Welcome
Simon CUI- Richmond Hill Ward 4 Councillor
Councillor Cui is Member of:
- Heritage Centre Advisory Committee
- Economic Development Committee
- Official Plan Update Committee
- Village of Richmond Hill Business Improvement Area Board of Management
- Budget Committee of the Whole
2023 Main Objectives:
- Neighborhood watch program in ward 4 (8 moths around)
- Annual Green up and clean up event in neighborhood (Parks, trails, open space, etc.) and BIA area (Yonge Street area)
- Traffic control pilot (Quantum Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain) near St Theresa Catholic School (Quantum Qid and YRP)
- City Service Engagement and Enhancement
2023 Community Activities:
- Family Cycling Day (Summer)
- Family Hiking Day (Fall)
- Multicultural Music Concert for Local Charity (Details TBC, Oct or Nov)
Dear Neighbors:
In the month of May, we are blessed with several notable celebrations and events that enrich our cultural tapestry. It is a time to embrace diversity, foster understanding, and express appreciation for those around us.
First and foremost, we acknowledge May as a dual celebration of Asian Heritage Month and Jewish Heritage Month throughout Canada. This serves as a splendid occasion for us to delve into the rich traditions and contributions of our colleagues, neighbors, and friends from these esteemed communities.
Moreover, Ontario dedicates this month to commemorate both Dutch Heritage Month and Armenian Heritage Month. These designations offer us an exceptional chance to explore and cherish the vibrant histories and legacies of the Dutch and Armenian cultures that have greatly influenced our province.
Let us also extend warm greetings and heartfelt wishes on Mother's Day, a cherished occasion in May that allows us to honor and appreciate the incredible mothers in our lives. Their love, care, and guidance shape our world in immeasurable ways.
In addition, we celebrate Family Day, a special time in May to cherish the bonds that unite us and to express gratitude for our loved ones. It is an opportunity to reflect on the importance of family and to strengthen those precious connections.
Furthermore, May presents us with numerous fundraising events that embody our spirit of generosity and compassion. Among these are the esteemed Stride for Mackenzie Health, the inspiring BeamOn for cancer initiative, the noble Hill Hospice charity, and the impactful Charity Boot drive for Muscular Dystrophy Canada. These fundraising endeavors provide us with a chance to make a positive difference in the lives of others and support worthy causes that touch our hearts.
May is truly a month of celebration, appreciation, and giving. Let us embrace these moments and seize the opportunities they offer to foster unity, understanding, and goodwill within our communities.
As we approach summer, June is home to various events and celebrations from many backgrounds, including National Indigenous History Month, Italian Heritage Month, Portuguese History and Heritage Month, and Filipino Heritage Month. June is also Seniors Month in Ontario. The 2023 theme is “Working for Seniors.” It’s a time to recognize the hard work seniors have done all their lives to make Ontario into the great place it is today.
June is also Pride Month. The Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI) has developed a list of educational resources pertaining to 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion. You can access these for free by registering with CCDI using your work email address. York Region also has an Inclusive Language Guide which speaks to the use ofinclusive language in our everyday lives.
June 26 to July 1 is Hajj. It is considered the fifth of the fundamental Muslim practices and institutions known as the Five Pillars of Islam, and takes place in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, with the culmination of hajj being marked by Eid al-Adha, which occurs from June 29 to July 2.
In our Ward 4, we relaunched the Neighborhood Watch program in Jefferson Community and Westbrook community from February 2023, we have finished stage 1 online enrollment and will start to work out with block leaders, street leaders and volunteers in the next few months to have 30-40% families join this program.
Thank you for your continuous support.
Simon Cui
Richmond Hill Ward 4 Councillor
Cellphone: 437-326-0206
Website: https://simoncui.ca
Email: simon.cui@richmondhill.ca
Incoming Events in June 2023
Community and Cultural event:
Richmond Hill Blooms webinar series
Gardening season is upon us and the City wants to inspire residents to get growing through the Richmond Hill Blooms webinar series. Participants will hear from expert gardeners on how to design, plant and maintain beautiful and bountiful gardens.
Richmond Hill Blooms - City of Richmond Hill
- Pollinators (Part 1): Pollinators in Peril with Richmond Hill Garden and Horticultural Society members Josie and Steve Turner
Tuesday, June 13, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Learn about pollinators, their life cycle, reasons for their decline and the positive steps we can all take in our yards and in our communities to help support and protect them.
- Pollinators (Part 2): Planning your Pollinator Garden with Master Gardener Sally Hossain
Tuesday, June 20, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m
Learn how to plan your pollinator garden, including what plants are best suited for different conditions and suggested designs based on these conditions.
- Garden Photography with Richmond Hill Garden and Horticultural Society member Harold Hunter
Tuesday, July 4, 8 - 9:30 p.m.
