On December 29th., we will make our way to Burlington Arts Centre. It's a five hundred-seat theatre. My grand-daughter Stephanie is playing the starring role of Aladdin, in pantomime of that name.
We have attended plays in high school , at Guelph University, at LittleTheatre ( an old movie house) on Fergus High Street and the musical"Grease "in a Sudbury theatre where the seats were made for Hobbits.
Stephanie has played many roles.. This one was a surprise.
The audition was for the role of Princess , Everyone who knows pantomime, knows the romantic lead is the secondary role.
Her eyes shone with excitement when she came home.
"Grannie, I got the role of Aladdin."
Having played pantomime, as a child, directed by her grandfather, significance of the male role played by a female in British farce was not lost.
Before she could walk, Saturday Night Dance Party was her favourite T.V. show. She swayed to the music from an upright kneeling position.
When she could talk, she informed anyone who chose to
listen , she was going to be A STAR .
As an adult student at Guelph, there was never any doubt drama would be a major.
But life got in the way.
Ten years were invested in a personal relationship which took her to live in Sudbury where his career was taking shape.
Sudbury is not the best place to pursue a career in drama.
The relationship ended unexpectedly.
Dark days ensued.
She came home like a little bird with a broken wing.
I knew it would heal.
She could not imagine it.
It was hard. But slightly less so each day.
Then came the successful audition in Burlington.
And rehearsals.
Each time she came home exhilarated.
"I know I am exactly where I'm supposed to be "
I know exactly how that feels.
The play has played three times . Each time with an audience, the small company acquires finesse. Pantomime is a participatory process.
An audience is key
If she never does it again, she knows. .
She is A STAR
A long way from little bird with a broken wing limping home from Sudbury.
Tuesday, 25 December 2012
Monday, 24 December 2012
Oh Chrstmas Tree
My sitting room is at the front of the house . I don't sit there.
I dwell in a small room at the back. I can't see the whole garden from inside but I have a sliding door that leads to the deck from which I view my entire estate.
After thirty-six years,the door was replaced this summer.
Silence is the difference. No sound penetrates the new door.
Read on. You will understand the significance.
If not, Have a Very Merry Christmas anyway.
For a number of years, my family has gathered the Sunday before Christmas. It leaves everyone free to be wherever on the day.
When my children were children ,we were always in our own home.With seven children, invitations are few. Friends came to our house. .
Life moves on.
The gathering, with everyone here, numbers about thirty-four. Some have been added. Some are missing.
The cluster starts in the kitchen and spills in to the next room and from there includes the little back room..
For years,I tried to set a Christmas table. Now, I just try to have enough seating . Last week, I bought four tall fold up stools from Ikea.They will be handy for the deck in summer as well.
This year I decided, there isn't room for the tree. It has to be real. It has to be where it will be seen to be appreciated.
The tree went on to the deck in front of the sliding door.
Heather found, larger, outdoor ornaments at 25% of normal price and a string of two hundred lights.
The tree was tied to a maple branch above to hold it in place. Even so, it had a natural bent to the left.It wasn't bought for that reason.
In the dark.with spotlights and tree lights following a natural outline, the slight askew wasn't seen.
On Friday night, Theresa and myself were settled in the little room. Theresa had her second, perhaps third glass of white wine. I was having hot chocolate with a flavourful dollop of Creme de Cacao; stirred not shaken.
Lamps were turned off leaving only the candles burning. We found peace and contentment. .
Outside, flakes of snow were falling .
Tree branches were tossing, sparkling ornaments swinging vigorously.
The wind was strong but not a sound did we hear.
Suddenly, the tree dipped to the left, like a chevalier sweeping a feather trimmed hat
Then like a dancer, it graciously swirled backwards in a half circle.
It took a final dive before coming to a halt,
Prone on its back, star facing outwards.
It happened so fast, so naturally, so gracefully .there was barely time for a glance between myself and Theresa.
To assure ourselves we had indeed seen what was before our very eyes.
Other explanation was totally invalid.
The tree was down. Although still tethered,.it wasn't lost to us.
