Posts
If you believe the recent Letters to the Editor there seems to some confusion about who is responsible for the success of the Aurora Farmers Market.
Sher St Kitts, wrote a letter suggesting that Mayor Phyllis Morris and Councillor Granger were responsible for all that is good at the Farmers Market. It seems the only things she didn't credit them with was sunshine and warm weather.
A number of citizens rightly pointed out that the Market was around long before either were involved and that if any Councillor was to be credited with the success, it should be Councillor Kean who was the driving force behind starting the market.
However, former Councillor Kean got it right when he shared the credit with those who are most deserving -- the volunteers and the vendors. Without them there would be no market regardless of any Council involvement.
And of course, the most important people of all? The many people who visit the market to chat, purchase products and just enjoy the opportunity to be part of an event that reminds us all what a community is about.
So maybe folks should be less concerned about giving their political friends credit -- and we should all celebrate the sense of community that activities like a Farmers Market represents -- regardless of what politician you support.
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Showing posts with label Community Corner. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Community Corner. Show all posts
Friday, September 25, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Volunteering: Is Respect Earned or Expected?
Thanks to one of our contributors for this very thoughtful post.
Recently there has been some attention drawn to the role volunteers have in Aurora. I’ve been a volunteer in our community for about 15 years so I thought I’d share my perspective.
People recognize us for what we are. There aren’t a lot of interviews for getting a volunteer job in Aurora. We start at the bottom and work our way up. We get the response someone else feels we deserve, whether it is criticism or congratulations. Sometimes we get criticism and congratulations for the same thing, depending on how we affected different people.
Some of the criticism seems unpleasant but it has two very important side effects. First we stop taking ourselves so seriously. Second, we look at what we did and how we did it and decide if that is a good way to go in the future or if we should re-evaluate and change our ways. It’s much like having a job, but without a pay cheque. At least we don’t have to worry about the change in salary if we realise we need a change of career.
The congratulations are lovely and thankfully received with the realization that they should be shared with others, both volunteers and paid staff.
One thing volunteering has taught me is that I can’t do anything on my own. I can volunteer because my family supports my efforts, both in time and finances. I can volunteer because I have earned the trust of people. I can volunteer because people are willing to tell me what they need. If I want to make a change, I have to do it within the community.
As a volunteer, I have to work with other people who see the same problem, but may have different ways of getting to the goal of fixing it. We ask each other questions, and take the time to try to understand why each question was asked. When people start fighting about how to get to the desired end product, they are not serving anyone anymore.
Should volunteers have to stand up and ask for respect? Sure, but they have to earn it. They have to act like professionals, even if they aren’t paid that way.
For the record, my current volunteer activities in the Aurora community are: Convenor of Tyke House League for the AMHA, Co-chair of the School Supporters Association at Lester B. Pearson Public School, and Chair of the Aurora Public Library.
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Recently there has been some attention drawn to the role volunteers have in Aurora. I’ve been a volunteer in our community for about 15 years so I thought I’d share my perspective.
People recognize us for what we are. There aren’t a lot of interviews for getting a volunteer job in Aurora. We start at the bottom and work our way up. We get the response someone else feels we deserve, whether it is criticism or congratulations. Sometimes we get criticism and congratulations for the same thing, depending on how we affected different people.
Some of the criticism seems unpleasant but it has two very important side effects. First we stop taking ourselves so seriously. Second, we look at what we did and how we did it and decide if that is a good way to go in the future or if we should re-evaluate and change our ways. It’s much like having a job, but without a pay cheque. At least we don’t have to worry about the change in salary if we realise we need a change of career.
The congratulations are lovely and thankfully received with the realization that they should be shared with others, both volunteers and paid staff.
One thing volunteering has taught me is that I can’t do anything on my own. I can volunteer because my family supports my efforts, both in time and finances. I can volunteer because I have earned the trust of people. I can volunteer because people are willing to tell me what they need. If I want to make a change, I have to do it within the community.
As a volunteer, I have to work with other people who see the same problem, but may have different ways of getting to the goal of fixing it. We ask each other questions, and take the time to try to understand why each question was asked. When people start fighting about how to get to the desired end product, they are not serving anyone anymore.
Should volunteers have to stand up and ask for respect? Sure, but they have to earn it. They have to act like professionals, even if they aren’t paid that way.
For the record, my current volunteer activities in the Aurora community are: Convenor of Tyke House League for the AMHA, Co-chair of the School Supporters Association at Lester B. Pearson Public School, and Chair of the Aurora Public Library.
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Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Changes are on the Way
You will be seeing some changes over the next little while. We will be moving this blog over to a more robust platform that offers improved features. So please stay tuned for the changes and we ask for your patience as the transition is underway.
For those of you who have bookmarked this blog, you will need to update your bookmarks to get the most current posts -- we'll let you know when that is available. For those who subscribed through Feedburner, we are hopeful the transition will be seamless -- but we will let you know when you need to check your feed.
Also, we are very pleased to be welcoming our first guest moderator. We are excited about this because it has always been our desire that this be a community forum for discussion. Stay tuned for more info about that.
As this online conversation continues to grow and build readership we will also continue to publish posts from an expanding group of contributors. So please keep your comments and ideas coming.
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For those of you who have bookmarked this blog, you will need to update your bookmarks to get the most current posts -- we'll let you know when that is available. For those who subscribed through Feedburner, we are hopeful the transition will be seamless -- but we will let you know when you need to check your feed.
Also, we are very pleased to be welcoming our first guest moderator. We are excited about this because it has always been our desire that this be a community forum for discussion. Stay tuned for more info about that.
