I moved into my house in November 1963. It was built for us. No-one else has ever lived in the house.
In my last weeks of pregnancy we received notice to vacate the house we were renting in Toronto.
In the weeks between then and the house being ready we had to move twice . Once to a model house on Murray Driive. With four hills rein, one a new born.
I vowed never to be subject to someone else!s authority again. And I have not.
Restriction on laundry lines only applied to end homes in town house developments. Logic being , the sight of a family's. personals on a line in full view of the street adds. nothing to the. Landscape of the neighbourhood. .
Residents could use any other means of drying washing outdoors. An umbrella dryer is an example.
The "Right to Dry ". campaign was typical of the easy scams perpetrated with the help of the Toronto media.
It always. was much ado about nothing.
Someone has asked why Councillor Abel and I don't "Have it out" in the Council Chamber.
Having a different viewpoint is just about having a different viewpoint. There is nothing to "Have out"
Also, rules of order revised by this Council cut down substantially on opportunity to participate in a full discussion of any issue, no matter how significant.
I will do another post on that a aspect of our difficulties. By itself ,it's a substantial reduction. And we did it to ourselves.
Wednesday 31 July 2013
A Daily Chore
I was hanging out my wash in the early morning. The sun was warm , the breeze was blowing about my ears and I could feel my hair . I thought about how long I'd been doing this chore and enjoyed it as much today as I always have.
Standing there , pegging out the garments one at a time thinking about things as I always have ,means nothing whatsoever has changed about the moment.
I have another routine of doing a quiick mental calculation about the price of something bought in bulk, as opposed to single packaging. It isn't always cheaper.
That took me to thinking about two hours of a Council meeting spent in social chit-chat,no town business being accomplished and the cost of the exercise.
Nine department heads are in attendance at meetings. Add the Mayor and combined salary of three other staff and we have a multiplication factor of twelve.
An average salary of $156,000 a year makes the calulation simple.
Weekly salary is $3,000. Daily is $600. An eight hour day costs in excess of $80. per hour per person.
Two hours therefore is $160 . Multiplied by twelve amounts to $2000.
That's the salary cost of those two hours.
The figure is relevant . Time staff spend at Council meetings entitle them to time off in lieu or additonal salary.
Regulations changed a few years ago requiring municipalities , to pay staff for additional hours rather than provide time off in lieu beyond a maimum number of extra hours worked.
The last Council meeting started at six and lasted until midnight. We didn't complete the business. Not all staff were present all the time.
But all were present for the social chit-chat was happening , when no town business was being accomplished.
In the first year of the term budget discussions, Councillor Able told Council he had not met anyone complaining about high taxes.
For the Councillor that apparently meant we could increase taxes without concern.
It's an example of where we differ in our view.
The average tax bill, without including water,sewer and storm water pond charges, was $3,600. It
represents $300 a month
If a person living on old age security, unemployment insurance or government long term disabilty has an income of $1,400 a month, a Councillor should not need to be told property taxes are a totally disproportionate amount of that income and represent a considerable hardship.
A home is often the only asset to show for a lifetime of work, supporting a family, paying taxes
and contributing in many ways to the community.
Watching it swish down the toilet at a regular Council meeting by mis-use of the corporate business meeting to promote interests of various organisations that have nothing to do with town business or expensive administrative staff doesn't make it easier to accept unnecessary tax increases.
Councillor Abel and myself are a canyon width apart on the issue of burdening the community with regular tax increases.
Standing there , pegging out the garments one at a time thinking about things as I always have ,means nothing whatsoever has changed about the moment.
I have another routine of doing a quiick mental calculation about the price of something bought in bulk, as opposed to single packaging. It isn't always cheaper.
That took me to thinking about two hours of a Council meeting spent in social chit-chat,no town business being accomplished and the cost of the exercise.
Nine department heads are in attendance at meetings. Add the Mayor and combined salary of three other staff and we have a multiplication factor of twelve.
An average salary of $156,000 a year makes the calulation simple.
Weekly salary is $3,000. Daily is $600. An eight hour day costs in excess of $80. per hour per person.
Two hours therefore is $160 . Multiplied by twelve amounts to $2000.
That's the salary cost of those two hours.
The figure is relevant . Time staff spend at Council meetings entitle them to time off in lieu or additonal salary.
Regulations changed a few years ago requiring municipalities , to pay staff for additional hours rather than provide time off in lieu beyond a maimum number of extra hours worked.
The last Council meeting started at six and lasted until midnight. We didn't complete the business. Not all staff were present all the time.
But all were present for the social chit-chat was happening , when no town business was being accomplished.
In the first year of the term budget discussions, Councillor Able told Council he had not met anyone complaining about high taxes.
For the Councillor that apparently meant we could increase taxes without concern.
It's an example of where we differ in our view.
The average tax bill, without including water,sewer and storm water pond charges, was $3,600. It
represents $300 a month
If a person living on old age security, unemployment insurance or government long term disabilty has an income of $1,400 a month, a Councillor should not need to be told property taxes are a totally disproportionate amount of that income and represent a considerable hardship.
A home is often the only asset to show for a lifetime of work, supporting a family, paying taxes
and contributing in many ways to the community.
Watching it swish down the toilet at a regular Council meeting by mis-use of the corporate business meeting to promote interests of various organisations that have nothing to do with town business or expensive administrative staff doesn't make it easier to accept unnecessary tax increases.
Councillor Abel and myself are a canyon width apart on the issue of burdening the community with regular tax increases.
Monday 29 July 2013
Let Me Count The Ways
You can ask me how I would run things
It would take more than a blog to outline,
But the first thing I would do is remind Council and the administration ,the function of Council is the business of the Corporation.
It is why we are elected. Why we are sworn into office.
It is why we are paid for our services.
To be making important decisions at midnight ,after six hours at the table, and consistently not completing an agenda , is neither efficient nor transparent.
The function of Council is not to act as social convener for the entire community . Certainly not to put that aspect of the community's affairs ahead of the business of the corporation.
The voluntary sector of the community is separate from municipal business.
Council is not an adjunct to provide promotional services to the voluntary sector.