Grow your garden photography skills with a few simple tips and tricks. Learn how to capture your garden at its best and share the results with family and friends.
- Thrifty Gardening with Gary and Diane Westlake
Thursday, August 1, 8 - 9:30 p.m.
Hear about some of the ways you can save money while creating and maintaining your garden.
Richmond Hill Celebrates Seniors:
https://www.richmondhill.ca/en/older-adults.aspx
Pre-registration is required.
- BBQ event -Adults 55+ Barbecue
This free event offers an afternoon of fun and entertainment featuring The Wong Mo Trio. We will also present the 2023 Senior of the Year Award.
Friday June 2, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Location: Mill Pond Park
- Experience Drums Alive:
Move to the beat of the music and your own drumming rhythms.
Wednesday June 7, 1:45 p.m.
Location: Oak Ridges Community Centre
- Learn To Play Chess:
It is a great way to learn from those experienced in the game, socialize and improve your skills!
Tuesday June 13, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m
Location: Oak Ridges Community Centre
- Ice Cream Social:
Residents can enjoy an ice cream cone and views of the lake while listening to live music
Wednesday June 21, 1p.m.
Location: Oak Ridges Community Centre
June 7th Wednesday: Consolidating all zoning By-laws into a single Zoning By-law.
Pre-registration is required: https://forms.richmondhill.ca/Community-Services/Official-Plan-Update-Open-House-Registration-Form?previewmode=9b3039d8-ad9a-4319-abb9-afe8c6e9ede6
The objective is to develop one Comprehensive Zoning By-law for the City that is:
- user-friendly and easy to understand, administer and enforce;
- reflective of current and emerging planning and development practices and trends; and,
- fully accessible online in an interactive web-based format.
https://www.richmondhill.ca/en/zone-richmond-hill.aspx
Date: Wednesday, June 7, 2023
Time: 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Location: McConaghy Centre, 10100 Yonge Street
June 7th Wednesday: Official Plan Update Open house
Pre-registration is required: https://forms.richmondhill.ca/Community-Services/Official-Plan-Update-Open-House-Registration-Form?previewmode=9b3039d8-ad9a-4319-abb9-afe8c6e9ede6
The City of Richmond Hill invites residents and businesses to continue to be involved in planning the future of the city by attending an in-person open house. Richmond Hill is currently in the third phase of the Official Plan Update project, also known as City Plan, and is in the process of seeking feedback to help plan four growth areas. Alongside this significant project that will guide land use and future development, the City is also working on a Comprehensive Zoning By-law review to implement any approved amendments to the Official Plan.
Please be advised that the proposed Official Plan Amendments:
- OPA 18.5 Yonge and Carrville/16th Avenue, max FSI 2-7
- OPA 18.6 Village Local Centre, max FSI 1-3.5
- OPA 18.7 Newkirk Local Centre, max FSI 1.5- 3 ( 10-20 storeys)
- OPA 18.8 Oak Ridges Local Centre, max FSI 1- 2.5 (6-8 storeys)
They are now available for public review on the City’s webpage: Richmondhill.ca/OPUpdate.
https://www.richmondhill.ca/en/find-or-learn-about/official-plan-update.aspx
Date: Wednesday, June 7, 2023
Time: 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Location: McConaghy Centre, 10100 Yonge Street
Registration from today until June 9th: Richmond Hill’s Project Blazer Returns
Female High School Students are Invited to explore Career Paths within the Fire Service. The three-day event offers students an opportunity to see how their skills and interests can propel them into an exciting career in firefighting, dispatching, investigations and inspections, public education and more.
In order to participate, applicants must:
- Identify as female, live in Richmond Hill and be enrolled in Grades 10-12
- Have a positive attitude
- Be able to supply your own CSA safety footwear (all other personal protective gear is supplied)
- Be committed to attend all Project Blaze activities for the full duration of the program
Contact: Applications are due June 9 by 5 p.m. Learn more and apply today at https://www.richmondhill.ca/en/our-services/fire-programs-and-services.aspx
June 10th Multicultural Heritage Gala
It is my great honor to invite you to participate in Multicultural Heritage Gala on June 10, 2023, from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm at Elgin West Community Centre. This is a public celebration event for Multicultural Heritage in Richmond Hill. Please forward this invitation to everyone.
Organizer: Richmond Hill Ward 4 Councillor Simon Cui
Date: Saturday, June 10, 2023
Time: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Venue: Elgin West Community Centre Gymnasium
Address: 11099 Bathurst Street Richmond Hill, ON L4C 0N2
All the communities in Richmond Hill are welcome to come and participate in this celebration. There will be art performances to showcase the ethnic characteristics and folk customs of different countries and ethnic groups.
Note: Light lunch, water and refreshment will be offered.