As this online conversation continues to grow and build readership we will also continue to publish posts from an expanding group of contributors. So please keep your comments and ideas coming.
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Monday, September 7, 2009
Anonymous is Upset
Some commenter's are upset that we have not published every negative comment they have posted about Councillor Buck -- usually without making any reference to the actual post that everyone else is discussing. They call it censorship.
They will continue to be disappointed. This is not a vehicle for them to tell everyone how much they dislike Councillor Buck. That is not the purpose of the blog. It is and will continue to be a discussion.
We will continue to publish both positive or negative comments that are about the posts.
So feel free to disagree, just don't make the sum of your comment "We/I hate Councillor Buck".
Or, if you feel that strongly, we invite you to submit an article to be posted. Then that entire post will be about your topic and others can comment as they see fit -- on that topic.
We will continue to try and keep comments related to the subject of the original post. We ask that commenter's try to as well.
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They will continue to be disappointed. This is not a vehicle for them to tell everyone how much they dislike Councillor Buck. That is not the purpose of the blog. It is and will continue to be a discussion.
We will continue to publish both positive or negative comments that are about the posts.
So feel free to disagree, just don't make the sum of your comment "We/I hate Councillor Buck".
Or, if you feel that strongly, we invite you to submit an article to be posted. Then that entire post will be about your topic and others can comment as they see fit -- on that topic.
We will continue to try and keep comments related to the subject of the original post. We ask that commenter's try to as well.
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Sunday, August 30, 2009
Community Corner: Sense of Community Missing in Aurora
To the Blog editor:
I’ve lived in three different provinces, in towns and cities of several different sizes, but having resided in Aurora for seven years now, I have decided that this must be the most backwards town in the country.
I’ve never seen such a poorly organized town, run by an incestuous group of buffoons. We’ve got major traffic problems, but can only deal with them by installing ridiculous chicanes on the side streets. We’ve got a good number of green spaces and, despite a high tax base --- under the guise of being “green” --- we can’t bear to spend the money to keep them groomed and weed-free. Our so-called “downtown” is little more than a street-side of vacant lots, empty buildings and “for lease” signs.
The latest antics of our Mayor and town Council are only more symptoms of some deep infection that plagues this town. What passes itself as a "community newspaper" is simply more of the same sycophants, a sort of newsletter for a group that considers itself the "in" crowd. (Could we possibly see any more pictures of Belinda Stronach flipping pancakes and cutting ribbons???)
I suspect there was a time when Aurora was a true community --- the small town of yesteryear --- but more and more, I find Aurora to be little more than a “bedroom” town --- a place where people sleep in their homes until they can work elsewhere, dine elsewhere and shop elsewhere. Even after all these years, I find no underlying sense of community here. I just bide my time until my children finish school so we can move out of Aurora and find a normal place to live again.
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I’ve lived in three different provinces, in towns and cities of several different sizes, but having resided in Aurora for seven years now, I have decided that this must be the most backwards town in the country.
I’ve never seen such a poorly organized town, run by an incestuous group of buffoons. We’ve got major traffic problems, but can only deal with them by installing ridiculous chicanes on the side streets. We’ve got a good number of green spaces and, despite a high tax base --- under the guise of being “green” --- we can’t bear to spend the money to keep them groomed and weed-free. Our so-called “downtown” is little more than a street-side of vacant lots, empty buildings and “for lease” signs.
The latest antics of our Mayor and town Council are only more symptoms of some deep infection that plagues this town. What passes itself as a "community newspaper" is simply more of the same sycophants, a sort of newsletter for a group that considers itself the "in" crowd. (Could we possibly see any more pictures of Belinda Stronach flipping pancakes and cutting ribbons???)
I suspect there was a time when Aurora was a true community --- the small town of yesteryear --- but more and more, I find Aurora to be little more than a “bedroom” town --- a place where people sleep in their homes until they can work elsewhere, dine elsewhere and shop elsewhere. Even after all these years, I find no underlying sense of community here. I just bide my time until my children finish school so we can move out of Aurora and find a normal place to live again.
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Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Bloggers Wanted
If you are interested in sharing your opinions with other citizens of Aurora, we want to hear from you. Readership continues to grow and we are interested in expanding our base of writers.
You will never be required to publish according to a schedule and you can pick your favourite topic -- sports, traffic, environment, youth, culture, politics -- we don’t care.
Our only criteria is people who love living in this great town and want to share that passion.
Interested? Let us know. To start the conversation, send an email to communitycorner@auroracitizen.ca
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You will never be required to publish according to a schedule and you can pick your favourite topic -- sports, traffic, environment, youth, culture, politics -- we don’t care.
Our only criteria is people who love living in this great town and want to share that passion.
Interested? Let us know. To start the conversation, send an email to communitycorner@auroracitizen.ca
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Thursday, August 6, 2009
A little decorum would go a long way
The comment below is from today's Toronto Sun and it sounds a lot like Aurora. What lessons can be learned?
A little decorum would go a long way
Interim integrity commissioner blasts councillors for rudeness
By SUE-ANN LEVY, 6th August 2009
In a tiny paragraph of his annual report to council yesterday, interim integrity commissioner Lorne Sossin hones in on the immature and petty behaviour that has become the norm during meetings at Socialist Silly Hall.
He contends that the "lack of civility" he's witnessed at several council meetings in the past year "is corrosive to an environment of mutual respect" and likely to "undermine public confidence in city council."
When I contacted him for more specifics, Sossin, who leaves the city in early September, said the kinds of things he's referring to run the gamut from "name-calling, casting aspersions on other councillors to indifference" -- meaning councillors are often busy chatting with other councillors while their colleagues try to address council.