Our joint tale of magical performance to the family gathering could be verified beyond the usual incredulity.
By then of course it was restored. Standing primly in its place. No trace of impromptu pirouette..
The only serious question came from Cheyenne, first great grandchild who asked; why is the tree outside Grannie?
Because my darling. I said, there just isn't room for you and the tree inside.
From me and mine, I wish you and yours, a warm and blessed Christmas.
It comes but once a year for each of us to give and take what we want from it.
I dwell in a small room at the back. I can't see the whole garden from inside but I have a sliding door that leads to the deck from which I view my entire estate.
After thirty-six years,the door was replaced this summer.
Silence is the difference. No sound penetrates the new door.
Read on. You will understand the significance.
If not, Have a Very Merry Christmas anyway.
For a number of years, my family has gathered the Sunday before Christmas. It leaves everyone free to be wherever on the day.
When my children were children ,we were always in our own home.With seven children, invitations are few. Friends came to our house. .
Life moves on.
The gathering, with everyone here, numbers about thirty-four. Some have been added. Some are missing.
The cluster starts in the kitchen and spills in to the next room and from there includes the little back room..
For years,I tried to set a Christmas table. Now, I just try to have enough seating . Last week, I bought four tall fold up stools from Ikea.They will be handy for the deck in summer as well.
This year I decided, there isn't room for the tree. It has to be real. It has to be where it will be seen to be appreciated.
The tree went on to the deck in front of the sliding door.
Heather found, larger, outdoor ornaments at 25% of normal price and a string of two hundred lights.
The tree was tied to a maple branch above to hold it in place. Even so, it had a natural bent to the left.It wasn't bought for that reason.
In the dark.with spotlights and tree lights following a natural outline, the slight askew wasn't seen.
On Friday night, Theresa and myself were settled in the little room. Theresa had her second, perhaps third glass of white wine. I was having hot chocolate with a flavourful dollop of Creme de Cacao; stirred not shaken.
Lamps were turned off leaving only the candles burning. We found peace and contentment. .
Outside, flakes of snow were falling .
Tree branches were tossing, sparkling ornaments swinging vigorously.
The wind was strong but not a sound did we hear.
Suddenly, the tree dipped to the left, like a chevalier sweeping a feather trimmed hat
Then like a dancer, it graciously swirled backwards in a half circle.
It took a final dive before coming to a halt,
Prone on its back, star facing outwards.
It happened so fast, so naturally, so gracefully .there was barely time for a glance between myself and Theresa.
To assure ourselves we had indeed seen what was before our very eyes.
Other explanation was totally invalid.
The tree was down. Although still tethered,.it wasn't lost to us.
Our joint tale of magical performance to the family gathering could be verified beyond the usual incredulity.
By then of course it was restored. Standing primly in its place. No trace of impromptu pirouette..
The only serious question came from Cheyenne, first great grandchild who asked; why is the tree outside Grannie?
Because my darling. I said, there just isn't room for you and the tree inside.
From me and mine, I wish you and yours, a warm and blessed Christmas.
It comes but once a year for each of us to give and take what we want from it.
Saturday, 22 December 2012
The U.S. Has Grover
********** *********
Councillor Gaertner and Gallo, have nothing to explain to their families
Everything, including a defense against charges of Defamation of Character, Denial of Charter Rights, Abuse of Public Resources and Abuse of Public Authority has been paid from public resources.
Their families have suffered no hardship as a result of law suits instigated by their decision that Charter rights can be trampled
indiscriminately.
They have no qualms of conscience.
They are confident, as all self- righteous individuals are inclined to be, in the correctness of their understanding .
They are not alone
Councillor Ballard as noted takes up the cudgel.
He is not alone.
The U.S. has Grover Nordquist.
