Rules of Order allow each Councillor five minutes to speak to a motion duly moved and seconded, on the table for debate. .
"On being recognised by the chair, a Councillor shall speak without interruption"
It means nothing to Councillor Gallo. He frequently interrupts my comments.
It may have something to do with my practice of referring to experience to make my point in debate.
Comparatively, Councillor Gallo lacks experience .
His contribution is a series of hesitant, halting questions, seldom leading to a point. He is improving.but it's slow going. Often tedious.
Still, frequent interruptions on a point of order would undoubtedly slow his progress and lead to ill will.
So, I don't I want Councillor Gallo to become a self-sufficient and competent Councillor.
Report No.IES 13-008 on Hunter's Glen reconstruction is multi- faceted. Five minutes are notenough.to cover the points to be made.
The Mayor has already revealed his passion on the issue. A spurious point of order may well receive support from the chair.
Recommended is an increase in a purchase order to allow for an
increase in fee to cover a new lighting design.
The report notes the original estimate for reconstruction of Hunter's Glen and Fox Point was $450,000.00 higher than needed. It had been estimated on the assumption full-depth reconstruction was necessary "as in most roads in the town"
It means ,$450,000 was included in a previous capital budget, on a guess, where no justification existed.
In the last several years, the town completed, by order of the Province, on excel spread sheets, an inventory of assets.It was a long and arduous task that took five years and a full-time staff person. But it was completed.
The purpose is to track assets, such as roads, in order to determine when and how much work is required to maintain the assets.
In 2011 ,the completed work was ready to be transferred from spread sheet to computer software at a cost of $56,000.
Instead the town spent $440,000 on a WAMS software program in 2011, which is still not up and running, continues to cost additional funds and does not fulfill the Provincial edict.
The IT department was not consulted by the consultant for compatibility before purchase of the $440,000 W.A.M.S. .
The asset inventory on excel spread sheets should have provided precise information about the base of Hunter's Glen Road.
Budget estimates would have been precise.
Original cost to replace existing lighting on Hunter's Glen Road is $33,000.
It's a short road with about thirty homes.
Main development of the neighbourhood was approved when I was Mayor. It was the town's first estate lot subdivision. Exit and entrance were from Bloomington Road and Bayview Avenue.
My neighbourhood is seventeen years older.
Hunter's Glen was developed later, likely twenty years later than my neighbourhood
Glass Drive, in my neighbourhood, part of last year's re-construction program, lighting is not yet completed. The same level of lighting as before. Three lights have been added at intersections.
Glass Drive has two schools and a park. It collects traffic from five roads; Murray , Patrick , Child ,Holman and Seaton Drive.
There are forty two homes on Glass Drive.
"Current" lighting was determined at the time of recent design , to be adequate.
The neighbourhood is fifty- four years old
Hunter's Glen runs from Yonge Sreet to Steeplechase Ave.
Both shoulders on the short stretch of road, are to be paved for bicycle paths leading from and to, no bicycle paths.
The "Improved" lighting system recommended at a cost of more than $300,000 , as opposed to $33,000 will make it safer for cyclists and motorists and according to Councillor Pirri, deer.
The need for improvement lighting was apparently discovered after the discovery that full depth construction of the road base was not needed.
Led lights are proposed.
They are said to use less energy.
Yet the increased supply of power said to be necessary, is a reason for increased design fees.
There's an "estimate" of power savings leading to recovery of investment in led lights in 7/10 years. No documentation is attached to support either contention.
"Improvement of the existing illumination of the above noted street requires a full detailed redesign of the existing lighting system by the consultant involving additional site visits, assessment of potential utilities conflicts,co-ordination with local hydro authority,provide loading calculations , and prepare engineering plans and contract specifications."
The increase in fee is calculated precisely at $14,995; taking the existing fee from $51,740. to $66,735.
Hunter's Glen is an estate lot neighbourhood. Each property has its own septic tank and well. There are no water lines or sanitary sewers in the road allowance. Only hydro. No "potential utilities conflicts"
Final point; the consultant fee was included in the 2012 budget. The contract was awarded in August 2012.
In February 2013, the work is not completed. Fees were not paid in 2012.
The town increased taxes in 2012.
At least half -a -million dollars of which were not required to pay for services received.
The Mayor likes to call that efficient financial management.
I see it as anything but.
