Twas The Night Before New Council
Posted by auroracitizen on November 30, 2010
‘Twas the night before new council, and all through Aurora,
All the creatures were buzzing, awaiting the aura.
The documents were laid in the chamber with care,
In hopes that the new council would soon clear the air.
The townsfolk were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of good government danced in their heads.
At home in his pyjamas, slippers, and cap,
Geoff sat by the fire, to let the day unwrap.
When up on his laptop, there arose such a clatter,
He rushed to the screen to tend to the matter.
To his amazement he read, as he logged on the net,
Some folks still cried foul, like they’d lost some great bet.
The Mayor-Elect wondered, as he gazed at the screen,
What it would take, to pronounce this town clean.
Then a noise from the yard shook these thoughts from his head,
“What’s going on now, I should be halfway to bed!”
When what did he see as he drew back the shades,
But a gold Chain of Office, and eight shiny aides.
Shouting “Ready for work”, as the reason they came,
Geoff knew them all right, each councillor by name;
“Now Abel, now Thompson, now Buck, and Humfryes,
On Gallo, on Gaertner, on Ballard, and Pirri!
Let’s deliver on our promise, for one and for all,
Now dash away, dash away, to Aurora Town Hall!”
With a stroke of a pen, and the oath that each swore,
The new council was ready to rise to the fore.
Staff were all focused, and went straight to work,
Respect and goodwill now meant more than a perk.
Geoff looked up from his chair, and said to his team;
“The people have spoken; they’ve all shared their dream.”
As the Mayor-to-Be gathered his team at the door,
Each knew the task ahead as a rewarding, but tough chore.
As Geoff wished them all well, and as a leader just might,
Shouted, “Good government to all, and to all a good night!”
— Matt Maddocks (with apologies to Clement Clarke Moore)
Aurora Citizen 
Anonymous said
I needed a place to post my thoughts and this seemed to be the most relevant spot at the moment.
I watched the inaugural on Rogers last night. It wasn’t as colourful as Don Cherry’s pink jacket and comments – perhaps that’s a good thing. However, why is Wendy Gaertner always so bloody sanctimonious? She learned well from the masters (or mistresses)how to talk down to people during her previous council terms. I still scratch my head and wonder who would vote for her. There were a couple of others I wasn’t impressed with either. How did Mr. Ballard manage to be on 4 commitees when others who applied (my husband included) were brushed off with nothing more than a curt note from the clerk? Wouldn’t it make sense to broaden citizen participation with more diverse experience, knowledge and expertise rather than concentrate it into the chosen few? I hope the process changes this year. We are being short-changed if it is the same old few monopolizing all the committees.
Anonymous said
Is there any reason why Morris’ assistant wasn’t retained?:
http://www.town.aurora.on.ca/aurora/employment?jobId=16
auroracitizen said
It is standard procedure for any incoming politician that they hire someone that are comfortable working with given the close working relationship based on trust. Hence this application makes it crystal clear that it is a contract for the term.
Applicants interested in applying should be aware that this is a 4-year contract position for the existing Council term of office only (December 2010 – November 2014).
Morris’ assistant would have been hired under the same terms and conditions — as are all employees who work for a politician including provincial MPP’s and federal MP’s.
evelyn.buck said
Robert the Bruce asks how will this new council be judged?
I would imagine on the same basis as the last…on performance.
I would not hope for anything different.
I would recommend it to my new colleagues.
Winter's comin said
Matt … going to recommend you to the CMA for a PHD. Your cleansing technique is pheonominal! Another poem perhaps, before too long? Thx Doc…. wc
Matt Maddocks said
Thanks wc.
I did have one about a Mayor from Nantucket, but, you know…
Broderick epps said
Well done Matt.
Your parody is brilliant.
Even Mr. Spock might appreciate it.
Josh Ing said
“Even Mr. Spock might appreciate it.”
Don’t get carried away now, Broderick. *winks*
Mr. Spock said
Eppy,
Yeah, it’s okay for an amateur.
The only thing I’ll question is the “eight shiny aides” part.
Other than the fact that some of them are anything but shiny, I think most of them might a problem with being refered to as simply an “aide” of the mayor.
Oh well, a basic understanding of the functioning of municipal government was never a stong suit of the average contributor to this site.
BTW, do you mind if I call you “Eppy”, I think it’s kinda cute.
Sort of makes you seem harmless really…you big pussycat you…
veritas said
To Mr. Spock:
Whine, whine, whine. Have you never heard of poetic licence?
Simplydebinaurora said
Hey Spocky, Put your money where your mouth/keyboard is. Let’s see if you can do better.
Mr. Spock said
@Debsomethingorother: “…Let’s see if you can do better…”
Don’t tempt me.
Simplydebinaurora said
What a great job Matt. Love it! What a great way to start a new day and new beginnings!
Anonymous said
I wonder how long the honeymoon of this council will last? While I voted for him, I don’t think that Dawe can walk on water yet. He has 8 others to contain – one of which has a short fuse and is not afraid to use it. I hope I am wrong, but there could be a lot of disappointed people here during the next 4 years.