Like me, Sossin says he has seen plenty of "snickering, heckling" and other attempts to "demean and diminish colleagues." He feels councillors need to "show respect" for their colleagues and the "office" since everyone has been elected to council by constituents, who want their views represented. "This petty back and forth ... that's where the lines need to be drawn," he said.
Being far more diplomatic than me, Sossin wouldn't name names. But, in my view, it is usually the same cast of characters -- mostly the cabal of councillors in the mayor's inner circle -- who believe their self-righteous views are the only ones that are legitimate, and that those who dare disagree have no concern about the public interest.
I've lost count how many times I've seen and heard councillors such as Pam McConnell, Paula Fletcher, Adam Vaughan, Kyle Rae and Gord Perks loudly heckle right-of-centre colleagues who endeavour to provide a view other than that shared by them. Budget chief Shelley Carroll is often seen wandering around the council floor and committee rooms openly yakking and laughing with her leftist pals on council, whenever a councillor dares criticize one of her beloved mayor's initiatives.
CITIZENS GRILLED
The rudeness isn't just directed at councillors. I've watched many times in standing committees as councillors like McConnell and Fletcher grilled members of the public, who have come in to give their opinions, as if they were lawyers cross-examining opponents. Many councillors don't even feign giving public deputants their undivided attention. They either leave the room, tap on their Blackberries or chatter with their seatmates. Maybe these rude, self-important politicians, apparently suffering from a political version of attention deficit disorder, need some lessons from Miss Manners.
Sossin says a problem at City Hall is that the Speaker -- Sandra Bussin -- does not have the same "authority" as speakers in Ottawa and at Queen's Park -- who can toss out politicians who don't behave. In contrast, at City Hall, an ejection is "put to a Council vote," he noted. The interim integrity commissioner believes councillors must take responsibility for their own actions and "not accept" a culture of incivility.
Coun. Mike Del Grande, who often finds himself heckled and cat-called by the mayor's inner circle, feels there's much more Bussin could do as council's speaker. He says she hasn't always been fair with her rulings and doesn't work to stop the heckling as soon as it occurs.
Coun. Case Ootes adds Mayor David Miller does little to discourage the heckling and does not , in his view, set an example by applying council rules in a fair and equitable manner. "I lay a lot of the problems at the foot of the speaker and the mayor for playing fast and loose with the rules of the chamber," he said. "That's what causes the polarization of this council and the heckling and disrespect between councillors."
SUE-ANN.LEVY@SUNMEDIA.CA
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A little decorum would go a long way
Interim integrity commissioner blasts councillors for rudeness
By SUE-ANN LEVY, 6th August 2009
In a tiny paragraph of his annual report to council yesterday, interim integrity commissioner Lorne Sossin hones in on the immature and petty behaviour that has become the norm during meetings at Socialist Silly Hall.
He contends that the "lack of civility" he's witnessed at several council meetings in the past year "is corrosive to an environment of mutual respect" and likely to "undermine public confidence in city council."
When I contacted him for more specifics, Sossin, who leaves the city in early September, said the kinds of things he's referring to run the gamut from "name-calling, casting aspersions on other councillors to indifference" -- meaning councillors are often busy chatting with other councillors while their colleagues try to address council.
Like me, Sossin says he has seen plenty of "snickering, heckling" and other attempts to "demean and diminish colleagues." He feels councillors need to "show respect" for their colleagues and the "office" since everyone has been elected to council by constituents, who want their views represented. "This petty back and forth ... that's where the lines need to be drawn," he said.
Being far more diplomatic than me, Sossin wouldn't name names. But, in my view, it is usually the same cast of characters -- mostly the cabal of councillors in the mayor's inner circle -- who believe their self-righteous views are the only ones that are legitimate, and that those who dare disagree have no concern about the public interest.
I've lost count how many times I've seen and heard councillors such as Pam McConnell, Paula Fletcher, Adam Vaughan, Kyle Rae and Gord Perks loudly heckle right-of-centre colleagues who endeavour to provide a view other than that shared by them. Budget chief Shelley Carroll is often seen wandering around the council floor and committee rooms openly yakking and laughing with her leftist pals on council, whenever a councillor dares criticize one of her beloved mayor's initiatives.
CITIZENS GRILLED
The rudeness isn't just directed at councillors. I've watched many times in standing committees as councillors like McConnell and Fletcher grilled members of the public, who have come in to give their opinions, as if they were lawyers cross-examining opponents. Many councillors don't even feign giving public deputants their undivided attention. They either leave the room, tap on their Blackberries or chatter with their seatmates. Maybe these rude, self-important politicians, apparently suffering from a political version of attention deficit disorder, need some lessons from Miss Manners.
Sossin says a problem at City Hall is that the Speaker -- Sandra Bussin -- does not have the same "authority" as speakers in Ottawa and at Queen's Park -- who can toss out politicians who don't behave. In contrast, at City Hall, an ejection is "put to a Council vote," he noted. The interim integrity commissioner believes councillors must take responsibility for their own actions and "not accept" a culture of incivility.
Coun. Mike Del Grande, who often finds himself heckled and cat-called by the mayor's inner circle, feels there's much more Bussin could do as council's speaker. He says she hasn't always been fair with her rulings and doesn't work to stop the heckling as soon as it occurs.
Coun. Case Ootes adds Mayor David Miller does little to discourage the heckling and does not , in his view, set an example by applying council rules in a fair and equitable manner. "I lay a lot of the problems at the foot of the speaker and the mayor for playing fast and loose with the rules of the chamber," he said. "That's what causes the polarization of this council and the heckling and disrespect between councillors."
