I avoid going because I don't know when to leave.
When a visitor indicates intention to depart,I start a new topic.
I could make age my excuse. I'll be damned if I will. The problem has been with me for years.
It could be inferiority complex. We all know that's not true.
It might be nervousness. That's an obvious contradiction.
Talking about the problem might help. I have to take control.
But not to-day. I am compelled to give an account of the Inaugural Meeting of the Council of 2010/2014
There hasn't been one like it since the first I attended in 1963. It was the town's Centennial. Venue was the auditorium at Dr.G.W.Williams High School.
A special guest made a speech and swore Mayor Keith Nisbet and Council into office. Aurora's first Chain of Office was presented to the Mayor, by it's designer, Rod Smythe.
The late Jean Moffat and former Councillor spoke of the new library, the town's Centennial project. There had been a contentious debate about a basement but Council would not agree to spend the extra money. For some reason, $63,000 sticks in my head as full cost of the library. Before that books were laid out on tables and shelves along the walls of the dark and dingy Victoria hall.
The election was my first time out as a candidate. The audience filled the auditorium.
Aurora Town Hall was the venue last night. Though the audience seats in the chamber were full,numbers fell far short of 1963. The town's population has multiplied many times since then.
What was lacking in numbers was made up by enthusiasm.
The crowd spontaneously rose to their feet and applauded time and again to express approval of the new Council.
The Chamber design was used as I imagine it was intended. Council were piped down the stairs from behind the
The clerk presided until the Mayor had sworn the Oath of Office. It was administered by a Justice of the Peace in formal gown and collar; a resident of Aurora and friend of the Mayor.
We had prayers of dedication by a multiple Faith group. Freedom of the City was returned to the Queen's York Rangers, North America's oldest regiment,stationed in Aurora.
Mayor Geoff Dawe made a speech outlining what he perceived had been established by the results of the election. It was very warmly received.There were cheers.
After the ceremonial, all adjourned to the second floor. The wide reception area was decorated with hundreds of small white lights and a Christmas tree. A pianist provided pleasant background music. Refreshments were served. The crowd stayed long and enjoyed the occasion.
I was one of the last to leave.
It was truly a memorable evening. Made no less so for myself by the presence of four of my children,eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.It wasn't the whole clan but it was respectable. A benefit of having a large clan is it takes but a fraction of the whole to make a substantial presence.
It was an extraordinarily cheerful, powerful and positive start to the council term of 2010/14
It shall be marked in the annals of Town history.
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3 comments:
What was most interesting was the way Councilor Gaertner hung on every word that was said, her attention never leaving the various speakers.
The way she mixed with everone at the end could only bring to mind the enthusiasm she showed for the recent bus tour that Council took during your orientation.
Such teamwork!!!
It truely is a new and exciting time indeed and by your description of the proceedings last night , the good ship Aurora appears to have been lifted from the rock pile.
One significant bit of business that needs to be taken care of is the removal of that most disgraceful and indignant Complaint from the Towns Web Site , This must not be permitted to linger any longer Evelyn, surely your cohorts can show yet another positive step forward and get this fairy tale crap removed immediately. It would go nicely with the recent opening of the former locked and barred inner sanctum by Mayor Dawe,
I was not impressed by Ballard's closing remark: "Let the games begin."
Being on council is NOT a game nor should it be conducted as such. It is the very serious business of careful stewardship of the town's affairs and the hard-earned tax money that residents pay to support it. Need we remind him that the last council squandered oodles of our money on legal games to fund personal vendettas so I think we are all sick to death of games.
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