More Of The Same

Michael Evans called me Tuesday before the Council meeting. He asked had I seen the story in The Banner. I told him no, so he told me about it and had some questions.

Who is this guy Ballard? Why is he Chair of an Advisory Committee? Isn't a Chair supposed to be elected? Why is he speaking with authority against an Official Plan Amendment at Centre and Yonge?

He went on." I asked The Banner, why they went to him for a story? What does he have to do with anything?"

The Banner said they didn't . He came to them.

Michael is one of the few surviving retailers on Yonge Street. He was a candidate for Council once. He stays on top of things and keeps Council aware of steadily deteriorating conditions

He attended every public planning hearing on the numerous applications on the above noted property and urged various councils to proceed for the benefit of downtown. . Until now, to deaf ears. . If anyone knows how hard it is to make a living in the down-town block, He's the Man.

I told Michael what I knew.

Chris Ballard is a friend of the Mayor.

Committee chairs should be elected officials.

Mr. Ballard is a consultant. I think, communications. I believe Aurora is or has been his client at some point
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Going to The Banner would probably be the Mayor's idea. To put pressure on Councillors Wilson and Granger to make them change their minds.

There's an army of Morris Minions in and out of the Council ,whose function it is to say or write things she wants to be said but not by her. It's the most transparent aspect of Mayor Morris.

At the Town Hall, the word is; "Just do it. Keep her happy"

When Michael came to Council a few weeks ago with photographs of recently vacated stores on both sides of Yonge Street, there was a disparaging letter in The Banner about his hardware store a week later.

No critical comment ever goes unpunished.

It's a good thing Michael wasn't looking for support or encouragement from Town Hall, He would have been disappointed.

Three people came to Council on Tuesday to speak in support of the application.

Mr. Lee congratulated Councillors for "their courage"

The Mayor reminded him of " a problem" he had , she had assisted him with and would likely do so again.

No doubt, it was just a friendly reminder.

Gordon Barnes, however, is a great friend and supporter of the Mayor and all volunteers. He advised Council in stentorian terms "We live under the rule of law. Not under the law of expediency" in his opposition to the proposal.

I am not exactly sure expediency was the term for dealing with the same application umpteen times at great expense to the applicant and the municipality and failing to make a recognizable decision.

In the meantime, every new owner pays more for the property and has to get more out of it to make any project economically feasible. Had it been built five years ago it would have probably been two floors lower.

Mr. Barnes always informs Council, he lives at 11 Catherine Street.

That's behind the proposed building site, currently the most blighted and slum-like in our down- town and growing worse by the day.

At every public planning meeting , the building's architect is obliged to spend time addressing precisely where shadows will fall at particular times of the day.

Mr. Barnes is a gardener and grows many different varieties of tomatoes.

Speaking on the issue, the Mayor had much to say about the mandate she received from the voters to maintain the small town quality.

It certainly appears to be a popular concept. Candidates make that solemn vow every time we have an election.

I listen and wonder; what place are they are talking about?

I have lived here for nigh on fifty years. I have had the privilege of serving on Council and sharing neighbours whose familes have lived here for several generations.

To-day's centre block of Aurora resembles nothing of the progressive bustling town Aurora once was.

Pshaw!!! Madame Mayor.

What are you and your friends talking about ?

Where are you from?

Do you hear yourselves speak ?

Who gave Chris Ballard authority to speak for the Town of Aurora, she asked, knowing the answer full well.
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