SUE-ANN.LEVY@SUNMEDIA.CA
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Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Claiming “Offended” is Offensive
The following was posted by Kevin Burns - Author and Attitude Adjuster, on his blog about leadership and corporate cultures. We thought is was worth sharing.
There is nothing that offends me more than someone who plays the “offended” card and claims righteous indignation. You can’t even have an attempt at humor around these people. Have a little fun and you can see that sour look coming over their faces and looking down their nose at you.
Worse yet are the people who feign offended when it serves to advance their own agenda. Politicians are really good at this one. In fact, in Canada today, there are a whole bunch of politicians pretending to be offended at what another politician supposedly said and turning it into a media circus. It’s cheap politics and it’s as transparent as bottled water.
People who claim to be offended are manipulators, plain and simple. Claiming to be offended is an act that people of poor self-worth pull when they want to get attention. It’s the equivalent to a child’s temper-tantrum, only supposedly more refined.
Their offended-act is a ploy to make the offender seem as though they are not as smart and refined as the one who claims to be offended. It’s childish. It’s counter-productive. And it will alienate and divide a good staff.
It makes the issue all about the person claiming to be offended and not about the issue itself. That’s selfish and offensive.
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There is nothing that offends me more than someone who plays the “offended” card and claims righteous indignation. You can’t even have an attempt at humor around these people. Have a little fun and you can see that sour look coming over their faces and looking down their nose at you.
Worse yet are the people who feign offended when it serves to advance their own agenda. Politicians are really good at this one. In fact, in Canada today, there are a whole bunch of politicians pretending to be offended at what another politician supposedly said and turning it into a media circus. It’s cheap politics and it’s as transparent as bottled water.
People who claim to be offended are manipulators, plain and simple. Claiming to be offended is an act that people of poor self-worth pull when they want to get attention. It’s the equivalent to a child’s temper-tantrum, only supposedly more refined.
Their offended-act is a ploy to make the offender seem as though they are not as smart and refined as the one who claims to be offended. It’s childish. It’s counter-productive. And it will alienate and divide a good staff.
It makes the issue all about the person claiming to be offended and not about the issue itself. That’s selfish and offensive.
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Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Canada's Birthday Town
A reader asked, "Why is Aurora 'Canada's Birthday Town'?"
We've all seen it everywhere (for a long time) but we don't know where and why it originated. Anybody know?
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We've all seen it everywhere (for a long time) but we don't know where and why it originated. Anybody know?
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Wednesday, June 17, 2009
What is the process that the Town of Aurora uses for road work?
A reader sent in the following comment. It is published unchanged. The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views of the AURORA CITIZEN.
I remember a couple of years ago that Henderson Dr. was repaved but they only put a base layer down and the final layer months and months later. During that time, access covers and curbs were an inch above the level of pavement. I also recall that at some point they had to patch up areas of Henderson because it broke up.
Now, Edward Street and Allaura Blvd were repaved but again they remain incomplete. The final layer of pavement has not been laid, there is at lease an inch gap from the roadway to the edge of curbing. it seems like forever when this work started.
It seems like the town starts these projects but never get around to completing them. Why is this? Does the time between the layers contribute to the premature patching that was required on Henderson?
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I remember a couple of years ago that Henderson Dr. was repaved but they only put a base layer down and the final layer months and months later. During that time, access covers and curbs were an inch above the level of pavement. I also recall that at some point they had to patch up areas of Henderson because it broke up.
Now, Edward Street and Allaura Blvd were repaved but again they remain incomplete. The final layer of pavement has not been laid, there is at lease an inch gap from the roadway to the edge of curbing. it seems like forever when this work started.
It seems like the town starts these projects but never get around to completing them. Why is this? Does the time between the layers contribute to the premature patching that was required on Henderson?
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Friday, June 12, 2009
Newmarket vs. Aurora
A reader sent in the following comment. It is published unchanged.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views of the AURORA CITIZEN.
I had the opportunity the other day to meet up with a friend who works at Newmarket's town hall on Mulock. I was invited in for a little tour. Needless to say, what a contrast with Aurora's hall upon entering. Pretty much the first thing you see is, oddly, people at work. Voices. Activity. People saying hello to each other, people pretty much around, period.
And then you have, for those of you who have never graced the halls of the palace on John West Way, er,1 Municipal Drive (that schmozzle is a whole post in itself, ain't it) entry into the front entrance where you are, hopefully, greeted by a lovely lady from Info Aurora - who doesn't even work for the town, bless their hearts they're volunteers - and the sound of your own footsteps as you walk over to the cashier's wicket where eventually, somebody might pay attention to you.
Now is this just a example of a poorly architectured building making the services of the Town cold and impersonal, or is this an accurate reflection of the Way Things Go Around Here?
I think you probably know where I might stand on this, given my slant, but I'd be interested in what others truly think.
Use the envelope and pencil icons immediately below to forward this post to friends or leave a comment.Monday, April 20, 2009
Speaking of Ethics...
The following post was sent as a comment to the original post "Ethics Commissioner" below. We thought it was worth repeating here for its own separate discussion. A number of worthwhile questions are asked. Does anyone know the answers?
Speaking of ethics...the question MUST be asked. Enough people in the community are talking about it. What is "The Dream Team" and who are they accountable to?
The Mayor and a number of Councillors certainly seem to be supporting their efforts. It is assumed the Mayor and Council have sanctioned their activities. They have a huge public profile with the Mayor always promoting their events. They have been holding many events and collecting sponsorship dollars and donations.
