Kevin Ashe

City Councillor Ward 1

This year’s grade: B+

Although quiet at meetings, Coun. Kevin Ashe never hesitates to speak when he has something to add to the debate or to gain clarity on issues. He is quick to put forward motions to address issues within his ward and has proven adept at balancing neighbourhood needs with the overall good of the city, which has resulted in a higher grade this year. This was evidenced recently when he voted in favour of a controversial development proposal recommended for approval by staff but rejected by council. The proposal is now heading to the Ontario Municipal Board.

Coun. Ashe is quick to speak out about the divisive nature of council and the need for councillors to better work together. He is one of the most common swing voters to break out of the 4-3 voting pattern. It would be nice to see him speak up more at meetings as he adds a knowledgeable and level-headed voice to proceedings.

Attendance: Committee 19/20 Council 11/11

Expenses: $6,591

Last year’s grade: B

Councillor Ashe had the lowest expenses of ALL City Councillors in 2012.

Recently, a small group of residents have organized and created a local chapter of CARP called the Ajax-Pickering Chapter. We have taken on the responsibility to communicate with all of our Durham members until other local chapters evolve and there is current activity for this. CARP is a not-for-profit organization that had its roots as the Canadian Association for Retired People and has evolved, under Moses Znaimer’s direction, to include membership with no age limit or need to retire! Currently there are over 350,000 members in Canada and we have over 3,000 Durham members today.

Our mission statement is to develop ” A New Vision for Aging for Canada”.

I am writing on behalf of our chapter to inform you of our existence and to invite you to a special evening on Tuesday October 4, 2011. We have secured Moses Znaimer as a keynote speaker for our special Durham Region community event. We have also secured 19 local business partners who will be part of the evening and provide a good networking environment for our members in attendance.

I would appreciate it if you would send this email to other members who may be interested in the evening. As well, we would appreciate it if you can post the event on your local websites and calendars as an up-coming event.

If you are interested in attending, please return this email and I will register you for the evening.

We look forward to seeing you!

Randy Filinski
Co-Chair
Ajax-Pickering CARP Chapter

905 509-1708
www.carp.ca/ajaxpickering

Kevin Ashe
Ward 1 City Councillor

This year’s grade: B
Last year’s grade: N/A
Committee: 11/12
Council: 8/8
Expenses $810

Coun. Ashe doesn’t talk too much at meetings but speaks when he’s passionate about an issue. In a somewhat divided council, he is often the one who will go against the norm, which makes it clear that he truly votes for what he feels is best for the community. For example, he and his Ward 1 counterpart Coun. Jennifer O’Connell tend to vote opposite each other, but he helped her introduce her motion regarding the halt of a wireless tower in the Amberlea neighbourhood. He was opposed to a high property tax increase, and rather than simply complaining, he was able to offer suggestions to lower it. We do feel he should speak up a bit at meetings.

UPDATE :

Thank you to all the residents that attended the Information meeting at West Shore Community Centre.

Your concern for your properties and your community were expressed in a very powerful way.  

I now hope that Region of Durham staff will move quickly to deal with this item as well as look at the issue of subsidies to affected property owners.

Wishing everyone at Joe Dickson’s Golf Day success and good weather.

Way to go Joe…. Happy 17th anniversary of this great community event

A heat alert has been issued….

Take extra care with the extreme heat out there….especially for your pets.

I wish all a Happy Canada Day.

Come down to Kinsmen Park and celebrate Canada’s Birthday.   Free Bus Shuttle from GO TRAIN Station.

Come watch Rock Legends APRIL WINE at 7pm, followed by Rick Johnson County Jamboree…. An impressive Fire Works display is guaranteed at Dusk.

Look for the Team Ashe T Shirts

Hope to see you and your family there.

Kevin

I was pleased to be invited to the launch of the IMAGE IS EVERYTHING Campaign in support of an new MRI machine at our local hospital.

I encourage everyone to donate to this very worthwhile cause.

I urge everyone to enjoy the Ajax and Pickering Rotary Clubs Annual Ribfest.

It has quickly become one of the most attended events in Pickering.

Support a great cause ….and enjoy some great food….more than just Ribs too.

