BULLSHIT BAFFLES BRAINS

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "NEVER LEARNED CANNOT BE FORGOTTEN": 

16:07
We already have a toll on the provincial highways. It is called the gasoline tax. Do your research on where that money is supposed to go.  

The tolls that Tory and his ilk want to levy have nothing to do about paying for roads. It is all about getting people out of their cars and use public transit. Ask anyone who lives in Aurora but takes their cars to work how well public transit works for them. Sure it is marginally cheaper, but if your office is not anywhere close to a subway line, you are in for a substantial time commitment one way.

Posted by Anonymous to  Our Town and Its Business at 8 March 2017 at 09:

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The gasoline tax is shared with municipalities. it's h-u-u-ge.

John Tory wanted to charge a toll on the DVP and the Gardiner for new revenue to keep Toronto 

property taxes down.  Somehow, despite being Mayor of Ontario's largest city, he thought it wise to tax commuters to  drive on provincial highways within his city. 

The firstbasic principle of taxation is they should be simple easily understandable. 

If the Mayor of the city doesn't understand the melange,it's not clear to me how ordinary residents can be expected to have the hang of it. But principles are long gone. 

When the city was being amalgamated, the big fear was runaway cost. Several  layers of government were being abolished but the worry was how much more it would cost. 

So the province took responsibility for education tax  and uploaded Toronto's housing and social services  budget to surrounding Regions.

 

They said it was because Toronto was providing housing and social services throughout the GTA.

They lied. 

People don't expect government to lie. 

In the last couple of days,discussion has been how the province lowered hydro costs by stretching debt out longer. 

Some think that's not fair. 

There's always more than one way of looking  at a problem. 

But....municipalities were required by the province to privatize Hydro.  

The decrease in charges is welcome. But how is that  provincial business with Hydro  privatized? 

And....If cost of supply is that much higher,what was the advantage of privatizing? 

Some  think it's not fair to stretch out  debt to have several generations pay for infrastructure that  brings power to their homes and businesses .

I do not share that view. 

I do however object to paying taxes to maintain sixty million dollars in reserves to save generations down the line the cost of replacement down the line. 

Auroraalso has a reserve fund to meet the costs of new firefighter contracts. So politicians down the line  won't have to answer for vastlyincreased costs of providing  fire protection. It's called a tax stabilizing fund. 

I will be long gone but still paying for fire protection. 

It's not enough to pay taxes for almost sixty-years for everything I received and much I had no interest in receiving, I am now required by our local financial genius, to pay forward for future salaries of the new class of public service millionaires.  

NEVER LEARNED CANNOT BE FORGOTTEN

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "" HOBSON'S CHOICE"": 

"I see nothing wrong with children,grandchildren and great-grand -children sharing in the cost of Infrastructure to supply their homes and business with electricity. It is and always has been the basic principle of debenture debt for public amenities."

This is a shocking statement, but not a surprise.  

Were you saddled with the debt of your parents or grandparents' era? Do parents not hope that their children will have a better life than they did?  

It is unfair of the government of the day to amortize debt that they created to the point that it will not be paid for until 30 years from now. More than likely neither Wynne or McGuinty will be around to see that debt paid, why should they care? What is more unfair is that she has done this and somehow spun it to tell the residents that she will lower hydro costs now. It is only when you look at the man behind that curtain you see that she is playing a shell game and we are all losers... now, tomorrow and for the next 30 years.

Meanwhile, your great-grandchildren will grow up, go to school, get jobs and then they will buy a house (perhaps if they are lucky). They will get their Hydro bill and on it will be a line "Debt Repayment". They will wonder what that is for and go back into the archives of the internet and read that their great-grandmother had no problem with them paying for the infrastructure that we wanted in the early 2000s. 

Posted by Anonymous to  Our Town and Its Business at 6 March 2017 at 16:39

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The writer is easily shocked. The comment brings to mind the Monty Python Flying Circus,fish-slapping dance. The little fellow, hopping back and forth, two steps forward,slapping with two little fish, lightly on each side of the big fellow's face and two steps back.The music stops. Then the big fellow hoists a monstrous fish with both hands and knocks the antagonist up the side of his head , off his pins,straight into the harbour. 

