Gordon Prentice at Large - Politics in Newmarket
- Details
- Written by: Gordon Prentice
Newmarket-Aurora's new MP, Tony Van Bynen, has listed “preserving local heritage” as one of his priorities. 
Under his watch as Mayor of Newmarket one of the Town’s oldest properties dating from as early as 1811 was allowed to crumble and decay into a truly lamentable state. So it is reassuring to hear our new MP declare he is in favour of “preserving local heritage”. This is a big deal.
In the spirit of the times and with the election now safely behind him I hope he will also share with us his views on the unlawful demolition of the protected heritage building at 184-186 Main Street South.
Prosecution
The President of the Newmarket Branch of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario, Bill Wolske, yesterday told the Mayor and councillors that the ACO is
“strongly of the view that the owner, Main Street Clock Inc, should be prosecuted.”
It is unclear if the Town has yet spoken to the developer, Bob Forrest, about the unauthorised demolition. Neither Forrest nor his Main Street Clock Inc. has made any kind of public statement about the unlawful destruction of a unique part of the Town’s history.
There were signs early on that Forrest’s preferred modus operandi was demolition by neglect.
Stop Work Orders stay in place
The Town has confirmed that Stop Work Orders remain in place on two of the buildings (184/186 and 188/190/192),
“as the Town continues its investigation”.
- Details
- Written by: Gordon Prentice
The 69 year old former Mayor of Newmarket, Tony Van Bynen, is our new MP.
It is an astonishing achievement for someone who was not even a member of the Liberal Party until a few months ago. It has been an amazing journey for Van Bynen who has eschewed partisan Party politics for his entire adult life - until now.
It will be fascinating to see how he makes his mark in Ottawa. And the issues he chooses to champion.
The Liberal share of the vote dropped from 45.2% in 2015 to 42.9% yesterday but it was enough.
The Conservative share of the vote collapsed from 42.6% in 2015 to 38.2% yesterday. Lois Brown never set the stage on fire. The Conservatives were the night’s big losers, unable to reach out beyond their traditional supporters.
The percentage share for the NDP increased from 8.5% to 10.6%. And the Green share more than doubled from 2.4% to 5.7%. They both ran good, positive campaigns.
But, after this spectacular result, all eyes are now on Tony Van Bynen - Newmarket’s new voice in Ottawa.
And we have a new minority Liberal Government with support from 33.1% of Canadian voters - the lowest share of the popular vote in modern Canadian history.
This is how the national result was reported to Guardian readers in the UK. And here is the Toronto Star's ever perceptive Chantel Hebert.
Below, from Elections Canada, the result of the Federal election on 21 October 2019 and the previous one in 2015.
- Details
- Written by: Gordon Prentice
The Town deserves a big round of applause for acquiring Mulock Farm, the Newmarket home of the politician, lawyer and polymath Sir William Mulock. 
Yesterday, in bright Fall sunshine, there was an open-house where members of the public could see the impressive old house up close for the first time.
Mayor John Taylor and his councillor colleagues are out in force eager to tell us all about the history of the house and what it may become in future. We are given postcards to fill in with our thoughts. (Photo right shows the Mayor and Ward 4 councillor, Trevor Morrison)
The house will be closed now for a few years while it is repaired, restored and brought up to code. It looks impressive - even when empty and dowdy.
Old houses have stories to tell
There was, of course, a huge debate last year on whether the Town should acquire the property for $24M.
This tweet from local political commentator, Darryl Wolk, on 3 May 2018 probably summed up the views of many.
I am surprised the proposed “Mulock Central Park” has not gotten more attention in @townofnewmarket. Taxpayers misled on the biggest proposed tax increase in our history. Residents can expect to be hit with costs of at least $100 per year for the next 30 years. Sell the land!
To his credit, the then candidate for Mayor, John Taylor, made the acquisition of Mulock Farm an election issue – and won hands down.
Last year I wrote a short piece for the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario's magazine, Acorn, on Newmarket’s Ghost Canal and Sir William Mulock’s role in the controversial (and ultimately doomed) project. You can read it here at page 22.
Update: And this is how Newmarket Today covered the Open Day.
Below: The sitting room at Mulock House.
