An Interesting Juxtaposition

Close to the end of  term, the former Mayor asked  the CAO to direct Department  Heads  to compile a report on  the wonderful accomplishments of  Volunteer  Advisory Committees. 

And so it came to pass.

When it was written, so many good things were listed,  reading took too long . Editing was requested. To make it  easier to read.Like in a campaign leaflet.

And so it  came to pass  

Two weeks ago, the new Mayor noted  the completion of six months in office.He expressed  great  appreciation for the co-operation Council  had  received from staff.

Last year it was the volunteers from whom all good things came.

Apparently, this is the year of  Directors of Various Town Departments

A headline  on the front page of  the Aurora Banner this week,demands  an apology from a Councillor who has had the temerity to put forward a motion for  review of an agreement which hands over half a million dollar in cash and kind, to the board of a facility, heisted from beneath the feet of the Aurora Historical Museum to become a cultural centre.

The story cites outrage of  Peter Townsend, a member of the culture centre board.

The board has a Chairperson. It seems a Sunday meeting was held to discuss outrage over the Councillor's effrontery. No reference is made to a meeting in the news story.  How it was called? Was  notice  given? Was an agenda circulated? Was a resolution moved and seconded? Was a vote taken?  Is the board's position reflected in Mr. Townsend's diatribe? Does the Board have a Bylaw to govern procedure?

Mr. Townsend declares there is no need for this "inquisition"

Centre volunteers and staff have been diligent in honouring not only the letter of the cultural agreement, they have exceeded the terms by providing both financials and performance reports,he added.

Questions could have been answered with a phone call, he argued.

Mr. Townsend has issued an invitation to town staff and council to visit the centre and examine the agreement.

Mr. Townsend is not Chairman of the Board. He does not have authority to speak for the board. Or publicly excoriate, on behalf of the board, an elected representative of the facility's owner which provides half a million dollars of public resources for its operation and is accountable to the people who pay the bills.

I think Mr. Townsend had another option besides taking Councillor John Abel to task for doing what he was elected to do.

I think by publicly displaying such astounding ignorance about his place in the scheme of things, Mr. Townsend should resign from the board forthwith.

His conduct is unacceptable.