I brought it up on U tube to enjoy once again. It's always funny. 

In my first town budget in 1967, I noted an expenditure coupled with Collis Leather. It was a payment for the town sewage treatment plant. 

The payments started in 1954 and  continued for a decade or so more after 1967. 

Collis had treatment at the tannery.Ontario Water Resources Commission decided it was no longer adequate to remove chemicals. New, more proficient treatment had to be provided or the tannery had to stop operating. 

The town and Collis  jointly built a tertiary treatment plant.

Aurora, I learned, was the first town in Ontario  to have indoor plumbing.  

Council colleagues grew up with privies in the backyard.

Debenture debt made the  improvement possible. 

Were there complaints? I don't think so. People had no trouble connecting expenditure to service. 

In time, the facility had to be expanded to service growth. 

Then OWRC intervened again and prohibited further growth. The plant was at capacity. 

Until mid-seventies ,when York Region built  the "Big Trunk"  to take sewage from Aurora and Newmarket to be treated at the Rouge River and dumped into Lake Ontario. 

Residents went from paying a flat rate (less than $10.) for water to separate charges for water and sewers and an unexplained "Miscellaneous"  item,  all of which annually multiply exorbitantly. 

As well, taxes are now collected to pay for culture and entertainment. Parades,food festivals, art exhibits,piano recitals and musical quartets. The town surrendered to a federal institution,a multi-million dollar property needed for our own purpose.

People like the commenter don't know from a privy hole about tax extortion, but excoriate myself for what I don't know about the basic principles of equity in taxation. 

The Province can open another casino or two, launch another lottery, or tack two bits onto every bottle of booze sold in the province to continue largesse for jazz festivals , Halls of Fame and whatever  other 

frivolity that occurs.

Taxes on our homes and business are the solitary source of loot at the municipal level.

And we are burdened with a succession of elected representatives and like-minded residents who don't know the difference. 

LIFE IS TOUGH

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "POLITICS IS A THANKLESS TASK....YOU THINK": 

19:42

It might be more appropriate to print and comment rather than expunge. 

Posted by Anonymous to  Our Town and Its Business at 4 March 2017 at 18:27

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I do that. 

I'm doing it now.

 But here's a thought:  if the person commenting really wants to ensure precise publication of thoughts expressed, the way to do that is publish a blog under their own nomenclature. 

It's the only way I know. 

I've been contributing letters to the editor for years. The last two have not been published. 

I don't even ask why.  Though my name is attached.

It's their decision to make. 

So I am left  to wonder.

But not for long.

 Because I have my blog. 

It's mine and mine alone.

Slamming the door shut on one who can't stop reading even though everything they read is an anathema, is a particular satisfaction. 

They hate it but they can't stay away 

Tough .

" HOBSON'S CHOICE"

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "POLITICS IS A THANKLESS TASK....YOU THINK": 

"It was a mistake also to expect a single generation to pay for infrastructure neglected for decades and designed to serve future generations.
There is to be a 25% cut in rates."

But it is okay for this generation and the next 2 to play for the debt. All she has done is lowered the rates now by re-mortgaging the debt. So that debt will be paid over the next 30 years! How much will that cost your grandchildren's grand-children? Think about that! 

The government has not responded positively. They have responded in such a way to buy your vote at the next election and it appears that she has yours now. On the backs of our future.  

This is utter BS from a crooked government trying to hoodwink the public.

Posted by Anonymous to  Our Town and Its Business at 3 March 2017 at 09:07

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I am not a fan of Kathleen Wynne. Anyone in the habit of reading this blog would know that. 

I would have been pleased to supportChristine Elliott had she been chosen leader of the P.Cs.

I  frankly and fulsomely do not appreciate Patrick Brown's method of winning the leadership. He 

gave no thought to  the party's chances. 

Andrea Horvath is a prisoner of organized labour and their stance to save post office jobs in the last election was  not in the general public interest. Times change. When it's called for, public policy has

 to change with the times. 

