Plan to save Newmarket's Housing and Heritage Properties

Watch what we wish for. This Hamilton design does not blend whatever but conforms to laws.

I've written blogs and created a video about my plans to combat developers from using our current laws designed to preserve historic heritage sites and buildings but which are actually being used to cause them to become unusable / livable, and then eventually eliminated.

This is a common problem that many municipalities face, and which the likes of Vancouver has dealt with part of it by legislating in the right to financially punish property owners who purposely allow properties / homes to fall into an unusable state of disrepair and to be boarded up until we grant development or zoning. Right now, developers often use the by-laws as written to do the bare minimum on maintenance - as they do not include any strict watch on the conditions they allow buildings to fall into to cause eventual "natural" destruction or is used to assist them in an application to demolish a home. Often it involves a property with a building not yet declared heritage spot, but on a list to be declared a heritage property, and by speeding up vacating such properties using these LOOPHOLES, they control our planning without penalty.

Call Tom at anytime - 289-221-0928

My plan adopts such penalties but goes even further, asking that we strike up a working group to also tackle those known loopholes and have those loophole changes put forward to our provincial friends be legislated into place. Certainly not an initiative most Councillors would even think of, but none have my ( any?) political experience, knowledge of process nor the will to tackle it.

Expect a more diligent watch on all our assets with Tom Pearson

Such loopholes are not just used by developers but by our governing Councils too. I recall a structure that had been a women's shelter for about 20 people, located on the same property as the current family and men's shelter, that was demolished scant years before it would have been declared a century home structure. Not many know of this, or seemed interested to care to know at the time as I recall. Maybe now they see my point, as more begin to understand the process and how it can be manipulated.

This 'need" was created through demolition

At the time, they claimed that the foundation was no good, yet I had it inspected before they demolished it and found nothing outstanding that couldn't be fixed - albeit I and my construction experienced friend who attended with me are not engineers - however the men's shelter on the same property , then 126 years old, was apparently OK for use. My plan would not allow for the first building to have reached such a state of disrepair, even if indeed that was the case, which would have saved us $ millions in this instance.

That building would have sufficed our "need" for a single women's shelter, and by speeding up that demolition process, they essentially avoided it having that protected heritage designation while costing the Region $10,000,000 and counting to build a brand new one. Meantime that sole focus has men and couples living in our Ward 5 forests.

So its something the status quo likes to use with its knowledge of process, but, as you can see, one they can also use to create "needs" costing taxpayers not in the know and that must stop. It's cost us $10 of million and counting so far and who knows how many lives?

Tom also has a plan to tackle graffiti which includes engaging youth and creating wall art zones

It seems I not only am the only candidate with any practical political experience but also the only one with the will and knowledge to tackle this issue effectively so our townsfolk have better control over its own town and her assets and properties.

Seniors and others were furious at losing Main St.'s last bank. Tom plans to try and attract Credit Union to Main

Most of my candidate opponents also take a safe, sentimental position on the clock tower development, however my knowledge of process - and having actually met with the developers and a town planner - I can tell you they will be allowed to build and more than 3 floors in the end, with deep pockets on a $50,000,000 project, and it will begin costing us to fight them almost immediately, as we're now overdue to respond to their application. I didn't get us here, but we need to deal with it stealthily to avoid it being a costly error. Two roads lead to the same place, one is much less costly.

Only Tom has a plan that will protect us from future unwanted development.Blocks can be emptied boarded up presently.

The Forrest Group's development idea respects the integrity of the tower also, including sight-lines, and actually uses it in its design, so we have to indeed watch what we wish for, as other developers may not be so kind if ever it came to that. I've seen projects in Hamilton that went by the law but don't use the structure as its closed off, and the back drop new building attached right out of place. I think this design respects those things and as well helps support a shopping centre seniors desperately want as well.

Little whispers says to watch this building in the future and Park St.. A plan to extend it through to Riverwalk?

Vote for me if you want a representative of the people - and not the establishment or real estate a certain party. No one else has any plan to end this madness and destruction of our properties, homes, and landmarks but me. I'm Tom Pearson and I really do care. 289-221-0928 Direct.

Main St. Newmarket - Movies Location and More

Nearby movie production location sees beautiful sunsets over Newmarket

Back portion now empty...how about a  Doctor's office?

Main St Newmarket has come a long, long, way for those who have been around to remember. In fact, at one time it was considered somewhat of a dive some years ago before the beautification process began, but she is now well on her way to being a beacon of pride for the town - but we cannot rest on our laurels.

Our Main St has even been featured in a number of feature films including Tommy Boy, the remake of Carrie and most recently Regression with Emma Watts and Ethan Hawke, but they have been few and far between which I believe, through diligence, we can increase that frequency - provided the town doesn't lose its Town Clock which acts as the connector for dating films made there.