October Came, Thanks were Given said
Boy that optimism really becomes you!
Not sure if ‘contain’ would be the word I’d use.
How about ‘work with’ or ‘consider’ or ‘respect the opinions of’
Just sayin’
Christopher Watts said
It sounds like someone is already disappointed, and why?
I don’t hear anyone here making fantastical claims that our new mayor can walk on water. Just like I don’t hear any intent for him to “contain” any of the councilors, that’s not what council is supposed to be like. This past term of council was an abnormality. As the ship gets righted feel free to walk around your town and talk to people. Talk to residents, talk to your councilors, your town staff.
Aurorans have endured 4 years of disappointment and sought out an achieved change.
A positive one.
This isn’t a honeymoon, this is your council.
Get to know them, it’s going to be a great 4 years.
Josh Ing said
“…one of which has a short fuse and is not afraid to use it”
I thought MacEachern didn’t get re-elected?
One who Knows said
“Aurorans have endured 4 years of disappointment and sought out an achieved change”
More like 7 Matt but who’s counting,
Tim had more than his hands full dealing with the terrible twins, but alas that’s all well behind us. What seems more puzzling or perhaps telling, than anything is the fact that Tim had a group photo taken in front of Town hall on his last day in office with every staff member of the Town present to take part and wish him well. Yet for some unknown reason the event was not repeated for the most supportive and protective self proclaimed champion of staff to ever walk the planet.
Must have been a more important photo op elsewhere !!!
Elizabeth Bishenden said
The Aurora Citizen Blog is available for everyone to comment.
If you don’t like what you see, or if you love what you see, you can have your say.
Send in your comments.
Anonymous said
Why is my comment such a radical thing?
Maybe the excitement about the new council is not really about the new council at all, but rather that it’s not the OLD council. Every election there are promises made that will not be filled. Everyone is excited at the prospect of change and with an untested Mayor and 5 untested councillors it’s going to be hard to live up to the expectations of some people here.
Writing poems and lyrics about the new council looks like groupies writing their favourite band names in their school notebooks.
Robert the Bruce said
Anonymous raises a good point though.
How will this council be judged? Will it be solely on the benchmark of the previous council? Have we become so drunk with the fact that we have a new council that we will be more forgiving? The first time that there is a vote of 8-1 (and EB is the 1) do we start talking about voting blocks? What happens if we start seeing consistent 5-4 votes (where the 4 are Gaertner, Gallo, Humpreys and Ballard)?
I too wonder how long they will be given to “prove” themselves. It’s not lack of optimism or disappointment, it’s a realistic point of view. I don’t know how Christopher Watts can say that “it will be a great 4 years” on the day they took office unless he has a crystal ball.
“Contain” may not be the right word. Perhaps “Manage” would be better. That is what GD will have to do. He will have to manage the councillors and like her or not, EB is a wildcard. What will his tolerance be of counter-productive letters to the editor or blog postings? Will everyone be all smiles then? If you think those things will stop because GD is in the chair, then reality is not your domain.
Realisticly yours…..
Fuimus
veritas said
Personally I am not expecting our new mayor to walk on water. What I am expecting however, is a mayor who does not conduct himself like a dictator and who fosters and facilitates informed (yes, Gaertner and Gallo) intelligent discussion and debate from ALL councillors before a vote takes place so that everyone is clear about what it is they are voting for.
Grace Marsh said
Anonymous said “He has 8 others to contain”
Attempts at containment were a big part of the problem last term. I don’t expect that to be the MO of the new Mayor at all.
David Heard said
Now that is what “spirit”is all about.
Well done.
Stephen Forsey said
Outstanding job Matt! Very well done!
Matt Maddocks said
Thank you for all the kind comments. I had fun writing it. Cheers!
Kelli said
Brilliant!!!!
Brian Duff said
Another big cyber pat on the back from me Matt
veritas said
Nothing like some wonderful creativity and humour to kick off the dawn of a new day. Humour was sorely lacking for the last 4 years. It is humour that makes unbearable things bearable. I am looking forward to a new air of levity at the town hall rather than the awful scowls and sneers that dominated. Your poem is great; thank you for it.
Stephanie Allen said
Love, love, LOVE IT! Very creative Matt! Nicely done. Consider this a virtual pat on the back.
Christopher Watts said
awesome!
Chris said
Bravo, Some humour and light. Just like the people of the Wizard of OZ singing cheerily with the passage of the WWW (Wicked Witch of the West)
“Ding Dong the witch is ….. Which old Witch? the Wicked Witch.
Lets all keep our sense of humour.
Have a great day. Happy December 1.
Geoff Dawe said
Matt,
On behalf of the “eight shiny aides” thanks for your brilliant poem!
Cheers!
Winter's comin said
Matt … you are brilliant. Season’s greetings. … wc
Richard Johnson said
Now that kicks the season off with some class and a few laughs.
Thank you Matt and best wishes to all !
Dawe-ner & Blitzen said
Very clever. Cheers, Matt!