A Learning Experience

Since the eighties, Aurora has provided a briefing for councillors at the beginning of every term.

The last I attended was at Nottawasaga Inn; close enough to encourage attendance but far enough to keep people together for the complete session.

All members of Council were expected to attend. Seven department heads were required to attend

Experts in Municipal Planning and Law were retained to deliver lectures in their particular field .
Friday evening started with a meal together in the dining room and ended around ten p.m.

Saturday started at eight-thirty and also ended at ten p.m. All meals were taken together.

Friday and Saturday ended with a social hour. The CAO schlepped the bar in boxes to the hotel. Whatever we had was at liquor store prices. Most of it came back to the Town Hall. It must still be there. I haven't seen it since.

Sunday was scheduled to end with lunch.

Not much of the week-end was left for rest and relaxation with the family. .

Each department head briefed councillors on matters outstanding in their particular department. There was time for questions but the schedule was kept. A lot had to be accomplished in a limited time.

The program was prepared by senior staff. prior to the election. A deal was negotiated with the Inn. Total cost was in the area of $10 ks.

We didn't get full value that last year. Three Councillors refused to attend. Councillors Morris and Gaertner felt it was not proper. The price was the same anyway.

If one more councillor had decided not to attend for righteous reasons, the whole thing would have had to be cancelled but the price would still have remained the same.

A deal was a deal. A contract is expected to be fullfilled.

We had six new councillors elected last time out. They were not provided with the opportunity to be briefed. Mayor Morris stuck to her guns that the exercise was not proper. I believe the argument was that the exercise should be conducted within town limits. But that didn't happen either.

On the other hand , as a member of York Regional Council, The Mayor took full advantage of the opportunity to be briefed in her new responsibilities at the region by much the same practise in Aurora for at least the previous ten elections. .The Mayor took the precaution of requesting Aurora Council to authorise her attendance at the region's orientation for new councllors. They did.

Now we are having a discussion in the community about the need for Councillors to have formal credentials to qualify for election to Council.

Little detail has been provided about how that could be accomplished. Who would provide the education? How would it be paid for and who would decide what might be necessary to fullfill
the role of spokesperson for one's neighbours.

Why is it not part of the school curriculum for students to learn public service is a worthwhile endeavour?