"Cowardice asks the question...is it safe? Expediency asks the question...is it politic? Vanity asks the question...is it popular? But conscience asks the question...is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular but one must take it because it is right." ~Dr. Martin Luther King

Monday 9 May 2011

A Two Way Discourse

Your Worship~

I am presently a subscriber to the Great Artist Piano Series at the Aurora Cultural Centre. I just wanted to drop you a note to congratulate you and all members of the Aurora Town Council for the decision to approve the renovation of the old Church Street School building, and for the ongoing operational support of the Centre.

It is a wonderful facility and the Board and Staff are most energetic and creative. The Piano Series has been sold out due to the world-class pianists attracted to perform in Aurora at this impressive venue.

I also understand that there is a significant positive spin-off to the community at large (e.g. restaurants) when arts and cultural events take place.

Thank you!

************

Good Morning Newmarket Resident

Thank you for your e-mail expressing your appreciation of the piano series at the Church Street school.

Considering space available, a sold-out audience would not be hard to come by.

I picture the evening as a soiree at the White House with President and Mrs Obama and friends enjoying the performance of a world-class pianist.

I am glad you appreciate the financial support of the Aurora town council. I am sure you are aware it is not their personal generosity contributing to your enjoyment.

As a member of Aurora Council, perhaps you can assist me with a rationale of why property owners in Aurora should contribute financially to your particular taste in entertainment.

I acknowledge the only world class piano player I am familiar with is or was Glen Gould and even that was by courtesy of television.

Council has not heard from any business in town experiencing an upswing in business as a result of the piano series at the Church Street school. Considering their increased taxes, water rates and other utilities, and notwithstanding the energy and creativity of the staff at the centre, I doubt and I speak for a considerable number, it would represent an off-setting benefit of any substance.

But thank you for taking the trouble to convey your thoughts on the issue.
Evelyn Buck

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Many of the tax payers in this Town are a little sick of the elitist exclusionary types who stole our museum.

Where is our museum and where are our artifacts?

Groups such as Wimpey Homes and others donated money back in the 1980s for a museum at THE CHURCH STREET SCHOOL

Where did those funds go?

Oh ....and "The Save the match-stick Petch house" group....

There is $50,000 available from a fund already.

Experts have said it can be done for that amount.

So why do we need all this extra song and dance.

Special interest groups make me ill when they are not transparent.

Anonymous said...

I’m curious to know how you feel about Cllr Piri’s motion to make recorded votes. Sounds like it won’t make a difference for some (you’ll have your opinion decided, but will listen to the other councillor’s debate if there is one), and will vote as you see fit. This could pose an issue for some councillors who maybe don’t think for themselves, and on past councils were just told how to vote. Do you care one way or the other? Do you feel you’re advantaged by being at the top of the list? Would you likely change your vote if you were the last one?