Good Morning Markhamites,
Congratulations to Markham’s Jordan Romano, who achieved his 100th Major League Baseball save this week, all with the Toronto Blue Jays. He’s got a few more to go to beat the record, which Eric Gagne holds at 187 wins.
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Today’s read time is less than 4 minutes.
Text messages contradict Flato Developments president’s relationship with Ford Government during greenbelt scandal.
Just when we thought we were done with the Greenbelt scandal, it pulls us back in again.
During the integrity commissioner’s inquisition into the Greenbelt scandal, Flato Developments CEO Shakir Rehmatullah testified that he and Doug Ford’s former chief of staff Amin Massoudi “do not socialize and have never been to each other’s homes.”
Well, it turns out that was a lie. According to The Trillium:
Texts sent by three Ford government insiders show Massoudi visited the Markham mansion of Rehmatullah, the developer, multiple times while working as the premier’s principal secretary.
Rehmatullah’s and Massoudi’s interviews with the Integrity Commissioner were under affirmation, the non-religious alternative to being under oath, according to a spokesperson for the commissioner’s office.
10 Flato-owned acres, not too far from Rehmatullah’s Mansion, made up one of 15 land sites to be removed from the greenbelt in 2022. Flato is also one of the top beneficiaries for most MZOs issued by the Ford Government - Although most of them are currently in jeopardy of being revoked due to Flato’s lack of action against them.
Markham’s drinking water report card is imperfect for the first time in 4 years.
A water main break in May last year that wasn’t correctly reported to the Ministry of Health has Markham earning a below-perfect score for the first time since 2019. During a surprise inspection in January, the Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Parks found that a water main break caused an adverse quality water incident. This means that during the break, debris got into the water supply delivered to residents' homes.
When this occurs, The City must immediately inform the Ministry of Health, Regional Public Health units, and the Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Parks by verbal confirmation. In this instance, MECP was informed, but the MOH wasn’t.
The main was repaired safely, and all other protocols were otherwise followed for the fix. When a written notice was delivered to the ministries the next day, it was the first the MOH heard of it.
This is the first imperfect score since 2018. Markham’s drinking water remains clean and safe for all residents. Next time, just follow proper protocols.
This report will be discussed in next week’s general committee meeting on the 30th.
Community Notes
Former Markham Stouffville MP Jane Philpott returns on a book tour to a hero’s welcome.
Tim Hortons commits $500,000 to Markham Stouffville Hospital as part of Smile Cookie Week.
Markham Townhouse sells for over 300k over asking.
Markham Ward 2 Councillor Ritch Lau is hosting a charity concert on April 28th
What’s Happening in Markham This Week
April 25th
6:30 PM - Trivia Night at Rouge River Brewery - Tickets here
8:00 PM - Flato Markham Theatre - Bienvenue Oh Trout Lake. Tickets Here
April 26th
7:00 PM - Rouge River Brewery - Live Music Night ft. Raquel. Tickets are $5 at the door
7:00 PM - Flato Markham Theatre - Bienvenue Oh Trout Lake. Tickets Here
April 27th
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM - Terrera Sustainable Fashion and Home Spring Warehouse sale. RSVP here
10:00 AM - Heintzman House 2024 Art show and sale. Free entry and free parking
2:00 PM - Flato Markham Theatre - Bienvenue Oh Trout Lake. Tickets Here
7:00 PM - Hilton Toronto/Markham Suites conference centre - MSH Foundation presents Festival of Colours Night Market. Tickets here
April 28th
7:30 - Flato Markham Theatre - Light of Life, a night with Ritch Lau and friends - Tickets here
May 1st
6:00 PM Angus Glen Golf Club - Yellow Brick House Fundraising reception - Tickets here.
8:00 pm - Flato Markham Theatre - MOTUS O: Confessions of a Professional Dancer. Tickets here
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