...:::The Tour :::..

Intro : History of Ajax

Ajax was incorporated as a Town in 1955, but long before that, several small settlements and farms were found in the area. In 1941, the largest defence industry in North America was located in this area to provide supplies for the Allies in World War II. The founding of Defence Industries Limited (DIL) was really the start of Ajax as we know it. As thousands of workers and their families settled in the immediate area, communities developed and a post office was needed, which meant the area needed a name. A competition among DIL employees resulted in the name Ajax being chosen, in honour of one of the three ships that in 1939 had engaged and routed the German battleship Graf Spee at the Battle of the River Plate near Uruguay.

After the War, the University of Toronto leased many of the DIL buildings for a new flood of engineering students, and a new population base was added to the area. The community continued to grow and by the early 1950s it was clear that it was time for incorporation as a municipality. This occurred in 1955. Twenty years later, the small community of Pickering Village and parts of Pickering Township were amalgamated with Ajax, forming the Town’s current boundaries.


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Local Attractions

Ajax is the quintessential super suburb. It has plenty in the way of shopping malls. There is a beautiful Lake Ontario shoreline that stretches from Ajax to neighbouring towns like Pickering. It plays the part of nature retreat in an area inundated by housing and super markets. Despite the negative tone, Ajax is still filled with lots of conservation areas and parks that are picture perfect on most days regardless of the weather. The town is an ideal place to raise kids and has just enough nature to provide an escape from societies hustle and bustle. Parks are scattered through out the town. Among the best Greenwood Conservation Area Park. Annandale Golf Course is another hotspot in the community. Speaking of Community..the Ajax has two Community Center's that provide plenty of affordable fun for youth and young families in the area.Last but not least our "Pub Culture" is fair with streams of live bands and Irish style boozing and dining. Separate from the bunch is Yuk Yuks Comedy Club which showcases live Stand Up Comedy on top of serving alcohol.

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Problems For the Town

A small handful of groups are rallying together on the cause but between the Ajax-Whitby- Pickering greenbelt of suburbia there is an explosion of construction. Houses are being built at an alarming rate. Not just that but they're inching out old farmland and shrinking the habitats for animals that live in the surrounding brush. The sightings for Coyote and Deer have spiked with the increase in brush and shrubbery being cut down. Within 500 metres of one new suburb you will be able to see another one being built in the distance.

The displacement of the wild is bothersome to me on top of teh light pollution ruining the night skies natural beauty. Further more the old fashioned pollution making it harder for animals to survive is a problem too.The amount of random animal sightings is increasing for someone who walks a lot during late nights I've come across rather large red coyotes twice and can't help but think had I been walking with a little leashed up morsel of meat those sightings could have become much more dramatic incidents. There needs to be a construction ban in more areas. It's getting ridiculous.



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Local News Story
The Conservative and Liberal parties are both looking to gain an edge with Ajax supporting their riding. Amazingly the turnout has been very string in the area despite voting internationally being at an all time low. The only group that hasn't made a big deal of campaigning in the Area  has been the NDP. Both  Stephen Harper and Michael Ignatieff respectively gained supporters in the populous with their local Conservative or Liberal representatives. Chris Alexander for the Tories and Mark Holland for the Liberals.

Most recently Chris Alexander made his presence felt by meeting and greeting during the morning rush at the Ajax Go Station.




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Civilian Profile : Meet Ron

I did a brief interview with one of my old neighbours from when I used live in 55 Falby Court ( an apartment just off of Harwood Av.). He was always a bit of a character and I thought it would be interesting if we discussed some things about Ajax such as how long he's lived here. Why he moved here originally and why he wants to stay.

Win:  Alright Ron, time for me to bring on the questions. It's nothing too personal but I should let you know this is for school so keep it G-rated for my readers out there.

Ron : Deal. Okay I'm ready.

W: So here we go. Question 1. How long have you lived here in Ajax.

R: Well me and my wife...or my wife and I - We moved here a little before we decided we wanted to start having kids. That's really it. Plus I really appreciated the distance from her parents.

W: *laughter* Understandable I suppose. So how long would that have been though? I know your son is about what 19 years old  now?

R: 17 actually. But I've been here just over that. 21 years this May.

W: That's most've my lifespan. Knowing that now , why did you stay so long?

R: Work was great for me and I was always close to the 401. Made for a clean commute. Road rage was not a daily occurrence -- at the right hour it was like driving in the country. When Justin (his son) was born we started putting more into food clothing the like and my wife stopped working. So a big part of it's comfort.

W: You've seen a lot change as I have. Some good, some bad. Has anything bothered you most?

R: Well it is touchy but I worry about the kinds of people that are moving into the area. I'll think we had two murders last year I can think of. Both of young men and one of which was in a Church parking lot. That kind of thing never happened here. I remember one boy was stabbed in front of a school in Pickering as well.

W: Hmm I remember both of those and I appreciate the honesty . They both had an  impact on the way I look at the town. Lastly do you plan to move?

R: Not  a chance. I thought about it but soon Justin will move out. Me and the old lady can just lay around and do whatever. I'm looking forward to that really. If I move it will be to a part of Ajax closer to the lake but I have to wait on my retirement payoff before anything like that.

W: Thanks Ron

R: Thank you buddy and take care . Say Hi to your Mom and Dad for me!

                                                                Ajax Town Hall (Above)

 

  Ajax Public Library

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Hope you enjoy a small collection of stills I took on a walk home!

Links to Local Reasources
http://www.townofajax.com/page11.aspx
http://www.yukyuks.com/location.aspx?LocationID=1
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2011/04/06/toronto-ajax-pickering347.html
http://www.townofajax.com/Page670.aspx
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/politics/article/969638--tories-bring-out-the-big-guns-for-coveted-riding-of-ajax-pickering?bn=1


All Photos Credited to Myself  :  Win "Sandman" Lewis



THANK YOU FOR READING!

Win++