Sunday, 24 February 2013
Saturday, 23 February 2013
Times They Are Achanging
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Believe
If You Must":
Councillor Ballard is boasting about the sudden traffic to his Blog. That would likely be us. I do hope he does not interpret the interest as supportive of his rudeness to Lucid. There are, in fact, very few comments of support. Everyone will have a look at a snake shedding it's skin. Doesn't mean you want it as a house pet.
************
I am still not reading Councillor Ballard's blog.
It's necessary to maintain civility in the Council chamber. It's one of the rules.
Except for occasionally using the forum inappropriately, the Councillor does maintain civility. We regularly find ourselves in agreement on various issues.
It's how we are supposed to conduct ourselves as Councillors.There's neither time nor a place for personal spats.
I am not much interested in detrimental comments made about me outside of Council. It's too late now. Whatever burden the Councilor is carrying , is his to deal with.
Since Clownsil Watch has been in place, a lot less vitriol flows in this direction as well. So that's a plus. At least the Councillor puts his name on whatever he has to say. Although the other is apparently readily recognised by all who habituate.
I started this blog in 2007. It was followed by the now dormant Aurora Citizen. Then came Chris Watt's blog then Anna's pictorial journal and now Council Ballard and Clownsil Watch.
There will be others Some will be well received and some will peter out as they should. All will provide a glimpse into the mind of a resident of how differently things are viewed
Undoubtedly, the times will never be the same again.
Councillor Ballard is boasting about the sudden traffic to his Blog. That would likely be us. I do hope he does not interpret the interest as supportive of his rudeness to Lucid. There are, in fact, very few comments of support. Everyone will have a look at a snake shedding it's skin. Doesn't mean you want it as a house pet.
************
I am still not reading Councillor Ballard's blog.
It's necessary to maintain civility in the Council chamber. It's one of the rules.
Except for occasionally using the forum inappropriately, the Councillor does maintain civility. We regularly find ourselves in agreement on various issues.
It's how we are supposed to conduct ourselves as Councillors.There's neither time nor a place for personal spats.
I am not much interested in detrimental comments made about me outside of Council. It's too late now. Whatever burden the Councilor is carrying , is his to deal with.
Since Clownsil Watch has been in place, a lot less vitriol flows in this direction as well. So that's a plus. At least the Councillor puts his name on whatever he has to say. Although the other is apparently readily recognised by all who habituate.
I started this blog in 2007. It was followed by the now dormant Aurora Citizen. Then came Chris Watt's blog then Anna's pictorial journal and now Council Ballard and Clownsil Watch.
There will be others Some will be well received and some will peter out as they should. All will provide a glimpse into the mind of a resident of how differently things are viewed
Undoubtedly, the times will never be the same again.
Believe If You Must
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Blind
Adherence Is Sheer Folly":
I cannot believe some of the stuff that you write...
"Our current Mayor is completely content to work hand in glove with the administration."
Is that a bad thing? Why do we have administration? So that they bend to every whim of a Councillor?
Let's call a spade a spade here. The real work within a Town or City is done by the staff that work there day-in and day-out. They have a wonderful pension plan (OMERS) and they provide a continuity to the function of the municipality. Councillors exist as the tangible link between the public and the Town. They exist in a finite world. Some only one term. Others overstay their welcome and are there for many terms. The staff and administration are the ones that get things done. They don't have time for photo-ops, broadcasted council meetings, or letters to the editors or blogs.
Councils are as relevant to the day-to-day operations of a Town as the Queen is to the day-to-day operations of the empire.
********************
I can believe the stuff written anonymously ,
In the best of circumstances, some of it should be true.
Occasionally I stop to ponder who would most likely harbour a view that compares elected representatives with municipal staff . And finds staff supreme.
It would not be the resident who takes the trouble to vote in elections.
Who listens carefully to each candidate's platform,votes accordingly;.then watches to see how closely the candidate adheres to the commitment.
If a Mayoralty candidate stated Council has no role and it's the Mayor's job to direct staff recommendations to capture that which will ensure his re-election, how well would such a platform be received?
If candidates declared Council has no role other than approve everything placed before them without regard for cost or justification, and regularly promote and applaud staff for their excellence, would the average taxpayer nod his/her head wisely and take comfort ?
