December 5, 2024 • 26 mins
Norm Murray speaks with Mississauga Ward 1 Councillor, Stephen Dasko. Stephen visits for his monthly update of what is happening in Ward 1, and Council in general. http://www.stephendasko.ca
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
The views expressed in the following program are those of
the participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of
SAGA nine sixty AM or its management.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
I'm Norm Murray listening to news Talk SAGA nine sixty.
Nice to have you long today here on the hour
that we call the Norm, which is a look at
what is the norm? Anyways? What's the new norm mole
in our world? It's also my name on top of that.
But you know what we get to do every month
around about this time, at the beginning of the month,
we get to chat with our friend Stephen Dasco. He's
the Ward one counselor in Mississauga, as you know, and
(00:55):
he has been for a number of years, and he
joins us every month and let us know what's happening
in his ward. We're in counsel in general, I guess.
So we just sort of talked about the state of
the union here in Peel region. How are you today, Stephen.
Speaker 3 (01:07):
I'm doing terrific. Good to hear your voice. Narm Oh, thank.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
You, thank you very much. I appreciate that. Go to
Stephendasco dot com for some great updates as to what's
happening in Ward one. And it's an outstanding website and
also follow them on social media at dasco Ward one.
So Stephen, here we are. We're into December. We spoke
at the beginning of last month, and you have been
a very busy counselor for sure. In the last thirty
(01:32):
days or so, we've.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
Had just a lot of things going on in the community,
and some of them are construction related and those are
never fun. And then there's other things that bring the
community together and we have a lot of fun. So yeah,
it's been a very very active, active month since I
spoke with you.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
Last So now that the snow is arriving, I don't know,
I'm not a weather forecast or I have no idea
how long it's going to stay. But assuming it's going
to stay for a while, does that affect a lot
of the construction decisions or council meetings per se about
that stuff?
Speaker 3 (02:11):
No, Well, you know what, the business as usual. You know,
you'll you'll see a lot of different road projects that
are that are underway, the ones that for example, I'm like, sure,
we did have a temporary closure, which I know was
it was not pleasant, but I wanted to just go
(02:32):
get it done and get it over with, and and
so that that for example, whether or not it was
twenty it was a twenty four to seven operation just
to get that done down along in the Lake Sea area.
And that was for some sewer pipes and water pipes
that had to go through, so that's not really weather dependent.
(02:52):
And then as well with people that are that are
doing some you know, construction projects, whether it's a condominium
that they're building, an apartment or some of the infill housing,
those ones can continue as well.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
Stephen, do you get any pushback from the community when
it's given the go ahead to do twenty four to
seven construction just to get it done well, In.
Speaker 3 (03:18):
A lot of cases, I will. That's one of those
where it has to be something pretty significant for me
to sign off on a twenty four to seven operation.
I'll tell you Lakeshore. This was a full closure of Lakeshore,
and that's one that it's the former highway too. It's
(03:41):
a significantly busy artery and I didn't want that close
any longer than it absolutely had to. So that's where
I said, let's just get it done.
Speaker 2 (03:50):
Oh, I hear you on that. I am totally personally
in favor of twenty four to seven construction, especially on roads.
I know, not everybody who lives next to the roads
would be and that's why I was wondering if you
ever hear from those folks who say, Hey, what's going on.
It's eleven o'clock here, I'm trying.
Speaker 3 (04:06):
To I do and then and really, you know what
part of that was was having cars going that ordinarily
that volume of traffic I wouldn't be going through their
neighborhood is is now a problem. And they just said,
you know what, same thing, just get it done. And
so that's what we did. And also it was a
(04:26):
matter of coordinating with Peel Regional Police to come out
also city staff to come out and make sure that
the roads were safe and that people that were out
walking or cycling or you know, trying to get hinto
doune of their driveways for example, that they were all
able to do so in a safe way.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
We are speaking with Steven Dasco, he's the Ward one
counselor for Mississauga, and getting a little caught up on
what's been going on in his ward and in the
Peel region. Are certainly Mississauga in general. I guess we
talk about all sorts of stuff. I know that now
that the snow seems to be settling in for a
little while here, the term windrows is being used a
(05:07):
little more commonly. Is that fair to say?
Speaker 1 (05:10):
It is?
Speaker 3 (05:11):
It is? And this is one where you know, I
don't think in the middle of July you're probably googling
to see what the windrow is. But around this time,
when you see that that lump of snow at the
bottom of your driveway, it's almost like concrete, you're saying,
what the heck is that called? That's what it is?
A windrow. And yes, so I think to your you know,
(05:33):
part of what you're going to mention, I think is
we do have a program right now which is in
place for this season that's for seniors and those that
have accessibility issues. And so the program is two hundred
dollars for the entire season. So if it snows every
single day, you'll get that service it's two hundred dollars.
(05:55):
Or if you have a lower income threshold, then you
do not have to pay the two hundred dollars, And
that's an effect for the whole season. It's I had
it doubled a few years ago it was at around
three hundred and fifty. We're at about seven hundred and fifty.
There is, from my understanding, there is some still some
(06:17):
room if you haven't been able to sign up yet
to get that program done for the year. And then
what we're looking to do in the budget for next
year is we're looking to have windrow clearing for all
the residential neighborhoods right across the city.
