Thursday, 17 October 2013
Things may be changing
Oh common Evelyn…You should know how it works now. Whoever claps the loudest or cries the loudest gets what they want. Don’t you know?…We’re a big corporation now It’s to improve the quality of life for "all" Aurorans. Just add it to the tax bill.…It’s only money.
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I would have agreed before last night.
Reaction of some Councillors was the norm.
How people in the neighborhood expressed themselves seemed to me to be a breakthrough.
If the land had a huge price, of course they would not expect the town to pay they said.
The interest of the larger community was acknowledged.
They want to be heard but I believe they are also willing to listen.
The Mayor did not make the commitment, Councillors did.
I didn't hear Councillor Thompson . Councillors Pirri and Humfreys weren't at the meeting.
The former Mayor appeared to have the subdivision agreement or part, to suggest
there was no requirement for in-camera discussion.
The objective of course was to create mistrust.
It was ever thus.
Convince the unwary of dirty deeds by others so that Phillydilly can ride to the rescue and save the day.
The Section of the agreement not dwelt upon ,was the site not chosen by the town for a neighborhood park.
$2 million were taken from the developer instead.
Former Councillor MacEachern , Chair of Leisure Services Advisory Committee consistently argued against neighborhood parks because of cost of maintenance.
One development in particular in the south east corner of town, a single street of homes . Less than fifty.
The Councillor argued it was acceptable for mothers with small children to cross Bayview or Leslie at the traffic lights to reach a park.
The facility recommended was a tot lot.
The Councillor argued against it. I believe I won that vote.
The Mavrinac situation is not clear yet. Information is outstanding and steps are needed .
Councillor Gallo is an eager beaver
But I think the people in the neighborhood are not unmindful of the interest of the town as a whole .
They don't want to be seen as nimbies . At the same time they do want Council to know how they feel.
It's what most people would do in the circumstances.
I just hate to see that exploited by cold -blooded unscrupulous individuals who care nothing about anybody but themselves.
And I think we have just taken a step forward
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5 comments:
Wouldn't that be wonderful. I have reached the stage where watching a meeting of councillors is akin to root canal , It would be great not to flinch as each new speaker take the mic.
The former mayor was there for a reason and I'd bet a fiver that it was for her ultimate reason and the not the neighbourhood's. I'm not for or against Councillor Gallo, as I give credit him in that he's proven he has a voice of his own and doesn't need her support for any of his actions. And if she had useful information for him, she could have simply passed it on. I wouldn't doubt that something more is in the works on her part - perhaps starting to be more visible and making a political renewal as a champion of the people. Regardless it's likely she's there to help stir the pot up to a boil.
Councillor Mac also rationed out washroom facilities for sports fields. It took a bunch of irate residents, these ones totally justified, to get her to allow one where it was badly needed. I think that was in Aurora Heights. Just before the election which was not likely a help for their slate.
Lesson to be learned for the future: If the neighbourhood needs a park why wasn't that part of the plan at the start for what the town & the developer would provide for the area. It will be either a school or a park - end of story. If a school goes in there is still grass, fields and a play area as it is needed for the school children. But having it left open that if more development could still occur this was simply misleading everyone in the first place or at least hiding that fact. Everyone has cookie cutter houses - the largest house on whatever sized lot with minimal backyards the size of a matchbox. And then the kids will be either playing on the streets, going a dozen blocks to another park or sitting at home on video games.
15:10
It really is quite clear in the documentation despite attempts to make it look like some nefarious plot. Lots of us grew up in small crowded homes with tiny yards. We survived. Now there are parks plus facilities at schools for kids.. Sure, you have to car-pool with neighbours or use older kids/sitters to watch. The one guy cited his kids, 1 & 3 being in danger from traffic. They simply should not be near it at that age without supervision.
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