at 905-837-0793 or visit www.thewaterdrop.com

This is just some of the development news in our community.  For more business information, please contact our Corporate Promotions & Economic Development staff at 905-420-4625 or visit our web site www.cityofpickering.com for more information.

Former Mayor Wayne Arthurs and Councillor David Pickles review the City's 2001 Annual Report that received one of three awards the City won at the Council of Ontario Economic Development Awards of Excellence. Congratulations to City staff !

I am please to have supported the construction of a much-needed women's shelter to service the area of west Durham including Pickering and Ajax.  The 15,000 sq. ft. facility located in Ajax opened in the fall of 2003.

One of the prouder moments for me was that I, and the other six members of Pickering Council, attended the meeting of Ajax Council to support the establishment of this women's shelter in 2002.

The groundbreaking for the women's shelter, now named Herizon House, took place in Ajax in April of 2002.  Councillor Pickles and his wife Brenda were pleased to attend, with Janet Ecker, former M.P.P., former Pickering Mayor Wayne Arthurs and other officials, the May 2002 "a tasteful event" fundraiser for Herizon House.

For women in need of help, the organizations' crises line is 1-866-HERIZON.