I’m delighted to share that Whitby’s new Community Strategic Plan was approved by Council on June 19. This plan was one of my priorities when I campaigned for mayor and I’m so pleased to see it become a reality. More than 3,000 Whitby residents provided feedback over two rounds of community engagement, which means this plan truly reflects what matters to our community. The plan includes measurable action items that will be reported annually to track progress. Thank you to everyone who participated in making this plan a reality!

Visit connectwhitby.ca/communityplan to learn more. 

On June 9 I was very pleased to announce Lakeridge Health Foundation as lead recipient of the Mayor's Community Development Fund for 2023 and present a $25,000 grant. This funding will go towards the future health care needs of Whitby residents, which we hope will include a new hospital in Durham. The MCDF supports local community groups, events, and initiatives that benefit the community. Funding is available through lead grants up to $25,000, and community grants up to $5,000. MCDF collects its funding through two events -- the Mayor's Gala, and the Mayor and Council’s Golf Tournament.

We recently said goodbye to someone who holds a special place in the hearts of many Whitby residents. I was very sad to learn that Gary Branton passed away in May at the age of 70. Gary was a regular at the Peel Park baseball diamonds and many of us have fond memories of him cheering on the players. Gary made our community a better place and he will be missed. His obituary can be found here.

• Highway 7/12 alternative route EA project terminated

Council voted June 19 to terminate the environmental assessment for the Highway 7/12 alternative route. Town staff will provide a report to Council in the coming months that outlines potential next steps and impacts. A Provincial Class Environmental Assessment Study was originally initiated to determine an alternative route for provincial traffic that does not go through the Downtown Brooklin area. Click here to read my full statement on this issue.

• Funding approved to support family physician recruitment

Council voted June 19 to approve an initial expense of $20,000 to support a Regional Family Physician Recruitment Program. The Town of Whitby is looking to partner with the Region of Durham, Lakeridge Health, and Durham Region municipalities on a Durham Family Physician Program. This would include two focuses: a welcome and settlement program for students in the Queen’s–Lakeridge Health MD Family Physician training program; and a plan to establish a Family Physician Retention, Recruitment, and Incentive Program. 

The cost of the two programs is approximately $215,000 and would be shared by the Region and local municipalities, with a cost of $20,000 for Whitby’s portion. Any ongoing costs will be included for Council consideration as part of the 2024 and future budgets.

• No ban on consumer fireworks

Council voted June 19 not to support a proposed bylaw that would have prohibited the possession, sale and discharge of consumer fireworks in Whitby, instead opting to receive the report for information. In 2022, two surveys were offered to gather public feedback about fireworks and their use for specific celebrations. Of those who responded, 47.8 per cent were in favour of a consumer grade fireworks ban in Whitby and 75.3 per cent were concerned about unsafe use of consumer grade fireworks as well as the related garbage and noise. Sixty-eight per cent had no concerns with display-grade fireworks set off by professionals, facilitated by the Town and 78 per cent were in favour of display fireworks at Town events.

…the Town of Whitby has 16 splash pads, plus two new ones that are under construction? So many places to cool off this summer! The two new parks under construction are Lynde Creek Park and Des Newman WhitBEE Park. Visit whitby.ca/en/play/splash-pads.aspx for a list of Whitby splash pads, addresses and status updates. 

The Springwood is a new 40-seat farm-to-table restaurant located at 1645 Dundas St. E. The seasonal, family style menu puts an emphasis on ethical farming practices, sustainable proteins and minimizing waste. Bread is baked in-house daily and most other items are scratch-made. You can also find a raw bar program featuring oysters and other chilled seafood, a 100 per cent Canadian wine and beer list, as well as craft cocktails and an array of non-alcoholic options. The restaurant is run by co-owners Jasmine Lee and Matthew Simpson, who both grew up in Whitby and met at a local restaurant. They moved to Toronto for 10 years to hone their craft -- always with the intention of coming back to their hometown to open something of their own to share with the community where they grew up and got their start in hospitality.

“The Springwood should evoke the feeling of being at our home for dinner, which is what we love the most,” Simpson says. The décor has an art deco feel, accented by live plants, wood, and many vintage Whitby and Canadian finds. The Springwood currently offers dinner service five days a week from Tuesday to Saturday, which may expand as the business grows. Reservations are recommended, but seats are always left open at the bar for walk-ins. Visit thespringwoodwhitby.com for more information.