I see nothing wrong with children,grandchildren and great-grand -children sharing in the cost of 

Infrastructure to supply their homes and business with electricity. It is and always has been the basic principle of debenture debt for public amenities .

The argument thatchildren will be be burdened by taxation is maudlin. They cannot expect to be free of debt any more than past generations. 

Of course my choice  is influenced by decisions made by government. How else would I decide? 

It's not easy to admit mistakes in politics . This week Kathleen Wynne in a single statement admitted to three in hydro decisions. That takes courage.

I like courage. It's a scarce commodity in politics . 

I don't like my intelligence being insulted. 

I have an aversion to being swept along with the crowd. 

POLITICS IS A THANKLESS TASK....YOU THINK

I just watched Premier Wynne on TV acknowledge mistakes made by her own  and previous 

governments  in managing the Ontario Hydro portfolio. It was  a mistake also to expect a single generation to pay for infrastructure neglected for decades and designed to serve future generations.

There is to be a 25% cut in rates. 

It's hard to find fault with the cut even if one was so inclined . I see no reason to pay extortionate charges for hydr to keep cost down for users twenty years down the road. 

It may well be  an afterthought but I find the Premier's reasoning completely fair and sensible. 

Better late than never. 

With thousands of others, I signed a petition demanding the government recognise severe hardship created by huge increases in hydro bills. 

The government has responded positively. 

Criticism for hydro mismanagement is due the government still.

This decision is not part of it. 

Contrived issues are not required. Opposition leaders need to work harder at the job.

Just before Premier Wynn spoke, a news headline informed us a Polish-Euro Rep politician had 

drawn some negative attention to himself by stating women should be paid less because women are less intelligent.

I smiled to myself.  

BRICKBATS AND TILES ...TOLL THE BELLS OF ST GILES

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "ORANGES AND LEMONS WENT THE BeLLS OF ST CLEMENTS": 

It's amazing how the Town hires a planning and urban design firm from Toronto. We don't have any such people right here in this Town, surrounding area or the Region? So much for supporting businesses within our own Town or area. Such BS hypocrites. I understand how there are probably not very many staff members who are not from this Town and don't give a damn about supporting this Town, but I would think that the council members who are, could at least 
look at businesses in your own backyard. Not only does this Town seem to enjoy overspending on projects, but also likes spending taxpayers money elsewhere.

Posted by Anonymous to  Our Town and Its Business at 25 February 2017 at 21:41

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It's not amazing.

I keep repeating.

Municipalities have no right to exist. Provincial rules and regulations circumscribe just about everything and came into being because of need. 

In the Municipal Act competition must be held to fill the top jobs. . According to law,opportunity can't be restricted to residents. Professional qualifications are key. 

Selection  must not only be right. It must be seen to be right. 

Former Councillor Grace Marsh asked once:  "Evelyn, how can a Councillor   know all that's needed

to make the right decisions ?"

"You have to trust staff " I answered. 

It was the right answer at the time. Things changed. Staff changed . Ruleswere no longer respected. I suspect may not even have been understood. Trust could. no longer be the coin of the realm in Aurora. 

Appointments were made outside the rules. 

Politics permeated. 

An outgoing treasurer gave three months notice. Time  went by. No competition was scheduled.  

Eventually, the CAO privately informed Council  he had appointed a treasurer  on an

interim basis. 

He was informed appointment was by Bylaw . Authority rested with Council. 

No bells clanged no difference made. 

The interim  pcontract expired and Council was again privately informed of  appointment to the position

confirmed. 

The bylaw was passed after the fact. 

The appointment had been made over a coffee in a donut shop. 

At no time later did anything occur to generate confidence in judgement exercised at that time. 

Appointments were made with commensurate remuneration. A procession of consultants were hired 

in addition. 

The pattern begun in the single Mormac term continued thereafter despite an election for change. 

A purchase of culture contract  worth hundreds of thousands, from a self appointed board ,occupying a municipally owned and maintained  facility was continued. 

A lease to a federal institution of a building required for municipal purpose was extended to thirty years. 

Thetown's assumed the role of landlord with all attendant responsibilities. 

