I receive a fair amount of correspondence from my constituents. I try to acknowledge all emails and letters promptly because your input is important. Many of these inquiries ask questions which may be of interest to many of you – and my response may also be of interest.
So , I will publish some of these questions along with my response. I will identify the letter writers by initials only and reserve the right to edit all material before publishing. Naturally, these examples will represent only a small segment of the mail I regularly receive.
I trust you will find this section of my website of interest and would remind you to direct all email correspondence to me at maurice.smith@townofws.ca
Maurice
Hello Mr Smith,
Thank You for your recent Ward 2 News Letter Update.
As a Stouffville resident of 12 years and Tax Payer in your Ward 2, I have a few questions. I know you are a busy man so I will make this quick.
The $ 6000.00 (2018 Car allowance amount) and now the (2019 Car Allowance Amount) of $9,000.00 that all the Stouffville Councillors receive annually:
– When you do your taxes annually, is the received car allowance sum taxable or non-taxable ? (as it’s a re-imbursement I assume)
– Do you provide supporting documentation to the Town (A detailed travel log of “Dates, Times, Event Description, Distances Travelled on Town Business”, for audit purposes of course) annually ?.
– In these times of government transparency I assume these records are available for review and of public record ?.
If “Yes”, where and who to contact. If “No” Why Not ?
Thank You
Sincerely: B. H.
Dear B.H.
Re your auto question.
As a councillor is not required to provide supporting documentation to the town (normal process in all regions) for the auto allowance, the full amount is taxable to the individual mayors and councillors. It appears on my T4 and I must claim it for tax filing purposes.
Regards
Maurice Smith
Councillor Ward 2
Hello Maurice.
How can we reduced vehicle traffic and improve visibility on this corner ??
Am hoping you can advise on this. We live on the east end of Greenan Road (#9) and have two kids under 6, there are 3 kids at #7 and 2 more at #12. The property at the bend/corner (#6) has many large tree’s making this a blind corner. Greenan is wide for a residential street and has also been recently repaved………which encourages people to speed. It’s not uncommon for use to hear tires squealing (not an exaggeration)
There neighborhood is in the middle of a refresh with about 20 kids under the age of ten either living on or just off Greenan. (Whiteville Crt) The bicycle, scooter and skateboard traffic will only increase.
Can you suggest a point of contact with the town ??
Best Regards
B. K.
As I read your email there appears to be two issues.
1 – Blind corner. That is a town works department matter. I will come by and have a look. Thereafter I can report it to the works dept. for you.
2 – Speeding vehicles. – The York Region Police have a terrific Road Watch program which allows residents to report such practices.
A number of ways to contact the program;
York Regional Police Traffic Bureau
1-866-876-5423 ext. 7703
Email: traffic@yrp.ca
Or visit; yrp.ca/roadwatch.aspx
Road Watch is a community-based initiative that gives citizens an opportunity to report dangerous drivers. I encourage you to make contact with their system.
Regards
Maurice Smith
Councillor Ward 2
On Aug 12, 2018 Brian wrote:
Will there be an information bulletin issued by the Town or York Region to all local residents on how this change will look and how it will work ? The work has started and it seems to me it would be a good time to commence “ training the locals” on what to expect and how to handle the change.
Your comments please. Thank you.
Brian,
Thank you for your email re the Bloomington/48 round-about.
I can not answer your questions as this project has absolutely nothing to do with town council or town staff. Your only regional representative is the mayor. But in his defence, this project being that Highway 48 is a provincial highway, is 100% controlled by the province.
I have learned from staff that “out of courtesy” the town was advised by the province that this work was to be undertaken. That was really our only involvement in the matter. Paul Calandra is your provincial representative. If there is to be an information bulletin or a “training” comment I suspect it to come from his office.
Regards
Maurice Smith