This is our monthly shout-out to residents and groups that make Whitby proud. If you know a person or group that has accomplished something noteworthy or is helping to make Whitby a better place, let the mayor’s office know! Email Jillian Follert at follertj@whitby.ca

• Happy 40^th anniversary to Nationals Baton Corps! This local group provides girls and young women in our community with an opportunity to pursue excellence in the sport of baton twirling.

• A shout out to Station Gallery which saw more than 150 people enjoy live music at the first Thursday Night Live event of the season. Thank you for being an important cultural hub in our community.

• Congratulations to Whitby’s newest firefighter recruits who celebrated their graduation on June 2. We appreciate these men and women who dedicate their careers to keeping our community safe.

• On June 19, Whitby Council recognized Durham Rebels 14G Blockade Volleyball for their first-place gold medal win in the Volleyball Canada Youth Nationals, as well as the Whitby Wildcats U10 AAA hockey team for their provincial championship win, and the 2 Whitby Vandenbos Royal Canadian Air Cadets Competition Air Rifle Team for marksmanship accolades earned at the Provincial Civilian Standing Competition and National Marksmanship Championship. Amazing accomplishments all around!

Introducing Councillor Victoria Bozinovski and Councillor Rhonda Mulcahy

This month, I’m introducing you to East Ward Councillor Victoria Bozinovski and Regional Councillor Rhonda Mulcahy who are working together as a team for 2023.

Victoria Bozinovski was elected in 2022 and is serving her first term on Whitby Council. She is a commercial real estate broker with the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board, a member of TRREB’s Government Relations Committee, and Housing Affordability Subcommittee where she actively promotes housing affordability and climate change initiatives. Victoria is also a member of CREW’s Scholarship Committee, which helps women advance to positions of leadership and influence in the commercial real estate field and is an associate member of the Alternative Dispute and Resolution Institute of Canada. Victoria is the recipient of a Durham Region Civic Award and a Durham Region Police Services Honourary Citizen Award and is an active member of the Durham Region Victim Services fundraising committee. She serves as the mayor’s designate on Whitby Youth Council and the Whitby Public Library Board.

This is Rhonda Mulcahy’s third term on Whitby Council. She was first elected as North Ward Councillor and then elected twice as a Regional Councillor. Rhonda’s family has been part of the Whitby community for seven generations and she has raised three children with her husband, Tom, here. As a family, they have always been active in various sports. The construction of a new sports facility was in part what prompted Rhonda to run for office and she is eager to see it come to fruition this term.

Uniting the community was the goal behind Rhonda’s small business which launched a community newspaper in Brooklin during a period of growth in 2000. 

In the community, Rhonda is a Rotarian, an honorary Group 74 member, a Royal Canadian Legion member and a board member for Paramarine Rescue. Her local involvement includes serving as chair of finance/budget, serving as the mayor's designate on the Active Transportation and Safe Roads Advisory Committee, and representing Durham Region on the Association of Municipalities of Ontario board.

• Canada Day is July 1.  The Town of Whitby’s celebration starts at 4 p.m. at Victoria Fields Park, 345 Watson St. W. Join us for food trucks, photo ops, activities and performances. Fireworks will begin just after dusk at around 10 p.m.

• Whitby Ribfest runs from July 7 to 9 at Victoria Fields Park. Organized by the Rotary Club of Whitby Sunrise, this popular event raises funds for the community. This years’ Ribfest will feature seven ribbers along with lots of other food and fun. A Kidsfest area will be open July 8 and 9 with crafts, balloon twisting, storytimes and other activities for little ones.
• The Town of Whitby is hosting Movies in the Park July 14 and 28 and Aug. 11 and 25 at Whitby Civic Park (behind Town Hall). Bring your blankets, lawn chairs and popcorn for an evening under the stars. Movies are shown on a large, outdoor screen with concert quality sound. Check out whitby.ca/en/play/movies-in-the-park.aspx for movie details.

• Music in the park is back! You can catch live music Wednesdays starting July 5 at 7 p.m. at Rotary Centennial Park and Thursdays starting July 6 at 7 p.m. at Grass Park in Brooklin. Visit whitby.ca/en/play/whitby-live.aspx for the full performance schedule.