Guest Post
Matt Maddocks
The SLAPP – We Will Not Be Silenced
In light of Councillor Michael Thompson’s upcoming motion, I’d like to take this opportunity to offer my opinion on aspects of the SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits against Public Participation) lawsuit and ruling1. Regarding the recent statement by Councillor Ballard referring to “those responsible for allowing possible defaming postings on the Aurora Citizen blog”:
a) On July 20, 2011, Superior Court Justice Carole Brown found that Morris had “failed to identify the specific words alleged to be defamatory” in the six postings she submitted in her statement of claim.
b) In her ruling, Justice Brown wrote “It is not the role of the Court to parse the impugned articles and blogs before it to attempt to determine, by divination or divine inspiration, which statements it should assess“. 2. In a recent letter to The Auroran; “Costs were awarded against Ms. Morris on account of that action (the lawsuit) having been judged procedurally incorrect”:
a) On October 27, 2012, Master Thomas Hawkins ruled that: “Morris has offered no evidence as to why she discontinued this action (the lawsuit). In that situation I regard Johnson and Hogg as successful defendants, entitled to the costs of defending this action“.
This is not a procedural error; she dropped the lawsuit, and the defendants won. That’s why she has to pay
up
Councillor Ballard goes on to make the assertion that “the community has had enough with the matter”. While I am certain the Councillor, along with a small bitter group in our town are desperate to have us forget about this egregious action, let me share with you why I feel we must not.
It could have been any one of us. This time, Morris pulled the names Johnson, Hogg, and Bishenden. Rather than seek to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the matter, Morris instead lobbed a six-million-dollar cluster bomb into the lives of three innocent families. Master Hawkins wrote “Morris was not prepared to wait and see if a demand letter would have the desired effect“, and that she “wanted to hit Johnson, Hogg, and Bishenden quickly and hard, in order to silence them as her critics“. So she moved swiftly to secure enough council votes to launch her assault, and did so funding it with town money. Meaning, as an Aurora taxpayer, Morris used my money in an attempt to deliver a lethal blow to my neighbours, and threaten my right to free speech.
Not a day goes by that I don’t think about that, and not a day goes by that I don’t think that it could happen again
Through the landmark and precedent-setting rulings of Justice Brown and Master Hawkins, we have confirmation of what many had suspected; that the Morris lawsuit was without any merit whatsoever.Facing these hard facts, Councillor Ballard is now attempting to defend his old friend. His frantic and ultimately “Rather than seek to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the matter, Morris instead lobbed a six-million-dollar cluster bomb into the lives of three innocent families.”fruitless attempt to have Councillor Thompson’s motion quashed shows me he has no concept of the role to which he has been entrusted. He has stated that the motion is “designed to further humiliate Ms Morris”, a claim I’m not certain is even possible at this stage. He goes on to question as to whether this motion could put the Town of Aurora in jeopardy, conveniently overlooking the fact that the Town of Aurora was put in jeopardy some time ago courtesy of the ex-Mayor, and we are paying for that action to the tune of $55,000.
Councillors Gallo and Gaertner, who voted in favour of the initial motion which lit the fuse on that bomb, were nevertheless presented with the opportunity to redeem some measure of their integrity when the motion to cease taxpayer funding of the lawsuit was tabled. But they, along with Councillor Ballard voted against this motion, telling us that while they were aware three Aurora families were suffering both emotionally and financially as a result of Morris’ town-funded lawsuit, they were still in favour of using our tax money to continue its funding.
When these three Councillors swore their oath of office, they promised to first protect the interests of the town and its citizens. Again, from Master Hawkins ruling, “Morris brought this action expressly in her capacity as Mayor of the Corporation of the Town of Aurora“, and, “had access to Aurora municipal money to fund this litigation“. The fact that these three continue to defend the actions of the ex-Mayor leaves me stunned
Through their actions, Councillors Ballard, Gallo, and Gaertner have failed in the most basic and important trust they hold as our elected representatives. I believe they haven’t earned the right to seek that honour from the electorate again.