An addition was planned to the town hall and a budget allocated. The process continued to stcontract award, then, prior to recommendation to council ,after $300,000 had been expended,the project was abruptly cancelled without explanation.  

Specifications and contract price were both beyond approved budget. No person held accountable. 

The story continued . People hired with specific credentials ,were re-organized with responsibilities 

for which they had no credentials. An auditor's letter to management,official notification of mis-management called for an additional organizational shift. 

Management of facilities was transferred from a person with credentials to one with none. 

Hundreds of thousands were spent without obvious benefit.  

The latest boondoggle is construction of a joint facility on an unsuitable site purchased for the purpose. 

According to rules ,specs were prepared,bids called and a contract awarded.

Throughout construction, items  were removed  to stay within budget.The Green roof and system for monitoring gas useage are but a couple of examples.

The town provides free space for contractors to park vehicles and equipment. They may even have access to maintenance and parts. 

A gas pump is on site to fuel town vehicles. Useage Monitoring equipment  was  eliminated from the project with council approval.

 it has since been added to the 2017 budget  at double the forecast it was eliminated from construction.  

Jiggery-pokery is a phrase that comes to mind. 

No matter who makes the recommendations  at  staff level, Council  is ultimately and finally responsible.

It pays to have the right people on the job. 

 

ORANGES AND LEMONS WENT THE BeLLS OF ST CLEMENTS

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "VAMOOSE": 

Healthcare isn't within the purview of municipal government, 18:20. You're not just dealing in apples and oranges, you've confusedly mixed up all levels of government into some kind of fruit salad.

(BTW, your dollar total re: the purchase of contract is too big.

Posted by Anonymous to  Our Town and Its Business at 24 February 2017 at 20:21

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"Health care is not within the purview of municipal government" 

That is a correct statement. It is not wrong. 

And ....it begs the question of why we  have a Public Health Board with  a medical Doctor in charge 

and public health nurses on the municipal  payroll more than fifty years after the advent of 

Government  Health Plan . 

And....while true different levels of government impose, collect and spend  tax dollars ,there is but one level of  taxpayer to foot all  the bills. 

The  Ontario government has decided to pay for sex change surgery .

Without going into  intricate details, such cannot be cheap. Equally obviously ,the surgery is not 

a question of life and death or even good health, so-to-speak.  

If there a valid comparison between sex-change and saving the life of a sick child, I don't see it. 

That's  a contrast between apples and oranges? 

The comment above states the figure given for purchase of  culture ,$500,000,is  too high. 

A day or two ago,a calendar of events was  posted to prove a point; quartets,piano concerts,

youth  art exhibits and such. 

No financial details accompanied the documentation. 

A charity group has used the facility for an annual craft show. 

They can only have it on a Sunday. 

If another group with greater priority comes along after it's booked  ,the charity group gets dumped.

Rent for the space for the day is $800.00. 

The Culture Board pays no rent. Makntenance and utilities are provided at no cost. 

At the beginning of the contract , $350,000 cash was transferred from the town treasury. 

Maintenance costs  were calculated  at $147.000 a year.

Renovation of the facility cost $3million. It was turned over rent free.

Each year since, increase in funding has been provided on request. 

Maintenance, utilities and rent are still nil, although cost has undoubtedly increased. 

What started as half a million dollars from the town must perforce be substantially higher. 

Revenue from events certainly must keep the coffers overflowing. 

We can call it shoveling money into re-election for current council members. Or we can call it support for the arts. 

Whatever we call it, Aurora taxpayers are getting the shaft. 

More so now  than in the beginning . 

VAMOOSE

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "THE TEAM , THE TEAM , HAS SAGGY SEAMS": 

We have so many "arms length" organizations/groups like the OMB, all with no accountability to taxpayers. All appointed by government, their own boards or hired by their own organizations. Audits done with very little change if any at all. Giving elected officials more power and responsibility would at least give taxpayers the ability to throw these people out in an election. 
Posted by Anonymous to  Our Town and Its Business at 19 February 2017 at 18:12

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Government boards and commissions appointed by the Province should not be confused with 

the wonky board that manages the Aurora Culture Centre or the Aurora Historical Society. 

