HELLO JI!
HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS
There’s a great sense of community in Newmarket, Ontario. The town makes the top ten places to live in Ontario regularly. Image credit: SKY ERICKSON on Unsplash.
Several years ago, when we were looking for a new home, we checked out many communities. Accessibility to highways, local amenities, and the weather, were factors we would base our decision on. Because I was determined we were not going to move anywhere that received more snow than what we were already blessed with.
Newmarket was a good match. Except that the home we zeroed in on backed on to a golf course which had recently been sold and no one really knew what would come up in its place. Sensing our hesitation, our real estate agent suggested we meet her at the Town Hall to check out maps detailing planned development.
As we were poring over maps, she called out to a gentleman walking by. “Tony!” she said. He greeted her equally enthusiastically. Turned out the mayor of Newmarket and she were old friends. She explained why we were there and he invited us into his office.
He asked for the address of the house we were interested in putting in an offer for and went over to a large map on the wall behind his desk. The stormwater management ponds behind the property were vital to the area and would remain untouched, he said. We left his office happy. Not just because of what he’d said, but because we’d learned that we were in a town where you could just walk into the mayor’s office. Couldn’t imagine that happening in Toronto.
The years since we moved have only confirmed that initial feeling that we’d found the right fit.
There’s a great sense of community. A Newmarket Garden Club that meets monthly and has an annual plant sale. An artisans’ festival, a splash pad that turns into an ice rink, music series that bring bands out over the summer. And Culture Days that celebrate everyone who calls Newmarket home. Southlake Health once again ranked among world’s best hospitals and Newmarket won top awards for special events and summer concerts.
Mayor Tony Van Bynen went on to represent the Liberals federally. The current mayor, John Taylor, is equally accessible, if not more. As is our ward councillor Christina Bisanz. Both made themselves available for a discussion on shrubs the developers had chosen to plant on the former golf course, some of which were invasive. He listened to both sides and took a decision that worked well for all parties concerned.
As reported in Newmarket Today, the council indicated recently that it would not change its position on allowing retail cannabis stores in town until it gains more planning control. And the town will launch the Toys for Tickets program next holiday season, allowing residents to pay parking fines with toy donations for the first time.
Newmarket used to make the top ten places to live in Ontario regularly. It didn’t this year. But without checking out the ones that did, and even though it snows more than I signed up for, I know I am in my happy place!
Happy Easter! Baisakhi ki badhai!
Shagorika Easwar