Speaker 2 (06:33):
Wow, how does someone go about getting on the list
to get that done?
Speaker 3 (06:37):
Well, you can certainly just go to my website at
Stephen Dasco dot ca. That's Stephen Dasco dot ca, and
the in the search area, just put in windrow and
if that fails, you can always give my office a
call at nine oh five eight nine six five to
one zero zero.
Speaker 2 (06:59):
All right, So, what else has been going on the
last month or so before the snow came? I'm talking now.
I know you've had a very busy month of November
after Halloween there and of course even over this past
weekend there was the big event at Memorial Park, right.
Speaker 3 (07:15):
Yeah. Absolutely. This was something that I had worked on
for jeez for about three years, and I had this
vision in my head of having Memorial Park with people
skating down there around the skating trail, lights up in
the park with a Christmas tree in the middle all
the way up, and I thought this would be nice
for the Christmas and the holidays and quite frankly, just
(07:39):
to bring some joy to everybody. And so this was
a little bit of a labor of love. And so
we did actually do our official opening this past Saturday
in Memorial Park. So if you go down now throughout
the whole holiday season, right now, if you go down
(08:01):
in the evening, you'll be able to see the park
all lit up. The tree is lit and also the
skating trail is open and being maintained. It's open from
ten until ten throughout the week, so please go down
and enjoy yourself down there.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
Yeah, so for anybody who hasn't been there, by the way,
they asked the skate trail, which was Stephen Dasco's initiative.
He's the one who put that all together and had
to fight for that. I know is maintained using a zamboni,
an actual zamboni, which is the coolest little thing I've
ever seen. I shouldn't call a little thing, but you know,
comparatively speaking.
Speaker 3 (08:39):
Well, it really is, yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
And the ice is in really good condition because of that.
Speaker 3 (08:45):
I think, you know, yeah, they do a very good job.
And I will say so the zamboni they actually call
it the ping it's the formal name of it. It's
a pinguino and it's a smaller than a normal zambone
me and it's fully electric, so it goes around I
think it's three times around the trail and that actually
(09:09):
has it all kind of flooded.
Speaker 2 (09:11):
Awesome, very nice, So congratulations on the success of that.
I know that Mayor Carolyn Parish of Mississauga had mentioned
on her I think it was on x if I'm
not mistaken how much she enjoyed being at the event
and how the smell of wood burning, which I know
you had a nice big fire going on there, was
(09:31):
so nice. It just fills the air in the wintertime,
and I don't know, it gives you a feeling of
just being outside the city.
Speaker 3 (09:37):
I guess it was great, and yes, one hundred percent,
the Mayor and I had had a great time down there.
She even partook in some of the caroling that was
going on. We had the Lions Club down there doing
their caroling. They had their bonfire going with some great
cranberry cider that they've done for decades, so they had
(09:59):
all that down there and a few little fires that
were in these fire pits for warming stations that were there.
So it was just a great, great amount of fun.
The Poor Credit b I A did a phenomenal job
doing a bunch of organizations for the event. We also
lit the lighthouse at the same time, and we had
(10:20):
this was through the Poor Credit b I A. They
had this little train going around giving everybody a little
little kind of trips around the park and this type
of thing, and it was it was just great fun,
you know, to have and also, you know, the lighthouse
being lit was one thing, but then the real, the real,
(10:42):
I guess cherry on top of the Sunday was having
Santa Claus himself actually came and paid everybody a visit,
which was which was very exciting.
Speaker 2 (10:52):
That's awesome. He's a busy man this time of year, obviously,
and it's nice to know that with all the fires
you have to put out, it's nice to see you
starting one up for a change in a good way.
Well foot norm thank you. What else has been going on?
In the month of November. I know you've had a
couple of openings to attend to, and you're always busy
and always on the go, and it's probably hard to
(11:13):
pick out your favorites. For goodness sakes, there's so many
of them. But what's been going on your way?
Speaker 3 (11:18):
There's been just a lot of really good, just fantastic events,
is really what I can say. The Ontario Country Music
Association had their second annual Snowball. This one was excuse
me at the at the Port Credit Legion this past Friday,
(11:41):
and boil Boy, We've got some incredible talent. Elease Saunders
was there. She is She's just a phenomenal talent and
I'll tell you, I think she's really going places. If
you haven't had a chance to check her out, A
Lease Saunders is really somebody to check out. So she
was there at this event. And then of course we
(12:04):
had some wonderful caroling going on over the weekend as well.
I will say what's coming up is pretty exciting as well.
We do have this Friday starts off the Festival of Trees.
The Creative Hub thirteen fifty two, a great local arts group,
(12:28):
are going to be hosting their annual Festival of Trees
at the Small Arms Inspection Building and that's just that
Dixie and Lakeshore. That should be just every year. It's
something that's really creative, it's interesting, it just has a
really nice feel to it getting into the holidays. So
(12:48):
that's definitely one to check out. And that'll be on
for the next while, but it does start on Friday,
and then this coming Monday, we are going to have
the The Lions Club is going to be back for
their forty seventh annual. This is going to be their
forty seventh time if you can imagine down in Poor
(13:11):
Credits Memorial Park and they're going to be back down
there singing Christmas carols. All are more than welcome. It's
a free event and they have the fire going again
with the kettle making some great cider, and of course
bring your skates because you can go and skate around
the skating trail.