Volunteers have proven themselves to be entirely self-sufficient without having politicians muscle in to share the limelight.
Whatever support is needed from Council should not interfere with the corporation's business from running smoothly and efficiently.
****************************
I brought four new-borns home in Aurora starting fifty -three years ago.
I never saw a public health nurse.
Well Baby care was their mandate before we had a health care system.
What does it have to do with the Municipality?
The Public Health Board functions at the Regional level of government. The Region makes appointments to the board. The Region pays a portion of the Public Health Board's budget.
The municipal property owner provides the Region with the tax resources to support the Public Health Board.
I ask again. If the Public Health Board in Toronto considered it their concern to determine how many cyclist were being hit by opening car doors...why aren't Public Health urses concerned about how many infants have died locked in the family car in a heat wave?
Where are they? Are they still on the public pay roll. What has been their mandate in the last fifty years since we have had a health care system and families have access to health care by medical practitioners?
Is te question not elevant?
It would take more than a blog to outline,
But the first thing I would do is remind Council and the administration ,the function of Council is the business of the Corporation.
It is why we are elected. Why we are sworn into office.
It is why we are paid for our services.
To be making important decisions at midnight ,after six hours at the table, and consistently not completing an agenda , is neither efficient nor transparent.
The function of Council is not to act as social convener for the entire community . Certainly not to put that aspect of the community's affairs ahead of the business of the corporation.
The voluntary sector of the community is separate from municipal business.
Council is not an adjunct to provide promotional services to the voluntary sector.
Volunteers have proven themselves to be entirely self-sufficient without having politicians muscle in to share the limelight.
Whatever support is needed from Council should not interfere with the corporation's business from running smoothly and efficiently.
****************************
I brought four new-borns home in Aurora starting fifty -three years ago.
I never saw a public health nurse.
Well Baby care was their mandate before we had a health care system.
What does it have to do with the Municipality?
The Public Health Board functions at the Regional level of government. The Region makes appointments to the board. The Region pays a portion of the Public Health Board's budget.
The municipal property owner provides the Region with the tax resources to support the Public Health Board.
I ask again. If the Public Health Board in Toronto considered it their concern to determine how many cyclist were being hit by opening car doors...why aren't Public Health urses concerned about how many infants have died locked in the family car in a heat wave?
Where are they? Are they still on the public pay roll. What has been their mandate in the last fifty years since we have had a health care system and families have access to health care by medical practitioners?
Is te question not elevant?
Things Are Not Always As They Seem
I think, in time, the blog will become the great leveller in society.
We all know about current stratas; wealth, profession, wealth,academe, wealth, address and so on and so forth; all the credentials needed for some to feel superior to others which appears at times to be the greatest need of all.
The comment no doubt has been noted that I do not publish all I receive.
It's true.
It's not wrong.
I do discriminate.
I do not publish comments that call me a snob or a hypocrite.
I've been writing the blog for six years; since the second year of the previous term of Council.
At the time, it was the ends justifying the means.
Since then I have slipped into a comfortable routine.
There have always been readers who hate what they see here.
At first I gave them leeway. Then I thought; how stupid is that?
If they want uncivil comments to be read about my blog, let them write their own.
I do allow critical comments about politicians.
It's one of the hazards of the occupation.
I think that while it may be uncomfortable, it is also useful for elected representatives to know how people are reacting to decisions and how they are being made.
It's better than a poll. Questions are not contrived to skew the answers.
It appears readers think of this as their own blog .
That applies to those who don't like it and complain about not being able to freely express their hostility .
Well it is yours. You are free to say what you want. As I am free not to publish if I don't want.
But I read your comment before making that decision.
I simply refuse to allow you to accuse me of being a snob and a hypocrite.
I do not have to believe I am something I am not ,to feel good about myself.
I am content to be who I am.
I do not believe a Council that thinks as a block is an effective Council. .
The opposite is true.
It is entirely reasonable to expect a nine member Council might reflect several different
perspectives and a deal of work is required before a reasonable majority can be obtained.
That work should be open and plain for all to see.
Obtaining a majority for the sake of it, by back room deals ,and slippery , underhanded means is not my idea of good governance.
An appearance of "unity" is not necessarily a reflection of integrity or intelligence.
We all know about current stratas; wealth, profession, wealth,academe, wealth, address and so on and so forth; all the credentials needed for some to feel superior to others which appears at times to be the greatest need of all.
The comment no doubt has been noted that I do not publish all I receive.
It's true.
It's not wrong.
I do discriminate.
I do not publish comments that call me a snob or a hypocrite.
I've been writing the blog for six years; since the second year of the previous term of Council.
At the time, it was the ends justifying the means.
Since then I have slipped into a comfortable routine.
There have always been readers who hate what they see here.
At first I gave them leeway. Then I thought; how stupid is that?
If they want uncivil comments to be read about my blog, let them write their own.
I do allow critical comments about politicians.
It's one of the hazards of the occupation.
I think that while it may be uncomfortable, it is also useful for elected representatives to know how people are reacting to decisions and how they are being made.
It's better than a poll. Questions are not contrived to skew the answers.
It appears readers think of this as their own blog .
That applies to those who don't like it and complain about not being able to freely express their hostility .
Well it is yours. You are free to say what you want. As I am free not to publish if I don't want.
But I read your comment before making that decision.
I simply refuse to allow you to accuse me of being a snob and a hypocrite.
I do not have to believe I am something I am not ,to feel good about myself.
I am content to be who I am.
I do not believe a Council that thinks as a block is an effective Council. .
The opposite is true.
It is entirely reasonable to expect a nine member Council might reflect several different
perspectives and a deal of work is required before a reasonable majority can be obtained.
That work should be open and plain for all to see.
Obtaining a majority for the sake of it, by back room deals ,and slippery , underhanded means is not my idea of good governance.
An appearance of "unity" is not necessarily a reflection of integrity or intelligence.
Sunday 28 July 2013
John Abel's Guest Post
John Abel has left a new comment on your post "Beatitudes are Blessed ...":
"That is the Question" Councillor Buck's Blog, July 4, 2013.