I'd like to see more productions shot on Main St

Having been involved with films for a number of years (Film School Grad) including being an award winning documentary Film Maker myself and an Associate Producer of feature films - raising $1,000,000 for productions over 4 years - and including back end credits on feature family films like Super Cross, Hansel & Gretel ( Howie Mandel, Taylor Mumsen) and Miracle Dogs shot at the famous Cleveland Clinic which went # 1 on Animal Planet Channel USA, I feel we need to be more pro-active in attracting Producers to our town for use as a location while adding much needed dollars to the coffers of the town and businesses.

This studio and animals just outside of Newmarket used for movie Night of the Museum with Ben Stiller

I plan to put more than just bugs in Production and Locations Managers ears to get them to consider us - which includes making them aware of additional studios we have available in the area should they need, such as the location at the end of Vivian Road which had scenes from The Titanic including the infamous love scene with DiCaprio and the "top of the world!" scenes as well as Night of the Museum, not to mention the video game Tomb Raider which flew 50 people in from around the world to play in a live version for its launch! Big, big money!

Click to See my short video featuring pics shot during the movies!

This studio was actually built just for the Titanic Movie

Through TPE I can connect prospective productions to this location which boasts 100+ acres, a 5 bedroom house and 20,000 sq feet of studio space including additional kitchen facilities for in-house craft services need be. In fact I've been involved in a number of productions at this locale over 2015-16 and am excited about the prospects of making our local "North Hollywood North" productions more plentiful, adding much needed work for local film production crew workers and talent. Contact me if interested.

More productions would mean not just more work for local crews, but local restaurants and caterers as well

But Main St. also needs to mind its units upkeep, such as when a business fails or closes we need to fill the gaps, and not with just anyone, and be proactive to get the right fit which I've mentioned we need do in my platform, and with VR Business Broker training and experience, I think I'm just the man who can do that. If you've read any of my blogs on Main St. previously over the years you will find that is a common theme of mine. Why wait for a business to try their luck when we can be proactive and work from a wish list of businesses / services we'd like to see on Main that will attract visitors? No offense, but tarot card reading sites or more used clothing places are not what we need there to attract more business. Art gallery types, studios, doctors office to name a few fits.

Former Tequila Club 185 closed - TP has set up the owners with a qualified interested party

Proactive

Two weeks ago I found out the Tequila 185 Club location had closed down beneath Made In Mexico. The next week I had a qualified potential new club owner meeting up with the building owner and looking at the empty spot. He's now asked to see the lease offer already knowing some particulars so that is good and my experience has me ensuring to qualify any potential business or tenant before setting up a meeting and that is what I've done here. I don't like to waste anyone's time, including mine, as I'm very busy.

Whilst walking along Main later that same day, a senior approached where the bank recently moved out and was quite verbal about his disgust.

TP wants to add Highway 11 Cruisers to the Main St. show along with Newmarket Car Club, making it the areas largest!

"Where do they expect seniors to go to bank?", he'd asked, " all these restaurants on Main now, but what about seniors? We have to travel everywhere for anything and get a ride or pay for transit which is terrible here, and its just outrageous", he continued, mentioning doctors offices also as a deterrent for seniors living on or near Main St.

Which got me thinking - doctors offices! I may not be able to convince rich banks to remain but yea, why don't we have any doctor's offices on Main St? And if we did, where would any go? Light-bulb moment - What about the empty food bank location that is now becoming available?

Apparently the developers plan to reveal its history underneath...

I believe we need make a "wish list" of businesses ( see my 2014 blog) and services we'd like to see on Main and not only pursue them, but offer some sort of rebate for the first year or two to ensure they have a better opportunity to survive the start up stages.

If you weren't lucky enough to catch these guys on Main recently don't despair..I plan to make Main more atmospheric

I'm Tom Pearson, I'm running for Newmarket's Ward 5 Councillor, and I believe if people really take the time to have a look at my political experience, combined with my community building initiatives success, business experience, and ideas, they will choose me. I didn't just show up in the ward election time, I've been there for years. And I've not just been "fingering the pulse of the community" but been up to my elbows in it for 20 years, making it better. Because I really do care.

This business owner welcomes my idea to art up this wall and its opposite to help curb Graffiti

TP 's Plan To "Clean Up" Main Street Newmarket

From afar everything looks great on Main St but...

I've often heard people say they'd like to see Newmarket's Main Street and nearby surroundings cleaned up. And depending on whom you are speaking with, " cleaning up", means different things to different people - from sometimes overflowing garbage can complaints, to boarded up units, to graffiti, to people 'begging' for money, and my plan would cover them all.

