Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Last Call Gentlemen Please":
I really wish I thought you were right, Evelyn. But I can't agree. There may be opportunities there but it is awfully late for reversals.
**********
It's the beauty of the democratic process. We have a right to disagree.
If we are making a decision on behalf of the community, we have na obligation to provide
an argument to support it.
Being too late to reverse a decision not yet made is not a valid argument.
It is not an argument at all.
It's a lame exc
Council can not be more confident that the current estimate of $19 million dollars is any more firm than the original of $14.5 million or the immediately previous of $24 million.
A hospital in Niagara Region has this week been approved by the Province at a cost of $26 million .
Think about that.
The current works and parks sites are still in public ownership.
The bylaw required by provincial legislation, to declare the property surplus has not been passed.
There's more to be said . And I will say it. But right now, I need to have breakfast.
Thursday, 16 January 2014
Last Call Gentlemen Please
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Out of
Confusion.....Clarity ????":
I read with interest in the Auroran about how badly Aurora needed to do the
Heritage purchase & all the reasons that the opportunity should not be
missed. The proponent was not one of the property owners. It was our own
head of staff. Can't recall ever voting for the man who I don't think even
lives in Aurora. I, on the other hand, am very familiar with the properties
in question, one of which has been rejected by the market for about 2
decades.
**********************
I do not know that the above statement is true.
I do know Mr Albino appeared as leading proponent with a real estate operator hard on his heels.
The Historical Society was used in the process.
The Mayor lent his Office in support.
The Report to Council on Tueday is signed by the CAO.
Written by a Special Project Planner subject to direction of the CAO.
A consultant study has been produced .Funding for same is in question.
I am not persuade to merit in the report .
Real estate speculation is not the role of a Municipality .
Taxation on people's homes and business cannot be considered a source of risk capital.
When Council approved an updated Strategic, the decision did not .could not authorise staff to implement in a myriad direction to make the vision
To take that meaning is to demonstrate failure to understand the basic principles of elective authority.
Strategic Plan visions are excessive and language unbelievably juvenile.
I cringe at reference to the goal of " an exceptional quality of life for all"
The right of people to choose decision-makers is inviolate.
I believe intent of members is to be the best they can be.
The mandate ends in nine months.
Time yet to demonstrate growth in competence and confidence.
Immediately pending decisions provide opportunity.
First being the go-ahead for a Joint facility for Works and Parks to be constructed on a shelf built out on the side of a ravine requiring massive retaining walls at a cost of millions to make a poorly chosen site suitable for the purpose .
The roject is as sound and stable as the site is not.
A review and termination of a lease to the federal government of a town-owned site and building would negate the need for $ millions of excessive spending.
Little current use of the facility by the tenant is observed
There's more . .. much more
The budget process provides . Opportunities abound.
It's alast chance.
Confusion.....Clarity ????":
I read with interest in the Auroran about how badly Aurora needed to do the
Heritage purchase & all the reasons that the opportunity should not be
missed. The proponent was not one of the property owners. It was our own
head of staff. Can't recall ever voting for the man who I don't think even
lives in Aurora. I, on the other hand, am very familiar with the properties
in question, one of which has been rejected by the market for about 2
decades.
**********************
I do not know that the above statement is true.
I do know Mr Albino appeared as leading proponent with a real estate operator hard on his heels.
The Historical Society was used in the process.
The Mayor lent his Office in support.
The Report to Council on Tueday is signed by the CAO.
Written by a Special Project Planner subject to direction of the CAO.
A consultant study has been produced .Funding for same is in question.
I am not persuade to merit in the report .
Real estate speculation is not the role of a Municipality .
Taxation on people's homes and business cannot be considered a source of risk capital.
When Council approved an updated Strategic, the decision did not .could not authorise staff to implement in a myriad direction to make the vision
To take that meaning is to demonstrate failure to understand the basic principles of elective authority.
Strategic Plan visions are excessive and language unbelievably juvenile.
I cringe at reference to the goal of " an exceptional quality of life for all"
The right of people to choose decision-makers is inviolate.
I believe intent of members is to be the best they can be.
The mandate ends in nine months.
Time yet to demonstrate growth in competence and confidence.
Immediately pending decisions provide opportunity.
First being the go-ahead for a Joint facility for Works and Parks to be constructed on a shelf built out on the side of a ravine requiring massive retaining walls at a cost of millions to make a poorly chosen site suitable for the purpose .
The roject is as sound and stable as the site is not.
A review and termination of a lease to the federal government of a town-owned site and building would negate the need for $ millions of excessive spending.
Little current use of the facility by the tenant is observed
There's more . .. much more
The budget process provides . Opportunities abound.
It's alast chance.
Wednesday, 15 January 2014
Out of Confusion.....Clarity ????
I chaired the general committee meeting last night.
A couple of contradictions were corrected.
The agenda of the in-camera meeting prior to the Committee meeting listing acquisition of Yonge Street property, was not the same acquisition of property listed in the agenda of the in-camera meeting held after the general committee meeting.
In fact, the first acquisition was not even Yonge Street properties. Apparently I missed a second brown envelope containing the agenda of the Special Council meeting held to authorize the first in-camera meeting to happen.
And apparently the meeting was not held to authorize acquisition of properties that are not really on Yonge Street.
What we did was authorize staff to keep tabs on something cooking between the Province and the post-secondary academic community.
That's all I can tell you about that .
The 107 page report , on the cockamamie heritage theme park , aka by me as a real estate scam ,that was first item of the agenda of the general committee meeting .was received for information, to be dealt with at a general committee meeting a month from now.
Dismay was noted by some Councillors about how authority was conveyed for this work to be done
and the report presented.
No doubt all well be revealed.
But the word is, Council is not on the edge of parting with massive chunks out of the Hydro Asset Reserve Fund to convey to a couple of property-owners for creation of a Heritage theme park.
The report should be at the Library for anyone who wants to read it.
It's called the Hillary-McIntyre Park Cost Benefit Study ..Report CAO 14-001
A couple of contradictions were corrected.
The agenda of the in-camera meeting prior to the Committee meeting listing acquisition of Yonge Street property, was not the same acquisition of property listed in the agenda of the in-camera meeting held after the general committee meeting.
In fact, the first acquisition was not even Yonge Street properties. Apparently I missed a second brown envelope containing the agenda of the Special Council meeting held to authorize the first in-camera meeting to happen.
And apparently the meeting was not held to authorize acquisition of properties that are not really on Yonge Street.
What we did was authorize staff to keep tabs on something cooking between the Province and the post-secondary academic community.
That's all I can tell you about that .
The 107 page report , on the cockamamie heritage theme park , aka by me as a real estate scam ,that was first item of the agenda of the general committee meeting .was received for information, to be dealt with at a general committee meeting a month from now.
Dismay was noted by some Councillors about how authority was conveyed for this work to be done
and the report presented.
No doubt all well be revealed.
But the word is, Council is not on the edge of parting with massive chunks out of the Hydro Asset Reserve Fund to convey to a couple of property-owners for creation of a Heritage theme park.
The report should be at the Library for anyone who wants to read it.
It's called the Hillary-McIntyre Park Cost Benefit Study ..Report CAO 14-001
The one that got away
Stirring the porridge , a picture flashed through my mind of a summer afternoon at the Sandbanks.
We were making our way to the beach ,adults in front,small ones following. We stopped at a T-intersection and I looked back to check the entourage.
Four little cousins strolled quietly, hand in hand gazing here and there and upwards. The ten and seven year old sisters on either side,four year old twins in the middle.
We were at the bottom of an incline. No-one else around. It was quiet and peaceful.
The trees towered above ....brambles and wild flowers clustered at the edge. Four-legged,furry creatures also silently shared the space close to the ground
The small figures were diminished further by the breadth and height of their surroundings.
In bathing suits and flip-flops ,they were part of the nature surrounding them.
I didn't have a camera. I never have a camera.
It will always be the picture, that can never be re-captured ,that I really minded not taking.
We were making our way to the beach ,adults in front,small ones following. We stopped at a T-intersection and I looked back to check the entourage.
Four little cousins strolled quietly, hand in hand gazing here and there and upwards. The ten and seven year old sisters on either side,four year old twins in the middle.
We were at the bottom of an incline. No-one else around. It was quiet and peaceful.
The trees towered above ....brambles and wild flowers clustered at the edge. Four-legged,furry creatures also silently shared the space close to the ground
The small figures were diminished further by the breadth and height of their surroundings.
In bathing suits and flip-flops ,they were part of the nature surrounding them.
I didn't have a camera. I never have a camera.
It will always be the picture, that can never be re-captured ,that I really minded not taking.
Tuesday, 14 January 2014
Smoke and Mirrors and Barbecue Sauce
Years ago, when Sterling Drug was located in Aurora, there was a union strike that went on for some time.
The town was less than ten thousand. Most of the employees were Aurora residents.
The Aurora Banner sought anddained an interview with a management spokesperson.
I remember a quote from the story , only one, but it stands out stark and clear in my memory.
The VIP told the newspaper; "We could teach monkeys to do what they do"
I thought; " whatever you have learned mister, you have acquired no judgement whatsoever.
Comments on remuneration yesterday were interesting.
I think judgement is an essential quality of management. It's what we pay for. If it's not there, we are not getting value .
A comment suggests to determine he going rate for the job is how to decide on appropriate remuneration is to
It's the constant measurement used.
On Saturday's budget discussion it was noted the IT department had asked for a trainer position. The request was denied. Suggestion made t seek to share a trainer with the Town of Newmarket.
At an OMA conference a couple of years ago,I attended a workshop on the Work Asset
Management System aka WAMS.
Municipalities in Ontario are having considerable difficulty implementing the system.
In November 2011, Aurora bought a WAMS software program at a cost of $440,000. The IT department were neither consulted nor informed.
The next audit produced a management letter indicating problems in the treasury department linked to a lack of training and direction for hands on staff.
Since the system was purchased additional bits and pieces have been purchased. Council really doesn't know the final tally.
The budget advises of the merits of hand-held devices . Another likely future purchase.
As near as I can determine, field employees are having to come in earlier to input into the computer the daily record of tasks accomplished .
It's what the Work Asset Management System is about.
Hardly surprising many municipalities are having difficulty with the concept.They can't all afford to spend money on a consultant to recommend the purchase of a $440,000 soft-ware program and wait two years for it to be "up and running"
Ontario has 440 municipalities. Not all GTA. Not all collecting billions in extortion money from builders of homes and spending willy-nilly on luxuries and toys and airy-fairy entrepreneur schemes never dreamed of when it was clear and transparent who was footing the bill.
And poor judgement in decision-making was equally conspicuous .
Aurora shares fire protection services with the Town of Newmarket. Our water system is connected.
The transit system is Regional.
The Northern Six municipalities contract garbage collection and insurance coverage.
Now it's suggested an IT trainer might be shared with the Town of Newmarket.
Consultants are retained to tell us what to do next and eliminate a position to save money. Which was promptly done without time to turn around.
So who is accountable?
Did the devil make us do it?
We shift department responsibilities in consultant-led re-organisation and when it doesn't work, we shift them again.
We take out membership in a Canadian Institute of Excellence then we apply for a Bronze Certificate to cover ourselves in glory and tell the nation know how great we art.
In the meantime good employees are thrown away like they were so much flotsam.
I hear at the present time ,Management Team meetings are attended by a conciliator to help the team get along.
The town was less than ten thousand. Most of the employees were Aurora residents.
The Aurora Banner sought anddained an interview with a management spokesperson.
I remember a quote from the story , only one, but it stands out stark and clear in my memory.
The VIP told the newspaper; "We could teach monkeys to do what they do"
I thought; " whatever you have learned mister, you have acquired no judgement whatsoever.
Comments on remuneration yesterday were interesting.
I think judgement is an essential quality of management. It's what we pay for. If it's not there, we are not getting value .
A comment suggests to determine he going rate for the job is how to decide on appropriate remuneration is to
It's the constant measurement used.
On Saturday's budget discussion it was noted the IT department had asked for a trainer position. The request was denied. Suggestion made t seek to share a trainer with the Town of Newmarket.
At an OMA conference a couple of years ago,I attended a workshop on the Work Asset
Management System aka WAMS.
Municipalities in Ontario are having considerable difficulty implementing the system.
In November 2011, Aurora bought a WAMS software program at a cost of $440,000. The IT department were neither consulted nor informed.
The next audit produced a management letter indicating problems in the treasury department linked to a lack of training and direction for hands on staff.
Since the system was purchased additional bits and pieces have been purchased. Council really doesn't know the final tally.
The budget advises of the merits of hand-held devices . Another likely future purchase.
As near as I can determine, field employees are having to come in earlier to input into the computer the daily record of tasks accomplished .
It's what the Work Asset Management System is about.
Hardly surprising many municipalities are having difficulty with the concept.They can't all afford to spend money on a consultant to recommend the purchase of a $440,000 soft-ware program and wait two years for it to be "up and running"
Ontario has 440 municipalities. Not all GTA. Not all collecting billions in extortion money from builders of homes and spending willy-nilly on luxuries and toys and airy-fairy entrepreneur schemes never dreamed of when it was clear and transparent who was footing the bill.
