A new day..........

Congratulations to the Mayor and members of the newly elected Council. I know that they will all work for the best interests of our community and I look forward to supporting them anyway that I can. Thank you to Tracy and John for an excellent campaign over these last months. Thank you to my family, Mike and Chris for all their support over these last 7 years - they have been amazing and always so supportive. Thank you all for allowing me to serve you in North Ward as your Councillor - it has been my pleasure and honour to do so and we have accomplished so much together. I look forward to new opportunities in the months ahead and continuing to be part of this great community.

Election Day Is Here

I wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been apart of my team for all your dedication, energy and friendship. I appreciate all your help, advice and support. Thank you also to you, residents of the North Ward for allowing me to be your "Voice" on Council over the last 7 years. Thank you also for opening your doors for me, voicing your concerns and suggestions over the months of the campaign. It was a pleasure to meet and speak with many of you. For those that I did not connect with I wanted to thank you for the priveledge of being your Councillor. I do hope that I am successful this evening in being voted in as your North Ward Councillor. I am ready to serve you and your family with passion, dedication and committment for the next 4 years. Thank you.

Have You Not Received Your Voting Card Yet?

Some residents in the North Ward have not received their voting cards yet in the mail.  If you are one of these residents, please feel free to contact the Clerks Department at the Town at 905-668-5803 and they will be able to provide you with the location of your polling station.  Tomorrow is the day! Hope that you get out to vote. 

About Sue

 

 

For the last 15 years Sue, her husband Mike and son Chris have made Brooklin their home.  Brooklin offered them a sense of community and a safe, vibrant place to raise a family.  She is a dedicated volunteer in the community, giving many hours of her time and talents where needed.  From  participating in Scouting, School SCC's, BAM Lions Club, President of Group 74, mentor to youth  and volunteering on many fundraising efforts, she is an active, passionate person who  enjoys giving back to the community.  Proud winner of the 2008 Phenomenal Women Award in Durham Region, she has enjoyed meeting and working with many members of the community and helped to shape the North Ward and the Town of Whitby.    A successful business owner, she has operated her decorating/homestaging business "Room for Change" for 10 years here in Brooklin.  She also is co-owner of "Lets Do Lunch" a businessowner's luncheon series based in Durham Region that bring dynamic businessowner's together to connect while raising funds and awareness for many local charities.  Both businesses offer Sue the opportunity to reach out into the community and really make a difference each day.   As a member of Council for the past two terms, Sue has gained a great deal of experience and looks forward to continuing her dedicated, passionate and accountable representation of the residents of the North Ward.  Her calm demeanor, organized and businesslike approach is reflected in her perfect attendance at meetings and the long hours she dedicates to her constituents, their issues and concerns.

 

 

My Vision for the Next Four Years- Important Issues I will be Working on for Our Future

 

Growth in the North Ward

I will use our Official Plan, which will guide a sensible, sustainable, "Made in Whitby" growth strategy, while providing opportunity to shape our future with a strong public voice. I will work toward preserving our hamlets, protecting green, natural areas and creating pedestrian friendly growth, while maintaining our community values. I will fight for rules and guidelines where intensification should occur. It should be rational and not have a negative impact on the surrounding areas. Our Transportation Plan and Cycling & Trails Plan will also lay a strong foundation and will work hand in hand to create a vibrant, accessible community where our decisions will affect how our residents get to work, how you shop, how you spend your recreation time and how the community will look.  I will explore Green Opportunities where ever possible and will work with Public Works and the community to bring Roundabouts to our area which are a traffic and safety measures which also help minimize gas consumption. 

 

 

A Strong Financial Future 

I have been Budget Chair for the past 4 years, bringing fiscal experience and leadership to ensure a sustainable plan. I will continue to contain expenses through Road Asset Management Plan, use technology to improve services and continue to develop more partnerships with other levels of government as well as developing public/private partnerships. I will also continue to work to actively implement our Economic Development Strategy by bringing industry to our community which will positively affect our tax rate. My philosophy is to take care of the Town's assets, provide existing day to day services and provide for capital costs of growth.  I will continue to work hard to spend your tax dollars wisely and efficently.

 

Whitby- Open for Business

Mixed use, commercial and industrial development will be the "Gateway into Brooklin" alongside the 407 expanding our Historic Downtown. I will work with industry, business and our Economic Development Team to bring a better balance of commercial, industry and residential that will provide tax relief to our residents.  I will ensure that Council provides appropriate zoning requirements so this area will be attractive for industry and that our processes at the Town will be streamlined where possible. Along with my Council collegues we will continue to advocate for the timely construction of the 407 and the Link as well as the widening of Highway 7. I will implement our Economic Development Competitiveness Strategy which will provide a blueprint to follow and will let everyone know that Brooklin/Whitby is "Open for Business". 