Councillor Buck goes on to say;
"Development Charges are collected at the time building permits are issued. Families buying homes pay for the new facilities. No part of the cost of new recreational facilities are funded from the annual tax levy"
Repair and Replacement of Town facilities are funded from the annual tax levy. Our Council recently approved a 10 year Capital Budget Plan for our roads, facilities and fleet. I believe Aurora is the first municipality in the Region to employ such a plan.
The upgrade to the AFLC to accommodate the addition of a Youth Centre will be funded by Development Charges. This is an opportunity to address some of the design shortcomings of the AFLC at no cost or burden to the taxpayer.
Some of the comments posted voice their concerns about this project primarily on the cost and that it will be a burden to the tax levy. They may not be aware that the funding for the Youth Centre and the Upgrade to the AFLC is from Development Charges.
************************************
To be precise, ninety per cent of development charge levies pay for capital costs of new facilities. Ten per cent can be sourced from the tax levy.
It can also be paid by the sports organization which is the greater user of the facility. Or from the
In Lieu of parks reserve fund.
I question John's understanding that "alterations" to the AFLC can be paid from Development Charges.
It was one of the two questions I requested clarified before the vote was taken .
The Mayor refused to allow the questions .
We were voting to increase an allocation of funds from $4.6 million dollars to $7.4 million and the Mayor saw fit to cut the debate to time allocated.
We can afford millions of dollars of expenditure but not the time needed to examine the details.
During the discussion the question was asked if modification for existing facilities could be funded from development charges. I understand they can not. I believe the answer given confirmed my understanding.
It also seemed obvious that Councillors had a different understanding of the facts.
The situation exemplifies the shortcomings of the Dawe Mayoralty.
We had a single meeting in July. No general committee.
The agenda was huge and matters to be decided were significant.
The hour of commencement was 7p.m.
Discussion of the business of the Corporation was not started until nine p.m.
Instead of being completed by the publicized hour of adjournment , it continued until midnight and was not complete at that time.
Our community is not well served by this haphazard process.
"That is the Question" Councillor Buck's Blog, July 4, 2013.
Councillor Buck goes on to say;
"Development Charges are collected at the time building permits are issued. Families buying homes pay for the new facilities. No part of the cost of new recreational facilities are funded from the annual tax levy"
Repair and Replacement of Town facilities are funded from the annual tax levy. Our Council recently approved a 10 year Capital Budget Plan for our roads, facilities and fleet. I believe Aurora is the first municipality in the Region to employ such a plan.
The upgrade to the AFLC to accommodate the addition of a Youth Centre will be funded by Development Charges. This is an opportunity to address some of the design shortcomings of the AFLC at no cost or burden to the taxpayer.
Some of the comments posted voice their concerns about this project primarily on the cost and that it will be a burden to the tax levy. They may not be aware that the funding for the Youth Centre and the Upgrade to the AFLC is from Development Charges.
************************************
To be precise, ninety per cent of development charge levies pay for capital costs of new facilities. Ten per cent can be sourced from the tax levy.
It can also be paid by the sports organization which is the greater user of the facility. Or from the
In Lieu of parks reserve fund.
I question John's understanding that "alterations" to the AFLC can be paid from Development Charges.
It was one of the two questions I requested clarified before the vote was taken .
The Mayor refused to allow the questions .
We were voting to increase an allocation of funds from $4.6 million dollars to $7.4 million and the Mayor saw fit to cut the debate to time allocated.
We can afford millions of dollars of expenditure but not the time needed to examine the details.
During the discussion the question was asked if modification for existing facilities could be funded from development charges. I understand they can not. I believe the answer given confirmed my understanding.
It also seemed obvious that Councillors had a different understanding of the facts.
The situation exemplifies the shortcomings of the Dawe Mayoralty.
We had a single meeting in July. No general committee.
The agenda was huge and matters to be decided were significant.
The hour of commencement was 7p.m.
Discussion of the business of the Corporation was not started until nine p.m.
Instead of being completed by the publicized hour of adjournment , it continued until midnight and was not complete at that time.
Our community is not well served by this haphazard process.
Saturday 27 July 2013
NEWS FLASH
Toronto's Board of Health wants Police to check for how many cyclists are hit by car doors opening.
That reminds me of a question . Public Health Nurses are esponsible for the health of children in the Province.
The program was started during the Depression in the thirties in Canada.
Since then we have had health and hospital care program.s.
How much responsibility does that leave for Public Health Nurses?
When so many small children were suffocated to death in locked cars recently, why were the Public Health Nurses not in evidence ?
Why were they not calling for police taction. then?
What service are we receiving from Public Health Nursing Services?
That reminds me of a question . Public Health Nurses are esponsible for the health of children in the Province.
The program was started during the Depression in the thirties in Canada.
Since then we have had health and hospital care program.s.
How much responsibility does that leave for Public Health Nurses?
When so many small children were suffocated to death in locked cars recently, why were the Public Health Nurses not in evidence ?
Why were they not calling for police taction. then?
What service are we receiving from Public Health Nursing Services?
Five Little Monkeys Sitting On The Bed
No single Councillor has authority to make decisions. A majority is required. That's five votes when all members are present.
Mayor Dawe, Councillors Abel, Thompson, Humphryes and Pirri were the five who voted in favour of approving an additional $2.6 million to tthe original estimate of$4.8 million.
Councillor Abel is the only one who has put his arguments into writing.
The Mayor expressed appreciation that eight students from local high schools formed the steering committee with staff and architect representation.
Councillor Humphryes arguments are not clear.
Councillor Pirri argued that as the youngest member of Council, he has a better appreciation of why the project wss exciting to the youth involved.
He also argued for parents of youth. They want their children to have something to do after school.
They do not want them to b e pre-occupied with game playing technology.
All members had their arguments ready. As if pre-rehearsed.
I found them to be without substance or persuasion
The thinking was shallow .
I realize my comments do not reflect well upon the majority who made the decision.
But they passed the Code and Clause 3 requires me to follow this direction. when relaying any information.
A Tangled Web has been woven
In the first budget of this term the question of repairs to the ice-making equipment and other items at he Family Leisure Complex were discussed.
I argued against continued maintenance of an extravagant and inefficient ice-making operation..
I suggested the arena be de-commissioned and the space used for a youth program.