Speaker 2 (13:31):
That sounds like an event. When's that happening.
Speaker 3 (13:34):
That is going to be on Monday the ninth, and
that'll go from I believe six to eight thirty.
Speaker 2 (13:40):
Very nice looking forward to that. I'm sure there's a
lot going on in the Port for coming up leading
up the holiday season of courses upon us and all
the caroling and such, and the lights and the festivity
and the food and everything else going on, and the
parties and such. I mean, you must get a lot
of invitations. How do you pick out where you can
(14:00):
go and where you can't go? Do you ever turn
down any invitations?
Speaker 3 (14:04):
I try not to as much as I possibly can.
I try to get out to each and everything that
I can. There's so many things going on. I love
helping people, as you know. And my biggest thing that
I love to do is if anybody out there is
wanting me to go in any small way to promote
their event or lend my support, I'm there in a
(14:24):
heartbeat to do so.
Speaker 2 (14:26):
So and we appreciate that certainly. I don't mean to
press any sensitive buttons here, but can you comment on
the city budget? And I only bring it up because
it is right now pretty hot? Right now? I mean
the Peel Police board. As you know, the Peel Police
are rebuking the request to reduce there one hundred and
forty four million dollars budget increase and there's reasons for that.
(14:49):
Your thoughts on this, or at least comment if you
don't mind Stephen on how counsels.
Speaker 3 (14:53):
No, might I be pleased to And I think I
think residents have been asking and saying, what the heck
is going on? Possibly facing a nine and a half
percent tax increase, and this is this is a killer.
And so I will say I am a first and
(15:14):
foremost I am very supportive of police. I always have been,
always will be. I think what they do is truly
incredible work, and they're also faced with some very daunting
tasks that that they do on all of our behalf
to keep us safe each and every day. Absolutely, and
(15:35):
Peel Regional Police really are are an incredible group. You
know what is being what is happening right now is
the police, on top of what they're currently getting, they're
asking for an additional twenty plus an additional two percent levies,
let's twenty three percent increase for the year. And this
(15:57):
is going to be a really really It all adds
up because what we do in the city is we
have the City of Mississauga taxation rate. Then you add
up Peel and a lot of what's coming out of
Peel right now is the police budget. And it turned
out to be a real heavy Hitter, and what I've
said is it's unsustainable at this rate to put this
(16:22):
on the back of the property tax payer. And so
what I've been asking for Number one is the City
of Mississauga pays sixty two percent of the Peel Regional
Police budget. Branton pays thirty eight percent. So what I've said,
this is something that the mayor has been strongly advocating
(16:43):
for as well. Mayor Parish has been very vocal about it.
She said the same thing that we should be having
a fifty one percent rate in the City of Mississauga
and to balance the forty nine percent should be Brampton.
That is certainly one. And then the other part to
(17:03):
that is we've had some changes under provincial legislation in
twenty nineteen and really we're at a situation now where
I think other levels of government really do have to
come in and step up and provide funding for our
police departments right across the province because, for example, I
(17:25):
believe it, Sarnia is going to be facing a thirty
five percent increase over four years. So these are massive,
massive amounts of money that are coming in and the
cities they don't have what they call revenue tools or
taxation tools if you will, to be able to offset this.
(17:46):
So what happens is it ends up on everybody's tax
role at the end of it all. And so these
are some of the challenges we're going through right now.
And I'll tell you I want to always make sure
that we have the safest community, but we also get
the best bang for our buck. And I'll always fight
for all of us that are that are taxpayers right
(18:07):
across the city.
Speaker 2 (18:09):
So we're speaking with Stephen dasco Ward one counselor Mississauga.
You think it's fair then, Stephen that Brampton is at
the forty nine percent rate and Mississauga fifty one, Like
it's almost an even split. Is that fair? Do you think?
Speaker 3 (18:23):
Well, when you look at the call volumes, the call
volumes are basically an even split. But the part that
is not even is exactly that and that's and that's
the bill I see.
Speaker 2 (18:35):
Okay, So lots to talk about, lots of decision making.
Are we ever going to get to that point where
decisions are made, like I mean, in the next sixty days,
let's say, or do you see this as being an
ongoing study? You know how it is it's more so
now you.
Speaker 3 (18:49):
Know, well, you bring up a good point. But also
I don't think there's a rush to get the budget
done because the province will be coming back and talking
about how things are going to be from a structural
point of view at the region. So what stays at
the region, what goes to the municipalities, what goes to Mississauga,
(19:14):
Brampton and Caladen. We'll be finding that out. A lot
of the rumor going around is roads will be put
down to the lower tiers, so to Mississauga, Brampton and Caladen.
We're also hearing that waste that might be the case
as well, So there's a lot of different aspects that
we just don't know right now. And then also how
(19:35):
policing gets funded is I think part of that. I
feel that if we do get roads are put down
and we also get our waste management put down, I
think there's some great savings that we can have on
behalf of Mississauga, and then that will be a significant
(19:57):
change to how how we treat things and how we
budget in the future.