 

Historic Downtown Brooklin - Proud of our Heritage

I will continue discussions with MTO for a Baldwin Street truck bypass, resulting in Town ownership of the roadway and a full signal traffic light at Campbell and Baldwin Street, having a very positive effect on our Downtown.  The successful Facade Grant Program will be expanded to ensure our businessowners have an opportunity to upgrade their exterior facades. I will continue to make investments in our Downtown on an annual basis. I will work with the Brooklin Downtown Development Steering Committee and the Downtown Brooklin Business Association to look into the feasibility of developing a B.I.A. I will work with developers and LACAC Heritage Whitby to ensure that any new infill development in our Downtown is welcomed and adheres to the Brooklin Heritage Conservation District.  Continuing to work with our Downtown Development Office will assist in promoting our Historic Downtown .     

 

Recreational, Cultural & Institutional Opportunites Abound

I will support and encourage the Lakeridge Health Hospital Task Force team and the LHIN to bring a fully operational teaching Hospital to the North Ward.  As the North Ward continues to grow we will need to bring on more recreational facilities.  There will be a Master Plan to redevelop Memorial Park, of which I am very supportive and I look forward to public input on what everyeone would like to see on this site.  We will also need to find a location in the North for additional pad space for hockey/lacrosse and an aquatics centre would be certainly well used.   A baseball and soccer field complex rounds out the facilites that I see needed in the North Ward. I am very open to looking for partnerships during the process of planning for these facilities.  I will continue to support, encourage and expand programs for our youth and seniors.

 

 

My Role as Councillor - My Philosophy

I will continue to be accessible, accountable and approachable which are key to my role as Councillor.  As Chair of various meetings, I welcome and encourage public engagement.  My monthly articles in the Brooklin Town Crier keep the community informed about what is happening at Town Hall.  Being out in the community daily allows residents the opportunity to speak with me in an informal setting.  I will continue to make the entire budget process much more open and inviting to the public. Through our Cityworks program, residents are assured that their concerns and queries are looked after in an timely and professional manner. 

Update.............

Yesterday I enjoyed attending the St. Leo Bazzar and I met a lot of people who were busy raising funds for the church. I was pleased to help by purchasing some goodies, books and some delicious peach jam. Thanks to everyone who wished me well for election day - I appreciate your support.

Today I will be out visiting the residents on a the last few streets remaining in my ward and I am looking forward to speaking with as many of you as I can. Hopefully the weather improves - if it doesn't the umbrella is coming out!

If you have any last minute concerns or questions please feel free to give me a call at

905-655-7850 and I would be pleased to speak with you.

Meet the Candidates Event

Residents get up close and personal with Whitby election candidates

Event allows voters to ask their questions face to face

Oct 20, 2010 - 03:34 PM

Parvaneh Pessian

WHITBY -- To cast a meaningful vote in the municipal election, Viola Sames knows it's not enough to simply acknowledge the signs, skim the flyers and watch the debates.

Face-to-face contact with the candidates is the only way to seal the deal on who she'll be supporting, she said during a Meet the Candidates event, held at Henry Street High School in Whitby on Oct. 19.

"You hear all about what they're going to do but it makes a huge difference to have them actually tell you because you can talk to them, too, and it has a lot to do with first impressions," said Ms. Sames, a resident of Whitby for seven years.

She and her husband Klaus were among hundreds who made it out to the event, hosted by the Whitby Optimist Club to offer the community a final glimpse at who's vying to represent them.

"We just wanted to see the candidates because otherwise you never really get to see them up close," said Mr. Sames, who already knows who he's voting for.

Each of the more than 30 candidates running in Whitby was present at the event, They had their display booths set up and members of their campaign teams on hand to greet visitors.

The Optimist Club has hosted the event for every election since 1997 as a means of reaching out to the community. Election day is Oct. 25.

"It gives them one-on-one, direct access to the candidates and it's the only way to level the playing field for all of them," said Alan Wackett, a member of the club for 10 years.

"It's great for the candidates and it's great for the public."

North ward councillor Sue Pitchforth, who is running to keep her seat, said the evening offered a rare opportunity to meet with some of the town's newer residents.

"A lot of the people I spoke to today are new to Whitby and Brooklin so they've seen all the literature but they haven't actually met anybody yet," she said.

"It's so much nicer when you can actually speak to someone and see first-hand how they address your concerns, what they're about, how passionate they are and what they can do for you."

While he may not yet be old enough to vote, 15-year-old Curtis Proctor made it out to the event to gather information for a civics course he's taking at Father Leo J. Austin Catholic Secondary School.

"I'm interested in politics and knowing what people plan to do for the community so I really wanted to meet some of them," he said, adding he'll pass the information onto his teachers and parents.

The large turnout at the event is what most impressed Scott Templeton, who is sign chairman for mayoral candidate Rocky Varcoe.

"It was nothing like this four years ago so it's pretty amazing to see how many people are interested in the election this year," he said. "It really tells you there's change in the air."

Whitby Optimist Club All Candidates Meeting

Thank you to Jimmy D and all Whitby Optimists who organized last evening's All Candidates Meet & Greet at Henry Street High School. Approximately 1800 residents came by to speak to the candidates and learn more about our plaforms and ask their questions directly to us. I had the pleasure of speaking with many North Ward residents and listening to their concerns. Thank you all for taking the time to come down and spend some time with us.
I hope that you take the opportunity on October 25th to vote and I ask that you vote to re-elect me as North Ward Councillor. Thank you!