And poor judgement in decision-making was equally conspicuous .
Aurora shares fire protection services with the Town of Newmarket. Our water system is connected.
The transit system is Regional.
The Northern Six municipalities contract garbage collection and insurance coverage.
Now it's suggested an IT trainer might be shared with the Town of Newmarket.
Consultants are retained to tell us what to do next and eliminate a position to save money. Which was promptly done without time to turn around.
So who is accountable?
Did the devil make us do it?
We shift department responsibilities in consultant-led re-organisation and when it doesn't work, we shift them again.
We take out membership in a Canadian Institute of Excellence then we apply for a Bronze Certificate to cover ourselves in glory and tell the nation know how great we art.
In the meantime good employees are thrown away like they were so much flotsam.
I hear at the present time ,Management Team meetings are attended by a conciliator to help the team get along.
A Low Point
It's 4.23a.m.
I am not sleeping.
I've been carrying a great weight inside of me since Saturday morning.
It's always worse in the night.
I have nowhere to go with it. I need to share.
A comment notes I weave a marvelous web. I suppose, if a story is told , as it happens, it could be perceived as a web woven strand by strand until it's complete.
On Saturday morning ,before the budget meeting started, I learned I had been powerless to prevent two decisions which by my standards were merciless and unjust.
An employee of twenty-six years service was displaced by a decision to eliminate her position . I sought an explanation and was informed that would be micro-managing.
On Saturday, I learned of a second position eliminated. Council made the decision this time. The employee was informed a week before Christmas.
The tasks remain. Cost still needs to be borne.
It's hard to reconcile the decisions with an argument for economic efficiency. There is none.
Even harder to justify the devastation to a loyal and conscientious employee.
The cold, grey heartlessness that countered my concern ... the lack of empathy around me ...was certainly an assault on my consciousness.
Experts have determined all decisions are based on 80% emotion and 20% logic.
What emotion was involved in the two decisions?
It certainly wasn't compassion
Or even simple humanity.
How were eight people , Mayor and seven Councillors influenced by a single emotion?
I had no stomach to join the group on Saturday for budget discussion.
I did anyway.
I did so again last night.
I will again to-night.
In a $75 million dollar budget I argued against membership in an Institute for Excellence ...competing to be one of a hundred best employers in Canada.
And against an $8,000 grant to the Chamber of Commerce for Business Achievement Awards;
framed paper certificates presented to businesses lucky enough to survive, presented at a gala dinner which may or may not be held within the municipality.
And against $8,500 to advertise in a commercial sports magazine ,
Trivial amounts to be sure.
Symbols nonetheless , of a perception that's not really true.
We are a small town ....eighty-five thousand souls.
We elect a Council of nine to serve the community's interest.
At the very least we should expect no harm to come of it.
I am not sleeping.
I've been carrying a great weight inside of me since Saturday morning.
It's always worse in the night.
I have nowhere to go with it. I need to share.
A comment notes I weave a marvelous web. I suppose, if a story is told , as it happens, it could be perceived as a web woven strand by strand until it's complete.
On Saturday morning ,before the budget meeting started, I learned I had been powerless to prevent two decisions which by my standards were merciless and unjust.
An employee of twenty-six years service was displaced by a decision to eliminate her position . I sought an explanation and was informed that would be micro-managing.
On Saturday, I learned of a second position eliminated. Council made the decision this time. The employee was informed a week before Christmas.
The tasks remain. Cost still needs to be borne.
It's hard to reconcile the decisions with an argument for economic efficiency. There is none.
Even harder to justify the devastation to a loyal and conscientious employee.
The cold, grey heartlessness that countered my concern ... the lack of empathy around me ...was certainly an assault on my consciousness.
Experts have determined all decisions are based on 80% emotion and 20% logic.
What emotion was involved in the two decisions?
It certainly wasn't compassion
Or even simple humanity.
How were eight people , Mayor and seven Councillors influenced by a single emotion?
I had no stomach to join the group on Saturday for budget discussion.
I did anyway.
I did so again last night.
I will again to-night.
In a $75 million dollar budget I argued against membership in an Institute for Excellence ...competing to be one of a hundred best employers in Canada.
And against an $8,000 grant to the Chamber of Commerce for Business Achievement Awards;
framed paper certificates presented to businesses lucky enough to survive, presented at a gala dinner which may or may not be held within the municipality.
And against $8,500 to advertise in a commercial sports magazine ,
Trivial amounts to be sure.
Symbols nonetheless , of a perception that's not really true.
We are a small town ....eighty-five thousand souls.
We elect a Council of nine to serve the community's interest.
At the very least we should expect no harm to come of it.
Monday, 13 January 2014
Only One Thing Is Known
The position of Director of Corporate and Legislative Services has been eliminated by Council.
The Municipal clerk who holds the position is still working . He was at the Budget meeting on Saturday and will be there again to-night.
He presented the department's 2014 budget and everyone at the table knew what they had done.
The responsibilities of the position are still there.
It's not clear how they will be carried out without the Director in place.
I have yet to discover that.
A conundrum.
I can't publish comments that reflect negatively on staff.
I don't want to edit comments.
Comments that add to reader understanding of municipal business are particularly welcome.
I have a problem when I receive an informative comment that reflects negatively on staff.
Would you please send the 2012 list of salaries over $100.000. again without editorial comment
It would really be appreciated
Thank you ,whoever you are.
I don't want to edit comments.
Comments that add to reader understanding of municipal business are particularly welcome.
I have a problem when I receive an informative comment that reflects negatively on staff.
Would you please send the 2012 list of salaries over $100.000. again without editorial comment
It would really be appreciated
Thank you ,whoever you are.
Airy Fairy ,,,Peter Pan ....Tinker Bell....Lost Boys
The idea for the theme park appeared to have originated with the Historical Society.
In these modern Aurora times , one learns not to depend on appearances. Scratching the surface, frequently reveals a plan within a plan ....a strategy leading to a strategy.
Aurora Historical Society recently celebrated its fifty year anniversary.I have been around and been a supporter from the beginning .
Half a century is a period in history.
I returned to Council in 2003. The Society had been raising funds. The old school had been gutted with hundreds of volunteer hours....collection in storage... curator in Hillary House.
A retired School Board Director was retained adviser for school renovations.
Sharon Nisbett was a feisty and determined President.
$750,000, had been raised ... future of the museum was firm.
The building was always to accommodate museum and cultural events.
Legal Counsel was retained and an agreement struck with the town to protect the Society's investment in a building they did not own.
After three years, the building, with millions already invested in structural restoration,stood idle, empty and costing.
Hydro was sold and realized a substantial asset. That decision was compelled by the Province.
I moved, Ron Wallace seconded and Council approved ,funding to complete a state of the art museum Eventually it cost $2.3 million and was completed during the next term of office.
The Society had commissioned and paid for the design.
Society president changed ,The group withdrew commitment to operate the museum.They were too few . They had fifty-nine members. The agreement was set aside. The museum never came to be...until now.
A horrendously expensive agreement to purchase culture took its place.
Fast forward...another new president. Organization numbers slightly over a hundred. Structure of executive slightly fuzzy.
Volunteers for fund-raising events are frequently sparse. Failure to muster half the membership at the last annual meeting meant a plan to change the name was abandoned.
A new member , William Albino, joined. An executive within the executive ,including Society President, was suddenly functional. From there, like computer generated artifice, the idea of a heritage theme park was preseted to the board and then introduced to the community as the idea of the Historical Society.
A list of prominent activists were solicited to lend their names, Mayor Dawe among them to lend their support.
Persistent manipulation and calculation has proceeded since and up to the current position of recommended the land be assembled.
From where I sit , there is no substance to the scheme.
$25,000 of taxpayers money has been spent on a consultant, despite te initial decision of Council was for proponents to make that investment .
Proponents include two property owners , one a real estate operator one a member of the Historical Society, who stand to make in excess of a million dollars apiece if the town agrees to purchase the properties
There's a pattern here.
I think we have a number of would-be Warren Buffet's squashed together in a tight closet in Hillary House yearning to make the Swan's leap in the ballet of that name, into centre stage of the election.
Oh My Goodness.
.
In these modern Aurora times , one learns not to depend on appearances. Scratching the surface, frequently reveals a plan within a plan ....a strategy leading to a strategy.
Aurora Historical Society recently celebrated its fifty year anniversary.I have been around and been a supporter from the beginning .
Half a century is a period in history.
I returned to Council in 2003. The Society had been raising funds. The old school had been gutted with hundreds of volunteer hours....collection in storage... curator in Hillary House.
A retired School Board Director was retained adviser for school renovations.
Sharon Nisbett was a feisty and determined President.
$750,000, had been raised ... future of the museum was firm.
The building was always to accommodate museum and cultural events.
Legal Counsel was retained and an agreement struck with the town to protect the Society's investment in a building they did not own.
After three years, the building, with millions already invested in structural restoration,stood idle, empty and costing.
Hydro was sold and realized a substantial asset. That decision was compelled by the Province.
I moved, Ron Wallace seconded and Council approved ,funding to complete a state of the art museum Eventually it cost $2.3 million and was completed during the next term of office.
The Society had commissioned and paid for the design.
Society president changed ,The group withdrew commitment to operate the museum.They were too few . They had fifty-nine members. The agreement was set aside. The museum never came to be...until now.
A horrendously expensive agreement to purchase culture took its place.
Fast forward...another new president. Organization numbers slightly over a hundred. Structure of executive slightly fuzzy.
Volunteers for fund-raising events are frequently sparse. Failure to muster half the membership at the last annual meeting meant a plan to change the name was abandoned.
A new member , William Albino, joined. An executive within the executive ,including Society President, was suddenly functional. From there, like computer generated artifice, the idea of a heritage theme park was preseted to the board and then introduced to the community as the idea of the Historical Society.
A list of prominent activists were solicited to lend their names, Mayor Dawe among them to lend their support.
Persistent manipulation and calculation has proceeded since and up to the current position of recommended the land be assembled.
From where I sit , there is no substance to the scheme.
$25,000 of taxpayers money has been spent on a consultant, despite te initial decision of Council was for proponents to make that investment .
Proponents include two property owners , one a real estate operator one a member of the Historical Society, who stand to make in excess of a million dollars apiece if the town agrees to purchase the properties
There's a pattern here.
I think we have a number of would-be Warren Buffet's squashed together in a tight closet in Hillary House yearning to make the Swan's leap in the ballet of that name, into centre stage of the election.
Oh My Goodness.
.
Transparency...I think not.
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Noe so blind as those who will not see....":
Section 228 on the Municipal Act (1) states that "A municipality shall appoint a clerk whose duty it is,"........... and (2) "A municipality may appoint deputy clerks."............and (3) A clerk or deputy clerk is not required to be an employee of the municipality."
One should also read sections (a) - (e) of Section 228 (1) to see just what a clerk's duties are.
Now we have no clerk - I assume who was terminated - so what steps has the town taken to replace him as without such a person no minutes of the proceedings of council can be recorded. Is this all going to be on streaming?
The actions that seem to have occurred in the past few months have demonstrated a Council completely lacking in any capacity to think clearly and thus its decisions are not only suspect but downright stupid and over the top expensive. And I don't want to hear any more dribble from the Treasurer about all our contingency funds and our ability to borrow unlimited amounts of money at bargain basement interest rates. Who in their right mind is going to buy a Town of Aurora debt instrument? Certainly not I.
If an election were to be held next week, following the publication of this Council's recent activities, I doubt if very many would be re-elected.
"His Honour" should more aptly be referred to as "Gold-fingers."
***************************
The comment is relevant.
A clerk has many responsibilities under the law.
A deputy clerk is certified and may be Acting -Clerk. It means the function of Town Clerk is still essential.
The Town clerk is also Elections Officer.
This is an election year. In September Council becomes a lame duck.
Already candidates are registering. Preparations for an election takes months.
If the clerk is mandator the election officer , how can there be an elections officer without a clerk.
Employment separation do not come without a price .
Severance packages are normal and fair,
Twenty- six years of public service commitment certainly merits a substantial package. How could elimination of that employment possibly represent financial efficiency.
In the last several years ,severances must have amounted to substantial expenditure .
Never have I seen a line item identified in any budget document .
I attended the last two meetings of the year held before Christmas. I sought deferral of the CAO's confidential memorandum to Council. It was deferred.
I missed the last Council meeting in 2013 .
The minutes of the last Council meeting have not yet been distributed.
The Service Level Consultant Study was scheduled to be presented in December. I will not know how Council decided which, if any, Director position should be eliminated.
I saw nothing in the media.
I was not asked for comment.
I will not know how....when .... or why Council made the decision until I receive the minutes.
Perhaps not even then.
Section 228 on the Municipal Act (1) states that "A municipality shall appoint a clerk whose duty it is,"........... and (2) "A municipality may appoint deputy clerks."............and (3) A clerk or deputy clerk is not required to be an employee of the municipality."