They may want us all to forget about the SLAPP lawsuit, and the roles they all played in it. The families of Richard Johnson, Bill Hogg, and Elizabeth Bishenden will certainly never forget, and as their neighbours and fellow Aurorans, neither should wMatt Maddocks, Point of Privilege
Aurora
Friday, 21 December 2012
Crisis and Confusion
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "They
Call Me Contrary":
Evelyn, the province is in the middle of a massive software undertaking, that when these all new programs finally go live, they will be obsolete. Many ministries are trying to implement and upload data from municipalities, but very little is compatible. I'm not sure it ever will be. Everything has to be in place to TEST the programs, actually going live is another feat in itself. Welcome to the new, not necessarily better, world. It's humongous task for a large company to do, for a government, almost impossible.
**********************************************
"Many ministries are trying to implement and upload data from municipalities but very little is compatible" .
"Everything has to be in place to test the program"
Aurora was advised by staff who were advised by consultant to buy $440,000. software.
The town's IT department was not consulted to determine compatibility.
I e-mailed the IT department to get a better understanding of the process. My e-mail was sent to the Chief Financial Officer accompanied by assurances they had told me nothing
"Everything has to be in place to TEST the program , actually going live is another feat in itself "
We are at the TEST stage in Aurora. But we need another $100,000 worth of equipment to go live. We already provided $58,000. extra. .
The more I hear about the program, the extra costs; at the Region extra staff; From the Auditor .... failure to provide training to staff to upgrade their skills
At the AMO conference ,municipalities in trouble, needing financial help from the Province.
Now we hear from someone that I imagine knows what's going on at the Province.
The more I hear, the more I fear, another E-Health scandal.
Sometimes I wish to be innocent like my colleagues, always willing to take somebody else's word ....Let those who know better control the decision making.
Then I think; No, that's not why I was elected. I will be able to account for the negative vote I cast.
Evelyn, the province is in the middle of a massive software undertaking, that when these all new programs finally go live, they will be obsolete. Many ministries are trying to implement and upload data from municipalities, but very little is compatible. I'm not sure it ever will be. Everything has to be in place to TEST the programs, actually going live is another feat in itself. Welcome to the new, not necessarily better, world. It's humongous task for a large company to do, for a government, almost impossible.
**********************************************
"Many ministries are trying to implement and upload data from municipalities but very little is compatible" .
"Everything has to be in place to test the program"
Aurora was advised by staff who were advised by consultant to buy $440,000. software.
The town's IT department was not consulted to determine compatibility.
I e-mailed the IT department to get a better understanding of the process. My e-mail was sent to the Chief Financial Officer accompanied by assurances they had told me nothing
"Everything has to be in place to TEST the program , actually going live is another feat in itself "
We are at the TEST stage in Aurora. But we need another $100,000 worth of equipment to go live. We already provided $58,000. extra. .
The more I hear about the program, the extra costs; at the Region extra staff; From the Auditor .... failure to provide training to staff to upgrade their skills
At the AMO conference ,municipalities in trouble, needing financial help from the Province.
Now we hear from someone that I imagine knows what's going on at the Province.
The more I hear, the more I fear, another E-Health scandal.
Sometimes I wish to be innocent like my colleagues, always willing to take somebody else's word ....Let those who know better control the decision making.
Then I think; No, that's not why I was elected. I will be able to account for the negative vote I cast.
Correction
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Update
on The Museum's Rightful Place.":
You keep repeating the canard of a 'rightful place'. The museum has been housed in at least five locations, usually where the Town found that they had some empty, unused space.
The Readman House would make a great next home.
**************
In 1971 York Region was created . Police departments were amalgamated . The fourteen man Aurora Department vacated the old water works building on Yonge Street.
I asked for and the Historical Society received the vacant space. The potters guild got their first home in the botton of the water tower.
The museum collection was beautifully and tenderly laid out on tables clad in white until 1976 when the Board of Education vacated Church Street School.
Prior to that, there may have been an exhibition in Doane Hall during Aurora's Centennial.in 1063. It was temporary. The property was private and loaned for the occasion.
The museum collection has had two safe houses. .
Church Street school was a permanent museum service from 1976 until 2002.
The building was vacated for necessary renovations. Subsequently, work slowed to a crawl because insufficient funds had been raised in the campaign.
