Homecoming

Last night a glass with ice was on the table by my chair and a message from a Nisbet Drive neighbour was waiting for me when I got home.

"Tell your mother, we all appreciate what she did for us tonight"

It was nice. But it was little enough I was able to accomplish.

I told Council, Nisbet Drive residents felt they should have had an opportunity to comment on the changed construction plans for their road.

Councillor Gaertner dismissed that. Residents had plenty of opportunity to comment,she said.

The Mayor advised residents should come and see her and Public Works Director, Simanovskis if they had a problem.

Mayor Morris is certainly right about that. One resident of Nisbet Drive went to see her and the Public Works Director and the road design was promptly changed to suit his preference.

Along his property frontage, the sidewalk loops and becomes a concrete pad six feet wide, abutting the travelled portion of the road. Not only that. The road itself is to be shifted over by three feet to take the sidewalk even further from his property.

Neighbours opposite will have three feet less depth to their frontage.

To satisfy totally selfish and self-centred demands of a single individual,three beautiful street trees, two of them with probably thirty years of growth, will be cut down to be replaced by the concrete pad.

But apparently that's acceptable. Because he took his problem to the Mayor. The Mayor ensured his every wish was granted. Like a Fairy Godmother.

So chuffed was he with the success of his efforts, he boasted to neighbours about how effective he had been and how well the Mayor had taken care of his needs.

His success had been at his neighbours expense, but never did it occur to him the information might not be universally welcomed.

It's interesting to watch Mormac politics in action.

Little subtlety is involved.

By summer's end , the hybrid sidewalk will be on the ground for all to see.

Visit Nisbet Drive now and see how it is. Council awarded the contract last night with one vote opposed.

The trees will be the first to vanish. Go and see them now in all their glory of spring foliage. Take some photos. Talk to the neighbours. Give them an ear.

Next time a righteous Councillor expresses an opinion about the value of a tree, know that for the crock it is.

I've been to a few gatherings lately. In the company of neighbouring politicians.

Aurora Council meetings are being viewed far and wide.