Staff reported the arena was home to the Aurora Figure Skating Club.
I received no support.
The Figure Skating Club is reported by staff to be excited about the youth centre .
It might mean an increase in their membership and make their program less expensive and more
accessible and financially viable.
When the Stronach Centre was being planned ,I argued for an additional ice surface at that location and de-commissioning the ice surface at the Leisure Complex because of the extravagant water use and financial inefficiency.
I received no support.
When the need for a Youth Centre was discussed I voiced my support for particular needs which were not reflected in bureaucratic plans.
There was some stirring of support. Not from John Abel that I recall.
The fact is , there has been experience in providing a service. The last operating program was Councillor Gaertner's non-profit Hot Spot Club.
Its first location was Regency Public School.
While it operated in Lion's Club Hall on Victoria Street, it was well attended.
Then Bingo funds ceased to be available. The cost of rent and insurance for damage to the facility by the little darlings proved to be too much for membership and admission charges to handle.
The program transferred to the auditorium of the community centre on Aurora Heights Drive. .
Attendance dropped to as few as twelve . A grant was applied for to cover rent. The program still failed to attract attendance.
The Aurora Family Leisure Complex is not more convenient access. That argument is specious.
During the last discussion that saw a five to four vote in favour of approving $2.6 million increase in allocation of funds, the question was asked; what is required to be done at the AFLC to bring it up to code.
Director of Leisure Services responded $150.000 to replace the elevator.
Councillor Thompson later argued the $2,6 million extra allocation is required to bring the building up to code.
Mayor Dawe refused to allow a question to allow that fact to be clarified.
Councillor Thompson used the wrong figures to support additional funds being approved.
I argued against continued maintenance of an extravagant and inefficient ice-making operation..
I suggested the arena be de-commissioned and the space used for a youth program.
Staff reported the arena was home to the Aurora Figure Skating Club.
I received no support.
The Figure Skating Club is reported by staff to be excited about the youth centre .
It might mean an increase in their membership and make their program less expensive and more
accessible and financially viable.
When the Stronach Centre was being planned ,I argued for an additional ice surface at that location and de-commissioning the ice surface at the Leisure Complex because of the extravagant water use and financial inefficiency.
I received no support.
When the need for a Youth Centre was discussed I voiced my support for particular needs which were not reflected in bureaucratic plans.
There was some stirring of support. Not from John Abel that I recall.
The fact is , there has been experience in providing a service. The last operating program was Councillor Gaertner's non-profit Hot Spot Club.
Its first location was Regency Public School.
While it operated in Lion's Club Hall on Victoria Street, it was well attended.
Then Bingo funds ceased to be available. The cost of rent and insurance for damage to the facility by the little darlings proved to be too much for membership and admission charges to handle.
The program transferred to the auditorium of the community centre on Aurora Heights Drive. .
Attendance dropped to as few as twelve . A grant was applied for to cover rent. The program still failed to attract attendance.
The Aurora Family Leisure Complex is not more convenient access. That argument is specious.
During the last discussion that saw a five to four vote in favour of approving $2.6 million increase in allocation of funds, the question was asked; what is required to be done at the AFLC to bring it up to code.
Director of Leisure Services responded $150.000 to replace the elevator.
Councillor Thompson later argued the $2,6 million extra allocation is required to bring the building up to code.
Mayor Dawe refused to allow a question to allow that fact to be clarified.
Councillor Thompson used the wrong figures to support additional funds being approved.
Beatitudes are Blessed ...
Tyler Barker has left a new comment on your post "Guest Post Councillor Abel":
my reference to a political agenda was not in regard to Mr. Abel but in regards to his comment that people that are against the youth center all have one I believe his intentions on this matter are very sincere this will be my last post on the matter
***************************
Tyler Barker is a young man in his mid twenties and a member of the town's accessibility advisory committee. He often delegates to Council on mobility matters. As with many others in his circumstances, every day of his life is a challenge. He needs help. John Abel helps .They are friends.
I welcome Tyler's participation in the conversation here. I hope he continues. With or without his signature.
I find John Abel's dissertation on the AFLC site for a youth centre and defense of immediate and unquestioning support of an additional $2.6 million over original estimates to be without merit.
Clause 11 of the Code of Conduct deals with Harassment in the Workplace even though it is covered under the Ontario Human Rights Code.
John offers a bunch of sanctimonious, holier than thou claptrap to explain the difference between his position and those who disagree.
C'est moi.
I do not take insult lightly. As a politician perfectly capable of defending myself, I am here to declare:
HAVE AT YOU,JOHN.
OUR SWORDS ARE CROSSED.
If a fight is what you want it's what you'll get.
I don't care how sincere your intentions are. Pick on someone your own size why don't cha?
Like Da Code tells us to, I'm here to tell you,
YOU GOTTA A BAD ATTITUDE, DUDE!!!!!
my reference to a political agenda was not in regard to Mr. Abel but in regards to his comment that people that are against the youth center all have one I believe his intentions on this matter are very sincere this will be my last post on the matter
***************************
Tyler Barker is a young man in his mid twenties and a member of the town's accessibility advisory committee. He often delegates to Council on mobility matters. As with many others in his circumstances, every day of his life is a challenge. He needs help. John Abel helps .They are friends.
I welcome Tyler's participation in the conversation here. I hope he continues. With or without his signature.
I find John Abel's dissertation on the AFLC site for a youth centre and defense of immediate and unquestioning support of an additional $2.6 million over original estimates to be without merit.
Clause 11 of the Code of Conduct deals with Harassment in the Workplace even though it is covered under the Ontario Human Rights Code.
John offers a bunch of sanctimonious, holier than thou claptrap to explain the difference between his position and those who disagree.
C'est moi.
I do not take insult lightly. As a politician perfectly capable of defending myself, I am here to declare:
HAVE AT YOU,JOHN.
OUR SWORDS ARE CROSSED.
If a fight is what you want it's what you'll get.
I don't care how sincere your intentions are. Pick on someone your own size why don't cha?
Like Da Code tells us to, I'm here to tell you,
YOU GOTTA A BAD ATTITUDE, DUDE!!!!!
