| durhamregion.com | This Week | Thursday, November 3, 2022 | 2 P: 905-430-4300 E: info@whitby.ca whitby.ca What You Need To Know This Week in Whitby Have Your Say to Inform Fireworks Regulations Thank you to the 650+ Whitby residents who provided feedback on fireworks earlier this year. The Town learned residents have mixed feelings about fireworks use and we are seeking a little more feedback to help inform Council's decision on possible changes to the Town's fireworks regulations and by-law. Complete our second fireworks survey between now and November 17 at connectwhitby.ca/Fireworks Get Involved The Town is looking for 100+ volunteers to support the 15 boards and committees that advise Council on diversity, active transportation, heritage, accessibility, and more. Scan the QR code below to apply by November 28 or learn more at whitby.ca/AdvisoryCommittees Lest We Forget Attend a ceremony on November 11 at 11 a.m. There are three locations to choose from: • Whitby Cenotaph located at 109 Dundas Street East in Downtown Whitby, hosted by the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 112 (Whitby Legion) • Brooklin Cenotaph at the Brooklin Community Centre and Library, located at 8 Vipond Road, Whitby, hosted by the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 152 (Brooklin Legion) • Intrepid Park, 2008 Boundary Road, hosted by the Canadian Armed Forces Take a moment to learn about a hero: visit the Town's Wartime Heroes Canadian Literature Interactive Space at the Whitby Public Library, Central Library. When walking through Downtown Whitby or Brooklin be sure to look up. You will find photos and stories of local veterans and active service members displayed on lampposts. whitby.ca/Calendar Have Your Say: New Skatepark And Pump Track Design The Town is planning to construct a Skatepark and Pump Track at the future Whitby Sports Complex, and we want to hear from you. View the proposed design and share your feedback at the upcoming virtual community engagement session on Thursday, November 10 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. You can also share a comment at connectwhitby.ca/SportsComplex The Durham Regional Police Service has submitted a draft budget of $247.5 million for 2023, an increase of more than six per cent over last year's budget. The draft budget was reviewed Thursday, Oct. 20 by members of the regional police services board. The final budget is typically adopted at the end of the calendar year. Increases in the draft document are attributable primarily to wage and benefit costs for the service's 1,272 members, which account for 80 per cent of the budget's total expenditures, the review document notes. Other increases are due to "inflationary and economic pressures" including costs related to fuel, information technology, insurance and facility maintenance, the draft budget indicates. The 2023 budget proposal includes funding for 33 new uniform officers and eight civilian positions, increases that are needed to address ongoing insufficiencies in staffing, the budget document notes. "Despite the steady population growth in the Region of Durham, the service's authorized strength had remained relatively flat for almost 10 years, until 2018 when it was recognized that levels were not sufficient to support current programs and future community growth," the draft states. "The 2023 budget will support the service to meet its contractual obligations and continue to support to the community through safety and crime prevention programs and support for vulnerable groups." Draft budgets for the police service are often pared down after submission to regional council, which annually sets ceilings for increases. Last year, for instance, the service's initial request for an increase of 5.9 per cent, over the previous year's funding, was reduced to a 4.45 per cent increase. Board member Kevin Ashe asked during Thursday morning's meeting if there's been any reaction so far from the region to the 2023 draft budget. That discussion, director of business services Teresa Fetter replied, has not yet happened. "We have not yet had any significant discussion with the regional finance team," she said. DRAFT 2023 BUDGET FOR DURHAM POLICE: $274.5M JEFF MITCHELL jmitchell@ durhamregion.com NEWS Addie Butts got her loot bag from the Whitby Rotary Club at the Windreach Farm Halloween Spooktacular event on Oct. 29. Susie Kockerscheidt/Metroland WHAT A SCORE FOR ADDIE!