Things evolve

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Up To The Minute":

19:39 is right - well done! You did a 180 on the Petch House, and tonight you voted in favour of funding the Arboretum's budget

Posted by Anonymous to Our Town and Its Business at 10 June 2014 21:37

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Councillor Ballard has taken a leave of  absence to campaign in the provincial election.

Councillor  Gallo's  wee lass broke her collarbone.

Councillor Humfryes has the flu.

In 2006 I voted to fund the Arboretum initially. I  think I moved the motion. So that's twice in seven years ,I've changed my vote on the same issue

We were not doling out money  by the hundreds of thousand hand over fist in 2006..

Twelve thousand dollars regularly raised in a  March fund-raiser to help fund the July 1st
Parad became a dry well in 2009 and turned into a  twelve thousand dollar drain on the town's treasury.A " volunteer"  was paid and funds provided to hire an assistant.

The Jazz Festival followed to soak up several thousand more soon after.

We sold Aurora Hydro  in 2006. The Lambert Wilson ravine stretches from St.John's Sideroad toWellington  Street. A huge wild swath of geological formation without  a purpose.

The Arboretum was a perfect purpose. I'd visited Edwards Gardens and Bouchard Gardens created out of a dump with private money.

The Arboretum group are not special interest. Gardening is their hobby but they do it for others to enjoy.

 I  need to see something for the money. Hydro proceeds could cover it . It wouldn't be a tax burden.

The  first budget  was $100,000.  In that year, they bought a shed and awarded a contract for weeding.

 It was disappointing.

It's also hard to spend $100,000  in a few months.

As noted , groups grew and funds handed out to spend will-nilly grew along with them.

The Arboretum budget  request was halved to $50,000.

Less than The Historical Society gets and  there's  no museum.

Aurora Chamber of Commerce  probably gets close to that amount and I  don't know why.

The Arboretum has the potential of being  a beautiful asset for a very long time.

Jim Tree ,parks manager works hand in hand with the  group. The Director of Parks and Recreation monitors the budget.

I am once again content an Arboretum in that great wild place will do us proud.

My vote was earned.