Where does the money go, how is it spent? Are these dollars collected on behalf of the Town? Because that's what those who are making the donations assume.
Are they a stand alone group, merely sanctioned by the Mayor?
How does one get a copy of the financials involving this group? What is the relationship and how does it all work?
It certainly seems there is considerable funds being raised in support of great select local causes. Many are souring on their important efforts because of the apparent lack of accountability. That would be a shame for those who are benefiting.
If perception is everything, like we constantly hear from an ethical standpoint, I wish someone in the know could clarify these concerns.
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Speaking of ethics...the question MUST be asked. Enough people in the community are talking about it. What is "The Dream Team" and who are they accountable to?
The Mayor and a number of Councillors certainly seem to be supporting their efforts. It is assumed the Mayor and Council have sanctioned their activities. They have a huge public profile with the Mayor always promoting their events. They have been holding many events and collecting sponsorship dollars and donations.
Where does the money go, how is it spent? Are these dollars collected on behalf of the Town? Because that's what those who are making the donations assume.
Are they a stand alone group, merely sanctioned by the Mayor?
How does one get a copy of the financials involving this group? What is the relationship and how does it all work?
It certainly seems there is considerable funds being raised in support of great select local causes. Many are souring on their important efforts because of the apparent lack of accountability. That would be a shame for those who are benefiting.
If perception is everything, like we constantly hear from an ethical standpoint, I wish someone in the know could clarify these concerns.
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Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Community Corner: Yonge & Wellington Price Chopper
A reader sent in the following comment. It is published unchanged.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views of the AURORA CITIZEN.
I am concerned that the former Price Chopper location at Yonge and Wellington has been sitting derelict for many months. This does not make a good impression for the centre of our town. As long as I have lived in Aurora (for twenty years) this location has been a grocery store. What is going to happen to this building and location?
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The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views of the AURORA CITIZEN.
I am concerned that the former Price Chopper location at Yonge and Wellington has been sitting derelict for many months. This does not make a good impression for the centre of our town. As long as I have lived in Aurora (for twenty years) this location has been a grocery store. What is going to happen to this building and location?
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Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Arts & Culture
One of our readers asked about the Arts and Culture scene here in Aurora and suggested it as a great topic. Thanks for the suggestion.
What's going on at Theatre Aurora this winter? Has anyone been to the Dinner Theatre at the HoJo? Does anyone care to share any news or reviews?
What arts and culture events or groups are active? Let us know what is going on and what is a don't miss event.
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What's going on at Theatre Aurora this winter? Has anyone been to the Dinner Theatre at the HoJo? Does anyone care to share any news or reviews?
What arts and culture events or groups are active? Let us know what is going on and what is a don't miss event.
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Monday, February 2, 2009
Open Invitation to Mayor Morris
Much has been said about the activities and behaviour of the current Council under your leadership this term -- some positive and some negative. Now that you have started to write a column in the Auroran, it would appear you are trying to communicate more regularly with the citizens of Aurora. We wanted to offer you the opportunity to engage in a true 2-way dialogue and interact directly with your constituents.
You can do this either by sending comments to be posted to the site or we can set you up as a guest author so you could post on any topics you feel are important at anytime.
In every case your comments would be posted without editing or censorship -- so you will also be assured that your comments are expressed exactly as you desire.
We think the citizens deserve access to their government if it is to be truly open and transparent. One of the things we learned from the campaign of President Obama is the importance of the online channel in communicating with people. We are offering you this vehicle as a means to facilitate this open communication.
Will you accept our invitation?
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You can do this either by sending comments to be posted to the site or we can set you up as a guest author so you could post on any topics you feel are important at anytime.
In every case your comments would be posted without editing or censorship -- so you will also be assured that your comments are expressed exactly as you desire.
We think the citizens deserve access to their government if it is to be truly open and transparent. One of the things we learned from the campaign of President Obama is the importance of the online channel in communicating with people. We are offering you this vehicle as a means to facilitate this open communication.
Will you accept our invitation?
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Saturday, November 15, 2008
British Newspaper Salutes Canadians
This article was published April 21, 2002 by Kevin Myers - The Daily Telegraph, London. It is as relevant today as it was then.
The country the world forgot - again
UNTIL the deaths last week of four Canadian soldiers accidentally killed by a US warplane in Afghanistan, probably almost no one outside their home country had been aware that Canadian troops were deployed in the region. And as always, Canada will now bury its dead, just as the rest of the world as always will forget its sacrifice, just as it always forgets nearly everything Canada ever does.
It seems that Canada's historic mission is to come to the selfless aid both of its friends and of complete strangers, and then, once the crisis is over, to be well and truly ignored. Canada is the perpetual wallflower that stands on the edge of the hall, waiting for someone to come and ask her for a dance. A fire breaks out, she risks life and limb to rescue her fellow dance-goers, and suffers serious injuries. But when the hall is repaired and the dancing resumes, there is Canada, the wallflower still, while those she once helped glamorously cavort across the floor, blithely neglecting her yet again.
That is the price which Canada pays for sharing the North American Continent with the US, and for being a selfless friend of Britain in two global conflicts. For much of the 20th century, Canada was torn in two different directions: it seemed to be a part of the old world, yet had an address in the new one, and that divided identity ensured that it never fully got the gratitude it deserved.
Yet its purely voluntary contribution to the cause of freedom in two world wars was perhaps the greatest of any democracy. Almost 10 per cent of Canada's entire population of seven million people served in the armed forces during the First World War, and nearly 60,000 died. The great Allied victories of 1918 were spearheaded by Canadian troops, perhaps the most capable soldiers in the entire British order of battle.
