Apropos to the Previous Post

We had a tie vote recently. A recommendation was made for a "Gold " Sponsorship ($3,500) for an Induction Dinner for a Sports Hall Of Fame.

We learned the Sports Hall of Fame organization is not  Sport Aurora. It is separate.

The president of  the first was spokesperson for second which contributed to my confusion.

The tie vote came about because Councillor Abel is a voting member of the Sports Hall Of Fame.
He declared a conflict leaving an even number of voting Councillors.

The vote clearly caught the yes side off guard. Before the end of the meeting  Councillor Thompson requested the vote be called again. Councillor Abel declared he would resign from Sports Hall of Fame.

A recorded vote was called for  Councillor Abel's name was not called.

He had declared a Conflict. He could not participate in the discussion.

The vote was still a tie.

Councillor  Humfrey's was really upset.  The Sports Hall of Fame intended to apply for a Trillium grant.  Town support for the project was essential for a successful application. Council's failure to
provide the sponsorship would send a message to every young person in  Aurora that we did not support sports in Aurora.

Really, I thought.  Who do they imagine  provides the sports facilities and  maintenance services that make it possible  for them to play ?

Now it only remains for Councillor Abel to formalize his resignation from the Board of the Sports Hall of Fame  and back will come the recommendation to likely win the essential one vote  majority.

Yet  another application will go to the Trillium foundation for a grant of however much for whatever  purpose with the municipality's support without a public understanding what that's all about.

We've been there before.

Most  recent was providing office space to Sport Aurora so that they could apply for a  Trillium Grant
from the address of the Aurora Town Hall.

I believe that was successful.

That's  all I know about that.

I know a substantial number of sports associations are members of Sport Aurora.  I know they all manage their own affairs,collect registration fees from parents and pay user fees to the town for the facilities.

I know the town tries to keep user fees reasonable so as not to make it difficult for young people to participate. I'm not sure how successful we are on either score.

I knw my daughter and her entire family and friends can raise $23,000. in a single night  at the Newmarket Seniors Centre. They pay the fee  for the facility. They don't ask for it to be waived.
they solicit prizes in the community for a fund-raising auction.

Every year people are asking for tickets before they go on sale.

Trillium Grants are hard to get. Many groups with special needs  are refused because of limited funds.

I think if the Town is asked to pony up to prime the well,  we should know at least what  grant is
requested and its purpose.

I have no idea why a Sports Hall of Fame would  need  a grant. What social need  does that satisfy?

Why is it the business of the municipal corporation?

I don't know why, when registration fees are so high, Sport Aurora  needs a Trillium grant.

I  was at a loss to understand the $25,000. Trillium grant  and  various Gold and Platinum  sponsorships purchased by Aurora from the St Kitts outfit while they also enjoyed  a venue for a revenue producing event at town expense.

I have  certainly never heard a candidate campaign on a platform of  grabbing every opportunity that presents to fleece taxpayers for every nickel they possess.