Speaker 2 (20:03):
Thanks for answering all of this. I know that it's
not entirely upon you to do so, so it's appreciated
that you lend some thoughts and ideas behind what council
is facing here. Can you give us Can you shed
any light on what's happening with the Hazel mccalliy and
l RT, the light rail transit that starts at your
part of the city, any thoughts on that, because I
(20:23):
love coming to Ward one poor credit, I'm not crazy
about going there some days. I'm just saying because of
the traffic situation. Sure, absolutely, So how's that coming along, Stephen?
Speaker 3 (20:34):
You know, well, it is coming along. You know, when
they said it was going to be done at the
end of the at the end of this calendar year,
it should have been opening anytime now. I think myself
and everybody else we all didn't think that that really
was going to happen. Unfortunately, it hasn't kind of shut
shook out that way. You know, they're looking at another
(20:56):
year from my understanding, but I do know that they
have had some of some challenges unto themselves as well.
But there is work that is ongoing now again, and
so I'm waiting for some updates as well. I've been
asking for some answers and I'm hoping to be able
to deliver that to residents soon.
Speaker 2 (21:17):
Yeah, I appreciate that. I know you're like the rest
of us in a sense, you're just also trying to
find out, okay, what's going on and get some answers,
like you just said. So anyways, moving forward on into
the holiday season and such, I know we won't be
chatting again until the beginning of January next in twenty
twenty five, you get me.
Speaker 1 (21:34):
Hold more in the heck?
Speaker 3 (21:36):
Did this year ago?
Speaker 2 (21:38):
I know? Pardon lastly, yeah, quite something? But have you
do you think it's been a successful year for Ward
one overall? I say, yes, I think you've been working
like a dog getting things done. You never take a
day off, it seems to me. Are you going to
take Are you happy with the success of the year,
(21:59):
first of all? And secondly, are you going to take
some time over the holidays yourself and your family Maria
and such, and you know, take a little vacation? You think?
Speaker 3 (22:08):
No, I might take a few a few days, just
a little bit of downtime, but I always want to
just keep working on behalf of everybody in the community.
And yes, it's been it's been I think, a rewarding year.
But I always look at what's coming next and what
are we're going to be able to accomplish together next.
That's what That's what you know, I get so excited about.
(22:30):
And in a new year, we have the Carmen Corbus
and Community Center opening, We have a lot of parkland
that is still going through the you know, the planning
stages all along our waterfront, and there's a lot of
great things to come. So for me, I always feel
the best is yet to come and I look forward
to to working with everybody to make sure that we
(22:51):
get something that I feel is world class, from second
to none.
Speaker 2 (22:54):
Any other names you want to plug or businesses or
anything like that before we wrap it up for this year,
I Stephen.
Speaker 3 (23:01):
Well, I'll give a few plugs. I'll say there's a
great little shop in Port Credit and I know that
they're winding things down. They'll probably be, uh, you know,
closing up. They've sold their business and that's Zest. It's
down in Port Credit on Lake Shore, so I understand
that they've got a lot of great deals going on.
(23:23):
I'm looking to probably make my way down there to
see what I can get. And and then just I'll
tell you there's a free parking down in Port Credit
right now and that is right out until the middle
of January. The whole idea there is please if you're
if you're in a situation where you want to do
some shopping for the holidays, please come on down and
(23:47):
visit a local shop. They've got some great stuff. They
appreciate it more than you'll know. And this is these
are some shops that we'll get to know you by name,
and I guarantee you a lot of the big box
shops they they just won't because it's a whole different dynamic.
But it's a great place to go do your shopping,
have a bite to eat. And I can't I can't
(24:10):
tell you how many great companies that we have all
along the whole corridor there. And there's a new one
now just down on Elizabeth Street, and that's called Oris Labs,
where you can actually go in and make your own
perfume or cologne and a really cool, interesting concept. It's
definitely worth checking out. But there's, yeah, just all kinds
(24:32):
of wonderful things all through the community.
Speaker 2 (24:35):
That sounds fun. It really does. There's lots going on
for sure, and you know what, I hope you do
get some downtime Steven, and we're looking forward to more happening.
Like you say, some of the best is yet to come,
and going forward into twenty twenty five, you and miss
Maria and Ginger and Skipper also, I know you've got
running around the house there. So we wish you all
the best for the holidays.
Speaker 3 (24:56):
Thank you so much and wishing you all the very
very best as well. Happy, happy, I guess new year.
Can you imagine I'm not going to be talking to
you until there's a whole brand new year coming up.
Speaker 2 (25:09):
I know we're a quarter of the way through the
century already. I don't know. That's amazing.
Speaker 3 (25:16):
That one is hard. It's really hard to process, that,
isn't it for sure?
Speaker 2 (25:20):
Well, thanks against even all the best to you and
everybody in ward one and in the family. And I
know the office staff are the best that they that
work with you. They are always very very easy to
work with when I'm setting up interviews with you and
such and time that you're available and everything, and I
appreciate the time that you put aside to be with
us here. So we'll say happy new Year to you
(25:41):
and all the best of the holidays going forward, and
we look forward to speaking to you next month.
Speaker 3 (25:46):
Well, thank you all the best to you and yours
and yes absolutely from Maria and myself, my mom, my brother,
Angie and Amber, all of us, From all of us
to you all the very.
Speaker 2 (26:01):
Awesome, Thank you so much. I'm Noram Murray. This is
News Talk SAGA nine sixty. We will be back right
after this.
