"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

Wednesday 19 June 2013

a

A Late  Night

The Tall Ships are sailing into Toronto for the Redpath Festival. (t should be well worth  a train trip to Toronto with the young ones.

It's the stuff of memories. The kind that makes a child's imagination soar. Toronto  Centre Island is a magical  place. 

Last night was  a general committee meeting. The votes are to recommend to Council, Recorded votes are not taken in committee. So. I'm not  certain of the vote on the so-called  Heritage Park. It could  change again between now and  next Tuesday. 

But I don't think so. Everyone seemed  fairly strong in the conclusion they arrived at. 

No  public money was  allocated for a feasibility  study  for the HERITAGE PARK  whatever that may have been,

The vote was six to three. The debate was extensive.and I thought covered every angle. 

Some Councillors favoured the idea but didn't think  taxpayers should pay to prove the project is feasible.

Mr.Albino delegated again . He told us Mr.McIntyre was willing to sell his property to the town at several points below  value.

He noted Hillary  House would  be part of the project BUT didn't talk  about what  price the owner had in mind for the Redman Houe. 

Not that the Council chamber ,during a public meeting , is the place for real estate negotiations. 

Or the value of a  property is the price a buyer  is willing to pay. 

He  referred to people of status on the committee backing the proposal but didn't suggest willingness to invest in the project. 

The Mayor was enthusiastic about the idea. I don't imagine he will give up easily. The
next week will be a  test of resolve. But I don't think much will change . Most Councillors had solid reasons for their decision.

I called it a money grab. The Mayor scolded. Said the words were inappropriate.

I think "money-grab" is very appropriate terminology for that which I wished to convey. 

Councllor Gallo has his lap-top on the desk in front of him. He focused at one point in proving  what I thought happened previously had actually not . He shared the Mayor's enthusiasm but didn't think the taxpayers should pay to establish feasibility. 

Councillor Thompson was strong in his position the project had not been validated; 

I noted the Historical Society's dependence on the town for grant money to manage the Hillary House. 

I reminded Council of funds allocated from the hydro asset to create a home for the town's historical collection and how  trust  and confidence  were betrayed. 

But it's not done yet. Council is the vote that counts. 

I'm optimistic. 

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

It was cool when the spokesman said that a delay until next Feb. would mean that at least one of the houses would be off the market. Brinksmanship 101.
Has anyone actually been inside the one that has been boarded up for years?
A good evening's work. We'll have to see if it holds.

Anonymous said...

Optimistic? That makes a change from your usual pessimism...

Anonymous said...

Mr McIntyre may be willing to sell a few points below value, but what value? You can establish a market value for the land. Not for the land with the existing house on it. He will have only the offer[s], if there were any, to purchase which he has not accepted.

Anonymous said...

You aren't going to believe this. the Tories have filed a Conflict of Interest complaint againstJustin Trudeau.

Anonymous said...



This project is without a doubt one of the stupidest proposals to come before Aurora council in 20 years.

Anonymous said...

Are you allowed to call it " A pig in a poke "?

Anonymous said...

I sat down and watched the initial presentation by Mr.Albino.I was shocked that Mayor Dawe let him go on for 12 minutes before asking him to finish his presentation.Delegation is five minutes and the Mayor always reminds all at the mic.Mr Albino also requested in-camera meetings due to sensitivity of the issue.The whole thing smells.

Anonymous said...

My comment is not about the heritage park but I will make it here anyway.
I just caught up with reading the Auroran, particularly the article about Morris's latest litigation launch.
Here we bloody well go again! What is it about her ego that she feels entitled to a stash of taxpayer money? Didn't she plan for retirement during her working years?
MOVE ON, WOMAN!

Anonymous said...

6:34 PM
But she ' loves ' Aurora. It used to trumpet that on her web-site. Might still; I don't go there. What happens is every spring she starts thinking about yachts & how Aurora could finance one for her.

Anonymous said...

What a marvellous time to be an editorial cartoonist in Canada ! Every day, another target ! Every party, every province!

Anonymous said...

The Supremes have rejected Clayton Ruby's bid to have Ford's Conflict of Interest case heard.

Anonymous said...

6:34 - "MOVE ON, WOMAN!"

Same thing could be said to a number of people in this web site. It's been said but normally the person saying it gets labasted.

Kelli said...

Anonymous said...
Optimistic? That makes a change from your usual pessimism...

June 19, 2013 at 12:50 PM

There is a HUGE difference between being a pessimist, and be factual. Evelyn calls out all the "BS" that happens, and she always has the evidence to back it up. (that does'nt make her a pessimist it makes her honest, and forthright). And for the record, if she is such a pessimist why bother coming back to her blog at all? Oh wait a minute you must be one of the Morris puppets installed to cause said "BS". Hmmm one of the three stooges, or perhaps Evalina? the Queen herself? Oh that rats availble to choose from are endless........

Anonymous said...

Kelli, Kelli, Kelli, what "Evelyn" offers are her perspective and opinions - the very same that any of us here can contribute.

p.s. I call "BS" on your Morrisite accusation.

Kelli said...

Anonymous said...
Kelli, Kelli, Kelli, what "Evelyn" offers are her perspective and opinions - the very same that any of us here can contribute.

p.s. I call "BS" on your Morrisite accusation.

June 20, 2013 at 11:11 AM


I wish I could take your comments seriously but seeing as how you choose to hide behind "Anonymous" your credit and any respect attached to your coments ... well "BS". Oh and on your second sentiment, have you ever heard the term "methinks one doth protest too much" OR "if it walks, talks and quacks like a duck ....."

Anonymous said...

Excuse me, 11:11 AM, but the ' anonymous ' that conceals identities on the Blog precludes anyone from 'calling B.S ". There is no weight to your opinion or to mine.

HRH, Charles Windsor said...

5:23... "There is no weight to your opinion or to mine."

If that was the case then why are they here? You could make this blog so that you have to provide your SIN in order to post, does that make a comment "have weight"? Go to blog like C.Watts, he mandates that you authenticate yourself. Count how many comments he gets.... you can do the counting on 1 hand... no sorry, 1 finger and you will still have too many fingers.

I disagree, Anonymous posts are just as valid as named. I can put any name that I want, doesn't make it valid or carry more weight.