Friday 26 July 2013
Da code is the law.
7:57 AM
If I read the comment of 7:21 PM correctly, the point would appear to be that nothing positive has emerged from this Council. And I tend to agree that there is a lack of constructive projects and plans that might be able to make the councillors work as a team.
*******************************
Some times I lose confidence and think it's not reasonable to expect the public to recognise the crux of the problem just from the dynamics of council.
Then a comment goes straight to the core amd I take comfort again.
Council has passed another unenforceable Bylaw; a combination of the previous Codes of Conduct and Ethics and a perfect illustration of lack of understanding of the antipathy the community had to the basic concept.
Passing a new code to govern political conduct proved beyond a doubt how little this Council has grown in two and a half years of exercising authority delegated by the electorate.
Da Code requires Councillors to read and understand it and sign it to convey their commitment.
It's a standard piece of writing. Recommended by staff. Obviously Councillors did not feel the need to read and understand it.
Just like the last lot.
Staff were asked to combine the two previous Codes and they did. Staff are not politicians.
The document is chock-a -block full of pitfalls for politicians.
If politicians are not sharp enough to recognize the job is not like any other, how can they be protected from themselves.
Clause 3 on Communications, requires Councillors ,even if they disagree with the majority, to
accurately portray decisions and attitude of the majority in the making of same.
In following the Code, I could say "The devil made me do it" or more to the point, " The Code requires me to do it"
I have read it. I do understand it to the letter.
In speaking to attitude:
I believe the Mayor has steadfastly refused to exercise his role of leadership and guidance as spelled out in The Municipal Act. I knew it was going to be difficult for him to provide guidance to others when he didn't know where he was going himself.
I did not anticipate that he knew exactly how he intended to exploit the opportunity and that he would opt out of leadership altogether and chose what he perceived to be the safer route.
He aligned himself completely with the administration and made no effort to identify with Council.
Our Mayor is an elitist. Thinks he knows how to handle people.
He's wrong about that.
As are most who believe leadership is about "handling people"
His attitude is not good.
A Council needs to agree on one principle only; the common objective of service.
If the Mayor is focussed simply on covering his own ass, no possibility exists of creating a cohesive working Council.
A divided Council is an ineffective Council
Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
We are almost two-thirds through the current term.
Time for assessments to begin .
Tuesday 23 July 2013
Abel's Argument Is A Crock
The point of Councillor Abel's argument has no more validity now than when presented at the last Council meeting.
The recommendation was to increase the allocation of funds from $4.8 to $7.4 million,
The debate was not about providing a youth centre. It was for taking time to review the new information before making a final decision about the site selected.
The five who voted in favour were prepared to decide, not to debate. One might even suspect the decision was made before the issue was raised at the Council table.
It should be noted , the split is down the middle on this one.
If Council represents the community, the odds are, the community is also evenly divided .
Those are not good odds when deciding a capital spending project. It means half the community is foisting it's will on the other half.
A Council focussed on satisfying needs will work harder to gain a consensus which includes community input.
It's not all about winning. It's about doing the rtight thing..
Funding for the project is proposed by internal borrowing. From the Hydro Asset Reserve Fund.
The same source for the joint facility of public works and parks.
Which, by the way includes a million dollars for SNOW STORAGE FACILITY
That should be our new logo.
IN AURORA , WE HAVE OUTDOOR CLOTHES LINES AND WE STORE SNOW
FOR AN ELECT ION CAMPAIGN SLOGAN ;
BY SLEIGHT OF HAND ,HOW TO MAKE A MULTI- MILLION DOLLAR ASSET INTO A MULTI MILLION DOLLAR DEBT.
The recommendation was to increase the allocation of funds from $4.8 to $7.4 million,
The debate was not about providing a youth centre. It was for taking time to review the new information before making a final decision about the site selected.
The five who voted in favour were prepared to decide, not to debate. One might even suspect the decision was made before the issue was raised at the Council table.
It should be noted , the split is down the middle on this one.
If Council represents the community, the odds are, the community is also evenly divided .
Those are not good odds when deciding a capital spending project. It means half the community is foisting it's will on the other half.
A Council focussed on satisfying needs will work harder to gain a consensus which includes community input.
It's not all about winning. It's about doing the rtight thing..
Funding for the project is proposed by internal borrowing. From the Hydro Asset Reserve Fund.
The same source for the joint facility of public works and parks.
Which, by the way includes a million dollars for SNOW STORAGE FACILITY
That should be our new logo.
IN AURORA , WE HAVE OUTDOOR CLOTHES LINES AND WE STORE SNOW
FOR AN ELECT ION CAMPAIGN SLOGAN ;
BY SLEIGHT OF HAND ,HOW TO MAKE A MULTI- MILLION DOLLAR ASSET INTO A MULTI MILLION DOLLAR DEBT.
Guest Post Councillor Abel
John Abel has left a new comment on your post "Mathematical Conundrums":
I voted in favour of the cost to upgrade the Aurora Family Leisure Complex - AFLC. It is an increase in cost for the construction of an addition to the AFLC for a Youth Centre Facility.
The vote was 5 in favour, four against. It was the exact same vote taken in May (2013) when the budget for the facility was first approved.
To tear down the AFLC and build a Youth Centre from scratch, with a rink and pool would cost over $30 million.
To purchase land and make a stand alone Youth Complex would be at least $20 million.
As it is, the total cost is;
$4.8 million for Youth Facility ( May 2013 )
+ $2.6 AFLC upgrade (July 2013)
= $7.4 million ( plus permit fees ) Total
To postulate over $10 million is misleading. So is the statement - there is no public transit. The AFLC has designs flaws, but not structural flaws. Property taxes will increase, yes, but not due to the construction of the Youth Centre, or the AFLC upgrades.
90% of the cost is funded from DC's. For a term of 30 - 50 years, the construction of this facility will have little impact on property taxes. There will be additional funding from grants, community organizations, advertising revenue to help offset the Town's contribution.
The issue is not; are we going to pay.... it's are we going to pay now, up front, or are we going to pay more, a whole lot more later on.
How do we enhance our children's mastery over the tools needed to live intelligent, creative and involved lives? By investing fully in children today, we will ensure the well-being and productivity of future generations for decades to come.
