What Concerns Aurora Voters
Posted by auroracitizen on September 20, 2010
Sean Pearce wrote an article that appears on the front page of the Sunday Banner. It was interesting for a number of reasons.
All 4 challengers indicated that residents continue to be angered and upset by the antics of the outgoing Mayor and Council — which suggests a movement to change.
However, there didn’t seem to be any other defined issues that candidates will be speaking to. Most of the other issues mentioned were pretty typical — property taxes, traffic concerns, the environment and development. However, there were no real suggestions or ideas we can get behind and support.
Challengers need to start differentiating themselves from each other or residents won’t know who to vote for on Oct 25 — and we will all wake up Oct 26, with a vote for change split 3 or 4 ways and stuck in the same situation we are currently in.
We also noticed an article by Teresa Latchford indicating “accountability and transparency top the list of hot topics” in the Newmarket race. We think the same sentiments would equally apply to Aurora.
Of course, the other interesting point was that outgoing Mayor Phyllis Morris “was unavailable for comment”. Who ever thought the day would come when Phyllis missed an opportunity to have her words (or those someone else wrote for her) in print. Makes you wonder what could have been so pressing she could not pick up her blackberry and return a phone call.
Aurora Citizen 
evelyn.buck said
This is the first term of office in Aurora the social media has been visible.
I am anxious to see if it has had an impact.
My impression is it has but nothing can be taken for granted.
It is also the first term of office for a number of kinds of behaviour never seen before in Aurora or any other municipality.
Mayor Morris and Councillor MacEachern have been the leaders but they had no power without the consistent support of the other four.
With them, they had ultimate power.
Robert the Bruce said
Speaking of signs. How many will use the advice seen on Nigel and the Lone Grainger signs and mark their ballots with a “Check Mark” instead of the “X” (or are we electronic again?)?
maybe there will be some spoiled ballots thanks to these two rocket scientists.
Fuimus
Robert the Bruce said
I saw the Morris band wagon on the streets Saturday. Pickup truck with a rental trailer (all decked out in red and white) stopping every few yeards to hammer in a sign.
Fuimus
Tim the Enchanter said
I think many of us have been concerned over the lack of definition amongst the candidates – very few clear positions on anything.
Mr. Duff and Mr. Abrams were directly challenged on this blog to proffer up clear positions on issues of their own choosing and didn’t.(as far as I know)
Sorry – “call me and we’ll talk” doesn’t count.
Perhaps candidates are unsure of exactly what the usual voting block is in Aurora.
About one-third of us vote.
Is that one-third drawn from a broad spectrum of residents or from a tightly defined voter block?
A few years ago I was told that candidates cater to Aurora’s seniors because “that’s who votes”.
Is that the case? I’d be very interested to know.
Perhaps other posters could weigh in on this.
A related aside:
In the run-up to a recent US election a well-respected pundit was asked why it seems that Congress never addresses many long-standing issues facing Black Americans.
His direct answer?
“Because Blacks don’t vote”