APPENDIX A

“Building Markham’s Future Together”

Inaugural Address 2006

Mayor Frank Scarpitti

Tuesday, December 5, 2006

INAUGURAL ADDRESS BY MAYOR FRANK SCARPITTI

Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen, special guests, the news media, newly elected members of Council, past members of Council, staff, beloved family, friends of the Town of Markham. ALL…

I am here before you simply as a public servant who is deeply thankful, sincerely honoured…and humbled to be the Mayor of what I consider to be the greatest Town anywhere! Markham – Our Town!!

To the residents, I offer my heartfelt thanks and a pledge…to work hard, to work honestly and at all times, understand that my elected responsibility is to you and to you alone.

On a personal note, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce to you my family…my very foundation.

First, my wife Nancy, my lifetime partner. The one person who has provided me the opportunity to do what I love to do the most…to serve Markham residents.

My children…now young adults…Alessandra, Michael and Daniel.

My mother, Lucy. Like mothers everywhere, Mom taught her sons

to love and care for others. Lessons I have never forgotten.

Brother Paul, younger yes, better looking, maybe, but without question, a man of high values.

Although not here in person, but I know in spirit, my father, Antonio.

If Mom taught us to love and care for others, Dad provided direction. They were immigrants and proud Canadians…who clearly saw the opportunities not for themselves, but for Paul and me. They worked hard, like so many immigrant parents. They didn’t measure success in material wealth, but rather in the goals that we would strive for and hopefully accomplish. We learned well and for those lessons of life, thank you.

To my campaign team…friends all, you are without equal. Under the leadership of Co-chairs Rick Crispi and Del Silvestri, we achieved a stunning 83 per cent of the votes cast. More importantly, we effectively reached out to residents…exchanging ideas, listening and learning. We accomplished much in such a short period. Although I cannot name everyone, as we had several hundred volunteers in our organization, I offer my heartfelt thanks for your time, commitment and unselfish energies.

Now to business at hand.

Tonight is indeed a new beginning, a new rich chapter in our history. While we must continue to be vigilant for our past and protect our heritage, we must now without hesitation, embrace the dramatic changes within our community. Markham is changing and our way of governing must change with it. With new challenges, we require new solutions.

On November 13^th, Markham residents took the first step in responding to the challenges. They elected the fine men and women sitting before you. From my perspective, I see an All Star Team.

A combination of time-tested experience in Regional Councillors…Jim Jones, Jack Heath, Tony Wong and Gord Landon…Councillors, Alex Chiu, Dan Horchik, Erin Shapero, Joe Virgilio and John Webster.

Fresh ideas and enthusiasm from new Councillors, Valerie Burke, Carolina Moretti and Logan Kanapathi. We welcome each of you. Do not hesitate to express your ideas…do not be hesitant to ask questions…you have earned the right to be here.

To Council, I offer the words of Theodore Roosevelt, former President of the United States…

Dare Greatly – It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly; so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.

Please keep in mind that these words were spoken 60 years ago and any updated reference of gender should reflect both a “he” and “she”. Nonetheless, Councillors, get in the game…fight for a good cause…Markham residents deserve no less.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I would ask that you join me and welcome the new Markham Council.

With the passing of the torch, please recognize former members of the past Council who gave so much of themselves.

· Khalid Usman, former Ward 7 Councillor

· Stan Daurio, former Ward 1 Councillor

· George McKelvey, former Ward 4 Councillor

· Bill O’Donnell, former Regional Councillor

********* RECOGNIZE ANY OTHER FORMER COUNCILLOR,

OTHER DIGNITARIES

And finally, to the men and women who allowed their names to stand for election but were unsuccessful, on behalf of all Markham residents, thank you. Do not give up. Try again because we need your ideas and passion for public service.

Last but certainly not least, and although he cannot be with us this evening, allow me to offer my public thanks to a man who needs no introduction, a man who has re-defined the words “service above self”, former Mayor Don Cousens. Always welcome and whose experience, insights and vision, I am sure that we will call upon.

What is our new destiny? What road do we take from here?

Yes, we are on a new journey. We will not only meet the challenges facing the Town of Markham, we will turn them to our benefit. During the next four years, I will ask Council to focus on four critical areas.

In brief summary, they are:

· Growth and how it can be harnessed to help, not hinder us

· Taxes and how we can ensure every tax dollar is safeguarded

· The Environment and the high standards we must reach

· The diversity of our residents and how we respond to their needs

Early in the New Year, I will present a detailed game plan and with it a challenge to Council and Staff. I am asking for their commitment to work hard, to work smart and most of all, to work together. This will be “our” plan, and at the end of our term, it will be how we are judged. If successful, we deserve credit, if not, then we deserve criticism. We asked for the support of Markham residents and now we must deliver.

ON GROWTH

Recently, the Province announced its “Places to Grow” plan. It calls for 40 per cent of future growth to be placed in existing built-up areas. The provincial plan has some merit, because it will help to limit urban sprawl.

