"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

Monday 1 September 2014

A Stunning Revelation

A couple of month's ago, in a council meeting, I queried the names for a Town Park.

Naming rights had been sold in a fund-raising auction for the hospital.

 I was questioning the practice.

The Mayor responded, the same principle was the same as naming a park after Herb MacKenzie.

A parkette is named after Herb. It's on the curve of Murray Drive entering the neighbourhood where Herb lived for forty years. An appropriate tribute to someone who lived in and loved the town his entire life. Herb wore his heart on his sleeve. A most gentle and kindly man who served several productive terms on Aurora Council.

The Mayor's response was stunning. It left me speechless. Most would agree that's not easy.

If it is appropriate to name a park in tribute to a person who has made a significant contribution to the community.... Should such opportunities be a commodity to be sold to the highest bidder?

We have sold naming rights to the Stronach Recreation Centre. To help pay for the facility.

Room names were sold in the Senior's Centre for the same purpose.

But even if a tribute could or should be bought and sold, should the funds derived not contribute to the development of the park being name?

The funds for naming a park went to the Southlake Health Centre.

During the naming debate, Councillor Gallo, apropos of nothing, asked how I would feel if my name was removed from the street bearing it?

I was reminded of the morning after an election when losing candidate Gallo called to request I
step aside from the seat to which I was elected and allow him to have a seat to which he was not elected.

My mother used to say, you can't know a person until you've lived with him.

She was partly right.

Watching quick-change artists perform in Council politics is also enlightening.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

the culture vultures did the same.Greedy greedy greedy.

Anonymous said...


I still cannot believe that Gallo had the audacity to ask you to step aside for him. He must yearn to put that one back in the can.

Anonymous said...

The Mayor has not have the right to grant or sell the naming of Aurora parks to another town. Not even to benefit a charity. His being a member of the hospital board seems in conflict with his job at mayor in this instance.

Anonymous said...

Our family contributes to South Lake. We do not wish or require council to do so on our behalf.

Anonymous said...

Our family contributes to South Lake. We do not wish or require council to do so on our behalf.

Anonymous said...

I don't have a problem putting a few street names aside for the highest bidder; I guess you can call it “an innovative revenue tool” but you’re right in regards to having the funds being directed to whatever community charity or town asset the donor wishes.

Anonymous said...

The Gallo request to step down is but one side of this fable. I have never heard Gallo's side to see if there is any truth this story at all.

Howerver, the naming of streets, parks, alleys, walkways, whatever... should never be made for anyone that is alive. Furthermore, they should be dead at least 5 years before any naming is done. You never know how many skeletons are in their closets.

Anonymous said...

8:47- Gallo has had opportunities to deny this "fable", but I'm sure he would have a little "fable" twist to add to it. As far as the skeletons are concerned....everyone has them.

Anonymous said...

No doubt this "fable" will come up in a community debate. And for the record I do not always agree with Evelyn, but the last thing Evelyn is, is a liar!

Anonymous said...

Whoa, 08:17, a double-shot at our hostess!

Anonymous said...

12:47
I tell like I see it.

However, if we were to remove all of the naming of streets and things of people still alive, we'd need a small fortune to pay for the new signs. How long before we see a Morris Place or MacEachren Drive?

Anonymous said...

"How long before we see a Morris Place or MacEachren Drive?"

Never, one hopes. But if we did, they'd both be dead-end streets.