Double The Money....A&B Courier Race Raised $144,000

If   a waiver of fees from the Town of Aurora had not been granted  they would have raised $143.350

Would the difference be a poor reflection on  community support for the event?  I don't think so.

When  all those who made the event an outstanding success  were being named ,Steve Hinder, who initially created  the event to honour a friend who died prematurely and whom he admired tremendously, had a lengthy  list.

 Aurora council  was not named for voting to waive user fees.Nor were Aurora taxpayers, in whose name the grant was provided. In terms of the final figure, the assistance  was miniscule.It represented no effort at all on the part of councillors. No generosity  was reflected. No compassion.  Not when you 're putting your hand in someone else's pocket.

Yet, in principle, as it relates to the town's obligation to maintain equity among  users of  town facilities,it  does matter.It matters a lot.

Organisations using  recreation facilities are mostly parents striving to provide offspring with opportunities to round out their lives. They too engage in fund-raising events to  keep costs down  make sure no child is excluded because of  cost. I don't think that happens. But they try.

In calculating  fees, the town also strives to meet that objective.   Opportunities to generate revenue  are sought to subsidise user fees. Loss of revenue from fees waived are a contradiction in terms.

Any statement of principle about equity and fairness in the face of fees waived for special interests is a scam against the  public  consciousness.

It's a bold-faced lie. It's a fraud. It is shameless exploitation of public trust

In my judgment,there was  nothing of merit in any decision to waive user fees. It made no difference to the success of the event. Not enough even to get a mention.

It's the reason politicians are held in such disrepute.

So transparent for what it is, it earns no respect, even from  recipients.

Polo for Heart in Gormley will be back for its 32nd year in June. Last year they raised $240,000.

If the A&B Courier Run is an indication, the community will generously double  funds previously  contributed in support of the event.

Polo For Heart could also request a grant of $650 from the municipality to be paid  from  taxation and expect it to be granted.  They never have. How appropriate would that  be?

Yet  the funds they raise come from the same source, for the same cause.