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Recently the Regional Municipality of York was named one of the top 75 companies to work for in the GTA.
Congratulations are due to both Council and senior staff. Any HR person with even basic knowledge of workplace culture knows that a result like this comes only with strong leadership by the senior team at the organization. When they lead by example and create an organizational culture based on respect, then employee satisfaction and quality customer service is an outcome.
So what about Aurora? It really illustrates just how dysfunctional our own Council is. What is particularly ironic is that the Mayor lists her background in HR as one of her credentials for the job. One only has to look at the level of moral in the town staff and defections by the senior team to realize that the malaise in the town starts at the very top.
One need only look back one term and they can see the dramatic changes. Staff didn't change, so what was the variable?
Possibly Mayor Morris and her cronies -- who seem to delight in embarassing staff as often as possible in public, or intimidating them in private -- could start to model the behaviour of colleagues at the regional level and demonstrate some of the HR expertise that she claims.
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Thursday, October 30, 2008
To Blow or Not To Blow
Aurora Council is once again dealing with the issue of whether of not to blow. Surprisingly, I am not talking about Council meetings, but about the ongoing debate about train whistles at level crossings.
It seems that a number of residents have been complaining about the noise from trains blowing their whistles at night when traveling through our fair town.
The obvious question must be asked, if you don't want to listen to a train whistle, why did you buy a house close to a train track. It seems the folks who live close to train tracks should accept responsibility for their initial decision.
It's kind of similar to backing on St John's Sideroad or Bathurst and then being surprised when they widen the road because of increased traffic. Or purchasing next to hydro corridors and then being surprised when the want to run higher voltage lines through the same corridor.
Too often today, people are very quick to blame others for their own short-sighted thinking.
Mayor Morris is quoted in The Banner stating, "Residents have dealt with this problem long enough." That will be cold comfort if someone is harmed because the whistles are stopped.
I know there is strong opinions on both sides of this issue. So let's hear what you think. And be sure to vote on the survey.
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It seems that a number of residents have been complaining about the noise from trains blowing their whistles at night when traveling through our fair town.
The obvious question must be asked, if you don't want to listen to a train whistle, why did you buy a house close to a train track. It seems the folks who live close to train tracks should accept responsibility for their initial decision.
It's kind of similar to backing on St John's Sideroad or Bathurst and then being surprised when they widen the road because of increased traffic. Or purchasing next to hydro corridors and then being surprised when the want to run higher voltage lines through the same corridor.
Too often today, people are very quick to blame others for their own short-sighted thinking.
Mayor Morris is quoted in The Banner stating, "Residents have dealt with this problem long enough." That will be cold comfort if someone is harmed because the whistles are stopped.
I know there is strong opinions on both sides of this issue. So let's hear what you think. And be sure to vote on the survey.
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Friday, October 10, 2008
The difference between Campaigning & Governing
A little smile to brighten your day!
A powerful politician dies after a prolonged illness. His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance.
"Welcome to Heaven," says St. Peter. "Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a politician around these parts, so we're not sure what to do with you."
"No problem, just let me in," says the politician.
"Well, I'd like to, but I have orders from higher up. What we'll do is have you spend one day in Hell and one in Heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity."
"Really, I've made up my mind. I want to be in Heaven," says the politician.
"I'm sorry but we have our rules." And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to Hell.
The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him, everyone is very happy and in evening attire.
They run to greet him, hug him, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people.
They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster and caviar. Also present is the Devil, who really is a very friendly guy who has a good time dancing and telling jokes.
They are having such a good time that, before he realizes it, it is time to go. Everyone gives him a big hug and waves while the elevator rises. The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens on Heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him.
"Now it's time to visit Heaven." So 24 hours pass with the politician joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns.
"Well then, you've spent a day in Hell and another in Heaven. Now choose your eternity."
He reflects for a minute, then the politician answers, "Well, I never would have thought so, I mean Heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in Hell."
So Saint Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to Hell. Now the doors of the elevator open and he is in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage. He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags.
The Devil comes over to greet him. "I don't understand," stammers the politician. "Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and club and we ate lobster and caviar and danced and had a great time. Now all there is a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable!"
The Devil looks at him and puts his arm around his shoulder, smiles and says, "Yesterday we were campaigning ... today you voted for us!"
Vote wisely this coming election -- but be sure to vote!!
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A powerful politician dies after a prolonged illness. His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance.
"Welcome to Heaven," says St. Peter. "Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a politician around these parts, so we're not sure what to do with you."
"No problem, just let me in," says the politician.
"Well, I'd like to, but I have orders from higher up. What we'll do is have you spend one day in Hell and one in Heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity."
"Really, I've made up my mind. I want to be in Heaven," says the politician.
"I'm sorry but we have our rules." And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to Hell.
The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him, everyone is very happy and in evening attire.