That is why we provide schools, libraries, and recreational facilities.
Today, we are using 11 different facilities to run the 145 youth programs.
Dedicated youth space would allow the Town to offer more diversified programming, which would gear more towards special interests (i.e. technology, cooking, theatre, etc )
A recent article in the Toronto Sun "it takes a true political Leader to invest in children, because children can't vote"
There is an obesity crisis among our youth.
Unsupervised, inactive kids are glued motionless to social media.
It is imperative to take an action when presented all the documentation. Delays and deferrals can cost the taxpayers a lot of money. Council's job it to be informed and to make decisions.
DC funding is available for recreational facilities, and a long overdue (since year 2000 ) facility has been identified by Staff ( 4 separate reports on Youth Needs ) The Youth Centre has been set as a high priority.
By combining and constructing an addition to the AFLC, which is an excellent location, we can save millions of dollars.
The AFLC is a burden left for our Council to address. It has to be brought up to code, and modified to meet the design shortcomings of a past Council decision.
Why did four Councillors vote against a Youth Centre in the first place?
Have they forgotten about our children and forsaken the next generation?
Tyler might be correct. This could be a 2014 election issue.
In 2010, the issue was a Town funded SLAPP Litigation, approved by the then Council, that was front and centre during the 2010 election campaign. That didn't sit well with the electorate.
In this case, opposing the Youth Centre is about supporting the same political agenda. Ignore the reports, mislead the facts, and create division & confusion. Only empty heads and empty hearts would adhere to that sort of rationale.
If we don't stand up for youth, then we don't stand up for much.
Children are a quality of life. When our children are happy, then we are all better human beings.
Why did I vote in favour?
It's about investing in an identified, well researched, facility, funded through growth revenues (DC's ) that provides services for our Youth.
Our community is better, more attractive, and subsequently drives up our retail property values.
An opportunity to invest in our Youth and our Community, that's why I voted in favour of the staff recommendation.
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Posted by John Abel to Our Town and Its Business at July 22, 2013 at 2:55 PM
I voted in favour of the cost to upgrade the Aurora Family Leisure Complex - AFLC. It is an increase in cost for the construction of an addition to the AFLC for a Youth Centre Facility.
The vote was 5 in favour, four against. It was the exact same vote taken in May (2013) when the budget for the facility was first approved.
To tear down the AFLC and build a Youth Centre from scratch, with a rink and pool would cost over $30 million.
To purchase land and make a stand alone Youth Complex would be at least $20 million.
As it is, the total cost is;
$4.8 million for Youth Facility ( May 2013 )
+ $2.6 AFLC upgrade (July 2013)
= $7.4 million ( plus permit fees ) Total
To postulate over $10 million is misleading. So is the statement - there is no public transit. The AFLC has designs flaws, but not structural flaws. Property taxes will increase, yes, but not due to the construction of the Youth Centre, or the AFLC upgrades.
90% of the cost is funded from DC's. For a term of 30 - 50 years, the construction of this facility will have little impact on property taxes. There will be additional funding from grants, community organizations, advertising revenue to help offset the Town's contribution.
The issue is not; are we going to pay.... it's are we going to pay now, up front, or are we going to pay more, a whole lot more later on.
How do we enhance our children's mastery over the tools needed to live intelligent, creative and involved lives? By investing fully in children today, we will ensure the well-being and productivity of future generations for decades to come.
That is why we provide schools, libraries, and recreational facilities.
Today, we are using 11 different facilities to run the 145 youth programs.
Dedicated youth space would allow the Town to offer more diversified programming, which would gear more towards special interests (i.e. technology, cooking, theatre, etc )
A recent article in the Toronto Sun "it takes a true political Leader to invest in children, because children can't vote"
There is an obesity crisis among our youth.
Unsupervised, inactive kids are glued motionless to social media.
It is imperative to take an action when presented all the documentation. Delays and deferrals can cost the taxpayers a lot of money. Council's job it to be informed and to make decisions.
DC funding is available for recreational facilities, and a long overdue (since year 2000 ) facility has been identified by Staff ( 4 separate reports on Youth Needs ) The Youth Centre has been set as a high priority.
By combining and constructing an addition to the AFLC, which is an excellent location, we can save millions of dollars.
The AFLC is a burden left for our Council to address. It has to be brought up to code, and modified to meet the design shortcomings of a past Council decision.
Why did four Councillors vote against a Youth Centre in the first place?
Have they forgotten about our children and forsaken the next generation?
Tyler might be correct. This could be a 2014 election issue.
In 2010, the issue was a Town funded SLAPP Litigation, approved by the then Council, that was front and centre during the 2010 election campaign. That didn't sit well with the electorate.
In this case, opposing the Youth Centre is about supporting the same political agenda. Ignore the reports, mislead the facts, and create division & confusion. Only empty heads and empty hearts would adhere to that sort of rationale.
If we don't stand up for youth, then we don't stand up for much.
Children are a quality of life. When our children are happy, then we are all better human beings.
Why did I vote in favour?
It's about investing in an identified, well researched, facility, funded through growth revenues (DC's ) that provides services for our Youth.
Our community is better, more attractive, and subsequently drives up our retail property values.
An opportunity to invest in our Youth and our Community, that's why I voted in favour of the staff recommendation.
Publish
Delete
Mark as spam
Moderate comments for this blog.
Posted by John Abel to Our Town and Its Business at July 22, 2013 at 2:55 PM
Thursday 18 July 2013
Mathematical Conundrums
If six halves of grapefruit are placed together on the table ,is the total three whole grapefruit?
Yes indeed.
If six half intellects are seated around a table , is the total three pr even one whole intellect?
Not a chance,.
Last week's news was full of tumult catastrophe. and grief.
Floods wiped out homes and belongings in the west. A runaway train created nferno in a small town and fifty lives were lost.
In Pamplona,Spain , a bunch of maniacs "ran with the bulls " for excitement and twenty-three suffered injuries from being crushed in tight spaces and two were gored by bulls.
On Momday my geat granddaughter Claire's stitches were removed and the cut on her forehead is healing nicely.Thanks to a fastidious team of doctors at South :Lake Health Centrte.