The Library Board is not the same. It is provincially legislated with legislated responsibility. 

Each member is a government appointee for a fixed term based on certain credentials which might 

simply be good reputation and recommendation from a reliable source or sources.  It might be a pay-off. Either way , it is a political appointment.  Re-appointment is never a done deal. 

Remuneration is fixed by government. Funds are provided by the government. 

The Province and the Federal governments are one hundred per cent responsible for public services provided by a myriad of boards and commissions. 

 Municipalities also exist at the pleasure of government. Except for elections, responsibility is for  services that theoretically , can be more efficiently and economically provided at the grass rots. 

The Province is still responsible for over-all effectiveness  and integrity of services provided.

The history of Boards of Education is an example. 

In the beginning , municipal councils were responsible for education. Councils were generally 

comprised of representatives from local business. 

Property owners had a vote. Non-property owners did not.

Capital spending was by plebiscite. 

Local improvements were voted with seventy- five per cent in favour. That law is still on the books.

Back In the day, Councils tended not to favour education for children of the work force. 

As a result, authority was taken from them. School boards were created.

Education taxes became the greatest part of any municipal budget. 

Councils collected the taxes. Councillors carried the can. 

They were still complaining when I was first elected. 

In the nineteen-nineties, the Province finally took responsibility for education costs but not completely. The formula was, the Province would absorb all increases.

Education boards continued to be elected with authority effectively neutered. 

At the same time, Regions surrounding Toronto were compelled to pay the cost of social services in Toronto to obscure the real cost of that city's amalgamation. 

The province negotiates education employee contracts. They decide when schools are built and by formula, when they are closed. 

School boards  take the heat. 

In every meaningful way, local autonomy, simply and suddenly, vanished from the scene. 

THE TEAM , THE TEAM , HAS SAGGY SEAMS

Anonymous left a new comment on your post "WHYS AND WHEREFORES": 

Call me a cynic, but I can't help thinking that the one spearheading the call for OMB reform is also using this as a vehicle for self-promotion. I think that he's set his sights on the mayor's chair. He really likes to trumpet that he's "#GettingThingsDone." 
Posted by Anonymous to  Our Town and Its Business at 18 February 2017 at 19:18

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I've known Tom Mrakas since his wife Alison was elected for one term.  He attended meetings and became involved . Ever since, for ten years ,he has never hesitated to take a position and let it be known. Long enough to vouch for his integrity and commitment.

He worked long and hard to win his seat and hasn't stopped since. He was enthusiastic and throughout the last campaign and promoted the idea of "team" to get things done. 

Main difference since, he no longer talks about members working to-gether in team mode.

It may have been first lesson learned.  

Being a councillor is a continuing succession of lessons.

 It never ends.Nor should it. 

I have the greatest respect for Councillor Mrakas' integrity and commitment. 

I do not agree the OMB should be subject to municipal political decisions. A council may decide to re-define the Official Plan on the hoof. 

The OMB must accept the O.P. as written and stamped Approved. 

I believe property-owners, all of them, have legitimate rights to consistency, integrity, reason and equity in decision-making. 

They need the protection afforded by the OMB  against sly, dis-honest, under-handed ,self-serving,  decisions made by shallow, lazy, unintelligent, double-dealing, two -faced human beings at the municipal level of government. 

Tom Mrakas' no doubt intends best interests of the community. Unfortunately, he cannot guarantee  the intentions of others. 

The last ten years in Aurora established by a long and growing chain of decisions, the well-being 

of the community takes second-place to  vested interests of groups and self-interest of elected "leaders".

The anonymous comment introducing this post was likely contributed by an elected member of the Aurora "team".

WHYS AND WHEREFORES

The point of explaining details of little general interest can easily be challenged. There's so much I  think important but I  often think few people share my  when it comes to how a town is supposed to be governed. My last post triggered no response whatsoever. 

To-nights news triggered an example of a catastrophe that perfectly illustrates why voters  need to 

be informed and why the media falls short. 

Mike Harris was Ontario Premier in the nineties. Among other measures, he abolished Ontario Water Resources Commission to cut government spending. 

