Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Circuitous
Logic":
Your analogy to the Library is not a valid one. You cannot
compare it to the Culture Centre.
The Library is governed under the
Province's Public Libraries Act. There is no similar legislation to govern how a
municipality runs a culture centre, senior centre or youth centre.As a
member of the Library Board, you should know this.
**************
As a former and repeat member of the board I do understand the analogy of Library to Culture Centre.
There are those who argue the Culture Board should be on the same footing as the Library Board.
I am not one.
The library is governed by the Public Library Act.
The municipality is required to provide funding .
When the library was an extension of education, the board had the same right as school boards to requisition funds.
If they were refused, there was a right of appeal. .
No longer..The municipality appoints board members and three Councillors serve on the board..
The board is composed entirely of members chosen by Council.
Council has authority over funds provided, the board has discretion over how they will be spent.
Library is a multi- faceted service.
It comes at a price.
$53.98 cents for every man woman and child in the town. Revenue is negligible.
Some taxpayers believe the price is too high. Service should not be free. Although a large percentage of the population use the library, not all do.
Council cannot dismiss those who do not. .
Some Councillors object every year and try to pare down the total..
The same Councillors who introduced the new burden and without as much as a by-your-leave ,are prepared to add culture services .with a budget along the lines of the library..
When the Historical Society withdrew commitment to manage the Church Street School Museum,they had the same idea. It's not clear where it came from.
The Society had fify-nine members and was providing no service at the time.
The collection was stored and space for the museum had been rented out to another organisation . But they felt within their rights to suggest the town should provide a budget along the lines of the library.
At the time , they were receiving and continue to receive a grant of $50,000 a year.
The museum was closed and the collection in storage since 2003..
Yet funds just kept pouring out of town coffers.
There can be no argument that library is expensive.
But cost must be measured against value received.
A visit to the library when it's teaming with people coming and going, mothers with two or three children, line-ups waiting for check-out , every computer occupied upstairs and down,
people lounging and reading in pleasant surroundings illustrates its popularity.
In times of high unemployment, the library is even busier, providing an essential resource ..
What we see is only part of what's provided.
I am content cost of service is commensurate to value.
I am not content for that burden to be increased for something as esoteric as culture,provided by a governing body, independent and separate from council.
In all conscience, it cannot be justified.
Last Tuesday, two people attended the meeting to hear discussion of the draft agreement .
When they left, the chief administrator left his seat and followed.
The Auroran reports the CAO and his staff are in full support of the draft agreement.
It is Council's responsibility to decide what new burdens will be placed on taxpayers.
Council will account to the electorate for stewardship..
Staff will account to Council.
Council will account to people who pay the bills. .
Saturday 15 December 2012
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11 comments:
The Former spent her morning decorating the tree on Ken Whitehurst's front lawn. What a lovely way to say
" Thank You ." Aurora also owes her a thank-you for her very generous gift of the Culture Centre which continues to cost and cost the tax-payers' money without end.
Apparently the CAO and his staff are in full support of the draft agreement - why wouldn't they be? - they drafted it.
It is up to Council to decide whether to approve it as drafted, or make further changes to it that will improve the document.
For how long has this final draft been available to members of Council? Has there been any informal discussion among them, any areas where amendments could or should be made?
I fear that this is another snow job, staff providing an extraordinarily long document that many will not be capable of understanding the "fine" print.
I do not believe that several members of Council are competent to read and thoroughly understand that on which they are being called upon to vote.
Ignorance is no excuse. Stupidity is no excuse. Inexperience is no excuse.
This draft agreement and accompanying lease are merely very miniature versions of the F-35 fighter jet.
If the federal government can push a reset button so can Aurora Council.
The passage of the existing draft agreement and lease will, as FDR said, "be a day to live in infamy."
WhY would Morris want to thank Mr Whitehurst? He ran her re-election campaign which she lost. And then he ran the election campaign for the Liberal running here which that individual lost too/. Morris gave him that cushy job at the Centre so why should she be thanking him ? For what?
I guess that trio do not see the irony in their trying to stiff the Library while doling out cash to a couple of outfits that take out ads in the papers thanking all their patrons - except for the Town of Aurora. Who, incidentally, had provided the land upon which they based their operations. Really sad that they cannot see the contradictions.
What do you expect? There are 4 individuals at the Council table who have carried the Royal Hand-bag. They are not all Councillors.
@ 2:22 PM:
Using the multi-billion dollar fighter jet contract as a "comparator"? Invoking Pearl Harbor? Really?
Where would we be without totally ridiculous comparisons and offensive, risible hyperbole?
to 5:25 PM
Possibly to see if you are still awake and paying attention.
Although you do sound somewhat intelligent and reasonably literate.
Do you take much of this seriously?
Following the usual Snark pattern, we can now expect a comment admiring it's comment. Along the line of " What a bright remark that was."5:25 PM " Hard to conceal that there is only one negative ion. And especially so when Evelyn has posted irrefutable facts.
To 8:43 PM:
Hahaha... Little connspiracy theories abound in little Aurora.
That's why I read this blog.
I read it because of you!
You are my "smile of the day".
Especially when the world is filled with so much that genuinely concerns me.
This one's for you, my precious 8:43Pm.....
Even though your comment doesn't add any facts, you are always ready with your studied observations, of any poster who might slip through the "official" screening process, to keep Blog's message pure.
It appears the Snark is reproducing.
Snarkettes, anyone?
To: 9:22 AM
The Snark is not reproducing. Believe it or not, there is more than one person that disagrees with the Town's Official Grandmother and resident curmudgeon.
The truth hurts I know.
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