On Tuesday, Council had the July meeting to deal wiith town business . It started at six and finished at miidnight. The business was not completed.
The same thing happened in June. The meeting adjourned at midnight without completion of the agenda.
From seven until nine on Tuesday however , all who decided to use the Council meeting for their own objective were accommodated from seven until nine. Leaving one and a half hours to deal with twenty- six items of business and spending millions of dollars.
Town business always comes last and gets short shrift in the time available.
It's one of those odd equations mentioned above.
Contracts were recommended to be awarded for work on several streets.
Work leading to this point is what occupies a team of employees in their daily occupation.
Two residents appeared before Council to request cancellation of the projects They claimed to speak for all residents on three streets. Hilldale, Hillside and Kenlea Court.
Since hundreds of thousands of expendirures have already been made, we may assume the work is needed, The streets are public rights of way. The municipality is responsiibile.
Nevertheless, Councillor Piirri moved the requests be granted.
The final decision was to defer and direct the Director of Environment and infrastructure to determie the wishes of the neighbourhood.
It wasn't clear how., But Council did spend time debating the issue and deferring decision.
Yet anbother recommendation came forward to increase funds for a youth centre by $1,6 million because costs of utilizing a site unknown at the time the site was selected.
Deferral was requested for time to consider and consult with the communiy.
No such consideration was givem . Th valiant five needed no further time to donsider spendijng $7.4 million as opposed to $4.8 million.
So confident are they of the superior quality of their collective wisdom.
In the next post I will try, according to Clause 3 of th Code of Conduct unenforceable bylaw attempt to explain the reason and attitude of the majority decision.
Monday 8 July 2013
The Way We Were...and Are
Five by-elections on August 1st.
What chance the cost of canceling the second natural gas fired generator plant will not yet be public?
It won't make much difference. It's not hard to take the figure from $640 million to $1 billion.
Every timne we see a flashback. the Premier's hands are spread in submission that the decision was political.
I wondered this morning about the impact will be on the short campaign.
Then I thought, probably not much. After all, in a lesser sense ,we are currently doing the same messing about in Aurora.
At the last Council meeting , residents in the neighborhood of the neat little cell tower on Bathurst Street demanded a judicial review of the town's part in the project.
Councillor Gaertner previously proclaimed the town's planning staff to be at fault. The CAO expressed profound apologies which provided the cue.
I have never heard of a judicial review that didn't cost millions and wasn't justified by the acrid smell of corruption.
Yet some Councillors were eager to support it. The same who were ready to spend $150.000
for a court injunction to stop construction of a tower already constructed. that complied with all the required regulations.
Whatever it costs to satisfy the residents, however futile ,no matter what the rest of the community thinks, that's what the entitlement brigade demand and the council caballeros are ready to spend.
And the other half are unwilling to risk anything either
So, the legal department is tasked with sussing out ianswers to irrelevant questions to avoid the inevitable decision that has to be made.
Once there were Neanderthalls, then Hunter -Gatherers, the Stone Age, the Iron Age, the Age of Enlightenment, The Renaissance, Feudalism and Slavery, Depressions ,Oppressions and Recessions.
Now we have Generation X and the Age of Entitlement and a bunch of limp-wristed liberals in charge.
It's no way to run a railroad.
Sunday 7 July 2013
Has Anybody Noticed ?
John Tory and Focus Ontario hasn't been seen since Mr. Tory offered the opinion The Globe should not have published allegations about Councillor Doug Ford when he would have been sixteen years old.
Mr. Tory and the program have not been seen since.
I looked forward to the repeat on a Sunday night.
John Tory is a Conservative. I'm not. He is also intelligent, knowledgable and forthright.
He is perhaps the best Premier Ontario never had.
Leslie Frost was the best they ever had.
I don't know if the program had reached the end of a contract.Or the ratings suddenly plummeted.
Or that it was abruptly cancelled.
Or if it was simply a co-incidence that Mr. Tory dared to suggest bad judgement on the part of the Globe and Mail's editorial board.
Or if they have any influence at all with Global Television.
Maybe somebody out there knows something more?
From the mouths of babes
Four year old great- grand-daughter Clair flies to Canada for the summer every year from the U.S.
Yesterday, she informed her Great-Aunt Heather
" I live in Washington. It's up in the sky"
The Choice is Yours
Creation or Evolution.
Adam and Eve are a stretch. Especially since Eve got all the blame and punishment
Adam might have been first but what a wimp he turned out to be. It's probably why The Lord had to take a second crack at it with a rib to get it right.
It's hard to believe the wonders of the animal world, including ourselves and giraffes , all came from a single cell dividing itself deep withion the ooze of life beginning.
Where did the ooze come from? Everything points to earth being rock . a hard crust, with a molten core.
A third alternative being posited is that we started off as creatures from another planet. It's distant and obscure but intriguing nevertheless.
So we have three choices.
We always have choice.
When it comes right down to it, choice is a matter of personal judgement.
We can choose to believe Stephen Harper's avowed denial of Nigel Wright's decision to give Mike Duffy a present of $90,000 from his own personal resources.
Or we can choose not .
We are not saying the truth is not being told. We are simply choosing not to believe the account we are given.
I did not believe Mr. Harper when he said it the first time. No matter how oft-repeated I still do not believe.,
The story is simply not credible
A Leader who does not accept responsibility is not a Leader.
Even if Nigel Wright could so easily be separated from ninety thousand dollars of his own resources to cover someone else's ass , the Prime Minister is still responsible for the choice he made for Chief of Staff .
Stephen Harper knows no more about politics than Mike Duffy. Or Pamela Wallin. Or any of the rest chosen as nominees. because of the color of their skin, their religion. sex or sexual proclivity or high profile for any other reason but proven ability.
They don't even know what they don't know and need to learn.
It's a tremendous show of disrespect to the people they are sworn to serve.
Any one of the extraneous factors listed above might help a candidate get elected.
It may even lead them to believe election is all that matters.
It's not.
The relationship between the electorate and the elected is personal. It needs to be carefully constructed ,stone upon stone. Each one lovingly placed.
No shortcuts.
