Newmarket’s mayor offered a vision of the town as a hub of arts and culture as the re-elected council was inaugurated Nov. 15.
Mayor John Taylor and the rest of the council gave their inaugural speeches after being sworn in at the Old Town Hall. All nine members, returning from the previous term, each discussed their reflections on the past and their vision for the next four years.
Taylor listed several cultural projects happening in town, such as the summer concert series and the upcoming Mulock Park featuring the Art Gallery of Ontario. He said the town should lean into its artistic accomplishments.
“We can build a community that’s known for arts, entertainment, digital media, events, music and theatre,” he said. “We can become recognized as the town with a vibrant downtown, urban energy, that feeds and thrives through and with arts.”
Newmarket’s newly inaugurated council features Deputy Mayor Tom Vegh and ward councillors Grace Simon, Victor Woodhouse, Jane Twinney, Trevor Morrison, Bob Kwapis, Kelly Broome and Christina Bisanz.
Taylor again reflected on the past term and said the town was able to pursue many different projects despite the hurdles presented by the pandemic. He said many of those projects would reach completion in this term, including Mulock Park, the Postmark Hotel, the Inn From the Cold new transitional housing facility, a new tennis facility in the Shining Hill development area, and an affordable housing development on Bayview Parkway.
He also floated other projects that would make progress in the term, such as a mental health hub and a new Southlake hospital site. He suggested that NewMakeIt could become a hub for the arts in the community.
“The vision (for Newmarket) remains the same, but it’s more exciting than ever,” he said. “Our vision is to be bold, to step into the future, not shy away from it. Our future is creative.”
The inauguration featured a ceremony, including a colour guard marching in with the councillors following. That was followed by Indigenous, Muslim, Jewish and Christian speakers offering words and blessings to council.
“It is our goal to make all members of the audience and community more generally feel welcome and included,” town clerk Lisa Lyons said. “That every individual is comfortable in participating in all public events related to the town of Newmarket knowing that all personally held beliefs are respected.”
Every council member offered their own speeches on the term ahead. Deputy Mayor Tom Vegh said seniors' housing options would be a priority. He said would serve all Newmarket residents and listen to concerns.
“A great challenge we're going to have is keeping taxes low in a time of hyperinflation," he said, adding that council will also be "ensuring that new developments are focused on creating communities that enhance the quality of life for all."
Taylor said the vision for the town would bring people together.
"Our future in Newmarket is second to none,” he said. “Together we will make great things happen in our amazing town.”