They run to greet him, hug him, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people.
They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster and caviar. Also present is the Devil, who really is a very friendly guy who has a good time dancing and telling jokes.
They are having such a good time that, before he realizes it, it is time to go. Everyone gives him a big hug and waves while the elevator rises. The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens on Heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him.
"Now it's time to visit Heaven." So 24 hours pass with the politician joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns.
"Well then, you've spent a day in Hell and another in Heaven. Now choose your eternity."
He reflects for a minute, then the politician answers, "Well, I never would have thought so, I mean Heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in Hell."
So Saint Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to Hell. Now the doors of the elevator open and he is in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage. He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags.
The Devil comes over to greet him. "I don't understand," stammers the politician. "Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and club and we ate lobster and caviar and danced and had a great time. Now all there is a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable!"
The Devil looks at him and puts his arm around his shoulder, smiles and says, "Yesterday we were campaigning ... today you voted for us!"
Vote wisely this coming election -- but be sure to vote!!
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Sunday, October 5, 2008
Guest Post: Council needs to lead by example
Thanks to former Councillor Bill Hogg for the following Guest Post.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views of the AURORA CITIZEN.
Have you received your Code of Conduct from town hall telling you how to behave yet? That may be the next step from this Council. Maybe they will start telling us what movie we can watch or books we can read as well.
One must wonder what has been going on in our advisory committees that makes this Council determined to force everyone to sign a Code of Conduct. In the many years I worked with advisory committees in the town, never once did I see or hear of inappropriate behaviour that required a Code of Conduct. But then, under Tim Jones leadership, we also never appointed a prominent member of his campaign team to a paid position either.
At the last Council meeting, Council took the step of publishing the names of every member of every advisory committee and whether they have signed the code or not, plus they have threatened that something (they didn’t indicate what) will happen if they don’t comply before Oct 14.
Of particular interest is the link to the Strategic Plan. Goal 1, Objective D states, “Create a respectful environment that fosters teamwork and open dialogue consistent with a Character Community.”
I couldn’t make this stuff up. Check out the report for yourself on the Town website -- Sept 23 Agenda, Item 8, Report CS08-036.
Surely this Council has more important things to do than threaten volunteers who give freely of their time. What is Council going to do if people don’t sign, refuse to allow them to volunteer in the community? The bullies are running amuck.
This Council needs to start leading by example and stop trying to intimidate people through fear of reprisals!
Bill Hogg
Use the envelope and pencil icons immediately below to forward this post to friends or leave a comment.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views of the AURORA CITIZEN.
Have you received your Code of Conduct from town hall telling you how to behave yet? That may be the next step from this Council. Maybe they will start telling us what movie we can watch or books we can read as well.
One must wonder what has been going on in our advisory committees that makes this Council determined to force everyone to sign a Code of Conduct. In the many years I worked with advisory committees in the town, never once did I see or hear of inappropriate behaviour that required a Code of Conduct. But then, under Tim Jones leadership, we also never appointed a prominent member of his campaign team to a paid position either.
At the last Council meeting, Council took the step of publishing the names of every member of every advisory committee and whether they have signed the code or not, plus they have threatened that something (they didn’t indicate what) will happen if they don’t comply before Oct 14.
Of particular interest is the link to the Strategic Plan. Goal 1, Objective D states, “Create a respectful environment that fosters teamwork and open dialogue consistent with a Character Community.”
I couldn’t make this stuff up. Check out the report for yourself on the Town website -- Sept 23 Agenda, Item 8, Report CS08-036.
Surely this Council has more important things to do than threaten volunteers who give freely of their time. What is Council going to do if people don’t sign, refuse to allow them to volunteer in the community? The bullies are running amuck.
This Council needs to start leading by example and stop trying to intimidate people through fear of reprisals!
Bill Hogg
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Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Veterans: Have we lost appreciation for their sacrifice?
There was a very important Letter to the Editor in The Auroran (page 8) this week from a lady disappointed by the poor turn out for the"Candlelight Service" to honour our veterans. She asks the question; where were you?
She rightly points out the sacrifice made by the many who served and died so that we enjoy the freedoms we have today.
With TV and video, we have more exposure to the conflict in the world today than ever before -- and therefore a greater understanding.
One has to wonder;
Something to think about more often that November 11th each year.
What can we do to make sure that future generations have a "real" understanding of the cost of our freedom?
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She rightly points out the sacrifice made by the many who served and died so that we enjoy the freedoms we have today.
With TV and video, we have more exposure to the conflict in the world today than ever before -- and therefore a greater understanding.
One has to wonder;
- Are schools teaching?
- Are parents teaching?
- Are grandparents sharing?
- Are children listening?
Something to think about more often that November 11th each year.
What can we do to make sure that future generations have a "real" understanding of the cost of our freedom?
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