Canada was repaid for its enormous sacrifice by downright neglect, its unique contribution to victory being absorbed into the popular memory as somehow or other the work of the "British". The Second World War provided a re-run. The Canadian navy began the war with a half dozen vessels, and ended up policing nearly half of the Atlantic against U-boat attack. More than 120 Canadian warships participated in the Normandy landings, during which 15,000 Canadian soldiers went ashore on D-Day alone. Canada finished the war with the third largest navy and the fourth largest air force in the world.
The world thanked Canada with the same sublime indifference as it had the previous time. Canadian participation in the war was acknowledged in film only if it was necessary to give an American actor a part in a campaign which the US had clearly not participated - a touching scrupulousness which, of course, Hollywood has since abandoned, as it has any notion of a separate Canadian identity.
So it is a general rule that actors and film-makers arriving in Hollywood keep their nationality - unless, that is, they are Canadian. Thus Mary Pickford, Walter Huston, Donald Sutherland, Michael J Fox, William Shatner, Norman Jewison, David Cronenberg and Dan Aykroyd have in the popular perception become American, and Christopher Plummer British. It is as if in the very act of becoming famous, a Canadian ceases to be Canadian, unless she is Margaret Atwood, who is as unshakeably Canadian as a moose, or Celine Dion, for whom Canada has proved quite unable to find any takers.
Moreover, Canada is every bit as querulously alert to the achievements of its sons and daughters as the rest of the world is completely unaware of them. The Canadians proudly say of themselves - and are unheard by anyone else - that 1 per cent of the world's population has provided 10 per cent of the world's peace-keeping forces. Canadian soldiers in the past half century have been the greatest peace-keepers on earth - in 39 missions on UN mandates, and six on non-UN peace-keeping duties, from Vietnam to East Timor, from Sinai to Bosnia.
Yet the only foreign engagement which has entered the popular non-Canadian imagination was the sorry affair in Somalia, in which out-of-control paratroopers murdered two Somali infiltrators. Their regiment was then disbanded in disgrace - a uniquely Canadian act of self-abasement for which, naturally, the Canadians received no international credit.
So who today in the US knows about the stoic and selfless friendship its northern neighbour has given it in Afghanistan? Rather like Cyrano de Bergerac, Canada repeatedly does honourable things for honourable motives, but instead of being thanked for it, it remains something of a figure of fun. It is the Canadian way, for which Canadians should be proud, yet such honour comes at a high cost.
This weekend four shrouds, red with blood and maple leaf, head homewards; and four more grieving Canadian families know that cost all too tragically well.
We have much to be grateful for and much to be proud. Lest we forget.
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The country the world forgot - again
UNTIL the deaths last week of four Canadian soldiers accidentally killed by a US warplane in Afghanistan, probably almost no one outside their home country had been aware that Canadian troops were deployed in the region. And as always, Canada will now bury its dead, just as the rest of the world as always will forget its sacrifice, just as it always forgets nearly everything Canada ever does.
It seems that Canada's historic mission is to come to the selfless aid both of its friends and of complete strangers, and then, once the crisis is over, to be well and truly ignored. Canada is the perpetual wallflower that stands on the edge of the hall, waiting for someone to come and ask her for a dance. A fire breaks out, she risks life and limb to rescue her fellow dance-goers, and suffers serious injuries. But when the hall is repaired and the dancing resumes, there is Canada, the wallflower still, while those she once helped glamorously cavort across the floor, blithely neglecting her yet again.
That is the price which Canada pays for sharing the North American Continent with the US, and for being a selfless friend of Britain in two global conflicts. For much of the 20th century, Canada was torn in two different directions: it seemed to be a part of the old world, yet had an address in the new one, and that divided identity ensured that it never fully got the gratitude it deserved.
Yet its purely voluntary contribution to the cause of freedom in two world wars was perhaps the greatest of any democracy. Almost 10 per cent of Canada's entire population of seven million people served in the armed forces during the First World War, and nearly 60,000 died. The great Allied victories of 1918 were spearheaded by Canadian troops, perhaps the most capable soldiers in the entire British order of battle.
Canada was repaid for its enormous sacrifice by downright neglect, its unique contribution to victory being absorbed into the popular memory as somehow or other the work of the "British". The Second World War provided a re-run. The Canadian navy began the war with a half dozen vessels, and ended up policing nearly half of the Atlantic against U-boat attack. More than 120 Canadian warships participated in the Normandy landings, during which 15,000 Canadian soldiers went ashore on D-Day alone. Canada finished the war with the third largest navy and the fourth largest air force in the world.
The world thanked Canada with the same sublime indifference as it had the previous time. Canadian participation in the war was acknowledged in film only if it was necessary to give an American actor a part in a campaign which the US had clearly not participated - a touching scrupulousness which, of course, Hollywood has since abandoned, as it has any notion of a separate Canadian identity.
So it is a general rule that actors and film-makers arriving in Hollywood keep their nationality - unless, that is, they are Canadian. Thus Mary Pickford, Walter Huston, Donald Sutherland, Michael J Fox, William Shatner, Norman Jewison, David Cronenberg and Dan Aykroyd have in the popular perception become American, and Christopher Plummer British. It is as if in the very act of becoming famous, a Canadian ceases to be Canadian, unless she is Margaret Atwood, who is as unshakeably Canadian as a moose, or Celine Dion, for whom Canada has proved quite unable to find any takers.
