If this keeps up, I shall have to compose a new list of departees for the full extent to be appreciated.
A Museum Curator left and a Heritage Planner took his leave as well.
The Curator was relatively new and serving as resource person to the Arts and Culture Committee, planning for the opening of the Church Street School Heritage and Cultural Centre.
Councillors Gaertner and Granger were the town's appointees and of course the Mayor's friend and campaign organiser Ken Whitehurst was also on the committee.
When the Curator left, the Mayor's friend was appointed as paid resource person while continuing to serve as a committee member.
Prior to the facility's opening, Heritage had already been taken out of its title.
Although a full time, permanent staff complement is at the building, there is no curator " as such".
There is a grand piano.
The "Gala" opening reception was a standing event with wine served. The entertainment was a
piano piece rendered by a Toronto professional.
It was long.
I was glad I was sitting.
Unless it's jazz or it sounds like a waterfall transposed to music, or it's accompanying a sing-along, piano music is wasted on me.
The building has been staffed since last September.
The opening was organised by town staff. The Chief Administrator was Master of Ceremonies. The brand spanking new communication officer wrote the Mayor's speech.
Helen Mc Roberts, Past President of the Historical Society also gave a speech.
Since none of the parties have history in the town, the lack of history in the speeches was hardly surprising.
I fancy few of the audience would notice. I didn't see too many familiar faces. Not a great crowd at all actually after staff administrators. library board members and councillors were counted off.The contractors were probably there as well but I didn't meet any of them.
Seems a shame.
Hardly fitting for a grand old lady, veteran of two wars, a depression. and probably the entire recorded history of the Town of Aurora.
She was The School for God's Sake.
Students of that school made their mark in the world. Many others laid down their lives for their country.Many have stayed in the town all of their lives and are still here.
What an opportunity to celebrate the living history that is Aurora's.
An opportunity missed.
There was time to prepare.
There were people on the town's payroll at the facility.
People in the community who would have been glad to share memories.
Were they asked?
Or were they slighted?
I am as sure as anyone can be they were not asked.
Informed sources indicate your original list was short by about a dozen.
ReplyDeleteFew tears will be shed over some of the vacancies that will arise in the Council chamber after October.
The rest of the building is another story.
I proudly guided about 35 High School students from Aurora on a tour this past Thus.and Fri.
ReplyDeleteThe end point was the Church Street School.
Seeing them sit on the steps and lay on the grass as I spoke about Nobel Peace Prize winner P.M. Lester B.Pearson was a joy for myself.
History may fall on some deaf ears yet some were listening close those two days.
That building is a piece of art crafted by masons and attended by character people of our community past.
Too many people are asking me why it is not a full time heritage facility.
I refuse to let the great people from our local history be forgotten.
We owe them that much and I also to say "Thanks"
I don't believe Mr. Whitehurst has been involved with the Church Street School Cultural Centre for quite some time.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen him around town for yonks. I have a feeling he'll take a miss on HRH's next campaign, if she is fool enough to run again.
I'm sure they'll be a strong contender coming out of the woodwork soon.