Whitby This Week Endorsement for North Ward Councillor

Thank you to WhitbyThis Week for endorsing me as their selection for North Ward Councillor. I appreciate their endorsement.

Whitby This Week offers its picks for mayor, council and school boards

Oct 20, 2010 - 04:30 AM

Election day looms for voters in Whitby to choose the men and women who will lead their municipal government for the next four years. Candidates have formed their positions, debated their points and made the effort to make a difference in the community. Following are the candidates whose enthusiasm, ideas and experience This Week believes would create the best municipal council to lead Whitby over the next term of office.

North Ward:

Already well known throughout the Brooklin community and other parts of northern Whitby, Sue Pitchforth remains a friendly and accessible representative to constituents in her ward. As chairwoman of budget deliberations for the Town, Ms. Pitchforth has keen insight into budgetary demands and pressures, knows the numbers and should continue to bring those skills to bear. Growth pressures in the north ward will continue to claim time, effort and resources to manage; Ms. Pitchforth is well suited to continue the effort for the next term of office.

-- Whitby This Week

Celebrating Our Youth Awards Evening

Last evening the Youth Council hosted our 4th Annual Celebrating Our Youth Awards  where 22 youth were nominated and received special recognition for their outstanding school and community achievements. I was pleased to attend along with over 100 guests to honour and celebrate these exceptional youth from Brooklin and Whitby.  Congratulations to you all and thank you for all the work you do in and around our Town.

Vote Today! - Advanced Poll Open

Just a quick reminder that the Advanced Polls are open today for the last day of advanced voting- 

Whitby Municipal Elections - Advanced Poll Now Open!

 It's our democratic right!

Don't have the ability to vote on Monday October 25th? Municipal Elections Advanced Polls are now open!

Date:                   Sunday Oct 17th  1pm to 8 pm

Locations:         St. Leo the Great Catholic Church
                             Parish Hall, 130 Watford St, Brooklin
 
                                    Town of Whitby Municipal Building
                                    Meeting Hall, 575 Rossland Rd E

                                    Iroquios Park Sports Complex
                                    Fireside Room, 500 Victoria St W

"Think of it as the ultimate way to thank all who have given their lives for their county so that we have the freedom to choose our government officials."

Brooklin, Ashburn, Myrtle, Myrtle Station & The North Ward .........Thank You!

I have been pleased to represent you and your family at Whitby Town Council.  I look forward to continuing that representation for the next four years and I respectfully ask for your support on Oct 25th at the polls.  We have many opportunities and challenges before us and I ask for your assistance and input to make our future best represent what we all want to see in the years to come.

Whitby Professional Firefighters Support Is Appreciated!

Thank you to the Whitby Professional Firefighters for their support of my candidacy for re-election. I believe in a strong fire service and keeping our community safe.

Please click here for more info:

http://www.iaff2036.org/

Brooklin Business Meet & Greet with Candidates

I had the pleasure of attending a Meet & Greet with local businesses and candidates last evening in Downtown Brooklin.  It was an excellent opportunity for me to see the owners again in a more social atmosphere and hear their concerns and suggestions.  There were a lot of excellent issues brought forward that we can work on together to ensure our Downtown is vibrant and continues to attract shops & services that our community is looking for.  I want to thank the businessowners for taking the time to come out and spend a couple of hours with us.

Brooklin All Candidates Meeting

Thank you to the Brooklin Town Crier, the moderator and members of the panel for hosting the All Candidates Meeting last evening at St.  Thomas Church.  It was an excellent opportunity for residents to hear from candidates and ask them important questions.  I was very pleased with the turnout and appreciated the opportunity to answer questions posed by the panel and the residents in attendance.

Rogers TV Election Message -

I invite you to view my election message on Rogers TV on the following dates and times:

 

Saturday, October 16 @ 2:00 PM

Sunday, October 17 @ 9:00 PM
Monday, October 18 @ 6:30 PM
Tuesday, October 19 @ 7:00 PM
Thursday, October 20 @ 3:00 AM
Friday, October 22 @ 8:00 PM
Sunday, October 24 @ 7:00 PM

 

Please feel free to contact me if you have any comments, questions or concerns.

 

1st Annual Senior Fest at Brooklin Harvest Festival

Seniors enjoying the Brooklin Harvest Festival were able to spend the day at the Senior Fest in the United Church. I was proud to be on the committee to organize and host this new annual event.  Seniors watched and participated in demonstrations of some of the new programs that will be featured at the Seniors Room in the New Brooklin Community Centre.

Station Gallery Historic Plaque Unveiling

Celebrating 40 years of Arts & Culture in Whitby at the Station Gallery and unveiling of the Historic Plaque with members of LACAC Heritage Whitby.

If you have not had a chance to visit the Station Gallery I encourage you to drop by and help support the arts in Whitby.