Aurora Citizen

News & Views from the Citizens of Aurora Ontario

What is your definition of open & transparent?

Posted by auroracitizen on September 10, 2008

There was a disturbing article on the front page of The Auroran this week about the Freedom of Information (FOI) request for legal costs (see separate post).

Why must a citizen request information through Freedom of Information (FOI) in the first place? Shouldn’t a simple request be enough.

Isn’t Council accountable to the citizens of Aurora? Every election we have the opportunity to re-hire or terminate based on how we vote. That means the citizens are the boss and the Mayor and Council are accountable to us. Seems pretty clear.

So why does Council make any citizen go through the effort of making an official request to get information that they are entitled to see. The mere fact that a formal process is required suggests that something is being hidden.

What about the open & transparent promises of this Mayor and Council? It is surprising that this type of information wouldn’t be more readily available. Isn’t that what open and transparent means?

Maybe this Council needs to be reminded who they actually work for! If they truly want to be open & transparent, any citizen should be able to get these type of questions answered without being required to make a formal Freedom of Information request.

That tact has historically been used by politicians with something to hide.

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Posted in Town Council | 2 Comments »

Legal Fees

Posted by auroracitizen on September 10, 2008

The recent article in The Auroran about legals fees raised a couple interesting points. The FOI issue is covered in a separate post, but the increase in fees and the lack of clarity of why the monies were spent is equally troubling.

When then Councillor Morris made her request in 2006, she asked for a clear and thorough report detailing how often, what reason and what cost. Yet when a similar request is made now that she is Mayor the numbers were provided in lump sums by month — with no explanation.

Of course, there is the obvious increase from $76,881.98 in 2006 to $81,666 in 2007 and already $139,339 year to date (Jan – Aug) for 2008.

The monthly 2008 average of approx $17,500 puts Aurora on a spending rate equivalent to over $200,000 for the full year.

Where is the similar demand for clarity? What are the reasons for the significant increase in spending — and where will this increase be funded from?

How much of next years inevitable tax increase will be directly attributable to these increased legal costs.

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Posted in Legal, Town Council | 19 Comments »

Guest Post: Dick Illingworth’s Challenge

Posted by auroracitizen on September 8, 2008

Thanks to Councillor Buck for the following Guest Post.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views of the AURORA CITIZEN.

Dick Illingworth’s offer of a Bouquet to any councillor who will request information about the costs of replacing recruiting and re-training staff was relevant to the times when he was involved in the Town’s business. Those times they are no more.

I have asked for the legal costs of the various lawyers personally retained and instructed by Mayor Morris with the support of the majority. The information has not been forthcoming.

John Gutteridge is a municipal professional. He knows councillors are entitled to receive whatever information they request. He has provided me with information I have requested in the past before the hammer fell. I could call again and insist that he provide the info. I already did that once. If I persist, I will simply be making his job more difficult than it already is.

The Mayor rules the Town Hall with an iron fist. There can be no employee with any illusion as to their fate if they do not submit. They have only one option.

I anticipate others will choose it in the near and ongoing future.

Evelyn Buck, Councillor

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Posted in Community Corner, Guest Post, Town Council | 6 Comments »

Community Corner: Graffiti Clean Up Day Sept 25

Posted by auroracitizen on September 8, 2008

Have you seen the graffiti around town lately? Are you shocked by the disrespect shown by a few people who have defaced buildings, structures and signs with spray bombs?

The Town of Aurora Graffiti Committee, spearheaded by Councillor Collins-Myrakas, together with York Regional Police, have planned a Graffiti Clean Up Day on September 25. They are looking for volunteers to assist in the clean up/painting of graffiti sites here in Aurora.

The work will be done from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Volunteers will be assigned a group leader and sites to be cleaned. There will be a BBQ for the volunteers after the event.

So if don’t have anything planned that day, get involved. Consider helping keep your community clean. For more information or to volunteer, call please call Neighbourhood Network at 905-726-3737.

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Posted in Community Corner | 1 Comment »

Guest Posts by Federal Candidates

Posted by auroracitizen on September 8, 2008

We have invited each of the candidates for the riding of Aurora Newmarket to publish a guest post. Our commitment is to post them without change if under the requested 700 word limit. Stay tuned.

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Posted in Guest Post | Leave a Comment »

Are you spreading the news?

Posted by auroracitizen on September 7, 2008

Since this blog started in late August, there have already been 100’s of visitors. It has started to become a gathering place for the people of Aurora. We are excited by the many comments and the range of issues and opinions.

As our Mission Statement says, It is intended to stimulate and facilitate a community-based conversation about what you like, don’t like and would like to see changed for the better.

The conversation has started, but it will only become a powerful voice in the community once it has broad-based readership. Readership increases daily, but we need your help.

Please take a moment today to forward this post to other interested Aurorans inviting them to check out the site. It’s quick and easy when you use the envelop icon immediately below. Plus you can include a personal message of your own.

Posted in Community Input | 10 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 »

Update: Where have all the town staff gone?

Posted by auroracitizen on September 2, 2008

Since our original post last week on this subject, we have received a number of comments. Obviously it is an area of concern to many Aurorans so we thought we would update everyone on some of these comments.

It seems we were incomplete in our list of town staff who have left under this new Council. In addition to the 5 Directors, we have also lost the Mayor’s administrative assistant, Cookie Ellis — who was subsequently replaced by both a Mayor’s administrative assistant and a new position this term of an assistant for our part-time Council. What she does for 5 days each week when Councillors are at their full-time jobs is beyond my scope of understanding.

Possibly even more troubling is that we have already lost 2 of the replacements. It seems both our interim Solicitor Robert Cambridge and the Acting Director of Public Works Dave Atkins have already left.

One must wonder who will be next through the revolving door of town hall staff. One of our commenter’s stated that there is already a move afoot to jettison another Director.

To quote Dick Illingworth “Bouquet to the Councillor who will request a report outlining the termination, recruitment, training costs associated with all these departures.”

To see all comments from the original post click here.

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Posted in CAO, Staff Turnover, Town Council | 10 Comments »

Traffic & Safety Issues in Aurora

Posted by auroracitizen on August 31, 2008

As the children head back to school this week, it is always a good idea to be reminded to be extra watchful. Summer traffic patterns will change, school buses are around and the overall volume of traffic increases when everyone returns from summer vacations.

Like many communities, one of the downsides of growth are that traffic issues will also continue to increase. Some of the issues already identified include;

  • the congestion at Yonge & Wellington,
  • the speed trap across St. John’s Sideroad at Mackenzie Marsh where it drops to 50 kms for no reason
  • traffic calming measures in the north east corner of Yonge & Wellington
  • stop signs at virtually every corner
  • lack of parking in the downtown core

So be sure to keep a sharp eye out for the little ones and let us know your thoughts on these and other traffic & safety issues in town.

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Posted in Community Input, Traffic/Parking | 5 Comments »

Community Corner: Less is more

Posted by auroracitizen on August 30, 2008

Please don’t get me wrong, I have lived in Aurora since 1990 and I love this ‘just right’ town. My comment is about The Auroran itself.

I used to read all the letters to the editor when it was first published. Slowly, since then, I began to realize each letter getting longer and longer and extensively drawn out. Lately, I see a letter or 2 taking up almost 80% of a page re:a subject that can be well dealt with in just about 200 words. Needless to say, I lose interest in reading them and just stick to the few briefly written ones.

I have seen bigger newspapers requiring that letters to the editor are written in less than so many words.

Posted in Community Corner, Community Input | 5 Comments »

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