The Mayor's role is clearly number one. Goodwill goes a long way. But skills eventually become conspicuous in their absence. Flibberty-gibbet comments go down like a lead balloon . Contradictions from what was promised in a platform do not pass unnoticed. Four years is too long to hide..
On the other hand, municipal staff in the past have generally been part of the community. They lived in our neighbourhoods. Attended hockey practices and parent-teacher interviews. They paid taxes along with the rest of us and engaged with the community in many other ways.
Intelligence, judgement and knowledge of the many facets of a community became readily obvious and provided assurance or otherwise.
It's not like that any more. We have no continuity either. And we have had letters to the editor and demands made to blogs to remove material. by a certain time limit.
Things that should be true are not.
Things that should not be true are.
I cannot believe some of the stuff that you write...
"Our current Mayor is completely content to work hand in glove with the administration."
Is that a bad thing? Why do we have administration? So that they bend to every whim of a Councillor?
Let's call a spade a spade here. The real work within a Town or City is done by the staff that work there day-in and day-out. They have a wonderful pension plan (OMERS) and they provide a continuity to the function of the municipality. Councillors exist as the tangible link between the public and the Town. They exist in a finite world. Some only one term. Others overstay their welcome and are there for many terms. The staff and administration are the ones that get things done. They don't have time for photo-ops, broadcasted council meetings, or letters to the editors or blogs.
Councils are as relevant to the day-to-day operations of a Town as the Queen is to the day-to-day operations of the empire.
********************
I can believe the stuff written anonymously ,
In the best of circumstances, some of it should be true.
Occasionally I stop to ponder who would most likely harbour a view that compares elected representatives with municipal staff . And finds staff supreme.
It would not be the resident who takes the trouble to vote in elections.
Who listens carefully to each candidate's platform,votes accordingly;.then watches to see how closely the candidate adheres to the commitment.
If a Mayoralty candidate stated Council has no role and it's the Mayor's job to direct staff recommendations to capture that which will ensure his re-election, how well would such a platform be received?
If candidates declared Council has no role other than approve everything placed before them without regard for cost or justification, and regularly promote and applaud staff for their excellence, would the average taxpayer nod his/her head wisely and take comfort ?
The Mayor's role is clearly number one. Goodwill goes a long way. But skills eventually become conspicuous in their absence. Flibberty-gibbet comments go down like a lead balloon . Contradictions from what was promised in a platform do not pass unnoticed. Four years is too long to hide..
On the other hand, municipal staff in the past have generally been part of the community. They lived in our neighbourhoods. Attended hockey practices and parent-teacher interviews. They paid taxes along with the rest of us and engaged with the community in many other ways.
Intelligence, judgement and knowledge of the many facets of a community became readily obvious and provided assurance or otherwise.
It's not like that any more. We have no continuity either. And we have had letters to the editor and demands made to blogs to remove material. by a certain time limit.
Things that should be true are not.
Things that should not be true are.
Friday, 22 February 2013
Jehosophat and Geat Balls OF Fire
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Am I
Qualified to Judge.":
It's like providing additional lighting to an area that has indicated no desire for it based on traffic of an occasional deer or three and the possibility of cyclists using the bicycle lanes being installed in an area that has indicated no desire for them. Aurora wants to be Big Time without showing any reason for spending the money.
The Mayor's comment was that not going with the expensive new lighting plan would be showing a dual standard of service. We residents moved here for just that reason. Lots of space and mostly maintained by the people who live here.
***********
On Tuesday the Mayor flew into a temper tantrum at a query of Councillor Gaertner and echoed by myself.
A recommendation was received to increase the price of a design contract by $15,000; from $51,740, $66,735.
The increase was for an improved lighting design.
Councillor Gaertner's question was ; "Is that Urban Standard ?"
The answer was "Yes'
My follow-up was "Why? That's not an urban neighborhood."
The Mayor, in outrage, instantly accused us both of suggesting the people in that neighbourhood are "not as good" as people in urban neighbourhoods and don't deserve to have improved standards of lighting.
Hunter's Glen is not an urban neighbourhood. o more than seventy -five lots were created in the development. . Lots sizes range from two and a quarter to four acres.
That is not an urban neighbourhood.
In my home subdivision, we had seven hundred and fifty lots. One hundred times as many.
That's an urban neighbourhood.
Yesterday I went down and counted the lots on the stretch of road
to be re-constructed. I counted driveways, then realised some of them were circular so I had counted twice. Fox point is a bulb in the south side that allows three lots to access the road.
