To bolster my judgement. in this instance upon the Region's fiscal management.
From Henderson Drive north, on the east side of Bathurst, new privacy fencing has been installed and paid for by the Region. I have heard the cost was $2 million . I watched the project underway
I have no difficulty accepting that figure. The funds would derive from our property tax.
On Mulock Side road, east towardsYonge Street, privacy fencing of a different style protects the homes. Wood sections are supported by massive brick pillars. The structure is several years older and built by the developer of the homes.
Cost would be included within the price of the homes.
Market value (the price) sets the assessment upon which property taxes are calculated. Mortgages are negotiated . Interest is added and taxes are collected forever and a day.
In effect, owners of homes on Mulock and elsewhere in the region pay for all amenities provided with their homes , pay taxes on the amenities and pay in addition, taxes for privacy fences erected by the Region at no cost to property-owners on Bathurst Street.
Some ten years or so ago, the Region contracted to have trees planted on the east side of Bathurst from Henderson Drive North. Seventy-five per cent did not survive the transplant.
Seven years later dead stumps still stood in evidence of thousands of tax dollars scattered to the wind.
New trees are being planted on the road side and close to the privacy fence erected by the Region.
I have inquired about the purpose and type of tree . Purpose is not apparent. The trees are white spruce.
They are not hardy against winter road conditions.
On the other side of the fence , mature forest and , I believe, a thirty meter setback was required to be retained when the land was developed.
The town set the standard.
To maintain the country ambiance of Bathurst Street and protect residential development from the major arterial Bathurst is and has been for forty years.
So ....I do not share the confidence of my Council colleagues in the fiscal acumen of the Region of York.
I cannot commend it to the taxpayers of Aurora.
City Council is debating the question of appointment or by-election to fill the vacancy left by Former Councillor Doug Holyday . On Channel 24
Monday, 26 August 2013
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7 comments:
Regional government is a concept mandated by the province to oversee the expenditure of tax-payer money in a more efficient manner than was the case with umpteen municipalities.
Those on regional councils do not have either the wisdom or the experience to spend our money so that we get our "money's worth."
Regional government has been a big failure, but then so have most other forms of government.
So we're stuck with it and its stupidity.
By the way, there was a lengthy report prepared by Don Drummond at the request of faultin Dalton that laid out a plan to re-establish financially sound provincial government. This report was quite severe. Therefore it became lost, missing in inaction.
It's too bad a number of local and regional councillors don't do the same thing.
All the fencing in the world did not stop the ' dastardly intrusion ' of the cell tower. The neighbourhood residents were so busy with fences that they forgot to check out their mail for notices of development.
10:57
From what I can see whoever has the most Regional representation gets the money. The Towns that have only one representative is at the bottom of the totem poll, and if he's a newbie with no experience..well...that's where it gets kind of bleak.
No surprise in TO. But it is good that the potentials will be vetted first by Etobicoke residents. Not like here when a pet was selected without any input from the voters. Oh, well, c'et la vie.
10:57
Did they shred the report or is it still a possibility ?
@11:56
But the pay-out after you lose the job is still substantial. No?
I beleive that the Bathurst Street fencing is borne out of a different need than Mulock.
The development north of Mulock was done when Mulock was already a fairly major arterial road of 2 lanes each way. For the developer, it was to their advantage to fund and build the walls as they are.
The houses in question on Bathurst were built in a time when Bathurst was a 2 lane arterial road. Now the road is a 2 lane each way major arterial road with a large increase in traffic. The Region - who expanded the road - must step up to maintain the standard that those who bought there expected.
The trees on the other hand is an interesting situation. We all think that trees are good. They spent all that money to plant them, they put those plastic tents around the first 3 feet or so of trunk and then promptly forgot about them. No watering, no fertilizer. Road salt killed most of them (of course it's okay for salt to leech into the ground, it's natural).
Another brilliant tree planting was at the corner of Keele and Bloomington (whatever # that side road is). There was a major project to align the intersection. The east/west roads did not align at Keele. There were no stop lights. As a major rout to the 400, this needed to be addressed. When the project was completed, the Region or was it King came to the intersection and planted a huge number of trees between the road and guess what? A tree-line!! That's right they planted trees in front of trees! They have the same diaper around them. What a stupid waste that was.
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