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Markham city officials filed a lawsuit and temporary restraining order against the Markham Park District Oct. 20, alleging the park board has mismanaged its funds and violated a 2012 intergovernmental agreement.

But several Park District officials said they were blindsided by the city’s move. Executive Director Quintina Brown and program director LaKeya Webb said the Park District has relied on city grants for more than a decade and that Mayor Roger Agpawa has made several promises to fund district programs and facilities, but has backed out several times.

Instead, Brown said, Agpawa started cutting city funds to the district this year without warning.

The lawsuit attempts to temporarily restrict the Park District from enforcing a disputed r

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