One should also read sections (a) - (e) of Section 228 (1) to see just what a clerk's duties are.
Now we have no clerk - I assume who was terminated - so what steps has the town taken to replace him as without such a person no minutes of the proceedings of council can be recorded. Is this all going to be on streaming?
The actions that seem to have occurred in the past few months have demonstrated a Council completely lacking in any capacity to think clearly and thus its decisions are not only suspect but downright stupid and over the top expensive. And I don't want to hear any more dribble from the Treasurer about all our contingency funds and our ability to borrow unlimited amounts of money at bargain basement interest rates. Who in their right mind is going to buy a Town of Aurora debt instrument? Certainly not I.
If an election were to be held next week, following the publication of this Council's recent activities, I doubt if very many would be re-elected.
"His Honour" should more aptly be referred to as "Gold-fingers."
***************************
The comment is relevant.
A clerk has many responsibilities under the law.
A deputy clerk is certified and may be Acting -Clerk. It means the function of Town Clerk is still essential.
The Town clerk is also Elections Officer.
This is an election year. In September Council becomes a lame duck.
Already candidates are registering. Preparations for an election takes months.
If the clerk is mandator the election officer , how can there be an elections officer without a clerk.
Employment separation do not come without a price .
Severance packages are normal and fair,
Twenty- six years of public service commitment certainly merits a substantial package. How could elimination of that employment possibly represent financial efficiency.
In the last several years ,severances must have amounted to substantial expenditure .
Never have I seen a line item identified in any budget document .
I attended the last two meetings of the year held before Christmas. I sought deferral of the CAO's confidential memorandum to Council. It was deferred.
I missed the last Council meeting in 2013 .
The minutes of the last Council meeting have not yet been distributed.
The Service Level Consultant Study was scheduled to be presented in December. I will not know how Council decided which, if any, Director position should be eliminated.
I saw nothing in the media.
I was not asked for comment.
I will not know how....when .... or why Council made the decision until I receive the minutes.
Perhaps not even then.
Sunday, 12 January 2014
Clarification.
Litigation between myself and six defendants is still in process. No decision has been made.
The case will proceed in due time.
The case will proceed in due time.
Noe so blind as those who will not see....
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Neither fish, nor fowl. nor good red herring":
Too many concerns about resources to fund all the projects on the books. No worries, Aurora taxpayers have bags of money. Tax increases are easy. This Mayor and his sidekick (Abel)will need more when these projects go to construction. Lets call it another tax hike to support the future.
Where else can you find a gold plated building to park the Town's dump trucks and snowplows? The truck mechanics best wear business suits to keep up the image.
************
A chart presented to Council at budget time notes the high education and income of Aurora residents.
Staff reports advise Council residents expect high service levels to be maintained.
A current sercice level report adopted by Council in December notes cos of services are among the highest in Ontario. Bradford , used as a comparator, is higher.
Bradford ,recently amalgamated with the Township of West Gwillimbury is in no respect a comparator.
The consensus of contributors to the report, mainly staff is that our costs are higher because our serice levels are higher.
Nothing in the report identifies a higher level of service to support the contention.
Recreational programs are excellent but they earn revenue that ore than cover the cost..
The consultant suggested a way of reducing costs; eliminate a director's position.
Yesterday ,prior to the budget seesion, I learned Council accepted a recomendation to eliminate
the position of Town Clerk. A statutory office.
The decision was communicated to the official a week before Christmas.
Of course, you are only hearing about it now. No doubt it was another one of those items not called for discussion.
Another recent decision saw elimination ofa cerk's osition in the treasury department
A town employee with twenty-six years service was displaced right out the door.
The word seeped out and Councillors were informed by the Mayor the issue was none of our business.
They are on the agenda....open and transparent....but if they;re not called for discussion you hear nothing about it.
Despite peculiarly precise advice to reduce cost of services by eliminating a director's position, the
public work's 2014 budget increased costs more than the savings by recommending five new positions
Three part-time seasonal employees. One contract position . A supervisory position to cost $75,000 in 2 014, rising to $105,000 in 2016 .
The Director informed Council he is unabe to cope with the "gap" in management.
The supervisory position was deleted by a Coucil vote of five to four.
Nevertheless, despite layers of scrutiny the recommndation did reach Council.
Four Councillors , Abel, Thompson .Ballard and Pirri were persuaded.
Damage and other costs of the ice storm have not yet ben calculated and added to the budget.
As noteed by the Chief Financial Officer, the storm happened in 2013.
Another small idiosyncracy of budgeting in Aurora and for all I know, in other municipalities, maybe even the Region, cost of road maintenance iscalculated on a per capita basis . Not by kilometre.
Cost to maintain fifty-five kilometres of road would show a hundred times less by using population figures of fifty-five thousand as opposed to lineage of roads.
Aurora is a paid -up member of an Ottawa Institute of Excellence.
There was excitement when we learned this year, the town had made the hundred runners- up list in the race to beat out all other Canadian member municipalities .
As employer of a twenty-six year town employee , tossed out in the name of organizational efficiency, without as much as a by my leave, I am singularly unimpressed by the level of excellence
achieved.
I felt compelled to inform His Honour yesterday, I am not much influenced by a remote connection to an Ottawa Institute of Excellence.
For all I know ,it might only have a hundred and one members.
I have a ring side seat in Aurora.
Too many concerns about resources to fund all the projects on the books. No worries, Aurora taxpayers have bags of money. Tax increases are easy. This Mayor and his sidekick (Abel)will need more when these projects go to construction. Lets call it another tax hike to support the future.
Where else can you find a gold plated building to park the Town's dump trucks and snowplows? The truck mechanics best wear business suits to keep up the image.
************
A chart presented to Council at budget time notes the high education and income of Aurora residents.
Staff reports advise Council residents expect high service levels to be maintained.
A current sercice level report adopted by Council in December notes cos of services are among the highest in Ontario. Bradford , used as a comparator, is higher.
Bradford ,recently amalgamated with the Township of West Gwillimbury is in no respect a comparator.
The consensus of contributors to the report, mainly staff is that our costs are higher because our serice levels are higher.
Nothing in the report identifies a higher level of service to support the contention.
Recreational programs are excellent but they earn revenue that ore than cover the cost..
The consultant suggested a way of reducing costs; eliminate a director's position.
Yesterday ,prior to the budget seesion, I learned Council accepted a recomendation to eliminate
the position of Town Clerk. A statutory office.
The decision was communicated to the official a week before Christmas.
Of course, you are only hearing about it now. No doubt it was another one of those items not called for discussion.
Another recent decision saw elimination ofa cerk's osition in the treasury department
A town employee with twenty-six years service was displaced right out the door.
The word seeped out and Councillors were informed by the Mayor the issue was none of our business.
They are on the agenda....open and transparent....but if they;re not called for discussion you hear nothing about it.
Despite peculiarly precise advice to reduce cost of services by eliminating a director's position, the
public work's 2014 budget increased costs more than the savings by recommending five new positions
Three part-time seasonal employees. One contract position . A supervisory position to cost $75,000 in 2 014, rising to $105,000 in 2016 .
The Director informed Council he is unabe to cope with the "gap" in management.
The supervisory position was deleted by a Coucil vote of five to four.
Nevertheless, despite layers of scrutiny the recommndation did reach Council.
Four Councillors , Abel, Thompson .Ballard and Pirri were persuaded.
Damage and other costs of the ice storm have not yet ben calculated and added to the budget.
As noteed by the Chief Financial Officer, the storm happened in 2013.
Another small idiosyncracy of budgeting in Aurora and for all I know, in other municipalities, maybe even the Region, cost of road maintenance iscalculated on a per capita basis . Not by kilometre.
Cost to maintain fifty-five kilometres of road would show a hundred times less by using population figures of fifty-five thousand as opposed to lineage of roads.
Aurora is a paid -up member of an Ottawa Institute of Excellence.
There was excitement when we learned this year, the town had made the hundred runners- up list in the race to beat out all other Canadian member municipalities .
As employer of a twenty-six year town employee , tossed out in the name of organizational efficiency, without as much as a by my leave, I am singularly unimpressed by the level of excellence
achieved.
I felt compelled to inform His Honour yesterday, I am not much influenced by a remote connection to an Ottawa Institute of Excellence.
For all I know ,it might only have a hundred and one members.
I have a ring side seat in Aurora.
Sunday Morning Backdrop
Her name is Maeva Evelyn Buck. Isn't that nice?
It's Sunday morning. My thoughts are dancing forward in a dozen different directions.
The day stretches ahead and I am free .
To communicate whatever occurs...
In whatever order.
I thought of future generations of my family and what they might learn from archives of the founding generation. J am not being entirely fanciful.
The comments were made. They are a matter of record. I was also described as archaic and having been around too long.
I am the first woman elected to the office of Mayor in Aurora. First to be elected to a second term. First to be elected and serve for twenty five years and still going.
I may be first bag-lady to walk town streets courtesy of resources of the people who chose me repeatedly to represent their interest.
My story is a chronicle of the age of a generation of politicians who don't believe they should be criticized.
They think it's new and I am its author.
The only thing new is social media.
Criticism is an occupational hazard of politrics. It has and will always be an essential exchange.
The forum used to be the Chinese restaurant , often the only one, on Main Street of every community in Ontario.
Gossip didn't wait for the weekly newspaper. It was lively, electric and instantaneous.
Someone was always happy to relay the most salacious item to the person in office, particularly the Mayor
The conventional wisdom of the day : " If you can;t stand the heat. stay out of the kitchen."
A second : "Perception is the reality"
It was wise to be aware and note THE perception.
Not wise to offer a public display of thin skin and indignation .
Politics is an arena in every sense of the word.
Social media is only a new tool in the practice thereoff.
Becoming less new all the time.
It's Sunday morning. My thoughts are dancing forward in a dozen different directions.
The day stretches ahead and I am free .
To communicate whatever occurs...
In whatever order.
I thought of future generations of my family and what they might learn from archives of the founding generation. J am not being entirely fanciful.
The comments were made. They are a matter of record. I was also described as archaic and having been around too long.
I am the first woman elected to the office of Mayor in Aurora. First to be elected to a second term. First to be elected and serve for twenty five years and still going.
I may be first bag-lady to walk town streets courtesy of resources of the people who chose me repeatedly to represent their interest.
My story is a chronicle of the age of a generation of politicians who don't believe they should be criticized.
They think it's new and I am its author.
The only thing new is social media.
Criticism is an occupational hazard of politrics. It has and will always be an essential exchange.
The forum used to be the Chinese restaurant , often the only one, on Main Street of every community in Ontario.
Gossip didn't wait for the weekly newspaper. It was lively, electric and instantaneous.
Someone was always happy to relay the most salacious item to the person in office, particularly the Mayor
The conventional wisdom of the day : " If you can;t stand the heat. stay out of the kitchen."
A second : "Perception is the reality"
It was wise to be aware and note THE perception.
Not wise to offer a public display of thin skin and indignation .
Politics is an arena in every sense of the word.
Social media is only a new tool in the practice thereoff.
Becoming less new all the time.
Balderdash...Poppycock...Etcetera...Etcetra....
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Neither fish, nor fowl. nor good red herring":
To 12:15
N.B. 'our' versus 'mine' - this visionary concept will be for generations of Aurorans to enjoy...even the petty, small-minded ones.
*******************
We will examine the source of this "visionary concept" later .
To 12:15
N.B. 'our' versus 'mine' - this visionary concept will be for generations of Aurorans to enjoy...even the petty, small-minded ones.
*******************
We will examine the source of this "visionary concept" later .
The week that was
Isla Buck had a first birthday just days ago and a new baby-sister yesterday at 2.24 p.m. I was at a town budget meeting when she arrived. She didn't have a name as of last night. She is the eigth grat-grandchild of the fourth generation Canadian , counting my own, in my familt and my great grand-daughter.
If her great-grandchild ever decides to research the family history may she read the founding mother of the Canadian family was a liar, a schemer, cared only about herself ,was all about insinuation and innuendo and was motivated entirely by greed.
I believe she might. And of course, I will not be here to re-assure her.
What can I do to prevent her from believing . Or keep it from damaging her own future in whatever career path she might choose?
The oldest member of her generation was promoted in the sea cadets this week. Cheyenne is eleven years old alreay and following in Aunt Stephanie's foot steps.
Stephanie went to summer training in bases in Halifax and Vancouver , rose through the ranks, was flwon to Ottawa to shadow the Lord High Admiral for a day and on the last summer was an instructor at Kingston before she was eighteen years old.
Her Uncle Patrick, a mural artist in Ottawa is in Thai Land at the moment. He was in Paris in summer and loves being an uncle. He will be looking forward to meeting the newest member of the family. We missed seeing him at Christmas because of the ice storm.
Eighteen year old cousin Robyn was named employee of the year at the Manor , the Catering Club House in Kettleby.