Speaker 1 (26:16):
No Radio, no Problem. Stream is live on SAGA nine
sixty am dot c a
The views expressed in the following program are those of
the participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of
SAGA nine sixty AM or its management.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
I'm Norm Murray listening to news Talk SAGA nine sixty.
Nice to have you long today here on the hour
that we call the Norm, which is a look at
what is the norm? Anyways? What's the new norm mole
in our world? It's also my name on top of that.
But you know what we get to do every month
around about this time, at the beginning of the month,
we get to chat with our friend Stephen Dasco. He's
the Ward one counselor in Mississauga, as you know, and
(00:55):
he has been for a number of years, and he
joins us every month and let us know what's happening
in his ward. We're in counsel in general, I guess.
So we just sort of talked about the state of
the union here in Peel region. How are you today, Stephen.
Speaker 3 (01:07):
I'm doing terrific. Good to hear your voice. Narm Oh, thank.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
You, thank you very much. I appreciate that. Go to
Stephendasco dot com for some great updates as to what's
happening in Ward one. And it's an outstanding website and
also follow them on social media at dasco Ward one.
So Stephen, here we are. We're into December. We spoke
at the beginning of last month, and you have been
a very busy counselor for sure. In the last thirty
(01:32):
days or so, we've.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
Had just a lot of things going on in the community,
and some of them are construction related and those are
never fun. And then there's other things that bring the
community together and we have a lot of fun. So yeah,
it's been a very very active, active month since I
spoke with you.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
Last So now that the snow is arriving, I don't know,
I'm not a weather forecast or I have no idea
how long it's going to stay. But assuming it's going
to stay for a while, does that affect a lot
of the construction decisions or council meetings per se about
that stuff?
Speaker 3 (02:11):
No, Well, you know what, the business as usual. You know,
you'll you'll see a lot of different road projects that
are that are underway, the ones that for example, I'm like, sure,
we did have a temporary closure, which I know was
it was not pleasant, but I wanted to just go
(02:32):
get it done and get it over with, and and
so that that for example, whether or not it was
twenty it was a twenty four to seven operation just
to get that done down along in the Lake Sea area.
And that was for some sewer pipes and water pipes
that had to go through, so that's not really weather dependent.
(02:52):
And then as well with people that are that are
doing some you know, construction projects, whether it's a condominium
that they're building, an apartment or some of the infill housing,
those ones can continue as well.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
Stephen, do you get any pushback from the community when
it's given the go ahead to do twenty four to
seven construction just to get it done well, In.
Speaker 3 (03:18):
A lot of cases, I will. That's one of those
where it has to be something pretty significant for me
to sign off on a twenty four to seven operation.
I'll tell you Lakeshore. This was a full closure of Lakeshore,
and that's one that it's the former highway too. It's
(03:41):
a significantly busy artery and I didn't want that close
any longer than it absolutely had to. So that's where
I said, let's just get it done.
Speaker 2 (03:50):
Oh, I hear you on that. I am totally personally
in favor of twenty four to seven construction, especially on roads.
I know, not everybody who lives next to the roads
would be and that's why I was wondering if you
ever hear from those folks who say, Hey, what's going on.
It's eleven o'clock here, I'm trying.
Speaker 3 (04:06):
To I do and then and really, you know what
part of that was was having cars going that ordinarily
that volume of traffic I wouldn't be going through their
neighborhood is is now a problem. And they just said,
you know what, same thing, just get it done. And
so that's what we did. And also it was a
(04:26):
matter of coordinating with Peel Regional Police to come out
also city staff to come out and make sure that
the roads were safe and that people that were out
walking or cycling or you know, trying to get hinto
doune of their driveways for example, that they were all
able to do so in a safe way.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
We are speaking with Steven Dasco, he's the Ward one
counselor for Mississauga, and getting a little caught up on
what's been going on in his ward and in the
Peel region. Are certainly Mississauga in general. I guess we
talk about all sorts of stuff. I know that now
that the snow seems to be settling in for a
little while here, the term windrows is being used a
(05:07):
little more commonly. Is that fair to say?
Speaker 1 (05:10):
It is?
Speaker 3 (05:11):
It is? And this is one where you know, I
don't think in the middle of July you're probably googling
to see what the windrow is. But around this time,
when you see that that lump of snow at the
bottom of your driveway, it's almost like concrete, you're saying,
what the heck is that called? That's what it is?
A windrow. And yes, so I think to your you know,
(05:33):
part of what you're going to mention, I think is
we do have a program right now which is in
place for this season that's for seniors and those that
have accessibility issues. And so the program is two hundred
dollars for the entire season. So if it snows every
single day, you'll get that service it's two hundred dollars.
(05:55):
Or if you have a lower income threshold, then you
do not have to pay the two hundred dollars, And
that's an effect for the whole season. It's I had
it doubled a few years ago it was at around
three hundred and fifty. We're at about seven hundred and fifty.
There is, from my understanding, there is some still some
(06:17):
room if you haven't been able to sign up yet
to get that program done for the year. And then
what we're looking to do in the budget for next
year is we're looking to have windrow clearing for all
the residential neighborhoods right across the city.
Speaker 2 (06:33):
Wow, how does someone go about getting on the list
to get that done?