On a resolution moved by myself and seconded by Councillor Ron Wallace, funds from sale of a precious asset were provided to complete the renovations and get the museum up and running once more
Plans had already been commissioned and completed by the Historical Society for a thoroughly modern museum.
I argued, if the town intended using the facility for other purposes.,
as well ,new plans should be commissioned for that purpose.
Council had received a predentatio from the firm of young architects, excited by the opportunity.
An experienced curator had been appointed. Everything was a go.
My concern was dismissed . The building was renovated for a museum with opportunity for compatible cultural events.
The same Council majority that approved the plans , stole the museum right out from under and slyly signed an agreement that ensured it would never happen.
When Board Chairman Layton was asked in a pblic meeting why the museum had been excluded from the building. He answered ...they did not make that decision.
I declared myself unable to accept the answer.
I do now.
Subsequent information came to light.
A lease was signed for the York Region Arts Group to occupy space intended for the museum.
The town's lease agreement with the board required permission to lease out space to any other organisation.
That had to go through Manager of Facilities. who had been re-assigned in re-organisation of administration from the Leisure Services to Environment and Infrastructure which Director would have known little of the agreement or normal process of leasing out space to separate groups or the Historical Society's prior right.
He gave the approval.
It's difficult tio imagine that being done without knowledge of the CAO or consultation with the solicitor.
The board ever since has been pocketing revenue for rent of space that they themselves were not paying rent.
It was dedicated space for the museum.
Soon after the building was formally opened, I inquired of the Chair, again in a public meeting, when would the museum was be.
up and running.
Her eyes did not meet mine. They darted in a panic around the table hoping for someone to help her out.
No-one did.
Finally she responded the Treasurer would be filing a report.
He never did.
At no time was it ever publicly acknowledged a deision had been made to oust the museum and hand over the entire building to an autonomous board
An interim board had attended a Council meeting to be introduced. The chairman's voice rose in anger as he spoke which appeared to be directed towrad myself.
Like the taxi owner I mentioned last week.
I had served for two terms on the Library board with the chaiman and had great respect for his integrity and business experience.
Before retirement, he had been Vice chairman of a major bank. .
At the formal opening of the School, he approached me and introduced himself . . He asked if I remembered him. Reminded me we had worked together on the library board.
I was shocked. I had observed no signs of senility in him. .
Then the truth hit . He thought I was senile.
Why would he ? Well , I had to assume he had been thus informed. It wasn't hard to imagine by whom.
The Interim chairman had immediately obtained a donation of $50,000 from the Toronto Dominion Bank. Accoirding to the agreement, the town matched matched it dollar for dollar.
So...in thefirst year, funds received by the board were actually $443,000 and not $343,000 .
As noted, no report was received from the Director of Finance.who certainly should have been a pivotal figure in any agreement involving transfer of substantial funds from the town's treasury. The only reference to the museum collection was neither in writing or in public. He suggested the collection might be of no value. It might be a bunch of old stuff picked up at yard sales and donated.
Another suggestion made elsewhere was there might not even be a collection.Nobody knew for sure where it was.
And by the way ,the town didn't own it.
If the poster wants to talk about canards, I can offer a number.Take your pick.
The Director of Finance does not live in Aurora. His knowledge of the collection would normally be nil.
It must have been something he heard.
Like the board chairman .and the taxi operator;
It'sodd yet not.
A person may not actually hear something said, yet hear it anyway... clear as a bell.
And an administration was involved throughout.
As now... with the new agreement ...determined to see it through.
The question is; will Council hear what's being said...clear as a bell.
Next year, The Museum
You keep repeating the canard of a 'rightful place'. The museum has been housed in at least five locations, usually where the Town found that they had some empty, unused space.
The Readman House would make a great next home.
**************
In 1971 York Region was created . Police departments were amalgamated . The fourteen man Aurora Department vacated the old water works building on Yonge Street.
I asked for and the Historical Society received the vacant space. The potters guild got their first home in the botton of the water tower.
