UNRECORDED NOTES AND COMMENTS

I'm not a monarchist. In 2013 , I suggested Council,re-name a park for the Queen's Jubilee out of respect for the Queen's commitment to her job. She's a tiny wee woman with phenomenal endurance. 

I followed behind her on the Mall after the last Monarch's Birthday Trooping of the Colour before I left the UK.

She had been several hours high on the horse,sidesaddle ,one hand held rigid at her side,

the other holding reigns at a precise level. The horse, Winston, was a chestnut giant. The Queen's hair,curled under her black cockade hat was exactly the shade of the horse. Not until she came close to the palace gates,did her shoulders sag in exhaustion. My heart went out to her. 

When I proposed the tribute in Aurora ,half a century later, in far away Ontario,I had little else in mind.

 It seemed harmless enough. 

Civic Square is visible to the carriage trade and pedestrian traffic and surrounded by tall condominiums lwith predominantly adult residents. 

Queen Mary's Rose Garden in Regent's Park in London was close to where I lived and took 

my toddler to the swings. It's a special place, enjoyed by many.

Aurora Horticulture Society might take on care and nurture of the roses. 

I turned to Councillors Gaertner and Humfryes for support. It was a girl thing ...the  Queen'n all.

They seemed agreeable. 

Councillor Pirri suggested an accessibility playground. It was Councillor Gallo's neighbourhood and he pointed out the park provided a non-regulation soccer field for little guys.

Then It became an issue for the clique. 

Another odd thing happened.I was entering the elevator. A friend, I thought, followed.She commented  gratuitously, the idea to re-name the park wasn't mine In the first place. I turned to look into,her eyes

for humour. There was none . 

Politics is a strange gig. People can hate you ...you don't know why ...so you don't take it personally. But someone you think friendly, is suddenly unexpectedly hostile,defences are down, the wound is opened, and a bit of the trust you had  left, evaporates . It doesn't come back. Cynicism creeps closer. 

At the opening ,Councillor Humfryes made sure Councillor Pirri received his due.