Speaker 3 (06:37):
Well, you can certainly just go to my website at
Stephen Dasco dot ca. That's Stephen Dasco dot ca, and
the in the search area, just put in windrow and
if that fails, you can always give my office a
call at nine oh five eight nine six five to
one zero zero.
Speaker 2 (06:59):
All right, So, what else has been going on the
last month or so before the snow came? I'm talking now.
I know you've had a very busy month of November
after Halloween there and of course even over this past
weekend there was the big event at Memorial Park, right.
Speaker 3 (07:15):
Yeah. Absolutely. This was something that I had worked on
for jeez for about three years, and I had this
vision in my head of having Memorial Park with people
skating down there around the skating trail, lights up in
the park with a Christmas tree in the middle all
the way up, and I thought this would be nice
for the Christmas and the holidays and quite frankly, just
(07:39):
to bring some joy to everybody. And so this was
a little bit of a labor of love. And so
we did actually do our official opening this past Saturday
in Memorial Park. So if you go down now throughout
the whole holiday season, right now, if you go down
(08:01):
in the evening, you'll be able to see the park
all lit up. The tree is lit and also the
skating trail is open and being maintained. It's open from
ten until ten throughout the week, so please go down
and enjoy yourself down there.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
Yeah, so for anybody who hasn't been there, by the way,
they asked the skate trail, which was Stephen Dasco's initiative.
He's the one who put that all together and had
to fight for that. I know is maintained using a zamboni,
an actual zamboni, which is the coolest little thing I've
ever seen. I shouldn't call a little thing, but you know,
comparatively speaking.
Speaker 3 (08:39):
Well, it really is, yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
And the ice is in really good condition because of that.
Speaker 3 (08:45):
I think, you know, yeah, they do a very good job.
And I will say so the zamboni they actually call
it the ping it's the formal name of it. It's
a pinguino and it's a smaller than a normal zambone
me and it's fully electric, so it goes around I
think it's three times around the trail and that actually
(09:09):
has it all kind of flooded.
Speaker 2 (09:11):
Awesome, very nice, So congratulations on the success of that.
I know that Mayor Carolyn Parish of Mississauga had mentioned
on her I think it was on x if I'm
not mistaken how much she enjoyed being at the event
and how the smell of wood burning, which I know
you had a nice big fire going on there, was
(09:31):
so nice. It just fills the air in the wintertime,
and I don't know, it gives you a feeling of
just being outside the city.
Speaker 3 (09:37):
I guess it was great, and yes, one hundred percent,
the Mayor and I had had a great time down there.
She even partook in some of the caroling that was
going on. We had the Lions Club down there doing
their caroling. They had their bonfire going with some great
cranberry cider that they've done for decades, so they had
(09:59):
all that down there and a few little fires that
were in these fire pits for warming stations that were there.
So it was just a great, great amount of fun.
The Poor Credit b I A did a phenomenal job
doing a bunch of organizations for the event. We also
lit the lighthouse at the same time, and we had
(10:20):
this was through the Poor Credit b I A. They
had this little train going around giving everybody a little
little kind of trips around the park and this type
of thing, and it was it was just great fun,
you know, to have and also, you know, the lighthouse
being lit was one thing, but then the real, the real,
(10:42):
I guess cherry on top of the Sunday was having
Santa Claus himself actually came and paid everybody a visit,
which was which was very exciting.
Speaker 2 (10:52):
That's awesome. He's a busy man this time of year, obviously,
and it's nice to know that with all the fires
you have to put out, it's nice to see you
starting one up for a change in a good way.
Well foot norm thank you. What else has been going on?
In the month of November. I know you've had a
couple of openings to attend to, and you're always busy
and always on the go, and it's probably hard to
(11:13):
pick out your favorites. For goodness sakes, there's so many
of them. But what's been going on your way?
Speaker 3 (11:18):
There's been just a lot of really good, just fantastic events,
is really what I can say. The Ontario Country Music
Association had their second annual Snowball. This one was excuse
me at the at the Port Credit Legion this past Friday,
(11:41):
and boil Boy, We've got some incredible talent. Elease Saunders
was there. She is She's just a phenomenal talent and
I'll tell you, I think she's really going places. If
you haven't had a chance to check her out, A
Lease Saunders is really somebody to check out. So she
was there at this event. And then of course we
(12:04):
had some wonderful caroling going on over the weekend as well.
I will say what's coming up is pretty exciting as well.
We do have this Friday starts off the Festival of Trees.
The Creative Hub thirteen fifty two, a great local arts group,
(12:28):
are going to be hosting their annual Festival of Trees
at the Small Arms Inspection Building and that's just that
Dixie and Lakeshore. That should be just every year. It's
something that's really creative, it's interesting, it just has a
really nice feel to it getting into the holidays. So
(12:48):
that's definitely one to check out. And that'll be on
for the next while, but it does start on Friday,
and then this coming Monday, we are going to have
the The Lions Club is going to be back for
their forty seventh annual. This is going to be their
forty seventh time if you can imagine down in Poor
(13:11):
Credits Memorial Park and they're going to be back down
there singing Christmas carols. All are more than welcome. It's
a free event and they have the fire going again
with the kettle making some great cider, and of course
bring your skates because you can go and skate around
the skating trail.
Speaker 2 (13:31):
That sounds like an event. When's that happening.