The museum collection was beautifully and tenderly laid out on tables clad in white until 1976 when the Board of Education vacated Church Street School.
Prior to that, there may have been an exhibition in Doane Hall during Aurora's Centennial.in 1063. It was temporary. The property was private and loaned for the occasion.
The museum collection has had two safe houses. .
Church Street school was a permanent museum service from 1976 until 2002.
The building was vacated for necessary renovations. Subsequently, work slowed to a crawl because insufficient funds had been raised in the campaign.
On a resolution moved by myself and seconded by Councillor Ron Wallace, funds from sale of a precious asset were provided to complete the renovations and get the museum up and running once more
Plans had already been commissioned and completed by the Historical Society for a thoroughly modern museum.
I argued, if the town intended using the facility for other purposes.,
as well ,new plans should be commissioned for that purpose.
Council had received a predentatio from the firm of young architects, excited by the opportunity.
An experienced curator had been appointed. Everything was a go.
My concern was dismissed . The building was renovated for a museum with opportunity for compatible cultural events.
The same Council majority that approved the plans , stole the museum right out from under and slyly signed an agreement that ensured it would never happen.
When Board Chairman Layton was asked in a pblic meeting why the museum had been excluded from the building. He answered ...they did not make that decision.
I declared myself unable to accept the answer.
I do now.
Subsequent information came to light.
A lease was signed for the York Region Arts Group to occupy space intended for the museum.
The town's lease agreement with the board required permission to lease out space to any other organisation.
That had to go through Manager of Facilities. who had been re-assigned in re-organisation of administration from the Leisure Services to Environment and Infrastructure which Director would have known little of the agreement or normal process of leasing out space to separate groups or the Historical Society's prior right.
He gave the approval.
It's difficult tio imagine that being done without knowledge of the CAO or consultation with the solicitor.
The board ever since has been pocketing revenue for rent of space that they themselves were not paying rent.
It was dedicated space for the museum.
Soon after the building was formally opened, I inquired of the Chair, again in a public meeting, when would the museum was be.
up and running.
Her eyes did not meet mine. They darted in a panic around the table hoping for someone to help her out.
No-one did.
Finally she responded the Treasurer would be filing a report.
He never did.
At no time was it ever publicly acknowledged a deision had been made to oust the museum and hand over the entire building to an autonomous board
An interim board had attended a Council meeting to be introduced. The chairman's voice rose in anger as he spoke which appeared to be directed towrad myself.
Like the taxi owner I mentioned last week.
I had served for two terms on the Library board with the chaiman and had great respect for his integrity and business experience.
Before retirement, he had been Vice chairman of a major bank. .
At the formal opening of the School, he approached me and introduced himself . . He asked if I remembered him. Reminded me we had worked together on the library board.
I was shocked. I had observed no signs of senility in him. .
Then the truth hit . He thought I was senile.
Why would he ? Well , I had to assume he had been thus informed. It wasn't hard to imagine by whom.
The Interim chairman had immediately obtained a donation of $50,000 from the Toronto Dominion Bank. Accoirding to the agreement, the town matched matched it dollar for dollar.
So...in thefirst year, funds received by the board were actually $443,000 and not $343,000 .
As noted, no report was received from the Director of Finance.who certainly should have been a pivotal figure in any agreement involving transfer of substantial funds from the town's treasury. The only reference to the museum collection was neither in writing or in public. He suggested the collection might be of no value. It might be a bunch of old stuff picked up at yard sales and donated.
Another suggestion made elsewhere was there might not even be a collection.Nobody knew for sure where it was.
And by the way ,the town didn't own it.
If the poster wants to talk about canards, I can offer a number.Take your pick.
The Director of Finance does not live in Aurora. His knowledge of the collection would normally be nil.
It must have been something he heard.
Like the board chairman .and the taxi operator;
It'sodd yet not.
A person may not actually hear something said, yet hear it anyway... clear as a bell.
And an administration was involved throughout.
As now... with the new agreement ...determined to see it through.
The question is; will Council hear what's being said...clear as a bell.
Next year, The Museum
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