Took me on to John West , through Tim Horton's parking lot , on to the shared new road with St. Max High School onto Wellington Street and round again on to Industrial Parkway going north.
What a transformation the school has made to Wellington and the Industrial Parkway. That was one of the last remaining blighted areas on a main entrance into town.
The change was stunning. I couldn't help thinking how it might not have happened if it hadn't been for former Councillor Al Wilson using his own independent judgment.
It was one of those times when each member of the power elite had a script.. Councillor Gaertner said the teaching and other jobs didn't amount to much and Aurora taxpayers had enough to bear with properties that didn't pay taxes.
The board had done their planning. Received permission. Assembled lands. The last thing needed was permission from Aurora Council for something or other. Lord alone knows how long it took to get to that point. But that's where it almost stalled. That's where it might have had to be an Ontario Municipal Board Hearing with both sides spending thousands of taxpayers' dollars on legal fees.
When I first came to Aurora I heard how hard it was for Our Lady Of Grace Parish to buy land for a church. How many roadblocks were put in the way.
Seventy or so years later, a high school was being blocked. Half the council voting against it were catholics. Half of those voting in favour were not.
One person's vote and a delegation led by Elizabeth Crowe board trustee , Father Don Maclean and parents representing each elementary school in town made the difference.
And there it is.
It's nothing but good.
Any Catholic parent of a high school student should be delighted to have it.
Any parent of a public high school student should wish for the same opportunity.
Saturday 9 April 2011
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1 comment:
Wow , Your getting pretty good Evelyn, posting pictures adds a new element to your already excellent site , good for you
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