So far ,we have six girls and two boys and among them a set of twins in the fourth Canadian generation.
The twins , Claire and Reid and little brother Lane are half American and live near Tacoma. Washington State.
They come home to Canada in summer to stay in Kitchener,Ontario, the family cottage in Georgian Bay, swim in great -grannie's pool in Aurora and camp with cousins and family members at Sandbanks Provincial Park
The twins are four years old. They were conceived in Korea where mother was a teacher. Born in Canada and spent their first five months of life here .
We watch them growing up on facebook and converse with them on Skype.
We live in wondrous times
If her great-grandchild ever decides to research the family history may she read the founding mother of the Canadian family was a liar, a schemer, cared only about herself ,was all about insinuation and innuendo and was motivated entirely by greed.
I believe she might. And of course, I will not be here to re-assure her.
What can I do to prevent her from believing . Or keep it from damaging her own future in whatever career path she might choose?
The oldest member of her generation was promoted in the sea cadets this week. Cheyenne is eleven years old alreay and following in Aunt Stephanie's foot steps.
Stephanie went to summer training in bases in Halifax and Vancouver , rose through the ranks, was flwon to Ottawa to shadow the Lord High Admiral for a day and on the last summer was an instructor at Kingston before she was eighteen years old.
Her Uncle Patrick, a mural artist in Ottawa is in Thai Land at the moment. He was in Paris in summer and loves being an uncle. He will be looking forward to meeting the newest member of the family. We missed seeing him at Christmas because of the ice storm.
Eighteen year old cousin Robyn was named employee of the year at the Manor , the Catering Club House in Kettleby.
So far ,we have six girls and two boys and among them a set of twins in the fourth Canadian generation.
The twins , Claire and Reid and little brother Lane are half American and live near Tacoma. Washington State.
They come home to Canada in summer to stay in Kitchener,Ontario, the family cottage in Georgian Bay, swim in great -grannie's pool in Aurora and camp with cousins and family members at Sandbanks Provincial Park
The twins are four years old. They were conceived in Korea where mother was a teacher. Born in Canada and spent their first five months of life here .
We watch them growing up on facebook and converse with them on Skype.
We live in wondrous times
Friday, 10 January 2014
Neither fish, nor fowl. nor good red herring
It's Friday night and twenty-five past nine.
I've eaten , washed the dishes , had tea and shortbread and opened the agenda package Stephanie brought in the house when she came home from work.
A couple of nights ago she came in laughing with a thousand piece jigsaw puzzle in her hand.
"Grannie did you tell people about the puzzle we did during the power outage"
Packaged and mailed, without a note or card, To Stephanie C/O Evelyn Buck, it was thoughtful and kind and very well received.
Thank you.
The agenda package is not so well- received.
The operating budget is part of the package. We will be working on it from 9.30 a.m.
The Mayor has called a special closed meeting for nine o-clock to authorize staff direction
on a property matter.
There's another closed meeting to deal with another property matter at 6.00 p.m. next Tuesday.
Item 1 on Tuesday's general committee meeting there's a 107 page report related to a decision to be made at the closed meeting to be held at 6.00p.m.
I haven't read the 107 page Report. But I can share the recommendation from the C.A.O.
that starts the report.
That Report CAO 14-001 be received and
That Report CAO 14-001 be forwarded to the February 4, 2014 General Committee meeting for consideration. together with the following recommendations:
That Council receive the attached "Hillary-McIntyre Park Cost Benefits Study" completed by Sierra Planning and Management and Carl Bray and Associates: and
That, Staff be authorized to negotiate the terms of agreements of purchase and sale for Horton
Place ( 5342 Yonge Street). Readman House (16356 Yonge Street) and Hillary House
(15372 Yonge Street) properties for Council approval; and
That, staff report back to Council pertaining to: a) the details of the process of developing a master plan for the properties that will guide the long term development and opeations of the three properties, and b) the outcome of the negotiations o purchase the three properties and to obtain authority to execute any such agreements.
The report that follows this recommendation,as noted above. is 107 page long.
It is the first item of a meeting that starts at 7.00p.m.
The closed meeting with the confidential attachment to Report No. CAO 14-001 for Council 's attention , is scheduled for 6.00p.m. An hour earlier.
The closed session agenda notes time of the meeting;
After New Business Section of the General Committee agenda .
That would normally be after Council had actually received the report and discussed it.
Now.... if the juxtaposition of times of meetings and decisions has you confused ...you are not alone.
I am too. It feels like a hustle.
But then,,, I am but a part-time Councillor with little status in the scheme of things.
Nothing much is expected of a Councillor and they are paid accordingly.
Save for cost of living, Council remuneration has not seen an adjustment since 2003.
The economy was said to be unable to support it.
On the other hand, the Mayor's salary increased by Bylaw in December , by $9 thousand
and full benefits ..... about forty per cent increase.
The Mayor has been provided all employee benefits.
Menial Councillors can enjoy the same benefits but only if they pay what it costs.
I wasn't at the meeting when the Bylaw was passed. I had a bad bout of bronchitis that deprived me of speech......a temporary affliction.
The Bylaw was likely not called for discussion.
It would pass unnoticed.
Why am I writing about it now?
It's 11pm. It's been a full day. As it will be tomorrow.
My mind is choc-a-bloc with millions flowing unimpeded from the town's treasury, based on expertise of almost anyone except the town's elected representatives
Save for one exception. The Mayor.
I've eaten , washed the dishes , had tea and shortbread and opened the agenda package Stephanie brought in the house when she came home from work.
A couple of nights ago she came in laughing with a thousand piece jigsaw puzzle in her hand.
"Grannie did you tell people about the puzzle we did during the power outage"
Packaged and mailed, without a note or card, To Stephanie C/O Evelyn Buck, it was thoughtful and kind and very well received.
Thank you.
The agenda package is not so well- received.
The operating budget is part of the package. We will be working on it from 9.30 a.m.
The Mayor has called a special closed meeting for nine o-clock to authorize staff direction
on a property matter.
There's another closed meeting to deal with another property matter at 6.00 p.m. next Tuesday.
Item 1 on Tuesday's general committee meeting there's a 107 page report related to a decision to be made at the closed meeting to be held at 6.00p.m.
I haven't read the 107 page Report. But I can share the recommendation from the C.A.O.
that starts the report.
That Report CAO 14-001 be received and
That Report CAO 14-001 be forwarded to the February 4, 2014 General Committee meeting for consideration. together with the following recommendations:
That Council receive the attached "Hillary-McIntyre Park Cost Benefits Study" completed by Sierra Planning and Management and Carl Bray and Associates: and
That, Staff be authorized to negotiate the terms of agreements of purchase and sale for Horton
Place ( 5342 Yonge Street). Readman House (16356 Yonge Street) and Hillary House
(15372 Yonge Street) properties for Council approval; and
That, staff report back to Council pertaining to: a) the details of the process of developing a master plan for the properties that will guide the long term development and opeations of the three properties, and b) the outcome of the negotiations o purchase the three properties and to obtain authority to execute any such agreements.
The report that follows this recommendation,as noted above. is 107 page long.
It is the first item of a meeting that starts at 7.00p.m.
The closed meeting with the confidential attachment to Report No. CAO 14-001 for Council 's attention , is scheduled for 6.00p.m. An hour earlier.
The closed session agenda notes time of the meeting;
After New Business Section of the General Committee agenda .
That would normally be after Council had actually received the report and discussed it.
Now.... if the juxtaposition of times of meetings and decisions has you confused ...you are not alone.
I am too. It feels like a hustle.
But then,,, I am but a part-time Councillor with little status in the scheme of things.
Nothing much is expected of a Councillor and they are paid accordingly.
Save for cost of living, Council remuneration has not seen an adjustment since 2003.
The economy was said to be unable to support it.
On the other hand, the Mayor's salary increased by Bylaw in December , by $9 thousand
and full benefits ..... about forty per cent increase.
The Mayor has been provided all employee benefits.
Menial Councillors can enjoy the same benefits but only if they pay what it costs.
I wasn't at the meeting when the Bylaw was passed. I had a bad bout of bronchitis that deprived me of speech......a temporary affliction.
The Bylaw was likely not called for discussion.
It would pass unnoticed.
Why am I writing about it now?
It's 11pm. It's been a full day. As it will be tomorrow.
My mind is choc-a-bloc with millions flowing unimpeded from the town's treasury, based on expertise of almost anyone except the town's elected representatives
Save for one exception. The Mayor.
A Tortuous Process Unravelled
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Budget Quibbles":
Evelyn. I enjoy a food fight as much as the next person. In this instance it is going to be frightfully one sided. The electioneering has begun & councillors seem determined to purchase town votes with town money. I just don't think you can stop them. It is now all about what they want instead of about what Aurora really needs.
****************
It may look like that but it's not as cut and dried as one might think.
Council is between a couple of big boulders and a slippery slope.
In 2013, all systems were a-go for an addition and renovations to the town hall.
I didn't see the need. We are approaching build-out. I think we should be looking at the possibility of less staff needing less space rather than more.
But Council did exercise their authority. They gave the green light to proceed every step of the way.
Members consult extensively and privately with staff. They fail to realize the influence they subject themselves to .... how much it tilts their judgement .
Perhaps not unreasonably ,they depend on staff advice and presume responsibility is shared
It's not.
Council alone is accountable.
It's hard to criticize when Councillors put everything they feel they ought into making sound decisions.
Nothing is that simple.
Months of staff time, consultant studies , architect services ,estimates .
$300,000 later, Council nixed the town hall renovation project.
I believe that decision was unanimous.
It passed without much notice.
Weeks later, the exercise is being repeated with a second project three times as costly.
Last Tuesday, Councillor Gallo, affirming his support for the project from the start, read from reports to indicate why he was re-thinking his position.
Councillor Pirri appeared to be expressing reluctance
Councillor Abel expressed complete confidence in expert advice received. and suggested anyone without his courage doesn't belong at the table.
Councillor Thompson spoke of need for forward planning and vision
Next Tuesday, we will discover the final vote.
Council is faced with a serious dilemma.
A site has been purchased. Staff now report "upward cost pressures" created by problems the site presents .
Original estimates of $12 million were for a buildable site.
It's hard to keep track of the figures.
The second tab was $14 million.
Following calculations for building a shelf into the ravine sufficient to support the project, estimates for the complete project became 20 million.
A paring exercise reduced that to $19 million.
Council is currently contemplating that figure.
I am no more able to depend on it than I was the first.
I now have the right to shout out with glee
J'accuse !!!!!!!!
Did I not say....but oh no...you did not listen....such foolishness.....you had to do it your way... make like big shots you are not..... spending millions of their own money, every day of their lives..... now look at the mess you've got us into Stanley!!!!
But the situation is not a joke.
The problem is ours.
We purchased that site.
Negotiated to sell existing site.
Banked on sale of other lands that didn't happen.
No funding plan is in place .
Millions have already been spent in the process. The complete tally, we know not.
How can a Council change direction without acknowledging serious and costly mis-calculation.
Which way do they turn?
According to the tone of discussion on Tuesday , the vote may be split with Mayor Dawe breaking the tie in favor of proceeding.
My own advice:
First ....be upfront and acknowledge the problem. It was well-intentioneed but it can't be swept under the rug.
Second, the whole Council is needed to engage in the resolution.
It's no time for a pissing contest between factions.
A split decision will do nothing to assure the taxpayers.
Evelyn. I enjoy a food fight as much as the next person. In this instance it is going to be frightfully one sided. The electioneering has begun & councillors seem determined to purchase town votes with town money. I just don't think you can stop them. It is now all about what they want instead of about what Aurora really needs.
****************
It may look like that but it's not as cut and dried as one might think.
Council is between a couple of big boulders and a slippery slope.
In 2013, all systems were a-go for an addition and renovations to the town hall.
I didn't see the need. We are approaching build-out. I think we should be looking at the possibility of less staff needing less space rather than more.
But Council did exercise their authority. They gave the green light to proceed every step of the way.
Members consult extensively and privately with staff. They fail to realize the influence they subject themselves to .... how much it tilts their judgement .
Perhaps not unreasonably ,they depend on staff advice and presume responsibility is shared
It's not.
Council alone is accountable.
It's hard to criticize when Councillors put everything they feel they ought into making sound decisions.
Nothing is that simple.
Months of staff time, consultant studies , architect services ,estimates .
$300,000 later, Council nixed the town hall renovation project.
I believe that decision was unanimous.
It passed without much notice.
Weeks later, the exercise is being repeated with a second project three times as costly.
Last Tuesday, Councillor Gallo, affirming his support for the project from the start, read from reports to indicate why he was re-thinking his position.
Councillor Pirri appeared to be expressing reluctance
Councillor Abel expressed complete confidence in expert advice received. and suggested anyone without his courage doesn't belong at the table.
Councillor Thompson spoke of need for forward planning and vision
Next Tuesday, we will discover the final vote.
Council is faced with a serious dilemma.
A site has been purchased. Staff now report "upward cost pressures" created by problems the site presents .
