Philip Alves

Vaughan councillors agree a report by the city’s task force on democratic participation and renewal is both progressive and practical. But the overall response by Vaughan’s council members to the report’s 16 recommendations was lukewarm.

The beginning of fall is a bloomin’ good time for Vaughan to shine on the national stage. From Sept. 29 to Oct. 4, the city will play host to the 2009 Communities in Bloom National Symposium on Parks and Grounds and its anticipated 800 visitors.

The nine who make up Vaughan’s city council have a new rulebook to play by. Council voted Monday to adopt the Code of Ethical Conduct for Members of Council, a 32-page document that replaces an earlier code first adopted in 1996.

Mayor David Miller, Toronto-Danforth councillor Paula Fletcher and dignitaries from China opened the Zhong Hua Men Archway at Broadview Avenue and Gerrard Street East, Sept. 12.

An investigation into the source of a city hall leak has concluded that the mayor, her executive assistant and a political ally “may hold the key” to the mystery. A June 19 report by former RCMP chief superintendent Ben Soave’s investigative firm, Ben Soave Associates (BSA), was commissioned by the City of Vaughan to uncover how and why copies of cheques and other documents were delivered to media outlets in anonymous brown envelopes late last year.

Former mayor Michael DiBiase faces 27 charges stemming from an audit into his 2006 municipal election campaign books. The audit by Ken Froese and Glen Davison uncovered several apparent contraventions of the Municipal Elections Act in DiBiase’s campaign records, including overspending his $120,419 campaign limit by $2,712 and accepting ineligible contributions.

West Nile virus has once again turned up in Vaughan, this time in a batch of mosquitoes near Hwy. 27 and Major Mackenzie Dr. These bloodsuckers are the first to test positive for the disease in York Region this year, the region’s health services department reports.

With summer drawing to a close, there’s no better time to celebrate the organic bounty grown on Ontario’s farms. The 20th annual Feast of Fields returns to the Kortright Centre for Conservation Sunday after more than a decade. The event is a showcase of organic food and drink, this year featuring 40 chefs, about 20 or so wineries and breweries, and a farmers’ market.

The city’s favourite mouse is on his way back into Kleinburg and he’s bringing his big ole ball of twine. The 43nd annual Kleinburg and Area Binder Twine Festival — represented by its logo of a mouse in a bundle of twine — is set to transport revellers to a simpler time on Sept. 12.

The York Catholic school board has announced its plans for students of the tornado-damaged St. Peter Catholic Elementary School. Repairs are underway but the Woodbridge school won’t be ready when the first bell rings Sept. 8.

There’s no denying it — there is a definite buzz in the halls of the new Kleinburg Public School. After a year of making due at Michael Cranny PS, staff are busy working alongside construction workers to put the finishing touches on their new school, which is set to welcome students come Sept. 8.

The lives of many Vaughanians — human and animal — were changed forever by last week’s tornado. The Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was on scene the morning after the storm to help care for pets evacuated from their damaged homes.