Frequently hit spot - current wall camera faces wrong way to catch them

Garbage & Waste Pick-Up

Main St. should be recognized as a tourist area, in summer especially, as that increase in visitors in summer, means an increase in waste tossed out both by stores and by visitors to Main St.. Often our containers are overflowing for days in a row which is something that needs addressing immediately to make it more eye appealing and attractive for visitors. It makes little sense to dress up our streets with beautiful flowers as we do, only to have overflowing garbage and refuse strewn on the streets ruin the experience.

Notice no graffiti? Image taken in Toronto

Beg Off Main

There are a number of domicile units and shelters located within walking distance of Main St. - homes that house and feed people who cannot manage it on their own - and they are left with little money after the providers take their share of their incomes, often asked to leave their 'homes' during the day, and thus you end up with some needing more money or hanging out, either unable to work or to find work. In winter, homeless men gather, because warm areas exist around Main. So my plan is to engage anyone hanging around and see if I can't get them something else to do. Sounds simple huh? Indeed.

Engage Them

Sound far fetched? I'm a doer. I've created similar "programs' in the past, getting an entire crew of homeless and "at risk of homelessness" workers, in renovating the House Of Hope, which is now ready and available for a housing provider to operate, and which could house 18 persons, located at Newmarket's border with Sharon. I've also successfully placed borderline homeless workers into restaurants and into catering and maintenance - paid training need be - and plan to concentrate efforts for placement from Main St, the library and the Riverwalk commons public bathrooms - another spot they often use to get warm. One of my Newmarket clients recently showed interest in setting up a program that trains and puts guys like this to work for which I'll be sitting down with him to look at grant options I'm aware of to help make it so. Perhaps a street cleaning and maintenance partner program utilizing these guys could be arranged if the budget is not there.

Only I have a plan to stop the boarding up of Main St. businesses and residences

Some also make for great food bank volunteers, especially if you feed them and send them off with something when they've helped. It was also I who raised the story of a homeless father and son living in Ward 5 and who ultimately located them a place to live and a job for the father - cleaning up the ward if you will. That Era Banner story was one of the biggest in their history - in fact so much so they wrote a follow up to it the 2011 story in 2015, as reaction-wise, Newmarket residents had responded in droves with offers of food and sleeping bags, but connecting them to their basic needs, like a home first, was the key. Community building again.

Wall in " rundown" are of Toronto on King St West

Graffiti

I've written about numerous times in which I've mentioned dressing up hard hit spots to reduce " tagging" and creating areas that actually encourage graffiti art - controlled areas if you will that allow for youthful expression Engage, instead of just criminalize, and then perhaps connect them to arts or help put them on the right track through that engagement. I've noticed Markham and other areas are now picking up on Toronto's lead for dressing up electrical boxes and other smaller targets as well, which I've also mentioned in the past we should adopt here. And create some wall murals on walls such as those leading to River Walk Commons ( often targets for tagging) that depict Jazz Playing and music and farmers market stuff and skaters etc., similar to Aurora's flagship wall. Stats show that these types of methods do reduce graffiti and I see no reason why Newmarket would be any different. We can also light better and aim exterior cameras more effectively in trouble spot areas to catch the perpetrators. One such area that is often hit has a camera but it faces the wrong way to capture anyone tagging the walls. See more great examples of my vision here.

Pathway leading to railway trestle

Railway Trestle Project

One project I'd love to see done is a site right near the youth centre ironically enough, an old, now rundown looking and graffiti laden, historic, railway trestle that features a plaque explaining its historical significance. Anyone read it? It's an eyesore that I believe could become an amazing attraction if we allowed youths to get artfully creative - and again, use that opportunity for engagement, which leads to holding them accountable as part of the community. A bridge into the community if you will. More Community building 101.

Historic graffiti-ed Trestle could be used as a rallying beacon for youthful expression

Boarded Up Units

No one else running or in council has a viable plan to end the boarding up of buildings on Main St and elsewhere in town but I do. Follow this link to learn more about it.

Vote Tom Pearson for Ward 5 Councillor Newmarket

 I Really Do care

To view the complete platform please visit www.tompearson4newmarketcouncil.blogspot.com
 or Email @ tompearson4council@gmail.com

Dress up frequent targets

Tie in some mural / graffiti art into Main St Art Festival

A similar walls / alleyways could be created leading to Riverwalk Commons from Main St

Ideal spots for a wall mural

Everyone need do their little part. Clean this up when it happens immediately.

Can be seen from River Walk Commons still - 6 months later

Forced out of business, residents removed, and has now sat empty two years

Emptied, then boarded up and left decrepit looking. Only I have a plan for ending this!