Aurora Citizen

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More of the Same From Mayor Morris and Sher St. Kitts

Posted by auroracitizen on July 25, 2010

The Aurora Jazz Festival is on next week, so therefore the Farmer’s Market has to move out. Sort of.

At the July 13th council meeting, Sher St. Kitts appeared at open forum to instruct the Mayor that the Farmer’s Market vendors who are located in the Park will be in the way of the Jazz Festival, and therefore would have to move.  

The Mayor, as compliant as ever (at least to her “friends”) of course agreed, and then an email went out to the Farmer’s Market telling them they would have to move!

Last year, it was billed as the Aurora Jazz Festival and Farmer’s Market. This year, because certain people are no longer associated with the Farmer’s Market (you may recall that Sher quit when she didn’t get the compensation she demanded), it is just the Aurora Jazz Festival.

Resultant, all Vendors who are permitted to operate in the actual Town park — and this is their 3rd year of operation in the park — are NOT allowed to be in their spots next week. They are being relocated. The reasoning is that those vendors will interfere with the Jazz Festival.  

However, the truth is they will NOT interfere with the Jazz Festival. The truth is, they WILL interfere with the Vendors that are coming with the Jazz Festival — for one week.

Yes, we are bumping vendors who have purchased permits to operate weekly in the Town Park (some for up to three years), with vendors who are coming for a ONE week event.

Oh, and they possibly paid a fee to organizer Sher St. Kitts for the privilege of having a booth.  

Hmmm…… are we the only ones who finds this disgusting.

Mayor Morris and her special friend Sher St. Kitts strike again. Even with an election looming the arrogance and complete lack of respect for the folks in Aurora by this Mayor continue to amaze.

Posted in Code of Ethics, Community Corner, Community Input, Integrity, Leadership, Local Business | 67 Comments »

Aurora Market Going It Alone

Posted by auroracitizen on May 21, 2010

The Aurora Farmers Market & Artisan Fair have delegated to Council last Tuesday that they wish to separate operations from the town.

After being used as a political tool this last term it was only a matter of time before the folks who were simply interested in providing products and services to the community, would wish to distance themselves from those who sought to use the market for personal advantage.

Ex Councillor Kean initially championed the idea of the market to offer a service to the community and provide a draw for the downtown core on a Saturday morning. His good intentions were matched by selfless behaviour.

This last term we have seen a different approach.

Since the market  resisted the efforts by Sher St Kitts to leverage her “volunteer” role for personal gain — she has disappeared. Guess there was nothing in it for her any more.

Councillor Granger also backed away after his manipulative and dictatorial attitude were resisted by the executive.

Good for the executive at the market. If they stick to delivering on what the citizens of Aurora are looking for — and leave the politics out of the mix — they will probably be a success. The opportunity to purchase local produce without the political grandstanding every Sat will be a pleasant change. Well done!

Now let’s hope that Council can see their way clear to letting business do their thing without the ongoing political interference.

Posted in Community Corner, Leadership, Local Business | 2 Comments »

Farmers Market Opens this Weekend

Posted by auroracitizen on May 7, 2010

Reprinted from Cllr Buck’s Blog

On Saturday, May 7th at 8 a.m.

Aurora Farmers Market starts anew.

The Season is new but that’s not all.

The Market, for the first time, will chart its own course.

They will be independent of the town.

Free of exploitation.

They will show us their wares and cry;

Who will buy …. Who will buy!

We will hear their cry,

And gather there for the sheer fun of it.

Posted in Community Corner, Local Business | 17 Comments »

Community Corner: Do the Friends of Councillors Get Special Treatment?

Posted by auroracitizen on November 25, 2009

To the Aurora Citizen

What seems to be missing in the debate (debacle?) around the November 10th meeting, is the fact that Walter Mestrinaro was making his second appearance before Council to get a decision on the bleachers overturned, because his company did not get the award.

Despite the fact that Mr. Mestrinaro was disqualified for the most of basic of reasons – he didn’t respond on time, he did not provide the proper certifications and his bid was more expensive – he appeared at multiple Council meetings to protest that he did not get the work, culminating in the Nov 10th meeting, where he impugned the town staff for not following procedure.

Mr. Elliot & Mr. Christopher both advised Council (at a previous meeting) that the matter was administrative, strictly within the purview of Staff. They advised Council again on the 10th. Yet, Mr. Mestrinaro was allowed to carry on, impugn town staff, with no input from Mayor Morris nor the sidekicks. Interesting, considering that Councilor Wilson had just recently professed his undying support/respect, etc., for town staff.

The other interesting point is that Councilor MacEachern was “sick” that evening – perhaps the “my friend is appearing a Council to whine about something, and I don’t really want to be a part of it” flu.

And, the kicker? Walter Mestrinaro is a member of the Committee of Adjustments: “The committee considers the merits of applications for land severance and minor variances to land, buildings or structure, in accordance with the Planning Act.” A PAID position.

Yes, good citizens of Aurora. You are paying for Mr. Mestrinaro to sit in judgment of merits of an application as it pertains to the Planning Act (a fairly extensive document) – and he can’t even follow the basic rules of tendering.

I would be concerned, but then I am not Mayor – at least not yet!

From Junius — belatedly and with apologizes added by Aurora Citizen 😉

Posted in Code of Ethics, Community Corner, Conflict of Interest, Leadership, Local Business, Town Council | 15 Comments »

Community Corner: Yonge & Wellington Price Chopper

Posted by auroracitizen on March 11, 2009

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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Posted in Community Corner, Local Business | 14 Comments »

Rogers versus ACI

Posted by auroracitizen on September 5, 2008

Since Rogers took over ACI, there have been a few changes — probably most noticeable were the cancellations of 3 local shows; sports, Council in Action with Betty Pederson and an interview show with Dick Illingworth.

What other changes have you see? What others do you expect?

Let us know how you feel about one of the last hold-outs as a privately held cable company being purchased by Rogers.

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Posted in Community Input, Local Business | 5 Comments »

Community Corner: Support Local Business

Posted by auroracitizen on August 29, 2008

Buy gas in Aurora
A reader writes, since gas stations do not compete on gas prices, most drivers buy gas either by the brand of their choice or by convenience of locations. I think all Aurora residents should make the extra efforts to purchase gas from stations located within Aurora. This will help keep local business strong and generate tax revenues towards our community.

Posted in Community Corner, Local Business | Leave a Comment »

Community Corner: New Second Cup Opens

Posted by auroracitizen on August 29, 2008

A reader sent along the following comment about the new Second Cup. Share your thoughts.

We have lived in Aurora for almost 2 years and love it here. My husband and I just visited the new ‘Second Cup’ coffee shop at the Aurora Centre. The coffee, dessert, and staff were great. Although, the music was too loud for us.

Posted in Community Corner, Local Business | 2 Comments »

Community Corner: Will anyone bag your groceries?

Posted by auroracitizen on August 29, 2008

A reader asked the following question. Does anyone have an answer?

Can someone tell me why the Superstore in Aurora has changed?? We have been shopping there (and Loblaws before that) for a long time now, but in the past couple of months? whenever we have gone shopping we have to ‘bag our own’ groceries.

We might as well go to Price Chopper or No Frills if this the case, and the prices are cheaper. My husband did write to the head office, but got no response. I asked the cashier and she said that soon every store will be getting rid of plastic bags (good for the environment), which didn’t answer my question – because I already use my reusuable shopping bags. I just want someone to bag them for me.

Who knows??

Posted in Community Corner, Local Business | 1 Comment »

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