Moreover, Canada is every bit as querulously alert to the achievements of its sons and daughters as the rest of the world is completely unaware of them. The Canadians proudly say of themselves - and are unheard by anyone else - that 1 per cent of the world's population has provided 10 per cent of the world's peace-keeping forces. Canadian soldiers in the past half century have been the greatest peace-keepers on earth - in 39 missions on UN mandates, and six on non-UN peace-keeping duties, from Vietnam to East Timor, from Sinai to Bosnia.
Yet the only foreign engagement which has entered the popular non-Canadian imagination was the sorry affair in Somalia, in which out-of-control paratroopers murdered two Somali infiltrators. Their regiment was then disbanded in disgrace - a uniquely Canadian act of self-abasement for which, naturally, the Canadians received no international credit.
So who today in the US knows about the stoic and selfless friendship its northern neighbour has given it in Afghanistan? Rather like Cyrano de Bergerac, Canada repeatedly does honourable things for honourable motives, but instead of being thanked for it, it remains something of a figure of fun. It is the Canadian way, for which Canadians should be proud, yet such honour comes at a high cost.
This weekend four shrouds, red with blood and maple leaf, head homewards; and four more grieving Canadian families know that cost all too tragically well.
We have much to be grateful for and much to be proud. Lest we forget.
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Friday, November 14, 2008
Community Corner: Staff spending without authorization
A reader sent in the following comment. It is published unchanged.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views of the AURORA CITIZEN.
I'd be interested in reaction to the Nov 12 Banner article:"Aurora staff spent $500K without approval." Town embroiled in lawsuits to recoup cost of arena repairs By: By Sean Pearce, Staff Writer The Town of Aurora is locked in a legal battle to recover more than $440,000 in unauthorized spending by staff last year."
Share your thoughts!
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The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views of the AURORA CITIZEN.
I'd be interested in reaction to the Nov 12 Banner article:"Aurora staff spent $500K without approval." Town embroiled in lawsuits to recoup cost of arena repairs By: By Sean Pearce, Staff Writer The Town of Aurora is locked in a legal battle to recover more than $440,000 in unauthorized spending by staff last year."
Share your thoughts!
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Friday, November 7, 2008
A Pittance of Time
Terry Kelly, a Canadian singer, created this video to commemorate the sacrifice of our armed forces.
Given our busy schedules and the fact that many of the veterans who fought in the world wars are no longer here to remind us of the sacrifice of war, this video demonstates how important a role our children play in remembering our past and creating our future.
You can see it on YouTube or on his website. It is worth the time to view it.
Something to think about. Lest we Forget!
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Given our busy schedules and the fact that many of the veterans who fought in the world wars are no longer here to remind us of the sacrifice of war, this video demonstates how important a role our children play in remembering our past and creating our future.
You can see it on YouTube or on his website. It is worth the time to view it.
Something to think about. Lest we Forget!
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Community Corner: Closed Door Meetings
A reader sent in the following comment. It is published unchanged.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views of the AURORA CITIZEN.
I found an interesting item on the Council agenda for the October 14/08 meeting. Could you please open this as a topic of discussion? I think it's quite suspicious that two councillors are fighting for transparency and the other are fighting against it. This was a fantastic suggestion by Mrakas. How is one to "investigate" a closed session meeting if there is no record?
6. Motion from Councillor Collins-Mrakas
Re: Audio Recording of Closed-Session Meetings
(Notice was provided to Council on Tuesday September 9, 2008)
Moved by Councillor Collins-Mrakas Seconded by Councillor Buck
WHEREAS the closed session meetings and attendant proceedings of Council are subject to investigation at anytime should a member of the public feel it is warranted; and
WHEREAS the accuracy of the records and/or documentation kept in regards to the closed session meetings and proceedings of Council is therefore vital; and
WHEREAS currently only minutes are taken and there is no verbatim – written or audio-recorded record of the closed session proceedings of Council; and
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, if permitted under relevant legislation, all future closed session meetings of Council shall be audio-recorded.
DEFEATED
--------------
An interesting question. A very small number of topics are allowed in-camera because the discussion may be harmful to people or the town if discussed in open Council.
Examples would be an interest to sell/purchase real estate, talk about someones performance and possible dismissal or a legal matter. One can easily see that some matters should be discussed behind closed doors.
However, no decisions are to be made in-camera. All items must be presented in open council for a decision to be made (obviously all the details are not shared).
However, there has been concern expressed by the Mayor and certain members of council that inappropriate behaviour is taking place behind these closed doors. Public accusations can be made about something said and the accused has no defence.
Similarly, discussions take place that lead to a decision and the public have a right to know the basis for the decision -- for example on a real estate matter.
Having a recording that can be released when the item becomes public would help us all understand what took place.
Clearly personal information needs to be withheld, but the comments that it doesn't allow for a free discussion is nonsense. What are these folks saying that they don't want the public to hear?
One might conclude it is the inappropriate behaviour that is the concern versus the release of personal information. These concerns sound more like a desire to hide their own behaviour versus concerns for privacy that can be simply solved by editing out details about a person or legal matter.
Lastly, these tapes would only be made available when an issue is raised , either by the public or a member of council, similar to requesting a transcript or recording of current meetings. So the cost is basically a tape recording hook up connected to the current recording equipment.
Seems like a simple fix. So why the problem?
Admittedly, this is a new idea. It is not practiced in other municipalities. So there is no precedence.
But one must wonder, what's the issue? Isn't it a step forward in promoting openness and transparency? Council is willing to show leadership with clotheslines, why not with openness and transparency? After all, it was the big promise from the election -- while I don't recall anything said about clotheslines.
Let us know your thoughts.
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.