Speaker 3 (13:34):
That is going to be on Monday the ninth, and
that'll go from I believe six to eight thirty.
Speaker 2 (13:40):
Very nice looking forward to that. I'm sure there's a
lot going on in the Port for coming up leading
up the holiday season of courses upon us and all
the caroling and such, and the lights and the festivity
and the food and everything else going on, and the
parties and such. I mean, you must get a lot
of invitations. How do you pick out where you can
(14:00):
go and where you can't go? Do you ever turn
down any invitations?
Speaker 3 (14:04):
I try not to as much as I possibly can.
I try to get out to each and everything that
I can. There's so many things going on. I love
helping people, as you know. And my biggest thing that
I love to do is if anybody out there is
wanting me to go in any small way to promote
their event or lend my support, I'm there in a
(14:24):
heartbeat to do so.
Speaker 2 (14:26):
So and we appreciate that certainly. I don't mean to
press any sensitive buttons here, but can you comment on
the city budget? And I only bring it up because
it is right now pretty hot? Right now? I mean
the Peel Police board. As you know, the Peel Police
are rebuking the request to reduce there one hundred and
forty four million dollars budget increase and there's reasons for that.
(14:49):
Your thoughts on this, or at least comment if you
don't mind Stephen on how counsels.
Speaker 3 (14:53):
No, might I be pleased to And I think I
think residents have been asking and saying, what the heck
is going on? Possibly facing a nine and a half
percent tax increase, and this is this is a killer.
And so I will say I am a first and
(15:14):
foremost I am very supportive of police. I always have been,
always will be. I think what they do is truly
incredible work, and they're also faced with some very daunting
tasks that that they do on all of our behalf
to keep us safe each and every day. Absolutely, and
(15:35):
Peel Regional Police really are are an incredible group. You
know what is being what is happening right now is
the police, on top of what they're currently getting, they're
asking for an additional twenty plus an additional two percent levies,
let's twenty three percent increase for the year. And this
(15:57):
is going to be a really really It all adds
up because what we do in the city is we
have the City of Mississauga taxation rate. Then you add
up Peel and a lot of what's coming out of
Peel right now is the police budget. And it turned
out to be a real heavy Hitter, and what I've
said is it's unsustainable at this rate to put this
(16:22):
on the back of the property tax payer. And so
what I've been asking for Number one is the City
of Mississauga pays sixty two percent of the Peel Regional
Police budget. Branton pays thirty eight percent. So what I've said,
this is something that the mayor has been strongly advocating
(16:43):
for as well. Mayor Parish has been very vocal about it.
She said the same thing that we should be having
a fifty one percent rate in the City of Mississauga
and to balance the forty nine percent should be Brampton.
That is certainly one. And then the other part to
(17:03):
that is we've had some changes under provincial legislation in
twenty nineteen and really we're at a situation now where
I think other levels of government really do have to
come in and step up and provide funding for our
police departments right across the province because, for example, I
(17:25):
believe it, Sarnia is going to be facing a thirty
five percent increase over four years. So these are massive,
massive amounts of money that are coming in and the
cities they don't have what they call revenue tools or
taxation tools if you will, to be able to offset this.
(17:46):
So what happens is it ends up on everybody's tax
role at the end of it all. And so these
are some of the challenges we're going through right now.
And I'll tell you I want to always make sure
that we have the safest community, but we also get
the best bang for our buck. And I'll always fight
for all of us that are that are taxpayers right
(18:07):
across the city.
Speaker 2 (18:09):
So we're speaking with Stephen dasco Ward one counselor Mississauga.
You think it's fair then, Stephen that Brampton is at
the forty nine percent rate and Mississauga fifty one, Like
it's almost an even split. Is that fair? Do you think?
Speaker 3 (18:23):
Well, when you look at the call volumes, the call
volumes are basically an even split. But the part that
is not even is exactly that and that's and that's
the bill I see.
Speaker 2 (18:35):
Okay, So lots to talk about, lots of decision making.
Are we ever going to get to that point where
decisions are made, like I mean, in the next sixty days,
let's say, or do you see this as being an
ongoing study? You know how it is it's more so
now you.
Speaker 3 (18:49):
Know, well, you bring up a good point. But also
I don't think there's a rush to get the budget
done because the province will be coming back and talking
about how things are going to be from a structural
point of view at the region. So what stays at
the region, what goes to the municipalities, what goes to Mississauga,
(19:14):
Brampton and Caladen. We'll be finding that out. A lot
of the rumor going around is roads will be put
down to the lower tiers, so to Mississauga, Brampton and Caladen.
We're also hearing that waste that might be the case
as well, So there's a lot of different aspects that
we just don't know right now. And then also how
(19:35):
policing gets funded is I think part of that. I
feel that if we do get roads are put down
and we also get our waste management put down, I
think there's some great savings that we can have on
behalf of Mississauga, and then that will be a significant
(19:57):
change to how how we treat things and how we
budget in the future.
Speaker 2 (20:03):
Thanks for answering all of this. I know that it's
not entirely upon you to do so, so it's appreciated
that you lend some thoughts and ideas behind what council
is facing here. Can you give us Can you shed
any light on what's happening with the Hazel mccalliy and
l RT, the light rail transit that starts at your
part of the city, any thoughts on that, because I
(20:23):
love coming to Ward one poor credit, I'm not crazy
about going there some days. I'm just saying because of
the traffic situation. Sure, absolutely, So how's that coming along, Stephen?