Original estimates of $12 million were for a buildable site.
It's hard to keep track of the figures.
The second tab was $14 million.
Following calculations for building a shelf into the ravine sufficient to support the project, estimates for the complete project became 20 million.
A paring exercise reduced that to $19 million.
Council is currently contemplating that figure.
I am no more able to depend on it than I was the first.
I now have the right to shout out with glee
J'accuse !!!!!!!!
Did I not say....but oh no...you did not listen....such foolishness.....you had to do it your way... make like big shots you are not..... spending millions of their own money, every day of their lives..... now look at the mess you've got us into Stanley!!!!
But the situation is not a joke.
The problem is ours.
We purchased that site.
Negotiated to sell existing site.
Banked on sale of other lands that didn't happen.
No funding plan is in place .
Millions have already been spent in the process. The complete tally, we know not.
How can a Council change direction without acknowledging serious and costly mis-calculation.
Which way do they turn?
According to the tone of discussion on Tuesday , the vote may be split with Mayor Dawe breaking the tie in favor of proceeding.
My own advice:
First ....be upfront and acknowledge the problem. It was well-intentioneed but it can't be swept under the rug.
Second, the whole Council is needed to engage in the resolution.
It's no time for a pissing contest between factions.
A split decision will do nothing to assure the taxpayers.
Tension isn't bad
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Collegiality is not like other relationships.":
11:47.... Yes, this tension always has been there. In the 20 years I have lived here, there has NEVER been a council that got along. I used to have a weekly social engagement with a councillor from a number of terms ago (late 90's) and he said that "everyone on council are nice people - alone and outside the building. Get them in that room and they become monsters."
**********************
The last three years have been nothing like the previous sixteen when there was a particular strain of
mean spirit within Coumcil.
Man's inhumanity to man was never so prevalent.
Politics atracts a varietty of personalities.
None are shy and retiring.
The late Dick politician Illingworth used to say... " you don't have to be crazy but it helps"
It also helps to have a sense of the ridiculous.
Politicians are often ridiculous. Being people , it's hard to see how that can be avoided.
To be without humour is to be without judgement.
It is to be without discernment.
It is to be mean,meaner and meanest.
A recent comment reminded me of something this Council reversed at the beginning of the term.
An earlier Council had honoured the sitting Mayor John West by allowing a major right of way to bear his name.
Several years later, a Councillor, Nigel Keane, who had run and lost for Mayor moved to have the street renamed. The motion lost but it had enough support to get on the table.
During a later term, Kean tried again. Only this time he moved to give the town hall parking lot a street name , in order to have West's name removed from town hall stationery.
The second time. he accomplished his objective with the same seconder .
Every street in my neghborhood is named after a Councillor of the day when the homes were built . I doubt many current residents are aware of the fact.
New streets must be named.
One name is as good as another.
But it takes a particularly hostile individual to move to remove an honour bestowed years before.
John West was a colleague at the table when Coumcillor Kean did the dirty.
Kean was three times a candidate for Mayor without success.
West won the honour three times.
Naked hatred is never pleasing to witness. It usually indicates something meaner and
nastier below.
In politics ,it has no curb appeal.
Heaven help us all when it gains supremacy and assumes authority.
It has not reared its ugly head during the current term.
11:47.... Yes, this tension always has been there. In the 20 years I have lived here, there has NEVER been a council that got along. I used to have a weekly social engagement with a councillor from a number of terms ago (late 90's) and he said that "everyone on council are nice people - alone and outside the building. Get them in that room and they become monsters."
**********************
The last three years have been nothing like the previous sixteen when there was a particular strain of
mean spirit within Coumcil.
Man's inhumanity to man was never so prevalent.
Politics atracts a varietty of personalities.
None are shy and retiring.
The late Dick politician Illingworth used to say... " you don't have to be crazy but it helps"
It also helps to have a sense of the ridiculous.
Politicians are often ridiculous. Being people , it's hard to see how that can be avoided.
To be without humour is to be without judgement.
It is to be without discernment.
It is to be mean,meaner and meanest.
A recent comment reminded me of something this Council reversed at the beginning of the term.
An earlier Council had honoured the sitting Mayor John West by allowing a major right of way to bear his name.
Several years later, a Councillor, Nigel Keane, who had run and lost for Mayor moved to have the street renamed. The motion lost but it had enough support to get on the table.
During a later term, Kean tried again. Only this time he moved to give the town hall parking lot a street name , in order to have West's name removed from town hall stationery.
The second time. he accomplished his objective with the same seconder .
Every street in my neghborhood is named after a Councillor of the day when the homes were built . I doubt many current residents are aware of the fact.
New streets must be named.
One name is as good as another.
But it takes a particularly hostile individual to move to remove an honour bestowed years before.
John West was a colleague at the table when Coumcillor Kean did the dirty.
Kean was three times a candidate for Mayor without success.
West won the honour three times.
Naked hatred is never pleasing to witness. It usually indicates something meaner and
nastier below.
In politics ,it has no curb appeal.
Heaven help us all when it gains supremacy and assumes authority.
It has not reared its ugly head during the current term.
Thursday, 9 January 2014
Budget Quibbles
Budget all day Saturday. I can't feel positive about it. I will continue to oppose funding for the Culture Centre.
I will argue for museum funding. But the grant to the Historical Society should be transferred to the museum and the grant to the Culture Centre should be significantly reduced.
I do not agree taxpayers should be "buying" culture .
Culture has had status in the town since Noah built the Ark.Museum service is culture As are Library Services ......Pottery Club ...Art Society....Writers' Club .....Arboretum.;;;as infinitum.
All add to our quality of life.
I just don't believe, other than finding facilities, it should add to the tax burden.
So...it's a budget item.
The Capital Construction Budget was approved last week. My vote was not in favor.
$3 million are budgeted to change all street lighting to LED in one fell swoop.
LED lighting is expensive because it' s new.
It's not proven. Hasn't been around long enough.
Disposal of existing ,still functional lighting , adds to waste disposal and capacity problems.
We are all about reducing and re-cycling.
Lighting is not organic. Is there a program for re-cycling light fixtures?
In our own households, would we change light bulbs while they still had life?
Would we change every bulb in the house before we've even tested something new.
Do we swallow holus-bolus every commercial promotion aimed at us?
St John's Sideroad and Leslie Street are changing to urban standards. Illumination is to be added. Makes sense to use LED lighting .
Development charges will properly finance the project.
Adding $3 million to 2014 capital construction budget for the purpose is not responsible financial management.
Re-lining water pipes with plastic theoretically reduces water loss. The town has spent an average of $1million a year for ten years without a monitor for effectiveness.
If there is merit, the Region should be footing the bill. Responsibility for water supply and waste management is Regional. They collect development charges for the purpose.
Water rates are a tax. Increases should be reflected in the tax bill. They should not be separated out to create illusion and confusion.
The capital construction budget has an item to install a bulk water meter at St.Andrew's Village
Retail Centre. Individual properties have been metered. The Centre itself has not. A meter at town
cost of $80,000. is to be installed at the property line.
It means the centre will pay for all water consumed. Until now, the real cost has been
subsidized within the ate calculation.
It is time for calculation of water rates downwards.
These arguments are not new.
I am nothing ,if not persistent.
They continue to be valid .
A person comments this morning the lease of our hydro building is a deal that cannot be broken.
Not so.
A sale is a deal that cannot be undone.
A lease is not the same thing.
Termination of that lease is worth more than any federal grant that may or may not be available to build a new facility to meet the town's needs.
We own the building. Our responsibility is the town's interest. The armories sits vacant taking up space in the corner our park. The federal government continues to seek ways to reduce expenses.
That is their mandate. one way it
to reduce funds for the militia. It should not be done at the expense of Aurora taxpayers.
If public works needs are as urgent as stated ,the hydro building is urgently needed for the parks department.
No ifs ands or buts.
Rent revenue for the building is a drop in the bucket compared to spending required to create a level site for a joint facility on the side of a ravine in the flood plain of the valley of the Holland River .
Pshaw!!!!!!!!!!
I will argue for museum funding. But the grant to the Historical Society should be transferred to the museum and the grant to the Culture Centre should be significantly reduced.
I do not agree taxpayers should be "buying" culture .
Culture has had status in the town since Noah built the Ark.Museum service is culture As are Library Services ......Pottery Club ...Art Society....Writers' Club .....Arboretum.;;;as infinitum.
All add to our quality of life.
I just don't believe, other than finding facilities, it should add to the tax burden.
So...it's a budget item.
The Capital Construction Budget was approved last week. My vote was not in favor.
$3 million are budgeted to change all street lighting to LED in one fell swoop.
LED lighting is expensive because it' s new.
It's not proven. Hasn't been around long enough.
Disposal of existing ,still functional lighting , adds to waste disposal and capacity problems.
We are all about reducing and re-cycling.
Lighting is not organic. Is there a program for re-cycling light fixtures?
In our own households, would we change light bulbs while they still had life?
Would we change every bulb in the house before we've even tested something new.
Do we swallow holus-bolus every commercial promotion aimed at us?
St John's Sideroad and Leslie Street are changing to urban standards. Illumination is to be added. Makes sense to use LED lighting .
Development charges will properly finance the project.
Adding $3 million to 2014 capital construction budget for the purpose is not responsible financial management.
Re-lining water pipes with plastic theoretically reduces water loss. The town has spent an average of $1million a year for ten years without a monitor for effectiveness.
If there is merit, the Region should be footing the bill. Responsibility for water supply and waste management is Regional. They collect development charges for the purpose.
Water rates are a tax. Increases should be reflected in the tax bill. They should not be separated out to create illusion and confusion.
The capital construction budget has an item to install a bulk water meter at St.Andrew's Village
Retail Centre. Individual properties have been metered. The Centre itself has not. A meter at town
cost of $80,000. is to be installed at the property line.
It means the centre will pay for all water consumed. Until now, the real cost has been
subsidized within the ate calculation.
It is time for calculation of water rates downwards.
These arguments are not new.
I am nothing ,if not persistent.
They continue to be valid .
A person comments this morning the lease of our hydro building is a deal that cannot be broken.
Not so.
A sale is a deal that cannot be undone.
A lease is not the same thing.
Termination of that lease is worth more than any federal grant that may or may not be available to build a new facility to meet the town's needs.
We own the building. Our responsibility is the town's interest. The armories sits vacant taking up space in the corner our park. The federal government continues to seek ways to reduce expenses.
That is their mandate. one way it
If public works needs are as urgent as stated ,the hydro building is urgently needed for the parks department.
No ifs ands or buts.
Rent revenue for the building is a drop in the bucket compared to spending required to create a level site for a joint facility on the side of a ravine in the flood plain of the valley of the Holland River .
Pshaw!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, 8 January 2014
Collegiality is not like other relationships.
Something else I forgot to mention; a massive retaining wall is having to be built to create a level site for building. Storage sheds are being built against it for equipment like tractors and stuff.
Councillor Thompson sees it as an advantage. When I inquired what works or parks equipment needed to be stored indoors? . He replied he didn't suggest it. . He said a shed would make it more accessible.
Somebody mentioned this morning Councillor Ballard had referred to my blog in a tweat.
I don't tweat. So I have no idea what Councillor Ballard might be saying .
But the comment provides opportunity to explain what might be difficult to understand otherwise
Councillor Ballard and I are poles apart on many issues.
Others ....not so much.
We are not socially acquainted.
It's not a requirement.
I am aware he has been critical
It matters not.
For the purpose of Council, we are colleagues,
Being of like mind on town issues is not a requirement.
I have never had an uncivil exchange with Councillor Ballard, nor Councillor Gallo nor Councillor Gaertner .
I regard bad manners to be unacceptable in any circumstance.
On the
other hand, engaged in a struggle for dominance of ideas on a town issue, I would draw blood. metaphorically, if I had to.
I don't carry a notebook filled with grudges It would be altogether too much clutter.
On the other hand ...I don't forget much either.
Councillor Thompson sees it as an advantage. When I inquired what works or parks equipment needed to be stored indoors? . He replied he didn't suggest it. . He said a shed would make it more accessible.
Somebody mentioned this morning Councillor Ballard had referred to my blog in a tweat.
I don't tweat. So I have no idea what Councillor Ballard might be saying .
But the comment provides opportunity to explain what might be difficult to understand otherwise
Councillor Ballard and I are poles apart on many issues.
Others ....not so much.
We are not socially acquainted.
It's not a requirement.
I am aware he has been critical
It matters not.
For the purpose of Council, we are colleagues,
Being of like mind on town issues is not a requirement.
I have never had an uncivil exchange with Councillor Ballard, nor Councillor Gallo nor Councillor Gaertner .
I regard bad manners to be unacceptable in any circumstance.
On the
other hand, engaged in a struggle for dominance of ideas on a town issue, I would draw blood. metaphorically, if I had to.
I don't carry a notebook filled with grudges It would be altogether too much clutter.
On the other hand ...I don't forget much either.
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "A Step in the right direction":
What exactly was the problem with the site on which the AFLC was built?