I found an interesting item on the Council agenda for the October 14/08 meeting. Could you please open this as a topic of discussion? I think it's quite suspicious that two councillors are fighting for transparency and the other are fighting against it. This was a fantastic suggestion by Mrakas. How is one to "investigate" a closed session meeting if there is no record?
6. Motion from Councillor Collins-Mrakas
Re: Audio Recording of Closed-Session Meetings
(Notice was provided to Council on Tuesday September 9, 2008)
Moved by Councillor Collins-Mrakas Seconded by Councillor Buck
WHEREAS the closed session meetings and attendant proceedings of Council are subject to investigation at anytime should a member of the public feel it is warranted; and
WHEREAS the accuracy of the records and/or documentation kept in regards to the closed session meetings and proceedings of Council is therefore vital; and
WHEREAS currently only minutes are taken and there is no verbatim – written or audio-recorded record of the closed session proceedings of Council; and
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, if permitted under relevant legislation, all future closed session meetings of Council shall be audio-recorded.
DEFEATED
--------------
An interesting question. A very small number of topics are allowed in-camera because the discussion may be harmful to people or the town if discussed in open Council.
Examples would be an interest to sell/purchase real estate, talk about someones performance and possible dismissal or a legal matter. One can easily see that some matters should be discussed behind closed doors.
However, no decisions are to be made in-camera. All items must be presented in open council for a decision to be made (obviously all the details are not shared).
However, there has been concern expressed by the Mayor and certain members of council that inappropriate behaviour is taking place behind these closed doors. Public accusations can be made about something said and the accused has no defence.
Similarly, discussions take place that lead to a decision and the public have a right to know the basis for the decision -- for example on a real estate matter.
Having a recording that can be released when the item becomes public would help us all understand what took place.
Clearly personal information needs to be withheld, but the comments that it doesn't allow for a free discussion is nonsense. What are these folks saying that they don't want the public to hear?
One might conclude it is the inappropriate behaviour that is the concern versus the release of personal information. These concerns sound more like a desire to hide their own behaviour versus concerns for privacy that can be simply solved by editing out details about a person or legal matter.
Lastly, these tapes would only be made available when an issue is raised , either by the public or a member of council, similar to requesting a transcript or recording of current meetings. So the cost is basically a tape recording hook up connected to the current recording equipment.
Seems like a simple fix. So why the problem?
Admittedly, this is a new idea. It is not practiced in other municipalities. So there is no precedence.
But one must wonder, what's the issue? Isn't it a step forward in promoting openness and transparency? Council is willing to show leadership with clotheslines, why not with openness and transparency? After all, it was the big promise from the election -- while I don't recall anything said about clotheslines.
Let us know your thoughts.
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Thursday, November 6, 2008
What goes around comes around!
I recently re-read this story. I don't know with certainty if it is true, but I thought the story was worth sharing.
----------------------
His name was Fleming, and he was a poor Scottish farmer. One day, while trying to make a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby bog. He dropped his tools and ran to the bog.
There, mired to his waist in black muck, was a terrified boy, screaming and struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have been a slow and terrifying death.
The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman's sparse surroundings. An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved. "I want to repay you," said the nobleman. "You saved my son's life."
"No, I can't accept payment for what I did," the Scottish farmer replied, waving off the offer. At that moment, the farmer's own son came to the door of the family hovel. “Is that your son?" the nobleman asked. "Yes," the farmer replied proudly.
"I'll make you a deal. Let me provide him with the level of education my son will enjoy. If the lad is anything like his father, he'll no doubt grow to be a man we both will be proud of." And he did.
Farmer Fleming's son attended the very best schools, and in time,he graduated from St. Mary's Hospital Medical School in London, and went on to become known throughout the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of Penicillin.
Years afterward, the same nobleman's son who was saved from the bog was stricken with pneumonia. What saved his life this time? Penicillin.
The name of the nobleman? Lord Randolph Churchill. His son's name? Sir Winston Churchill.
Someone once said: What goes around comes around. It is a great lesson we can all benefit from the reminder.
Pass this on, and brighten someones day. Nothing will happen if you do not pass it along. The only thing that will happen, if you DO pass it on, is that someone might smile because of you.
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----------------------
His name was Fleming, and he was a poor Scottish farmer. One day, while trying to make a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby bog. He dropped his tools and ran to the bog.
There, mired to his waist in black muck, was a terrified boy, screaming and struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have been a slow and terrifying death.
The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman's sparse surroundings. An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved. "I want to repay you," said the nobleman. "You saved my son's life."
"No, I can't accept payment for what I did," the Scottish farmer replied, waving off the offer. At that moment, the farmer's own son came to the door of the family hovel. “Is that your son?" the nobleman asked. "Yes," the farmer replied proudly.
"I'll make you a deal. Let me provide him with the level of education my son will enjoy. If the lad is anything like his father, he'll no doubt grow to be a man we both will be proud of." And he did.
Farmer Fleming's son attended the very best schools, and in time,he graduated from St. Mary's Hospital Medical School in London, and went on to become known throughout the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of Penicillin.
Years afterward, the same nobleman's son who was saved from the bog was stricken with pneumonia. What saved his life this time? Penicillin.
The name of the nobleman? Lord Randolph Churchill. His son's name? Sir Winston Churchill.
Someone once said: What goes around comes around. It is a great lesson we can all benefit from the reminder.
Pass this on, and brighten someones day. Nothing will happen if you do not pass it along. The only thing that will happen, if you DO pass it on, is that someone might smile because of you.
Use the envelope and pencil icons immediately below to forward this post to friends or leave a comment.
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