Mayor (Phyllis Morris) dismisses small biz study
Posted by auroracitizen on September 16, 2010
The Banner: Thursday September 16, 2010
Article written by Sean Pearce
However, Mayor Phyllis Morris dismisses the results of the survey, saying it only represents a small fraction of the total number of businesses in the town as only federation members were polled, she said.
“As the mayor, I serve more than just small business; I serve the entire community, large employers and taxpayers, as well as the residents of Aurora,” Mrs. Morris said.
The town has been doing a great deal to improve things for businesses, she said, from declaring 2009 as the Year of Business Initiative to developing a business retention and expansion strategy and launching a new economic development website and newsletter.
It sounds like she doesn’t care about the Aurora businesses that responded to the poll. Perhaps they are the now vacant businesses lining both sides of Yonge near Wellington.
And yes we already know that you represent others in Aurora, what’s your point? Does this mean you are to ignore this study?
And so, how is this “business retention and expansion strategy and launching a new economic development website and newsletter” working for you? Any results? It may appear to be good to “push” this out but what has it produced? Where are the numbers of new companies, new jobs, new businesses, new results.,,,
In contrast, in the same article Newmarket’s Mayor states:
“There is always an opportunity for improvement,” Newmarket Mayor Tony Van Bynen said. “I am proud of the fact that we ranked the highest in the awareness category in the GTA.
As for the dissatisfaction expressed about the control over government wages, he is not turning a blind eye, as he believes the town should improve communication surrounding the calculation of wages.
Also from the article:
Based on the results of the surveys the federation (Canadian Federation of Independent Business) said towns must do better with their business communication.
“Small businesses are the backbone of their local communities,” federation Ontario vice-president Satinder Chera said. “These results are a wake-up call for local leaders who need to become more engaged in addressing the local issues that matter to small business”.
Appears to be different results and approaches between Aurora and Newmarket.
What’s your opinion?
P.S. I recognize for all the AC does, we are in fact feeding into the Mayor’s hands as to how she needs to improve, but I guess it’s OK since she never reads this does she?
Aurora Citizen 
Hello! said
Including asking a winner to surrender her seat to him. A loss is not a loss if you can get someone to give it to you anyway. It’s to bad Gallo lost the set he grew for this short period of time, when he was given the seat at the table. Imagine having the nerve to call a winner on the phone and ask her to give up her seat for you. And low and behold someone resigns and you are given your opportunity only to become a follower. What happened to the big set you grew when you asked a winner to step aside for you Gallo?
Horrified said
Geoff Dawe’s response on his website to this major faux pas of the current Mayor’s is excellent, and is an example of substance over happy talk.
Anonymous said
Speaking of Gallo… like Wilson and Kean he likes to email anyone and everyone asking for votes too; only in his case he emails people that he perstistently ignores in person at certain gatherings (and yes, I have seen the email.) Where are the scruples with these bumpkins? I guess when it is about a vote some people will do anything.
Thanks Will Be Given Come October said
Her Highness was at the Terry Fox Run This AM as well. Lap dog Granger in tow. He wandered over after the start to fill out a registration form and then wandered back for more chat. Look for a “participant” claim on his next election brochure.
I hope you both got a good “photo op”. Don’t worry, the 25 or so volunteers at registration didn’t need to be thanked for their efforts and you would have only run into another candidate who actually worked for a couple of hours helping out.
Not telling but his last name rhymes with the first part of AWESOME.
Robert the Bruce said
I saw her there. She got tickets but she did not have a hat on when I saw her.
I saw her talking to Gallo and Wilson at one point. The boys had their posse with them. Then the funniest thing, Gallo (I guess he needed another beer) started off down one of the aisles, and there was Wilson walking after him – exactly 1 pace behind and slightly to the right. Looks like he was being pulled.
KA-NON said
She got tickets.
Thanks Will Be Given Come October said
Any truth to the rumour she can’t get tickets?
Anonymous for a Reason said
Whoa. Way too much info on yourself. It will be dissected and you’ll be labelled an enemy of the state.
Take it from someone who knows…
Richard Johnson said
Here is another key quote from the same story that is worth noting. Aurora Chamber of Commerce executive director Judy Marshall was quoted as follows:
“The chamber has some 800 members and, of those, about 40 per cent are classified as small businesses”.
So we can deduce that 40% of our town’s businesses are “a small fraction” according to the Mayor.
The conclusion that I draw for these side by side statements is that if you are a small business owner in Aurora you should be voting for change on October 25th.
Thanks Will Be Given Come October said
Anyone with that attitude towards small business has no business being the Mayor of Aurora.
Something Fishy in Aurora..... said
“The town has been doing a great deal to improve things for businesses, she said, from declaring 2009 as the Year of Business Initiative to developing a business retention and expansion strategy and launching a new economic development website and newsletter.”
So where are the tangibles from these initiatives? I can declare 2011 the year of the flying pig and launch a website with a bunch of piggy catapults….what good is that going to do.
I’m sure all of the downtown businesses that have shut down have not seen any improvement from the business retention and expansion strategy.
Spin is a you will, you are still out of touch and have done nothing of substance…..
Something Fishy in Aurora..... said
“Spin is a you will, you are still out of touch and have done nothing of substance…..”
Fingers were working faster than the brain, should read:
Spin it as you will, you are still out of touch and have done nothing of substance…..
Anonymous said
“P.S. I recognize for all the AC does, we are in fact feeding into the Mayor’s hands as to how she needs to improve, but I guess it’s OK since she never reads this does she?”
Year One: Wading in.
Year Two: Up to her neck.
Year Three: Over her head.
Year Four: She’s drowning. No point throwing a life line. She’s drifted to far from shore.
Luckywife
For a fistful of dollars said
The mare is her own walking manure pile.
100% recycling efficiency!
Anonymous said
A lot of old town folk rallying against the Promenade Study’s today. Good to see the Mayor in full superhero to the rescue mode. Not a lot of us bought it. I think she thinks we’re all going to vote for her. Not so at all.