I posted the Banner Editorial on the personal blog by mistake. One person responded to my challenge. .
The editorial dealt with Council's decision to take a step forward to discover community ideas for use of the asset from the sale of Aurora Hydro..... currently 33 million dollars.
Official policy is it will not be used without community consultation. It will be used for a purpose we would never
contemplate placing as a burden on the taxpayers.
The editorial position was it should be used for infrastructure.and repairs.
The opposite of the stated intent.
Ka-non took up that point and used a few recent projects to establish it..
We are in the throes of making highly questionable decisions on high cost infrastructure
The editorial followed a news story in a previous edition. The Chief Financial Officer was quoted :
.
However, as Aurora treasurer Dan Elliott pointed out, building the
facility is only part of the cost, as operating a large facility can
cost hundreds of thousands of dollars per year.
While some of the money should be spent on a project with a lasting,
visible legacy, such as a youth centre, most of it would be better spent
on what many people take for granted: maintaining what already exists.
As noted in this year’s final budget report from Mr. Elliott: “The
ongoing aging of infrastructure, together with the past deferrals of
projects, continues to place pressure on the capital budget and reserve
funds and on staff to deliver effective and satisfactory performance
from our infrastructure inventory.”
Herein lies the crux of a serious dilemma
Council's decision to take a step forward and consult the community on a use for the Hydro fund was well received.
The concept that any project should enrich the community in a way that could not be contemplated as a tax burden was not lost.
The decision is ours to make and the time is right.
Direction to staff was clear.
A plan be prepared to obtain input from the community. People who live here. Pay taxes here and elect a council to represent them in the decisions to be made.
Yet even before we take a single step, negative and critical reaction is reflected publicly in a staff comment quoted in the editorial.
I have said before this Council has no sense of its authority.
A Regional attitude pervades.
Council subservience reigns.
There is no sense of place.
We are not only neutered at the region by having one member, we are close to eunuchs in our own domain as well. .
Sunday, 27 May 2012
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5 comments:
Mr. Elliot would have a lot more money to pay with if the tap to the Center was shut off. He hasn't shown a great deal of concern about that, has he?
When Mr.Elliot was asked about funding for the Farmers Market being designated to a sub-committee he just about dismissed the person at the podium.
I recall this happening about 2 years ago but do not remember who the speaker was.I did pay attention because I thought his answer was rather rude.
@11:06
Do all the 'issues' in the town lead to only one doorstep?
The Banner Editorial Policy ? Surely you jest? There was a reporter who really tried & got red-lined out of there. I hope he found a better spot. No one READS to Banner =they take bits pieces & turf the thing out, Check the Auroran for actual NEWS
Christopher appears to have another tantrum. It reads as though someone from Evelyn's Blog welcomed him and said that she/he enjoyed what he wrote and that it was neat that he dropped by. Does the lad have a problem withe anger management?
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