Reference is made to "the same geological area."
Is there a sub-soil condition? Was this a swamp many years ago?
It would be nice to know this.
******************
Stick a pin in a map of Aurora and it will likely hit a natural spring or quick sand.
1963 was the first time I ran for Council. It was also Aurora' s Centennial. The original library building was the town's Centennial project. The late Councillor Jean Moffat was chair of the
Library Building Committee.
On the night of the Inaugural Council Moffat told the audience how she had fought for a basement in the building but couldn't get any support.
The reason? Soil conditions.
Aurora Community Centre opened in 1967.
It had to have a floating concrete slab to provide support for one corner of the building.
The swimming pool in the Aurora Family Leisure Complex literally fell through the bottom and had to be re-built , at least once.
The addition to the AFLC required extra funding because of soil conditions.
The site for the Joint Facility edges into the flood plain calling for cut and fill. It will be monitored by the Conservation Authority which will dictate requirements as they find them .
The area abuts the Arboretum . From experience we know the soil to be sandy.
A second access and egress to te site is required because of the main entrance being on a curve and a steep incline slopes down to the yard.
To people who have lived in Aurora for any time, none of this is new. The ravine runs from north to south of the town and beyond. The site is in the ravine. Whether it was once a swamp, I do not know. But unstable soil conditions is just a reality we live with.
There are those who observed extraordinary pumping activity during construction of the current library .
I wasn't a member of Council at the time of construction so I don't know the story and I
never found anyone willing to admit to problems.
All of this experience and knowledge of the geological nature of the town, was always good reason to use the former hydro site for our own purpose. What we had on Scanlon Court was equally safe.
There was certainty .
No guess work required.
Included in te current $18million price tag is the cockamamie fqcility for treating melting snow.
We spent $300,000 for "swing space" and prearing for additions to the Town hall hich ae mot now happening. Having been nixed by Council.
We could have invested that money in a snow melter and been a lot further ahead.
At the end of this month we wl ave an extra yard waste collection. Allthe usual rules apply. Branches must be cut to a certain size and bundled,
We re talking about fallen tree limbs and branchesalready substantially snow covered iand frozen to the ground.
What exactly was the problem with the site on which the AFLC was built?
Reference is made to "the same geological area."
Is there a sub-soil condition? Was this a swamp many years ago?
It would be nice to know this.
******************
Stick a pin in a map of Aurora and it will likely hit a natural spring or quick sand.
1963 was the first time I ran for Council. It was also Aurora' s Centennial. The original library building was the town's Centennial project. The late Councillor Jean Moffat was chair of the
Library Building Committee.
On the night of the Inaugural Council Moffat told the audience how she had fought for a basement in the building but couldn't get any support.
The reason? Soil conditions.
Aurora Community Centre opened in 1967.
It had to have a floating concrete slab to provide support for one corner of the building.
The swimming pool in the Aurora Family Leisure Complex literally fell through the bottom and had to be re-built , at least once.
The addition to the AFLC required extra funding because of soil conditions.
The site for the Joint Facility edges into the flood plain calling for cut and fill. It will be monitored by the Conservation Authority which will dictate requirements as they find them .
The area abuts the Arboretum . From experience we know the soil to be sandy.
A second access and egress to te site is required because of the main entrance being on a curve and a steep incline slopes down to the yard.
To people who have lived in Aurora for any time, none of this is new. The ravine runs from north to south of the town and beyond. The site is in the ravine. Whether it was once a swamp, I do not know. But unstable soil conditions is just a reality we live with.
There are those who observed extraordinary pumping activity during construction of the current library .
I wasn't a member of Council at the time of construction so I don't know the story and I
never found anyone willing to admit to problems.
All of this experience and knowledge of the geological nature of the town, was always good reason to use the former hydro site for our own purpose. What we had on Scanlon Court was equally safe.
There was certainty .
No guess work required.
Included in te current $18million price tag is the cockamamie fqcility for treating melting snow.
We spent $300,000 for "swing space" and prearing for additions to the Town hall hich ae mot now happening. Having been nixed by Council.
We could have invested that money in a snow melter and been a lot further ahead.
At the end of this month we wl ave an extra yard waste collection. Allthe usual rules apply. Branches must be cut to a certain size and bundled,
We re talking about fallen tree limbs and branchesalready substantially snow covered iand frozen to the ground.
A Step in the right direction
John Abel has left a new comment on your post "Ah But...Ya gotta love politics":
We can all agree on one thing Councillor Buck;
A new Joint Operation Centre wouldn't even be up for consideration had the Town maintained the old Hydro Building.
That property and building is a perfect compliment to the Scalon yard.
On an aside. I thought the coffee was terrible last night. I couldn't drink mine.
***************
Thank you for that CouncillorAbel.
The Parks department were occupying the Hydro building. They were building parks furniturei in the workshop in the winter.
Office space was used for town archive storage.
Heritage salvage was handily stored in the yard.
It's a five acre site .
Parks were evicted from the facility to make room for "the kiddies to play" as expressed by the former Mayor.
Hundreds of thousands of dollas were spent on the building Federal government use.
A lease was signed for ten years , at a rent unrelated to the value and loss of the facility for town purposes.
The lease is not a public document because of national security.
We believe there is no termination clause. What kind of a lease is that?
This Council has not even asked the question.
We purchased a new site for the joint facility because the price was "right"
The sites problems are now cited as the reason for the "upward cost pressures"
The Aurora Family Leisure Complex is in the same geological area. Problems experienced with that building were surely sufficient to warn of difficulties of making that site useable for the purpose.
Access and egress is onto the horrendously busy Industrial Parkway is seriously compromised
.Works and Parks are entirely truck and equipment operations.
Imagine sand and road materials in the huge dump trucks required for delivery, negotiating access and egress on and from a steep incline onto an artery designed to serve and acting as bypass for Yonge Street traffic.
Councillor, I do not have to be an engineer to understand the function of a works and parks yard
and to know that site was never suitable for the purpose.
Familiarity based on experience of the function of a works and parks yard is all that;s required to exercise sensible judgement. didn't get it overnight. It took fifty years to hone what I know into common sense decisions.
I simply have no confidence in the constantly changing kaleidoscope of figures provided at last night's meeting. Even less when it became obvious thr Mayor and key Councillors had already made a decision and were prepared to use the issue to degrade the authority of Council.
As far as I'm concerned this was one of the horrendously costly mistakes this Council was elected to reverse.
Who is it with the courage on behalf of the taxpayers we represent. to tell the Department of National Defense and Queen's York Rangers, the town's need is greater than yours ...you need to surrender the field?
I don't see anyone on this Council of Goodwill Ambassadors so eager to be all things to all people no matter the cost.
Since I am not the Chief of Toronto Police Department and I am more than one-time elected I believe I may claim the right to say on behalf of myself and the people I represent. I am profoundly disappointed without being told I have no right to sit at the Council table.
It was so cold last night, I enjoyed the hot coffee and thank you for bringing it to me.
We can all agree on one thing Councillor Buck;
A new Joint Operation Centre wouldn't even be up for consideration had the Town maintained the old Hydro Building.
That property and building is a perfect compliment to the Scalon yard.
On an aside. I thought the coffee was terrible last night. I couldn't drink mine.
***************
Thank you for that CouncillorAbel.
The Parks department were occupying the Hydro building. They were building parks furniturei in the workshop in the winter.
Office space was used for town archive storage.
Heritage salvage was handily stored in the yard.
It's a five acre site .
Parks were evicted from the facility to make room for "the kiddies to play" as expressed by the former Mayor.
Hundreds of thousands of dollas were spent on the building Federal government use.
A lease was signed for ten years , at a rent unrelated to the value and loss of the facility for town purposes.
The lease is not a public document because of national security.
We believe there is no termination clause. What kind of a lease is that?
This Council has not even asked the question.
We purchased a new site for the joint facility because the price was "right"
The sites problems are now cited as the reason for the "upward cost pressures"
The Aurora Family Leisure Complex is in the same geological area. Problems experienced with that building were surely sufficient to warn of difficulties of making that site useable for the purpose.
Access and egress is onto the horrendously busy Industrial Parkway is seriously compromised
.Works and Parks are entirely truck and equipment operations.
Imagine sand and road materials in the huge dump trucks required for delivery, negotiating access and egress on and from a steep incline onto an artery designed to serve and acting as bypass for Yonge Street traffic.
Councillor, I do not have to be an engineer to understand the function of a works and parks yard
and to know that site was never suitable for the purpose.
Familiarity based on experience of the function of a works and parks yard is all that;s required to exercise sensible judgement. didn't get it overnight. It took fifty years to hone what I know into common sense decisions.
I simply have no confidence in the constantly changing kaleidoscope of figures provided at last night's meeting. Even less when it became obvious thr Mayor and key Councillors had already made a decision and were prepared to use the issue to degrade the authority of Council.
As far as I'm concerned this was one of the horrendously costly mistakes this Council was elected to reverse.
Who is it with the courage on behalf of the taxpayers we represent. to tell the Department of National Defense and Queen's York Rangers, the town's need is greater than yours ...you need to surrender the field?
I don't see anyone on this Council of Goodwill Ambassadors so eager to be all things to all people no matter the cost.
Since I am not the Chief of Toronto Police Department and I am more than one-time elected I believe I may claim the right to say on behalf of myself and the people I represent. I am profoundly disappointed without being told I have no right to sit at the Council table.
It was so cold last night, I enjoyed the hot coffee and thank you for bringing it to me.
I had to share
Your morning chuckle
Just got off the phone with a cousin who lives in Scotland.
She said that since early this morning the snow has been nearly waist high and is still falling. The temperature is dropping far below zero and the north wind is increasing to near gale force. Her husband has done nothing but look through the kitchen window and just stare. She says that if it gets much worse, she may have to let the drunken bastard in.________________________________________________________
Ah But...Ya gotta love politics
I'm going to have to raise a Question of Privilege at the next Council meeting.
It's a means of resolving a problem before it sets into festering resentment.
This one seems to have already degraded.
I don't know why he swallowed a fly.
Councillor Abel has acquired a habit of casting aspersions against anyone who fails to recognize great wisdom when he speaks.
If any one of four Councillors takes a position different to his own. he puts it down to taking a position different to his own......like it's a thoroughly scurrilous, underhanded , mean spirited attack against all that is good and pure and courageous.......namely himself.
It's the attitude that spawned the Code of Cnduct in the last Council. I have come to believe it's a generational thing.
He'll say, I know why the Councillor is opposed. It's because he/she has been opposed from the beginning. I'm para-phrasing.
Last night the lofty sentiment went a step further.
Anyone who is afraid to make the kind of decisions he is brave enough to make, didn't deserve to have a place at the Council table , was the gist of it.
He's prepared to accept the advice of the professionals because they know,you know.
If a reports indicates a $12...$14...$20,,,$18 million project can be built without impact on the tax rate and the taxpayers won't even know it happened, that's good enough for Councillor Abel and anyone who doesn't agree, doesn't deserve a seat at the table.
Shades of the past.
It's such a simple unambiguous perspective of biblical proportions, on a clear night, one can almost detect a scintilla of something. .. yearning perhaps...for the good old days.
The presiding member is responsible to call a Councillor to order when he falls into error by impugning or assigning motive to another.
The Mayor seldom does . It seems to depend on who's motives are being impugned and whether he agrees with the impugnment.
Councillor Gaertner is a favorite target, myself quickly becoming an alternate.
Pinning my hide to the wall appears once again to be a universally admirable objective.
The object of the rule of order is to stop matters from descending into a name-calling. rabble-rousing, undignified, gutter level , mud-wrestling encounter.
Next step fisticuffs .like battling kangaroos.
It's a means of resolving a problem before it sets into festering resentment.
This one seems to have already degraded.
I don't know why he swallowed a fly.
Councillor Abel has acquired a habit of casting aspersions against anyone who fails to recognize great wisdom when he speaks.
If any one of four Councillors takes a position different to his own. he puts it down to taking a position different to his own......like it's a thoroughly scurrilous, underhanded , mean spirited attack against all that is good and pure and courageous.......namely himself.
It's the attitude that spawned the Code of Cnduct in the last Council. I have come to believe it's a generational thing.
He'll say, I know why the Councillor is opposed. It's because he/she has been opposed from the beginning. I'm para-phrasing.
Last night the lofty sentiment went a step further.
Anyone who is afraid to make the kind of decisions he is brave enough to make, didn't deserve to have a place at the Council table , was the gist of it.
He's prepared to accept the advice of the professionals because they know,you know.
If a reports indicates a $12...$14...$20,,,$18 million project can be built without impact on the tax rate and the taxpayers won't even know it happened, that's good enough for Councillor Abel and anyone who doesn't agree, doesn't deserve a seat at the table.
Shades of the past.
It's such a simple unambiguous perspective of biblical proportions, on a clear night, one can almost detect a scintilla of something. .. yearning perhaps...for the good old days.
