tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506868496663273256.post9133969166443513623..comments2023-07-04T09:54:15.920-05:00Comments on Our Town and Its Business: Just give us the facts Evelyn Buckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03283458715658096750noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506868496663273256.post-49408545803517875802013-05-02T10:10:48.561-05:002013-05-02T10:10:48.561-05:00@ 10:49 AM
Perhaps, if you have the time &/...@ 10:49 AM<br /> Perhaps, if you have the time &/or inclination, you might speak to Brock about a monthly column: " It's The Numbers, Stupid " ? You could certainly get more readers than that guy on his porch. Maybe Brock would let you retain your anonymity ?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506868496663273256.post-83935220618526195092013-05-01T11:26:53.478-05:002013-05-01T11:26:53.478-05:00Perhaps the bottom line is that most of council se...Perhaps the bottom line is that most of council sees $240K as being peanuts to the main scheme of things in the Town's budget. So it's insignificant money whether it comes in or not. And if SAC were not made to pay it they would hold a vendetta against the Town and its citizens. The other reasoning is that we need that money so we can provide and upkeep the roads that run to your campus, the water pipes that will flood your arenas, etc. the sidewalks your students use to walk on to the shops, etc.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506868496663273256.post-67605318193575700732013-05-01T11:18:29.392-05:002013-05-01T11:18:29.392-05:00SAC apparently has 255 boarders and 355 day studen...SAC apparently has 255 boarders and 355 day students so a total of 610 students. Divide the $240,00 by 600 that's $400 per student for a one time fee increase. Spread it out over 5 years that's $80 per year or over 10 years it $40 per year. Are parents of SAC students going to pull them out over this? Come on let's get realistic. I see lots of our universities tacking on to student fees separate charges for phys-ed complex developments, or future student scholarship, lab equipment replacements, etc. to help keep the school current beyond what the tuition and government supplies. SAC is simply going to rent their facilities when they are not using them in order to offset their own running costs. Their schedule of course will come 1st and if they can make money in the down times why wouldn't they do it. They do things for their reasons not the Town's. If SAC did it right all the parents would probably get a tax receipt for this as a donation to the school as opposed to be part of the tuition fee.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506868496663273256.post-60762685409363983142013-05-01T10:49:47.619-05:002013-05-01T10:49:47.619-05:00I don’t understand the reasoning of some councillo...I don’t understand the reasoning of some councillors. I read Brock Weir’s report in The Auroran under the heading “St. Andrew’s College plans get go-ahead”. <br /><br />SAC is being allowed to defer $240, 000 of development charges. The agreement states until “a substantial change of use occurs, or a change of ownership occurs on the property.” Slim chance there will be a change of use or perhaps in 40/50 years if they tear down the buildings only to build anew again. Or a change of ownership … are they really going to sell off their property. NO. So the $240K is never going come to the Town and it is argued that is the price the Town is paying for SAC’s works and contributions to the Town. (Other organizations should take note at how this is done and how to campaign to Town Council as a precedent continues to be set). <br /><br />Councillor Abel says: “Growth pays for growth and since there is no impact on our community from our infrastructure, it is a very reasonable decision for me to defer those DCs,” he said. “I often look at what are the plusses and paybacks and it goes on and on for SAC.” <br /><br />How about the minuses - $240K that could have gone into the development of the Town’s infrastructure, to the upkeep of the Town’s arena’s etc. It’s not as if there is an agreement in place that gives the Town specific use of facilities in lieu of payment at a fair market rate. <br /><br />Councillor Thompson says: “Either they pass it on to the students in tuition increases, or it means they have to go back out into the community and fundraise some more,” said Councillor Thompson. <br /><br />They are a private school. They are a business. So they pass it on to tuition increases. Whose community will they go back to fundraise – their community – their alumni. Do you think the average Auroran is going to contribute to a private school when their children don’t or won’t be going to it. SAC has to cope, SAC has to survive on their own as a viable business. Thompson continues: “Our willingness to defer is really an investment not just in the community but in education.” Yes, private education. Not public education. Public education is available to all. Private education is available to those who can afford it and who want their child to attend that particular school. <br /><br />I have to give credit where credit is due. At least Councillor Ballard is speaking some sense. (Ballard & Buck voted against the motion). <br /><br />As taken from The Auroran: <br /><br />Explaining his vote, Councillor Ballard said he was still on the fence and would have liked Town Staff to take another kick at the can in coming to an agreement – such as agreeing to waive – rather than defer – the payment of fees in exchange for community use of the facilities.<br /><br />The Town rolled for SAC. No matter what their activities all the school, charities, organizations seeking Town support should readily pay attention. You now have a precedent to approach the Town for your needs. Use it to your advantage.<br /><br />(If the Town feels guilty of collecting the $240K give it over the Food Pantry and give SAC the tax receipt.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506868496663273256.post-42551165164553711162013-05-01T09:23:10.892-05:002013-05-01T09:23:10.892-05:008:33 AM
SAC will continue to accept Aurora'...8:33 AM<br /> SAC will continue to accept Aurora's contributions to their well-being as long as Council are gullible enough to hand them such a gift. This is the same Council that refuses to give a single one-time donation to the Food Pantry. What double-standards!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4506868496663273256.post-16494399980061131992013-04-30T08:33:04.886-05:002013-04-30T08:33:04.886-05:00I thank that poster for the clarification of terms... I thank that poster for the clarification of terms which has been bothersome since the Centre's declaration of non-profit status. We are just going to have to look past the labels to see what each organization actually does for Aurora & if they contribute to the tax revenue. Truth in Advertising ? I don't think so but I can see their reasoning & it is legal.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com