Accomplishments
I am more and more impressed with the fact that
I have a super Council and Administration. Working together, we really
make
things happen in the Markham Community!
STRONG FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
- During the past three years, tax increases have been less than
the rate of inflation, and the Town is now completely debt free.
- Markham
was recognized by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business
as having one of the most balanced tax systems in the country.
AWARD-WINNING
ECONOMY
- I was very much involved in attracting IBM, Motorola,
and Lucent Technology to Markham.
- The work of marketing Markham garnered
a number of awards from the Economic Developers Council of Ontario
and the American Economic Development
Council.
- The Town was also selected to receive a grant from Bell Canada’s
Community Development Fund for its Innovation Synergy Centre.
YOUTH
LEADERSHIP
- Since I launched the Mayor’s Youth Task Force in 1994,
it has grown to involve over 350 youth in Markham, Milliken, Thornhill
and Unionville.
- Not only do they represent the spirit of our Markham,
our young people are making significant contributions through their
involvement on
the Boards and Steering Committees of many community organizations.
QUALITY
SERVICES
- In 2002, the Town was one of only two municipalities
in Canada to win the National Quality Institute’s Progressive
Excellence Program Level II Award for customer service, communications
and planning.
- A centralized Contact Centre was launched to respond
to residents’ calls
and identify important new issues as soon as they arise.
- The Town continues
to increase on-line services through its eMarkham initiative.
- A comprehensive
Core Services Review in 2002 resulted in reduced costs and improved
program revenues for a net benefit that is forecast to
be $3 million this year.
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