The presiding member is responsible to call a Councillor to order when he falls into error by impugning or assigning motive to another.
The Mayor seldom does . It seems to depend on who's motives are being impugned and whether he agrees with the impugnment.
Councillor Gaertner is a favorite target, myself quickly becoming an alternate.
Pinning my hide to the wall appears once again to be a universally admirable objective.
The object of the rule of order is to stop matters from descending into a name-calling. rabble-rousing, undignified, gutter level , mud-wrestling encounter.
Next step fisticuffs .like battling kangaroos.
Fit for neither man nor beast
At 20 degrees , it was a night for neither man nor beast.
I thought seriously about whether I should go . The issue was about the joint public works and parks facility. I needed to be there. Cost estimates had increased by millions.
Turned out , I didn't need to be there after all. The decision to proceed with the project had already been made by the Mayor, Councillors Thompson, Humfreys and Abel . I'm not certain about Councillor Pirri's position.
Way back, before the site was selected , cost estimates were $12 million.
A problematic site was purchased . Estimates rose to $14 million .
Various costs were firmed up. Estimates rose to $20 million.
Staff worked to reduce estimates. The forecast now stands at $18 million.
Not to worry, in response to judiciously placed question by Councillor Thompson , staff informed Council , Newmarket spent $20 million on their facility.
From which we may logically deduce.......ours is a bargain at $18 million.
Newmarket has a current population of 75,000 going to 100,000 when built out.
Another question from Councillor Thompson elicited information the facility could be built without impact on the tax rate.
Ergo...no political impact.
Who wouldn't love a Council that could build an $18million facility without incrasing the tax rate by as much as a nickel.
Councillor Abel is persuaded anyone who can't make decisions like that, doesn't belong at the Council table.He repeated the sentiment.
I realized then there hadn't really been much point in coming out into the hazard of the extreme cold.
The Mayor and Councillors of similar mind had all the information they needed to make a decision without bothering with a pesky Council discussion.
So much is made about obtaining public input.
Yet there is neither time, patience nor inclination to even pretend to hear from people elected like themselves for the purpose of sharing perspective.
I made the observation.
It was not denied.
Indeed .....the Mayor intimated .Councillors who were not comfortable going forward with the project at the price, had done the same thing . Myself included, they too had agreed to a pre-determined position.
It was deja vu.
The night Councillors Abel and Pirri moved to give notice to terminate the agreement with the Culture Centre Board , flashed before my eyes.
The debate had been full and complete .
The Mayor spoke to the merits of the resolution with facts and conviction. As did Councillors Thompson and Humfreys.
The Mayor had not spoken as much to any other issue before, nor has he since.
The debate ended . The only thing left was to call the vote
There was a pause that stretched out , to the confusion of all but three present.
Something was clearly anticipated.
Sure enough , an amendment moved by Councillor Humfreys,seconded by Councillor Thompson effectively scuttled the original motion.
The term had barely begun.
We are in the final stretch.
It seems it wil end as it began.
I thought seriously about whether I should go . The issue was about the joint public works and parks facility. I needed to be there. Cost estimates had increased by millions.
Turned out , I didn't need to be there after all. The decision to proceed with the project had already been made by the Mayor, Councillors Thompson, Humfreys and Abel . I'm not certain about Councillor Pirri's position.
Way back, before the site was selected , cost estimates were $12 million.
A problematic site was purchased . Estimates rose to $14 million .
Various costs were firmed up. Estimates rose to $20 million.
Staff worked to reduce estimates. The forecast now stands at $18 million.
Not to worry, in response to judiciously placed question by Councillor Thompson , staff informed Council , Newmarket spent $20 million on their facility.
From which we may logically deduce.......ours is a bargain at $18 million.
Newmarket has a current population of 75,000 going to 100,000 when built out.
Another question from Councillor Thompson elicited information the facility could be built without impact on the tax rate.
Ergo...no political impact.
Who wouldn't love a Council that could build an $18million facility without incrasing the tax rate by as much as a nickel.
Councillor Abel is persuaded anyone who can't make decisions like that, doesn't belong at the Council table.He repeated the sentiment.
I realized then there hadn't really been much point in coming out into the hazard of the extreme cold.
The Mayor and Councillors of similar mind had all the information they needed to make a decision without bothering with a pesky Council discussion.
So much is made about obtaining public input.
Yet there is neither time, patience nor inclination to even pretend to hear from people elected like themselves for the purpose of sharing perspective.
I made the observation.
It was not denied.
Indeed .....the Mayor intimated .Councillors who were not comfortable going forward with the project at the price, had done the same thing . Myself included, they too had agreed to a pre-determined position.
It was deja vu.
The night Councillors Abel and Pirri moved to give notice to terminate the agreement with the Culture Centre Board , flashed before my eyes.
The debate had been full and complete .
The Mayor spoke to the merits of the resolution with facts and conviction. As did Councillors Thompson and Humfreys.
The Mayor had not spoken as much to any other issue before, nor has he since.
The debate ended . The only thing left was to call the vote
There was a pause that stretched out , to the confusion of all but three present.
Something was clearly anticipated.
Sure enough , an amendment moved by Councillor Humfreys,seconded by Councillor Thompson effectively scuttled the original motion.
The term had barely begun.
We are in the final stretch.
It seems it wil end as it began.
Tuesday, 7 January 2014
What does any of it mean ?
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "GUE...":
9:34...
How does a bi-sexual wife or multi-racial childred determine whether a person will be a good mayor?
*****************
How does one determine whether any candidate will be a good Mayor?
The only clue I offer is a candidate's record in the job.
The relevance of extraneous factors in an election campaign is a different question.
New York's Mayor has term limit
I can't begin to imagine what it takes, apart from a fortune in a campaign chest, to organize a
New York Mayoralty contest.
It certainly bespeaks private resources. I read former Mayor Michael Bloomberg spent millions of his personal resources on city programs. It seems he left the city better than he found it.
Names of challengers to Rob Ford of Toronto are coming forward
The question that comes to mind is the strength of the campaign organization and sufficiency of campaign resources.
Name recognition on the ballot is also a key factor.
Rob Ford's organization, campaign resources and name recognition are all likely as strong if not stronger than they were the first time around.
Former TTC chairman and Councillor Giambrone was a challenger for a bit in the last election. Endorsed by David Miller ,who lamented his withdrawal from the race after sleaze reported in te media reflected on his personal standards and integrity.
He never made it to the starting line.
George Smitherman made an issue of lifestyle and family status as campaign promotion. A lifetime of provincial politics and party support behind him didn't help. Rob Ford beat him handily at the polls.
Rob Ford talked about city spending run amuk and the need to stop it.
He talked about tax rates and the burden on property owners.
Michael Ignatieff wrote a book after his failed attempt to become Prime Minister of Canada. He acknowledged he didn't understand until the night before the election that the campaign was not
about him. It was about the people who came out to see him and hear him in myriad small village halls and Legions , on cold , wet and windy nights all across the country , to get a sense
of what he was about.
Could they trust him to care about their problems up there in the Parliament buildings in Ottawa.
Turned out, they decided they didn't.
9:34...
How does a bi-sexual wife or multi-racial childred determine whether a person will be a good mayor?
*****************
How does one determine whether any candidate will be a good Mayor?
The only clue I offer is a candidate's record in the job.
The relevance of extraneous factors in an election campaign is a different question.
New York's Mayor has term limit
I can't begin to imagine what it takes, apart from a fortune in a campaign chest, to organize a
New York Mayoralty contest.
It certainly bespeaks private resources. I read former Mayor Michael Bloomberg spent millions of his personal resources on city programs. It seems he left the city better than he found it.
Names of challengers to Rob Ford of Toronto are coming forward
The question that comes to mind is the strength of the campaign organization and sufficiency of campaign resources.
Name recognition on the ballot is also a key factor.
Rob Ford's organization, campaign resources and name recognition are all likely as strong if not stronger than they were the first time around.
Former TTC chairman and Councillor Giambrone was a challenger for a bit in the last election. Endorsed by David Miller ,who lamented his withdrawal from the race after sleaze reported in te media reflected on his personal standards and integrity.
He never made it to the starting line.
George Smitherman made an issue of lifestyle and family status as campaign promotion. A lifetime of provincial politics and party support behind him didn't help. Rob Ford beat him handily at the polls.
Rob Ford talked about city spending run amuk and the need to stop it.
He talked about tax rates and the burden on property owners.
Michael Ignatieff wrote a book after his failed attempt to become Prime Minister of Canada. He acknowledged he didn't understand until the night before the election that the campaign was not
about him. It was about the people who came out to see him and hear him in myriad small village halls and Legions , on cold , wet and windy nights all across the country , to get a sense
of what he was about.
Could they trust him to care about their problems up there in the Parliament buildings in Ottawa.
Turned out, they decided they didn't.
It's all about new discovery
When I bought a computer I had no idea how to use it. Even less did I know the impact it would have on my life.
I had a sense of it.
But my first experience was a fat negative.
I acquired an e-mail address.
As a Council candidate, I made it known. It was like the polar bear plunge. I had no how to use te computer but there ws no other way to find out.
I received a phone call from a candidate who'd heard I was the only candidate who had not responded to a questionnaire from the Aurora Banner. The deadline had passed. I called the editor to ask for an extension.
Deborah Kelly's response was hostile.
"It's not our job to chase after candidates " she said.
I'd never spoken to the woman. Certainly there had been no exchange to account for the lack of civility.
The questionnaire was the only acknowledgement of the election
The Banne was the only newspaper in town at the time.
Since tere was no reason I could identify, I decided it didn't exist. It was a figment of political paranoia peculiar to politicians.
I was wrong about that.
I fooled arou with the computer some more for no particular purpose.
I was elected in another election and met up with similar hostility.
I still couldn't pin-point a reason. But I could no longer dismiss the reality. I thought about blogging.
You know what they say about the best defense.
Still ...I knew nothing about blogging.
I asked and discovered I'd spent money acquiring a domain. It was as expensive as it was a mis-step.
I read about successful bloggers. One story made a particular impression.
The publisher had been diagnosed with a terminal illness. He blogged daily about dying.Thousands of people logged in and joined him in his journey.
I wasn't one. I figure that's a journey none of us need to take more than once.
I went to the senior's centre and learned someting of the practical application of blogging .
About the same time, a young knowledgeable neigbor became interested in what I was struggling to achieve and became both teacher and associate.It was a period when she needed a diversion.
Helping me acquire rudimentary computer skills provided what she needed at the time I needed help.
Helping me acquire rudimentary computer skills provided what she needed at the time I needed help.
I had not become proficient by the time her life turned around as I knew it would but I had learned enough to limp along .
The blog evolved to belong to more than myself alone.
The blog evolved to belong to more than myself alone.
At one and the same time, the immediate nature of communication is both its strength and frailty.
It is what it is.
Now I am dealing with something new.
The experience pre-occupies my mind but I can't tell the story. For now.
If I blogged six times as often , it would not be enough to tell story I need to tell.
It must wait.
While it waits... it's hard to focus on anything else.
That's a new discipline to be mastered.
We celebrated the life of former Mayor John West today.
The closing words were spoken by others.
It's what we do.
John was of a generation that had no access to planning.
Life was earned as it came. It had to be embraced because there was no other way.
I am as certain as I can be, John's life was better than his wildest dreams anticipated.
He would have no regrets.
That's as good as it gets.
It must wait.
While it waits... it's hard to focus on anything else.
That's a new discipline to be mastered.
We celebrated the life of former Mayor John West today.
The closing words were spoken by others.
It's what we do.
John was of a generation that had no access to planning.
Life was earned as it came. It had to be embraced because there was no other way.
I am as certain as I can be, John's life was better than his wildest dreams anticipated.
He would have no regrets.
That's as good as it gets.
Saturday, 4 January 2014
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "GUEST POST":
In today's Globe and Mail, in the Focus Section, the entire article from yesterdays paper is reprinted, together with a photo of Justice Nadon that occupies almost half of the full page coverage.
In the original comment there was a concluding sentence that "This appointment smacks too much of politics and stacking the court to further Mr. Harper's fight for the rights of the right." This sentence was omitted from the Guest Post.
If one reads the Globe and Mail article there are numerous references to the politics behind the appointment. In a year-end interview with the media Mr. Harper repeated his long touted goal to transform criminal law so that it is no longer "centred on the welfare of the criminal." This tough on crime approach is a central and popular part of his agenda. Changes to the Criminal Code have put more people in federal prisons than ever before and this is behind his vision for the bench. Many judges have rebelled against the newly instituted mandatory minimum sentences that come from the Harper pro-right wing of his party.
Osgoode Hall law professor Jamie Cameron, says she has a rule not to comment publicly on the attributes of appointees - but she is breaking her rule this time. "What the appointment shows is the prime minister lacks respect for the Supreme Court as an institution. I feel very strongly that the orderly progression and evolution of the law requires a strong court - a court that's capable and willing to demonstrate leadership. I think that this appointment unquestionably weakens the court."