The agency was set up to ensure water quality. Public health was too important to leave to municipal councils whose main pre-occupation was to keep taxes down and be re-elected. Education was the biggest expense and they had no control there. 

Subsequently In Walkerton Ontario , a small rural municipality, numbers of people died horribly from the town's contaminated water supply. 

It hadn't been treated properly. E-coli had seeped into the wells from surrounding fields dressed 

In animal manure.

The person in charge of treatment,brother of a volunteer fire-fighter , was charged, tried, found guilty and was sentenced to jail.

He wept with remorse during the trial. He was not capable of handling the serious responsibility assigned to him. He was hired notwithstanding. 

It would not have happened if the OWRC had not been abolished. 

No politicians were called to account. 

Subsequently, the Province passed legislation making local councillors criminally responsible for any future failures. 

The Ontario Water Resources Commission was never re-instituted. 

Higher levels of chemical treatment in water were established in law for all water systems. 

 Public health is a provincial responsibility. It was the Provincial Premier who made the decision 

that  put public health at risk in the very places that needed OWRC  resources. 

The Ontario Municipal Board has a similar responsibility although lives are not at risk. The purpose is to ensure decisions made are based on logic and consistency. 

Not all Municipalities follow that rule .Aurora's decision to exempt St Andrew's College from development charges is an example.  A recent one to relieve  a hotel from development charges 

to spur economic development is a classic example. 

The decision to lease  away the hydro property for thirty years which was needed for municipal purposes Is another example that flies in the face of logic. 

They were elected to represent the community's interest. What hidden reasons caused  them to sell out the people they were elected to serve. 

In the absence of satisfactory explanation, people  are entitled to speculate the worst. 

Without the OMB , what warranty is there developers and speculators will not receive the same 

unequal ,irrational, inequitable treatment? 

More municipal Councillors might end up incarcerated for various improprieties and how would 

that contribute to the well- being of  society?

A REASON FOR BEING

There's barely  a law governing munipalities in Ontario that has not responded to corruption of some 

degree.  

The Ontario Municipal Board jwas established by the need for a watchdog in various circumstances. 

At one time the Board had authority over municipal debt for example. During the Depression municipalities spent money they didn't have and declared bankruptcy to avoid paying the bills.

  

Municipal Official Plans were approved by the OMB.

The Municipal Act is intended to ensure honest, efficient and equal treatment within the law at the hands of municipal councils. Clerks and Treasurers are Statutory Officers responsible for ensuring council decisions stay within the law. Municipal Clerks are certified and sworn into Office. 

At one time all it took was a word from the clerk to advise this or that was outside the law to stop

a decision. 

The last clerk in Aurora who did what the law required, against the will of  Mayor Morris, was out the door within twenty-four hours. 

Our  town is currently spearheading a move to abolish the OMB. 

The City of Toronto has just declared its intention to wrest power from the Province . 

The media will exploit the issue .The media generation is no better informed than the current generation of Councillors. Neither history nor the record  is relevant. 

Councillors will thump their chests and strut their stuff without a snowball's chance in hell the 

Province will accept  liability for untethered municipal councils. 

Whatever authority municipalities have, the Province has assigned. 

When York Region was planned a single "urban node" was proposed for Aurora and Newmarket. 

Valid economic arguments presented against the plan won the day. 

Forty-six years have passed. The arguments are no longer valid. 

Different arguments carry more weight. Aurora's autonomy has survived against odds.

REVISIONS

I had to re-write the previous post. I crammed too much into it and lack of practice has had an effect on organization skills. 

The biggest problem was misinformation about  departure of the Chief Financial Officer from town 

employment. I was told today,by someone who should know ,that information is not correct.

I'm sorry about that. 

I wrote another post at the week-end. The Blogger app crashed and I needed to sign in again. 

It's six months since I create the password. I remember it being clever.  Obviously so clever, I  

couldn't remember it. 

Nor could I recall  in which of many small books I recorded it. 

So...now the post will have to be checked  for legibility or alternately....deletion. 

In the meantime, I'm still knitting. I have a very satisfying little pile of garments for next year's 

Christmas presents. 

Then there's the continuing carnival going on to the south of us.