See you all there June 4 – 6th.             Kevin

PRESS RELEASE – April 7^th, 2010

McGuinty Government Risks Serious Harm to Lake Ontario Drinking Water Quality, ORM Aquifers and Public Health by catering to York Region Developers and approving York’s Big Sewer Pipe

“It is clear to the residents of Pickering … that the Province regards the City of Pickering as York Region’s toilet” states community group Stop the Stink.

The Rouge Duffins Greenspace Coalition asks “Why would a government that trumpets its support for modern green technology, approve 30 year old sewer technology?”

The Big Pipe twinning (York Durham Sanitary Sewer Southeast Collector) is a disastrous plan to export up to a Billion litres each day of raw sewage through underground drinking water aquifers and the Oak Ridges Moraine for treatment and discharge to our drinking water source, Lake Ontario. 

The Greater Toronto Area has growing cancer and health problems which profoundly harm all of our families and consume more and more of our tax dollars. According to respected scientists and Ontario’s Environmental Commissioner, sewage plant discharges contain pharmaceuticals and biologically active compounds which can trigger or promote cancer.  Toronto’s Lake Ontario shoreline is an international Great Lakes “Area of Concern” because of pollution, E.coli bacterial contamination and harm to drinking water, beaches and public uses.    Despite these problems, the McGuinty government has just given York Region the green light to build a Big Pipe (10+ foot diameter) which will discharge billions of litres of treated sewage every week into our Lake Ontario drinking water source.  

Instead of requiring modern technologies to fully treat, purify and recycle sewage within York Region, the McGuinty government is allowing York Region to spend $500+ million to export its fecal and industrial waste, water pollution, air pollution and stink to Pickering and Lake Ontario.   Why would a government that trumpets its support for modern green technology, approve 30 year old (putrid brown) technology?

Sadly, this backward thinking McGuinty government decision confirms public suspicions that wealthy developers are exerting undue influence over his government.  Developers are financing 80% of the Big Pipe’s cost to service and develop their speculative land holdings north of Toronto.

The Big Pipe foolishly transports raw human sewage through underground aquifers which supply drinking water to Aurora, Newmarket, Stouffville and York Region residents.

The Big Pipe and its feeder pipes are so out-dated and leaky that more than 50 million litres of fresh groundwater leaks into the sewer system every day.  In a time of climate change and dwindling fresh water sources, the Big Pipe wastes and exports enough drinking water for 10 million people every day.   

In 2006, Premier McGuinty created Bob Hunter Memorial Park, beside Rouge Park in Markham, to honour the memory of a Greenpeace founder and Canadian environmental hero, Bob Hunter.   In a betrayal of the principles which Bob Hunter stood for, Premier McGuinty’s government has catered to York Region developers and given approval to pipe raw sewage through the heart of BHMP. 

The current provincial Big Pipe decision fails to protect public health and safety and the approval process and project “stink” in many ways.  It is clear to the residents of Pickering and community groups “Stop the Stink” and “Rouge Duffins Greenspace Coalition” that the Province regards the City of Pickering as York Region’s toilet.

Clearly the Minister has taken too narrow a view of the goal of the project.  They are asking the wrong question – how to implement the Big Pipe rather than analyzing alternatives to the undertaking as directed by an environmental assessment. 

The Province has failed to heed the numerous concerns raised by residents of the City of Pickering, Stop the Stink and Rouge Duffins Greenspace Coalition stating that the Big Pipe will reduce quality of life for Pickering residents by releasing foul sewage odours in nearby residential areas and dumping nearly a billion litres of treated sewage into Lake Ontario, a mere 3 km from where over 100,000 Pickering and Ajax residents get their drinking water.  The residents of Pickering, Stop the Stink and Rouge Duffins Greenspace Coalition are severely disappointed that the Minister’s decision and the attached conditions provide no recourse in the event of the Big Pipe and its infrastructure’s malfunction, leaving Pickering residents completely unprotected in the event that the Big Pipe fails to operate as intended. 

The City of Pickering has hired a respected environmental lawyer to protect its citizens and environment from the odours, air pollution and water pollution associated with the Big Pipe.  The City of Pickering has already commenced one legal action against York Region on this matter.  The City of Pickering has committed itself to commence legal action against the Minister if he approved the Big Pipe without adequately addressing the City of Pickering’s concerns. As the Minister’s decision does not address the numerous concerns raised by City of Pickering, it is expected that the City of Pickering will file legal challenges against the Minister shortly.