A Blank Sheet

I've sat down at the computer several times. There's no shortage of issues that call for comment. It may be the after-effect of surgery and or the combination with events at the Town Hall but I am having a hard time finding equilibrium in what I consider devastating circumstances within the town's administration.

At this point in time, no Director can act with confidence in his or her capacity. Even those who have statutory authority will be obliged to tiptoe through the tulips. Until now the town had a management team approach to decision-making. Without a CAO or even with one completely obstructed at every turn from doing his job, team management is no more.

It 's unlikely the position will be filled for several months unless someone I don't know about is waiting in the wings. In the current political environment, that's always a possibility.

Even if there is someone who can fill the bill on an interim basis, it is difficult to visualise how that person will feel free to act in a professional capacity.

Mayor Morris and Councillor MacEachern are in full control. The acolytes, Gaertner, Granger and Wilson make that possible. I have no confidence the town's affairs are in good hands.

Knowles Crescent

During the controversy over Knowles Crescent last summer, many people visited this small charming street of fifty-two homes which had in excess of a million dollars spent to upgrade to urban standards. Five or six residents received nice fat cheques, one for around $10,000 from the town just in time for Christmas, to compensate them for upgrading their driveways to the elegant standard to which they were accustomed.

Work is completed. A judgement can now be made about how Knowles Crescent residents were served by the town.

Anyone interested can take a drive round and see if they can guess which residents hit the public jackpot.

Aurora Citizen

There is one bright spot on the horizon. Since the consistent pattern of the current council's function has emerged there are signs citizens are no longer inclined to allow events to pass without comment. The website offers an opportunity to share reaction. Public opinion is the only means left to make a difference in a term that is not even half way over. If the internet can make a difference in American presidential elections, who knows it might also have an impact in Aurora.

One can but hope.