6 Friday, September 14, 2018 brooklintowncrier.com Mayor of Whitby (Select 1, 1 will be elected)X Meet the Candidates for the 2018 Municipal Election My vision is a balanced, complete and pros- perous town - welcoming to all ages - with lots of things to see, do and enjoy. A place we all love to call home. This vision is rooted in my upbringing. I was born and raised here. Brooklin and Whitby had long and proud histories as genuine towns centred by vibrant downtowns. When the rapid residential growth - mandated by federal and provincial policies - began in the 1990's, I was North Ward councillor and led the development of our "one downtown" Plan for Brooklin. We designated a large area for future commercial development adjacent to the historic core and opposed other commercial sprawl. This vision will soon be realized on the lands bounded by Baldwin, Winchester, Ash- burn and the 407. This will bring a multitude of exciting shopping and entertainment experiences - and create jobs for residents of all ages. It will also deliver more housing choice - particularly for seniors who need to downsize but want to remain in the village. Local jobs and prosperity are critical and multiple initiatives are underway: - our Innovation Hub is growing; - we keep adding new attractions - (iFly, Rep- tilia, Playdium, Le Nordik); - our vacancy rate on industrial buildings is below 1%; - our success in business attraction has left us low on serviced employment lands. Through strategic planning, we will be delivering services to all the new employment lands east of the 412. We are an Age Friendly Town implementing our Action Plan to make life easier for seniors. We remain a Platinum Level Youth Friendly Town - the highest accreditation. We are now a designated Bicycle Friendly Community - with lots of new trails and paths, highlighted by the connection from Cullen Park through Heber Down to Ashburn. I will continue to push to remove the tolls on 412 and reduce them on 407 east (which is owned by the Province) to attract more users and reduce the unacceptable congestion on our roads. I will continue to focus on reducing traffic speeds on residential streets. We will continue our responsible financial management. Local taxes are mid-range in the GTAH. Whitby has almost no debt. We receive only three cents on the tax dollar to deliver all town services. We share a wonderful town and were recently recognized as one of the best places to live in Canada - and the best in Durham Region. With your support, we can keep getting better. Don Mitchell 20 Albert Street, Whitby, ON, L1M 1A1 Home: 905.655.8341 Mobile: 905.706.3168 m.don.mitchell @gmail.com My name is Andrea Kennedy, and I want to be your next Mayor. I am a resident and parent who chose Whitby as a place to live, work, play and stay. I am also a business owner and advisor, and have supported the success of entrepreneurs across the entire Region. I am a community leader who has proudly represented businesses, NFPs, and our municipality at all levels of government and internationally. Through this lens, I know that Whitby has an opportunity to be at the leading edge of the wave of leadership change coming across the Region. Whitby needs bold, passionate, and visionary representation at all decision-making tables to ensure that our goals and needs are duly considered and championed. I am running to represent future-focused residents who want to see all of Whitby thrive and grow under this kind of leadership. There are several issues that residents from across the municipality - north to south, east to west - have shared. As Whitby continues to evolve, the development of lands along the 412 and 407 will draw our entire community closer together, and foremost on every Whitby resident's mind is the issue of jobs. Residents want jobs for themselves, and for their children. To have more jobs in our community, we need more businesses. To attract the calibre of business we want we need to go out and get them. As Mayor I will actively support staff in identifying, recruiting and securing the businesses and industries we want. I will advocate for and engage with local, national and global business leaders and founders to partner with Whitby for the benefit of our entire community. We also want housing options that serve residents across all stages in life. We need choices in size and style of residence, for different sizes and shapes of family, and we must have options across varying degrees of affordability. This is how we will build a complete community we can all choose for our whole lives. Mayor and Council must be well-informed and working alongside staff and our development partners to get this done. Finally, residents, businesses and stakeholders want, and need, to be fully engaged in our growth and evolution. Collaboration and cooperation are the keys to sustainable change. I will champion updates to our current approach to public consultations, government relations, and resident relations processes to help build relationships, and move projects forward. Andrea Kennedy Campaign Office: 647-696-5783 vote@andreakennedy.ca www.andreakennedy.ca facebook.com /AndreaForWhitbyMayor twitter.com /AndreaforMayor www.linkedin.com /in/andreakskennedy The Planning and Economic Development Department, Economic Development and Tourism Division is pleased to announce the formation of the C.C. Chan Academician Science and Technology Innovation Centre that will utilize knowledge sharing to develop technologies within the automotive sector. "Durham Region has a long history of invention and production in the automotive industry. This investment honours and expands that heritage, skill and expertise," stated Gerri Lynn O'Connor, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer. "Whether through electrification of personal vehicles, transit or commercial transport, this is one more way we can help to safeguard the future for our children and grandchildren." As a space for electric vehicle academic research projects, the in- novation centre will connect global academic experts who are working to increase competitiveness within our automotive sector, while also focusing on clean electricity and environment. This centre will be Chan's fifth innovative hub outside of China, with other locations established in Germany, South Korea, Israel and Turkey. "Durham Region is known for its innovative and creative approach, large and diverse talent pool, outstanding quality of life, and excellent land value," said Chan. "These are just some of the reasons why it was an attractive choice for the next international centre." A recent unveiling event at Regional Headquarters was attended by C.C. Chan; elected officials; leaders from the automotive, financial and high- tech industries; and professors from Ontario universities. During that event, it was noted that a specific location, for the centre, is currently being determined. Innovation Centre To Connect World's Experts Answer to puzzle on page 8