"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

Saturday 16 July 2016

SATURDAY NIGHT POST PART 2

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "IN YOUR EYES...": 

Part 2

Aurora is not Newmarket or Unionville with their historic and vibrant main streets. We have Yonge Street, part of Highway 11 - the world's longest street. Along with numerous "For Lease" signs in store-fronts where once there were thriving businesses. One of the mayor's first imperatives upon his election was to bring more businesses to Aurora. Yonge Street seems to have been forgotten. What is the Chamber of Commerce doing to alleviate this situation? At the very least they should keep the citizenry advised as to the number of vacant premises and whether this is increasing or decreasing. It seems that the business "core" has relocated to Bayview and Wellington/Leslie.

But Aurora does have an historic assemblage of houses, on Wellington east of Yonge. These have been restored, repainted, landscaped and are downright attractive, and if viewed slowly and individually are obviously of an age. The town should place plaques on each of these outlining their history. It doesn't take long for one of these properties to sport a "Sold" sign shortly after listing.

One of council's front burner issues (there's that word) is to turn Aurora into a tourist destination. This would ensure that a hotel could locate in our town and be a commercial success. Excuse me, but what attractions do Aurora possess that will lure the public into our environs? What do we have that would amuse or entertain tourists?

Finally I will focus on banning left turns at Yonge and Wellington between the hours of 7:00 - 9:00 am and 4:00 - 6:00 pm. At the present time there are advanced green lights on Wellington east and Yonge south. These last about 10 seconds. I would suggest that if this time were doubled or even tripled it would clear those wanting to make that turn. But that's beside the point. Our council learned, after much discussion, that the Region was responsible for this intersection, in addition to which it required a formal decision by Regional council to bring about the proposed change. All of this will require further study by Regional staff, not Aurora's. Why was our council not aware of this?

The first thing that occurs to me is to count the number of vehicles making left turns at this intersection between the above two time periods. Second, if the change goes into effect, what is going to happen to the homes on the eight streets that will carry this new and additional traffic burden. These side streets, by the way are used by residents for parking. Will this be banned and where will their cars go?

The point of all of this: why does our council waste so much time on dumb things instead of caring for our money that they seem to spend without a second thought? 



Posted by Anonymous to  Our Town and Its Business at 16 July 2016 at 19:38

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

It would appear that KFC beside the former Howard Johnsons has folded up and flown the coop. Eerie looking!

Anonymous said...

Short. funny letter in The Auroran about Council catering to special interests in the speed hump matter.
The writer is correct. Mavinac and Kennedy do get problems fixed faster than the rest of the town's streets.

Anonymous said...

Is the Auroran still being printed? I have not received one in about 3 weeks.

Anonymous said...

7:38- I like reading the actual newspaper myself, but when I don't get it, I read it online.
www.newspapers-online.com/auroran/

Anonymous said...

13:18 On line is fine but I don't want my bird s**ting on my computer screen.