Lots of free community events are happening this summer

By Kathy Rowe

Summer has arrived and the Centennial editorial team will be taking a well-deserved break until September. I’d like to express a heartfelt thanks to this incredible team. Their hard work is evident and this publication continues to wow me at every turn!  We hope you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoy creating it.

Farewell Gerry Divaris

CCRA Vice President and Planning Chair Gerry Divaris has left our board and I want to thank him for all his valued contributions to the CCRA over the last several years.  I wish Gerry all the best in his future endeavours.

Events Galore!

There are a number of free community events to choose from this summer and you can read about them in this issue. I’d like to also mention West Rouge Sports and Rec’s outdoor family movie night scheduled for Friday, July 7 on the grounds behind the Port Union Community Centre. Games and activities begin at 7:30 p.m. and the movie will start just before sunset. To see their events calendar, go to sportsandrec.ca.

I think residents would agree that we have a very special community with amazing people who volunteer their time to offer experiences to residents throughout the year. Summer is certainly no exception!

Mayoral Candidates Debate

On Wednesday, May 24, I attended the mayoral candidates debate at U of T Scarborough Campus. This superbly executed event was hosted by the Scarborough Community Renewal Organization (SCRO). The top six candidates, Brad Bradford, Mitzie Hunter, Mark Saunders, Olivia Chow, Ana Bailo and Josh Matlow, were there to speak to important Scarborough issues. Journalist Cynthia Mulligan moderated the debate, which was broadcast live on CityNews. 

The turnout for the debate was very good and several questions about Toronto issues and a few specific to Scarborough were posed. Raising taxes was a contentious topic but the debate never got out of hand. All of the candidates pledged to save Torontonians money and to balance the budget.

I have to admit that I will need to watch another debate before I make up my mind. It’s important for Scarborough to vote in this mayoral by-election on June 26. Let’s not allow the rest of Toronto to make decisions for Scarborough.

I’d like to wish Centennial a safe and enjoyable summer. We will be back in September.