Speaker 3 (20:34):
You know, well, it is coming along. You know, when
they said it was going to be done at the
end of the at the end of this calendar year,
it should have been opening anytime now. I think myself
and everybody else we all didn't think that that really
was going to happen. Unfortunately, it hasn't kind of shut
shook out that way. You know, they're looking at another
(20:56):
year from my understanding, but I do know that they
have had some of some challenges unto themselves as well.
But there is work that is ongoing now again, and
so I'm waiting for some updates as well. I've been
asking for some answers and I'm hoping to be able
to deliver that to residents soon.
Speaker 2 (21:17):
Yeah, I appreciate that. I know you're like the rest
of us in a sense, you're just also trying to
find out, okay, what's going on and get some answers,
like you just said. So anyways, moving forward on into
the holiday season and such, I know we won't be
chatting again until the beginning of January next in twenty
twenty five, you get me.
Speaker 1 (21:34):
Hold more in the heck?
Speaker 3 (21:36):
Did this year ago?
Speaker 2 (21:38):
I know? Pardon lastly, yeah, quite something? But have you
do you think it's been a successful year for Ward
one overall? I say, yes, I think you've been working
like a dog getting things done. You never take a
day off, it seems to me. Are you going to
take Are you happy with the success of the year,
(21:59):
first of all? And secondly, are you going to take
some time over the holidays yourself and your family Maria
and such, and you know, take a little vacation? You think?
Speaker 3 (22:08):
No, I might take a few a few days, just
a little bit of downtime, but I always want to
just keep working on behalf of everybody in the community.
And yes, it's been it's been I think, a rewarding year.
But I always look at what's coming next and what
are we're going to be able to accomplish together next.
That's what That's what you know, I get so excited about.
(22:30):
And in a new year, we have the Carmen Corbus
and Community Center opening, We have a lot of parkland
that is still going through the you know, the planning
stages all along our waterfront, and there's a lot of
great things to come. So for me, I always feel
the best is yet to come and I look forward
to to working with everybody to make sure that we
(22:51):
get something that I feel is world class, from second
to none.
Speaker 2 (22:54):
Any other names you want to plug or businesses or
anything like that before we wrap it up for this year,
I Stephen.
Speaker 3 (23:01):
Well, I'll give a few plugs. I'll say there's a
great little shop in Port Credit and I know that
they're winding things down. They'll probably be, uh, you know,
closing up. They've sold their business and that's Zest. It's
down in Port Credit on Lake Shore, so I understand
that they've got a lot of great deals going on.
(23:23):
I'm looking to probably make my way down there to
see what I can get. And and then just I'll
tell you there's a free parking down in Port Credit
right now and that is right out until the middle
of January. The whole idea there is please if you're
if you're in a situation where you want to do
some shopping for the holidays, please come on down and
(23:47):
visit a local shop. They've got some great stuff. They
appreciate it more than you'll know. And this is these
are some shops that we'll get to know you by name,
and I guarantee you a lot of the big box
shops they they just won't because it's a whole different dynamic.
But it's a great place to go do your shopping,
have a bite to eat. And I can't I can't
(24:10):
tell you how many great companies that we have all
along the whole corridor there. And there's a new one
now just down on Elizabeth Street, and that's called Oris Labs,
where you can actually go in and make your own
perfume or cologne and a really cool, interesting concept. It's
definitely worth checking out. But there's, yeah, just all kinds
(24:32):
of wonderful things all through the community.
Speaker 2 (24:35):
That sounds fun. It really does. There's lots going on
for sure, and you know what, I hope you do
get some downtime Steven, and we're looking forward to more happening.
Like you say, some of the best is yet to come,
and going forward into twenty twenty five, you and miss
Maria and Ginger and Skipper also, I know you've got
running around the house there. So we wish you all
the best for the holidays.
Speaker 3 (24:56):
Thank you so much and wishing you all the very
very best as well. Happy, happy, I guess new year.
Can you imagine I'm not going to be talking to
you until there's a whole brand new year coming up.
Speaker 2 (25:09):
I know we're a quarter of the way through the
century already. I don't know. That's amazing.
Speaker 3 (25:16):
That one is hard. It's really hard to process, that,
isn't it for sure?
Speaker 2 (25:20):
Well, thanks against even all the best to you and
everybody in ward one and in the family. And I
know the office staff are the best that they that
work with you. They are always very very easy to
work with when I'm setting up interviews with you and
such and time that you're available and everything, and I
appreciate the time that you put aside to be with
us here. So we'll say happy new Year to you
(25:41):
and all the best of the holidays going forward, and
we look forward to speaking to you next month.
Speaker 3 (25:46):
Well, thank you all the best to you and yours
and yes absolutely from Maria and myself, my mom, my brother,
Angie and Amber, all of us, From all of us
to you all the very.
Speaker 2 (26:01):
Awesome, Thank you so much. I'm Noram Murray. This is
News Talk SAGA nine sixty. We will be back right
after this.
Speaker 1 (26:16):
No Radio, no Problem. Stream is live on SAGA nine
sixty am dot c a
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