Road Safety and Traffic Safety
As summer approaches, the anticipation of increased traffic and a surge in outdoor activities are capturing the city's attention along with that of our community and residents. Unfortunately, this upswing also brings along concerns regarding traffic safety and the shared usage of roads ( including walkways, and trail paths etc. ). York Region Police and the City have taken proactive measures and will implement several changes to ensure a safer and improved road traffic experience for our community that I would like to share with you.
York Regional Police Road Watch Online Reporting system:
Road Watch is a community driven program that provides citizens with a means to report aggressive or unlawful driver behavior. Instances of unsafe lane changes, disobeying traffic lights and stop signs are some typical types of behaviors that qualify for a Road Watch submission.
Road Watch may be used in instances where:
- No collision occurred. If the incident resulted in a collision, please call the police for further instructions;
- The suspect driver is not known to you. If the identity of the driver is known, call the police;
- The suspect’s license plate number was obtained. A brief description of the vehicle is also needed to validate the license plate information;
City Road Radar Detecting and Monitoring in RH Ward 4:
Radar Boards will be placed in the following road for driver speed feedback signs as part of our annual Pole-Mounted Radar Speed Board Program. The intent is for the boards to be at each location for a period of one year.
- Brookside Road (Cedar Springs Drive to Chantilly Crescent)
- Mill Street (Ellery Drive/Neighbourly Lane to Pine Trees Court)
- Tower Hill Road (Brass Drive to Edelweiss Avenue)
From spring to fall, the trailer boards based system will be in place ( 2 week rotation):
- Selwyn road /Gamble ( 2rd car incidents at same location at the entry to Gamble , onsite visit is planed after Shallot CRT/ Colebrook visiting if enough time permits in June)
- Shaftbury/ Brookside Road ( St Theresa High School area) – (working with YRT for traffic timer changes on Bathurst/shaftbury to sooth the traffic jamming issue during rush hour)
- Alamo Height ( Trillium Woods PS area)
Shared Road Safety Issues (including trails, parks and side road):
To be clear, York Regional Police are the appropriate authority for enforcement of user issues as it relates to the boulevard (sidewalks, multi-use paths). Further, YRP also overlaps to a degree with our By-law Enforcement Officers in that motorized vehicles are not permitted within our trail system and may be addressed by either.
Richmond Hill trail etiquette for shared trails (pedestrians and cyclists) includes:
- All users (pedestrians and cyclists) keep to the right side of the trail, except when passing another user.
- Cyclists passing to the left of other trail users should slow down to pass, ensure the trail ahead is clear for passing and give a clear signal (voice, bell or horn) before passing. Cyclists should give the person they are passing time to respond and watch for reactions.
- Cyclists should control their speed being mindful that different types of trail users are present.
- Dog walkers keep leashes short to minimize tripping or impeding the movement of other trail users.
It is important to practice proper safety when caring for your bicycle and when cycling. Ontario's Guide to Safe Cycling and York Region's Bicycle and Helmet Safety information will help you and your family stay safe while enjoying cycling activities.
- If you observe any tree branches, twigs or growing bushes / grass , which may lead to safety concerns in the shared road, please notify me and I will work with city staff to trim or cut the branches/twigs/grasses in time.
- If you observe or experience any aggressive cyclist, electric cycle rider or scooter riders etc., please contact York Region Police; for non-urgent events, please notify me and I will work with the city bylaw and YRP team together.
Ward 4 Neighborhood Watch Program:
Community Watch is one of the oldest and most effective crime prevention programs in the country, bringing citizens together with law enforcement to deter crime and make communities safer. Neighborhood Watch is simply a program of neighbors watching out for each other during the workday, evenings, vacations or any other absence. The purpose of the Neighborhood Watch program is to create an alert neighborhood by using simple crime prevention methods.
We have started the Neighborhood Watch Program Re-launching program on Feb 18, 2023, we have received many support from our residents. We have finished our Stage 1 as online enrollment. If you are living in Jefferson Community and Westbrook community and have not registered this program yet, you are welcome to make your online registration.
Stage 2:
I have finished the virtual meetings with each block leaders, street leaders and street members. From this month, we will work with all leaders and volunteers to:
- prepare the door to door visiting in your own block and street
- use Facebook, What’sup, Next Door or emails to connect with our neighbors
- encourage 30-40% of our community members to join this program and help each other forward. We have around 600 families enrolled already, we need another 1400 to 2000 families to be part of this program and meet our target. Let us work together.
Successful factor:
- 30-40% residents enrollment.
Maps and Enrollment for Jefferson and Westbrook Community:
Jefferson Community
Registration URL:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe5eTrATdGAyfVr4uzzznmeSkY33ZcnTcgCH3ZjWuy3Yhj14g/viewform
Westbrook Community
Registration URL:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScuqVLpvCYphe3NqvDELL0JcAp3RlmWubPjNP40pQsAKAPkBA/viewform