Our laws are written by the legislators, but they can and must be subject to interpretation by the judiciary, a judiciary that is knowledgeable and impartial.
Publish
Delete
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Moderate comments for this blog.
Posted by Anonymous to Our Town and Its Business at 4 January 2014 18:00
In today's Globe and Mail, in the Focus Section, the entire article from yesterdays paper is reprinted, together with a photo of Justice Nadon that occupies almost half of the full page coverage.
In the original comment there was a concluding sentence that "This appointment smacks too much of politics and stacking the court to further Mr. Harper's fight for the rights of the right." This sentence was omitted from the Guest Post.
If one reads the Globe and Mail article there are numerous references to the politics behind the appointment. In a year-end interview with the media Mr. Harper repeated his long touted goal to transform criminal law so that it is no longer "centred on the welfare of the criminal." This tough on crime approach is a central and popular part of his agenda. Changes to the Criminal Code have put more people in federal prisons than ever before and this is behind his vision for the bench. Many judges have rebelled against the newly instituted mandatory minimum sentences that come from the Harper pro-right wing of his party.
Osgoode Hall law professor Jamie Cameron, says she has a rule not to comment publicly on the attributes of appointees - but she is breaking her rule this time. "What the appointment shows is the prime minister lacks respect for the Supreme Court as an institution. I feel very strongly that the orderly progression and evolution of the law requires a strong court - a court that's capable and willing to demonstrate leadership. I think that this appointment unquestionably weakens the court."
Our laws are written by the legislators, but they can and must be subject to interpretation by the judiciary, a judiciary that is knowledgeable and impartial.
Publish
Delete
Mark as spam
Moderate comments for this blog.
Posted by Anonymous to Our Town and Its Business at 4 January 2014 18:00
GUEST POST
THE HIGH COST OF JUSTICE
Let me quote from an article in yesterday's Globe and Mail:
"At 62, Justice Marc Nadon of Ottawa has reached the magic number.
His age plus his 18 years in the Federal Court's trial and appeal divisions added up to 80 - allowing him the option to work about half his usual hours and still receive his full pay of $288,100. An option he took. To mark the transition, he took four weeks off for a southern holiday, then returned to a lightened workload."
His appointment by the Prime Minister to the Supreme Court, an appointment that has been challenged by the Province of Quebec and a Toronto lawyer, is presently up in the air. Ironically it will be up to the Supreme Court to rule on his acceptability.
Some time ago he moved into an office in the Supreme Court building, notwithstanding the challenges to his appointment. He was directed to remove himself forthwith. Some cojones.
If he is ultimately confirmed by his future fellow justices he can look forward to an annual salary, as of April 1, 2013, of $351,700.
It would be interesting to know what his annual pension would be if he serves until retirement age of 75.
Let me quote from an article in yesterday's Globe and Mail:
"At 62, Justice Marc Nadon of Ottawa has reached the magic number.
His age plus his 18 years in the Federal Court's trial and appeal divisions added up to 80 - allowing him the option to work about half his usual hours and still receive his full pay of $288,100. An option he took. To mark the transition, he took four weeks off for a southern holiday, then returned to a lightened workload."
His appointment by the Prime Minister to the Supreme Court, an appointment that has been challenged by the Province of Quebec and a Toronto lawyer, is presently up in the air. Ironically it will be up to the Supreme Court to rule on his acceptability.
Some time ago he moved into an office in the Supreme Court building, notwithstanding the challenges to his appointment. He was directed to remove himself forthwith. Some cojones.
If he is ultimately confirmed by his future fellow justices he can look forward to an annual salary, as of April 1, 2013, of $351,700.
It would be interesting to know what his annual pension would be if he serves until retirement age of 75.
Thursday, 2 January 2014
Apropos A Comment
Being out of touch during the crisis , I cannot speak personally for how things were handled by the town.
But the Mayor was on top of things. Provided regular bulletins gand extended heartfelt thanks to all who participated in providing assistace to those in need.
My street still has a thick layer of ice .But I did see a bylaw officer's car at Glass Drive corner .
Aurora's town staff have always performed well in emergency. It takes a crisis to bring out the best in town staff . They know how much isdependent and rally to the cause every time.
But this one was different. This year, under the new customer service program, theTown announced regular service would be maintained between Christmas and New Year.
It's not usually.
When I came back in 2003 , I questioned that.
The logic was, there is no demand for service during that period. Staff took vacation time.
It seems this year , numbers of senior staff still took vacation time.
I understand there wasn't a supervisor or a manager who wasn't on vacation from public works during the crisis.
We will no doubt be having a review.
But the Mayor was on top of things. Provided regular bulletins gand extended heartfelt thanks to all who participated in providing assistace to those in need.
My street still has a thick layer of ice .But I did see a bylaw officer's car at Glass Drive corner .
Aurora's town staff have always performed well in emergency. It takes a crisis to bring out the best in town staff . They know how much isdependent and rally to the cause every time.
But this one was different. This year, under the new customer service program, theTown announced regular service would be maintained between Christmas and New Year.
It's not usually.
When I came back in 2003 , I questioned that.
The logic was, there is no demand for service during that period. Staff took vacation time.
It seems this year , numbers of senior staff still took vacation time.
I understand there wasn't a supervisor or a manager who wasn't on vacation from public works during the crisis.
We will no doubt be having a review.
Bizarre Aftermath to an Ice Storm ...Pixie Dust
A couple of silly things happened at my house during the week that was. Too silly to talk about.
A couple of other things happened that also don't make sense. I have a feeling they will not go away unless I do talk about them.
When cable came back ,I watched Toronto residents who had moved out of their homes to stay with family with amenities, return to their homes every day to check the water pipes. To see if they had frozen and burst.
I thought, why did they not just turn off the water supply? Don't they know they can do that?
Then there were the people whose food spoiled; if pipes would freeze in unheated houses, why would food spoil in unheated houses? Why would a deep freeze not keep food from spoiling?
It's why we have refrigerators.
And why did we see the Provincial Premier, fit from her campaign commercial uphill run, knock on doors to deliver food baskets? Only to Toronto residents?
What if people behind the door had the normal overflow of Christmas cheer ? What would they think to find the Provincial Premier standing on the doorstep with a basket of whatever provender some stranger thought to toss together?
Barney Miller used to be a favorite comedy show of mine. The perps kept it fresh. On one show. Wojohowitz brought a perp in under arrest for begging at a commuter train station
He was a trader at NewYork Stock Market. Live in Connecticut,in a big house ,with a maid and a driver.
Claimed he made more money as a beggar.
I thought of him when Provincial Premier Kathleen Wynne announced to all and sundry, vouchers worth a hundred dollars would be handed out willy-nilly at Ontario Work Centers in Toronto on January 1st;
Had it been April 1st, it might have made more sense.
Come on down the Premier announced, we got money to give away. No questions asked.
If Rob Ford had done that, Toronto media, or the Police Chief perhaps , would have claimed to have a video, bought from extortionists , showing the Mayor smoking something , maybe crack cocaine but nothing he could be charged with, from a glass bowl.
It would have to be a bowl. It couldn't be just a pipe. To justify the largesse.
Like the media I digress.
It wasn't Rob Ford.
It 's the Honorable and Generous and Caring Kathleen Wynne giving away money to all comers in Toronto.
The same Honorable who thinks an apology from a politician is sufficient to compensate for a one point one billion dollar boondoggle undertaken for purely political purpose.
A couple of other things happened that also don't make sense. I have a feeling they will not go away unless I do talk about them.
When cable came back ,I watched Toronto residents who had moved out of their homes to stay with family with amenities, return to their homes every day to check the water pipes. To see if they had frozen and burst.
I thought, why did they not just turn off the water supply? Don't they know they can do that?
Then there were the people whose food spoiled; if pipes would freeze in unheated houses, why would food spoil in unheated houses? Why would a deep freeze not keep food from spoiling?
It's why we have refrigerators.
And why did we see the Provincial Premier, fit from her campaign commercial uphill run, knock on doors to deliver food baskets? Only to Toronto residents?
What if people behind the door had the normal overflow of Christmas cheer ? What would they think to find the Provincial Premier standing on the doorstep with a basket of whatever provender some stranger thought to toss together?
Barney Miller used to be a favorite comedy show of mine. The perps kept it fresh. On one show. Wojohowitz brought a perp in under arrest for begging at a commuter train station
He was a trader at NewYork Stock Market. Live in Connecticut,in a big house ,with a maid and a driver.
Claimed he made more money as a beggar.
I thought of him when Provincial Premier Kathleen Wynne announced to all and sundry, vouchers worth a hundred dollars would be handed out willy-nilly at Ontario Work Centers in Toronto on January 1st;
Had it been April 1st, it might have made more sense.
Come on down the Premier announced, we got money to give away. No questions asked.
If Rob Ford had done that, Toronto media, or the Police Chief perhaps , would have claimed to have a video, bought from extortionists , showing the Mayor smoking something , maybe crack cocaine but nothing he could be charged with, from a glass bowl.
It would have to be a bowl. It couldn't be just a pipe. To justify the largesse.
Like the media I digress.
It wasn't Rob Ford.
It 's the Honorable and Generous and Caring Kathleen Wynne giving away money to all comers in Toronto.
The same Honorable who thinks an apology from a politician is sufficient to compensate for a one point one billion dollar boondoggle undertaken for purely political purpose.
Wednesday, 1 January 2014
In 2014...A Guid New Year tae Yin and A'
Some have meat but cannot eat
Some would eat if they had it
But we have meat and we can eat
and so The Lord be thankit
And we have light and heat and fuel for cooking ,
And television. telephone and internet
And thanks to an ice storm,we know what it's like to be without
And so The Lord be doubly thankit.
There was certainly misery enough in the city to keep me from complaining
One of the last things I watched before cable blacked out ,was the Mansbridge interview on Tweeting with Margaret Atwood. He outed her that she still has an electric typewriter,a manual typewriter and of all things, a pen . is kept handy.
I couldn't help thinking about teachers who feel cursive writing is an obsolete skill that no longer needs to be taught.
A woman last night told how she had to sleep on the floor during the blackout. The family were forced to sleep n sleeping bags but she had to stay on the floor in hers to keep the fire going all night.
I shook my head twice at that.
I'd been thinking how one might prepare for an ice storm. I've always missed a fire .ln the house. I wouldn't exchange it for central heating. But a fire in the grate is a spiritually comforting thing.
Even if it was ever warm enough in a Scottish summer not to have a fire in the hearth , the house
was strangelyempty without one.
But we never burned the fire all night long.
We made sure the bed was warm and cosy.
Getting up in the cold was hard to do .
But, oh no, we never needed a fire when warm in our beds.
There was and still is something special about that too.
During the power outage, I put my head out the door to smell wood burning smoke from someone else's house.
So....many of us ended 2013, without some of the comforts we take for granted.
Because of it, we start 2014 with a new appreciation for all the good things we normally enjoy without even thinking .
I did get my Christmas cards off to Scotland. I didn't get the Canadian ones away before the storm.
I forgot to mention, my car was iced in to the driveway as well .
I received mail with many bright and beautful cards of good wishes and they brightened my space.
Now on this first day, my wish to one and all is , A Guid New Year In 2014.
There's lots to talk about in the weeks to come.
Some would eat if they had it
But we have meat and we can eat
and so The Lord be thankit
And we have light and heat and fuel for cooking ,
And television. telephone and internet
And thanks to an ice storm,we know what it's like to be without
And so The Lord be doubly thankit.
There was certainly misery enough in the city to keep me from complaining
One of the last things I watched before cable blacked out ,was the Mansbridge interview on Tweeting with Margaret Atwood. He outed her that she still has an electric typewriter,a manual typewriter and of all things, a pen . is kept handy.
I couldn't help thinking about teachers who feel cursive writing is an obsolete skill that no longer needs to be taught.
A woman last night told how she had to sleep on the floor during the blackout. The family were forced to sleep n sleeping bags but she had to stay on the floor in hers to keep the fire going all night.
I shook my head twice at that.
I'd been thinking how one might prepare for an ice storm. I've always missed a fire .ln the house. I wouldn't exchange it for central heating. But a fire in the grate is a spiritually comforting thing.
Even if it was ever warm enough in a Scottish summer not to have a fire in the hearth , the house
was strangelyempty without one.
But we never burned the fire all night long.
We made sure the bed was warm and cosy.
Getting up in the cold was hard to do .
But, oh no, we never needed a fire when warm in our beds.
There was and still is something special about that too.
During the power outage, I put my head out the door to smell wood burning smoke from someone else's house.
So....many of us ended 2013, without some of the comforts we take for granted.
Because of it, we start 2014 with a new appreciation for all the good things we normally enjoy without even thinking .
I did get my Christmas cards off to Scotland. I didn't get the Canadian ones away before the storm.
I forgot to mention, my car was iced in to the driveway as well .
I received mail with many bright and beautful cards of good wishes and they brightened my space.
Now on this first day, my wish to one and all is , A Guid New Year In 2014.
There's lots to talk about in the weeks to come.
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