"Cowardice asks the question...is it safe? Expediency asks the question...is it politic? Vanity asks the question...is it popular? But conscience asks the question...is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular but one must take it because it is right." ~Dr. Martin Luther King

Tuesday 30 October 2012

It Is Misinformation

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "WTF":

Hello Evelyn, (This question may be directed elsewhere but it was your latest comment string.)

In a letter to the editor in yesterday's The Auroran (see page 4) Steve Falk writes: 
"Now the volunteer Jazz+ Festival organizers have to waste time and resources going on the defensive to fight for the use of the Town Park on a weekend promised to them in writing and already part of a great Aurora tradition".

My question: Is there something in writing, a contract, a written commitment that the Town has given to the Festival future 1st refusal for the Park on the August long weekend? If so why hasn't someone on Council or the Jazz Festival come forward to state this fact. Or is this misinformation.


*******************
Haven't seem the letter.
It is misinformation.  
Had Mr Falk watched Council's debate on  the resolution he would have heard the question asked;  
Has  a permit  not already been  issued for 2013. 
Staff response was  NO. A permit application  was made. It was not issued.
The fence was known to be a concern in the last several years. Likely to be   a council debate.
Deliberate insul by  excluding  the Town's First Citizen,  a constant supporter. with other Councillors, was not likely to be overlooked.
Council's first loyalty is to the dignity of the community we serve.
Abuse thrown about. when funding  was refused after reported revenue of more than $140.000 from 2011.
None of these factors have  stood in the Jazz Festival's favour. 
If they were ever to  be considered personna non grata in the town park, this was the year all the signs orbited in that direction.
Council's decision is made. There will be a competition.
Unless a motion to waive procedure  to reconsider is successful, the decision  will not be undone. 
How exactly do they plan to do that?
By subjecting the town to more abuse. 
Ugly confrontation, unfounded allegations,  unsubstantiated  accusations, have not been known to contribute to civil resolution of a problem.
Quite the opposite.     
  

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

Also according to the Auroran, staff reported that an extension of the # of days for the Festival had been requested. I guess, after 2 not-too-stellar years of attendance figures, they are wanting to ' grow ' the event. So, we are not just dealing with the same situation from the past. It seems they want the fencing and access for the Park for a longer period. It did not say how many days had been requested for the extension. From what I recall from the meeting, that request has been set aside, hopefully no longer a part of any staff requirement?

Anonymous said...

The time element that was introduced is a red herring too. Sher St.K was quoted about deciding early last year to hold that event.

Anonymous said...

with the amount of mud slinging being dished out by "the st Kitts woman" Its hard to imagine that they could get a venue in any municipality,

Anonymous said...


Let's turn from local nonsense to something of national importance.

For all you cultural literati the CBC will be broadcasting at 9:00 PM this evening the jury decision on the book that will take home the Giller Prize, Canada's best fiction.

You really must read the pieces in today's Globe and Mail on the five finalists, including Alix Ohlin whose two books were soundly trashed in a New York Times book review this past August. Reading the review is better than reading the book. A really vicious piece, but totally deserved.

And to top it all off is John Doyle's article on the celebratory status of CanLit that will leave you rolling on the floor.

Who says culture can't be fun?

Anonymous said...

Yet another Verdict rolls out tonight. This one in Toronto on the CBC. And there won't be a single mention of Aurora. But, then, we wouldn't know about that because on this Blog we are supposed to be out to kill culture.

Anonymous said...

Check Bloomberg
" N.Y. Subway system faces weeks to recover from storm "
Major mess. Hope no one has relatives there.

Anonymous said...

The right one got it!

Anonymous said...


Evelyn:

Maureen Dowd this morning proves that leadership can even survive politics.

When will leadership surface in Aurora?

Something Fishy in Aurora said...

A call to arms….

http://georgestkitts.wordpress.com/2012/10/31/press-release/

Maybe they should just nut up and put forward a proposal of their own for the weekend. Fair is Fair.

Anonymous said...

Please bear in mind that Councillor Ballard regards Aurorans as " a bunch of rubes ". All this talk about the Giller may be over his head.

Anonymous said...

"Fair? "Fishy. No way. They will roll into Aurora with their followers like an outlaw motorcycle gang, spread anger & fear, grab whatever they can & head back out of town.

Anonymous said...

I have to agree with 11:18 AM. Intimidation has always worked in the past. It has to be the weapon of choice.

Anonymous said...

"Intimidation has always worked in the past."

Not always, no. Not in the end, at least - you can ask how it eventually worked out for the former mayor.

Anonymous said...

I’ve read what Something Fishy in Aurora was referring to at http://georgestkitts.wordpress.com/2012/10/31/press-release/

Others may wish to do the same.

Who is the author of this press release? George St. Kitts? As it’s his blog and he has a blog disclaimer stating “This Blog is my personal opinion”. I thought the Aurora Festival of the Arts produced the Jazz Festival as it states in the body of the press release. Is this a press release from the AFA, Sher & George St. Kitts as owners of St. Kitts Music Inc., Sher & George as GM and Artistic Director of the Festival or Sher and George as individuals? And yet it says send emails of support to george@aurorajazzfest.com and to contact Sher St. Kitts.

The release says that the AJF (Aurora Jazz Festival) organizers booked Town Park for 2013 – April 2012. If they booked it, was it confirmed or was it simply requested? A bit misleading to the public.

And again: “The festival was recognized as a Top 100 in the Province of Ontario in 2012 by Festivals & Events Ontario. The Aurora jazz+ Festival is the only music festival in York Region to be so recognized in 2012.” Surprising that the Markham Jazz Festival isn’t a Top 100 (they have been around since 1998) but then again it does not appear that they are a member of Festivals and Events Ontario business organization that gives out the awards only to its members. (www.festivalsandeventsontario.ca )

Yes, indeed this is looking like the start of another PR fight getting ugly and wasting more time and energy to Town Council than perhaps it’s worth.

Anonymous said...

2:33 PM It worked out pretty well. Seen any signs of her getting a job? The rest of us are still trying to dig out from under her sludge.

Anonymous said...

We wait with wild anticipation to see who has been selected to escort her to her next court appearance. Friday, is it? Usually it is a male and a female although apparently the cast may vary.
Post or not, E.

Anonymous said...

That's the point, 5:33 PM. Intimidation didn't pay off, at all. From mayor to pariah in rapid succession.

Anonymous said...

There is nothing that requires the Former to attend the hearing. She has skipped at least one that I heard mentioned.

Anonymous said...

Does Mr.Falk have a spouse that works at The Vultural Center.

Web woven...

Anonymous said...

10:04 AM
That is interesting but not important. What does have significance is that he misrepresented the situation. His facts were incorrect.

Anonymous said...

...apropos of nothing, Dream Weaver 10:04 AM.

Elizabeth Bishenden said...

Steve Falk has expressed his opinion about the future of the Aurora Jazz Festival. If you disagree with it, feel free, but stick to the argument. Implying, especially if done anonymously, that he holds that opinion because his wife works at the ACC is scurrilous and undermines any pretense of sensible discussion on your part.

Anonymous said...

Say what, Elizabeth ?

Anonymous said...

Leave it, Mr Reil. Sometimes people do not realize that they are being used. Mr Falk has been called on the errors in his letter. It is up to him to decide what, if anything, to do about it.

Anonymous said...

Alexander Reil should get over sexist stereotypes.