However, as Chair of York Region’s Planning Committee, I strongly objected to the Plan. It does not address the needs of Markham or the needs of other municipalities in the Greater Toronto Area.

During the past few months, I’ve spoken to thousands of Markham residents and their concerns are the same: traffic congestion, traffic congestion and traffic congestion!

I will be asking the Province to convene a growth summit as soon as humanly possible. It should include stakeholders from every municipality across the Greater Toronto Area.

Markham is only a small part of the GTA, but decisions about growth in Markham should be made in Markham. I believe municipal governments have the closest links with local residents. That is why a Summit on Growth is a good place to start.

Better public transit is a must. Council has already endorsed VIVA Phase II that will see dedicated bus lanes along Highway 7 and Yonge Street. We desperately need this service to ease traffic congestion. We will be working with the Region to move this initiative along quickly.

We will continue to press for more frequent GO Train service to downtown Toronto. This will be possible in the near future once the grade separation of rail lines at 14^th Avenue is completed.

Another key traffic initiative Council will continue to support is the Smart Commute 404/7 program. It encourages people to reduce car use by promoting car pooling, encouraging bulk purchase of transit tickets and putting bicycle racks on buses.

We must also work with other municipalities on the development of smart cards and fare integration.

Traffic congestion does not stop at Markham’s borders. And I am ready to work with the Province and any and all municipalities in the area to solve it.

TAXES

Taxes are always a matter of concern. Pressures of development, inflation and contract settlements put stresses on municipal finances. Taxpayers are demanding we do more with less. We cannot promise that there will be no tax increases, but we will promise to do everything possible to control them.

Municipalities need a new relationship with the Province. We will lobby to have social services removed from the municipal tax rolls. The downloading of services onto municipalities has to stop.

Working with, not against the Province, we will look for solutions, so that new development pays for itself. I also want to create the role of an Auditor General to look at all expenditures…to look at our processes…to look at efficiencies and to improve transparency.

Council and staff should not be afraid to find new ways to conduct business. The processes and procedures we have in place are tested and they are good. But are they the best ways? Are we getting the best value for our tax dollars?

ENVIRONMENT

While we continue to attract more businesses and residents to Markham, the environment will remain a top priority. I will push for the creation of a comprehensive “Greenprint for Markham”. This plan will identify and protect environmentally significant areas throughout the Town.

* We will continue to protect our wetlands.

* We will identify areas that need to be enhanced and improve them.

* We will continue to work with the Province on the enhancement of the Rouge Park – one of the largest urban parks in North America.

Our “Greenprint for Markham” will be a comprehensive plan that will enhance the quality of life in Markham and improve our natural environment.

Another initiative I want to advance … is to encourage builders and developers to adopt standards of the LEED Green Building Rating System. The System recognizes leading-edge buildings that combine healthy and high-performance advantages with reduced environmental impacts.

Markham is developing a Master Plan for our trails and pathways. This vision reaches far into the future. We are mapping out a system that connects our residents to parks, creeks, rivers, valley lands and the natural environment. It connects neighbourhoods to schools, libraries, shops, parks, playgrounds and other places people want to go. With 16 kilometres of pathways built to date, we have a long way to go.

More needs to be done.

I’M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT this next initiative … ladies and gentlemen …

I pledge that during the next four years, we will plant more trees than we have planted in the last decade, making Markham a greener and better place to live and work.

TURNING TO DIVERSITY

In the late 1700’s, Markham was founded by immigrants seeking a new home to raise their families. These first residents were primarily German, Swiss, French, Dutch, English and Scottish origin. Their independent spirit and self-sufficiency is an inspiration to all future generations.

Now, the strength of our future lies in recognizing the energy, determination and talents of the new immigrants, who make Markham their home. Regardless of their birth country, regardless of their religion or colour of skin, they are no less important than those who arrived over 200 years ago.

Consider for a moment that seventy per cent of new residents to York Region today are immigrants, they are highly educated, talented and entrepreneurial. They see Canada as a land of opportunity…and the chance for a new beginning. Their skills will be of tremendous benefit to whatever community they call home. But, I ask, are we doing enough to make them welcome…to help them integrate into our communities? To every new resident, I pledge tonight to help adapt the services of the Town of Markham to your needs. To make this Town, your Town. In doing so, I challenge the staff and Council to do everything they can to reflect the community at large. There is no middle ground.

Whether you are young or old, have lived here all your life or just arrived. Regardless of your race, religion or culture, the Town of Markham welcomes you. We will respond to your needs and treat you with respect.

CONCLUSION

Well, we have covered a lot of ground tonight. We have a great team on this new Council…a highly skilled staff…an ambitious plan so we’ve got to get going without delay. Together, we will face the challenges of our community with energy and enthusiasm. On that you have my promise.

Again, I want to say how pleased and honoured I am to be your Mayor. Thank you all for being here tonight. It’s a wonderful night for all of us.

Tonight is about family and friends. It’s a celebration. Let’s enjoy one another’s company. Let’s enjoy the evening.