Mis-steps require it be done right the second time.
It can't be faked or fudged.
But it can be well and trully fuddle-duddled up.
It will not stand in good stead in that circumstance.
The corrupt sponsorship inquiry did not reflect on Jean Chretien. He was already gone.
Paul Martin bore the brunt but was not responsible.
Stephen Harper's mis -steps are epic. They have not been subtle.
We have seen the numbers grow over the years but the whole story is yet to be told.
" Fasten your seat belts, it's going to be a bumpy ride ''
Once the police fasten their teeth onto something, they do not let go
Thursday 4 July 2013
That is the question
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Clause 7 and the unwritten rule":
Granted, 4:40 PM, but that wasn't the question. The question was about which services or facilities in town cover their costs (capital and operational). Do the "sports centres"
*****************
There's an air of entitlement to the question .
It calls for an answer.
Anyone who has raised children in the town is well aware of user fees charged for sports facilities.
They know also sports organizations must have executives to manage business affairs Parents to volunteer as coaches and team managers.
The town's web site no doubt has information about user fees.
For a number of years, ninety per cent of capital cost of construction have been covered by
development charges.
Minor Hockey has in the past paid a surcharge on user fees when new ice facilities were needed
When artificial turf was installed at Sheppards Bush, ninety per cent was funded from D.Cs
ten per cent came from a sports organization.
The Town's web site no doubt provides the information about user fees They are not a secret.
Development charges are collected at the time building permits are issued. Families buying homes pay for the new facilities. No part of the cost of new recreation facilities are funded from the annual tax levy.
If the question is intended to prove capital costs of construction and operating costs should be on the
backs of the taxpayers. the argument does not carry.
Only one facility provides services at the expense of the taxpayer ; the Culture Centre at Church Street School. \
The town provides rent free facilities, maintenance costs and a grant of $370,000 to provide Region wide programs.
Paid for from the pockets of the taxpayers of Aurora
Capital costs of renovations came from funds raised in the community. grants received from Heritage
Ontario and $2.3 million from the town's Hydro Reserve Fund , all for the specific purpose of a state of the art museum and cultural services.
Community trust was betrayed.
The Entitlement Generation were in charge. They had the powa.
They wanted it.
They took it.
They cared nothing what the community thought.
It's been done before, they said.
Well ....No....It has not.
It will not be allowed to pass.
Granted, 4:40 PM, but that wasn't the question. The question was about which services or facilities in town cover their costs (capital and operational). Do the "sports centres"
*****************
There's an air of entitlement to the question .
It calls for an answer.
Anyone who has raised children in the town is well aware of user fees charged for sports facilities.
They know also sports organizations must have executives to manage business affairs Parents to volunteer as coaches and team managers.
The town's web site no doubt has information about user fees.
For a number of years, ninety per cent of capital cost of construction have been covered by
development charges.
Minor Hockey has in the past paid a surcharge on user fees when new ice facilities were needed
When artificial turf was installed at Sheppards Bush, ninety per cent was funded from D.Cs
ten per cent came from a sports organization.
The Town's web site no doubt provides the information about user fees They are not a secret.
Development charges are collected at the time building permits are issued. Families buying homes pay for the new facilities. No part of the cost of new recreation facilities are funded from the annual tax levy.
If the question is intended to prove capital costs of construction and operating costs should be on the
backs of the taxpayers. the argument does not carry.
Only one facility provides services at the expense of the taxpayer ; the Culture Centre at Church Street School. \
The town provides rent free facilities, maintenance costs and a grant of $370,000 to provide Region wide programs.
Paid for from the pockets of the taxpayers of Aurora
Capital costs of renovations came from funds raised in the community. grants received from Heritage
Ontario and $2.3 million from the town's Hydro Reserve Fund , all for the specific purpose of a state of the art museum and cultural services.
Community trust was betrayed.
The Entitlement Generation were in charge. They had the powa.
They wanted it.
They took it.
They cared nothing what the community thought.
It's been done before, they said.
Well ....No....It has not.
It will not be allowed to pass.
Wednesday 3 July 2013
JUDGEMENT IS PART NATURAL AND PART HARD EXPERIENCE
Los of questions being asked about Yonge Street as a Park. Few answers from the scheme"s
promoters. Supporters are also very few.
The University Wpmen's Association member liked the pictures .Pictures of what?
I have a story to tellI. It's extremely relevant.
1967 was Canada's Centennial Year. The Honorable Judith La Marsh, Member of Parliament for Niagara, was Minister of State, in charge of The National Celebration.
It was fabulous.
A collection of steam train engines became available for any municipality that could use them.
Jack Moore, a resident of Wendelrley Drive. was on the staff of York University,in charge of special events.He brought the information to the town.
The town owned fourteen and a half acres known as the Petlovanay property. It had been acquired through non-payment of taxes.
It had a railway easement.
Aurora's development was due to being Head of Rail. Aurora was the last stop for the first
train out of Toronto.
We had the location . An easement from the railway. The History was ours and the collection was there for the taking.
Enthusiasm was at a peak. It was clearly a great opportunity.
One member of Council did not agree, He appealed the decision to the Ontario Municipal Board. Details are hazy. But the steam quicly went out of things
. I was a new Councillor in 1967. Very conscious of what I did not know. I was watching and listening. Didn't fully understand how one member could put the kibosh on an opportunity that everyone else thought was meant to be.
But that's how it was. There was no talk of putting up a fight.
Just the acceptance of reality that if everyone wasn't on board with the idea , it could not succeed.
The town sold the Petlovany property , serviced, for $ 35,000. on a promise of four new industries to be located there . On the day the $ 35,000 sercicing contract was let, the property was re-sold
for $75,000. making $40,000 profit for the buyer on a down payment of $5,000. and producing no industries for the town.
It didn't happen without a fight . I lost it.
The town ended up buying back part off the land for a works department site. I was out of office then and I asked what we paid but nobody wanted to tell .
I learned a lesson then. I learned it fast and I learned it hard.
But I learned it never to forget it.
A scam is not hard to recognise,.
I LEARNED TO TRUST MY OWN JUDGEMENT, TIME AND TIME AGAIN.
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