Celebrating our Public Works heroes!

May 16, 2021 10:00 a.m.
Vaughan recognizes National Public Works Week from May 16-22

Join the City of Vaughan in celebrating its dedicated Public Works professionals! Today marks the start of the 2021 National Public Works Week and the theme is “Stronger Together” – a reflection of how the City’s 350 Public Works employees work together to deliver Service Excellence to the community throughout COVID-19 and beyond.
 
Citizens are invited to be a part of the celebrations throughout the week. There will be a virtual event recognizing Public Works Week on Friday, May 21 at 1 p.m. at vaughan.ca/PublicWorksWeek, featuring Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua and the Deputy City Manager of Public Works, Zoran Postic. The week will also premiere six videos showcasing a new dedicated Public Works staff member each day as part of the Vaughan, At Your Service series – a behind-the-scenes look at the people who make Vaughan a great place to live, work and play. The videos will be posted on the City’s Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn channels. To kick off the week, you can watch the first video on the City’s YouTube channel highlighting a water operator from the Environmental Services department.
 
As well, the City invites citizens to thank Vaughan’s Public Works professionals personally by leaving a message of appreciation on the online comment board.
 
Vaughan Council proclaimed Sunday, May 16 to Saturday, May 22 as Public Works Week. The National Public Works Week flag will be raised on Tuesday, May 17 at both the Joint Operations Centre and City Hall. City Hall Council Chambers will also be illuminated in orange that evening to recognize the proclamation.
 
The Public Works team’s dedication is reflected in the city-building priorities of the Council-approved 2018-2022 Term of Council Service Excellence Strategic Plan. Enhancing operational performance and fostering a culture of continuous improvement is central to the mission of Vaughan’s Public Works employees. Their achievements continue to receive national recognition for innovative thinking, the development of new best practices and a commitment to Service Excellence. To learn more about the City’s Public Works services and innovations, listen to the Municipal World podcast and read the Municipal World article featuring Zoran Postic.   
 
For more information about the City’s 2021 Public Works Week celebrations, visit vaughan.ca/PublicWorksWeek.
 
QUOTES
 
“During these unprecedented times, Vaughan's dedicated Public Works professionals are working tirelessly to ensure our city runs smoothly and citizens stay safe. This team continuously strives to implement new and innovative technologies that provide critical services while maximizing the value of our taxpayers' hard-earned dollars. From clearing snow off the roads to ensuring our drinking water is of the highest quality and keeping our public spaces clean, their ongoing efforts are making a positive impact on our community. As we continue to respond to the global COVID-19 pandemic, I want to extend my gratitude and appreciation to the Public Works team for their efforts to ensure essential services proceed without disruption. Thank you for your contributions to making Vaughan the place to be. Happy National Public Works Week!"
-        Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua
 
“The City of Vaughan’s Public Works team continues to focus its efforts to keep Vaughan’s roads clear in the winter, drinking water safe, parks clean and so much more. National Public Works Week is a time to recognize all the hard work that goes into making Vaughan the place to be, and the City’s Public Works staff should be proud of the incredible role they play each and every day in providing quality Service Excellence to Vaughan. I want to congratulate and thank the entire Public Works team for their continued dedication to this city and its citizens.”
-        City Manager Jim Harnum
 
“National Public Works Week is a time to recognize and celebrate the hundreds of Public Works employees working for Vaughan. In the past year especially, Vaughan’s Public Works team has demonstrated what it means to be “Stronger Together.” By working together, the impact Public Works professionals have on their communities is immense. Across all departments, our Public Works staff continue to provide seamless and quality service delivery before and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and, for that, I am proud and thankful.”
-        Deputy City Manager of Public Works Zoran Postic
 
QUICK FACTS
 
  • Since 1960, the third week in May has been celebrated as National Public Works Week in Canada.
  • The Public Works portfolio has three departments: Environmental Services; Transportation and Fleet Management Services; and Parks, Forestry and Horticulture Operations.
  • The portfolio provides quality services that directly impact citizens and businesses across the city every day. Services include winter maintenance of municipal roads, sidewalks and pathways; maintenance of parks, boulevards and open spaces; forestry and horticulture services; fleet management of all City vehicles and equipment; traffic services and administration of the crossing guard program; management of garbage and recycling collection; and water, wastewater and stormwater services.
  • Traffic and Fleet Management is responsible for 2,200 lane kilometres of roads, 95 traffic signals and approximately 26,000 streetlights. Parks, Forestry and Horticulture Operations is responsible for 225 parks, more than 85 kilometres of trails, more than 270 playgrounds, 275 sports playing facilities, 1,190 kilometres of sidewalks, 750 hanging baskets, 550 planters, 200,000 trees and 800 shrub beds. Environmental Services is responsible for 11 sanitary lift/pumping stations, more than 150 stormwater ponds, more than 960 kilometres of storm sewers, 1,135 kilometres of active water mains, more than 9,500 fire hydrants and approximately 21,800 catch basins.
  • For more information on the City’s response to COVID-19, visit vaughan.ca/COVID19, call Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or email accessvaughan@vaughan.ca. To receive the City’s latest COVID-19 updates as they happen, sign up for the City Update eNewsletter at vaughan.ca/CityUpdate and follow the City’s Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn channels.
LEARN MORE
 
  • City of Vaughan website
  • City of Vaughan Public Works Week webpage
  • City of Vaughan COVID-19 webpage
  • Canadian Public Works Association’s Public Works Week webpage
 
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