The highest number I saw on Hunter's Glen was twenty- eight. It means not more than thirty-one homes.
The new budget for construction of urban lighting for thirty homes is $289,000 . Consultants design fees are $66,735.
Add the two figures together and cost of road lighting for approximately thirty homes is $355,735.00
The total project is estimated at $2 million dollars.
Both shoulders of the road are to be paved for bicycle paths. They will go from Yonge Street, where there are no paths, and end at Steeplechase Drive, where there are no paths.
There are thirty homes on that stretch of road.
The report is signed jointly by the Director of Environment and Infrastructure, absent on three weeks vacation, and the Chief Administrative Officer.
Neither of whom live within the Municipality.
And defended in a rage by the Mayor of the Municipality.
The Report will come before Council on Tuesday for approval. Councillor Gallo had questions in committee and professed himself satisfied with the answer received.
Councillor Pirri offered the information about lots of wild life in the area; improved lighting would give drivers a better opportunity to see animals on the road, he said.
When Hunter's Glen was developed as little disturbance as possible was made to land contours.
Lots were created by how a level site for a house could be obtained without disturbing the land.
The original road ran north of Bloomingtion and curved around out on to Bayview. No-one other than a resident, or having business with a resident, has a need to be there.
It is an exclusive neighbourhood.
It is a nature preserve to every kind of native wildlife. Some houses are second and third homes for the owners.
The wooded areas, slopes and inclines and a completely natural area surrounded and protected by homes makes the neighbourhood truly unique.
A hidden treasure.
A Wonderland.
So well hidden apparently and so little understood, it is not even familiar to those who should certainly know better.
It's like providing additional lighting to an area that has indicated no desire for it based on traffic of an occasional deer or three and the possibility of cyclists using the bicycle lanes being installed in an area that has indicated no desire for them. Aurora wants to be Big Time without showing any reason for spending the money.
The Mayor's comment was that not going with the expensive new lighting plan would be showing a dual standard of service. We residents moved here for just that reason. Lots of space and mostly maintained by the people who live here.
***********
On Tuesday the Mayor flew into a temper tantrum at a query of Councillor Gaertner and echoed by myself.
A recommendation was received to increase the price of a design contract by $15,000; from $51,740, $66,735.
The increase was for an improved lighting design.
Councillor Gaertner's question was ; "Is that Urban Standard ?"
The answer was "Yes'
My follow-up was "Why? That's not an urban neighborhood."
The Mayor, in outrage, instantly accused us both of suggesting the people in that neighbourhood are "not as good" as people in urban neighbourhoods and don't deserve to have improved standards of lighting.
Hunter's Glen is not an urban neighbourhood. o more than seventy -five lots were created in the development. . Lots sizes range from two and a quarter to four acres.
That is not an urban neighbourhood.
In my home subdivision, we had seven hundred and fifty lots. One hundred times as many.
That's an urban neighbourhood.
Yesterday I went down and counted the lots on the stretch of road
to be re-constructed. I counted driveways, then realised some of them were circular so I had counted twice. Fox point is a bulb in the south side that allows three lots to access the road.
The highest number I saw on Hunter's Glen was twenty- eight. It means not more than thirty-one homes.
The new budget for construction of urban lighting for thirty homes is $289,000 . Consultants design fees are $66,735.
Add the two figures together and cost of road lighting for approximately thirty homes is $355,735.00
The total project is estimated at $2 million dollars.
Both shoulders of the road are to be paved for bicycle paths. They will go from Yonge Street, where there are no paths, and end at Steeplechase Drive, where there are no paths.
There are thirty homes on that stretch of road.
The report is signed jointly by the Director of Environment and Infrastructure, absent on three weeks vacation, and the Chief Administrative Officer.
Neither of whom live within the Municipality.
And defended in a rage by the Mayor of the Municipality.
The Report will come before Council on Tuesday for approval. Councillor Gallo had questions in committee and professed himself satisfied with the answer received.
Councillor Pirri offered the information about lots of wild life in the area; improved lighting would give drivers a better opportunity to see animals on the road, he said.
When Hunter's Glen was developed as little disturbance as possible was made to land contours.
Lots were created by how a level site for a house could be obtained without disturbing the land.
The original road ran north of Bloomingtion and curved around out on to Bayview. No-one other than a resident, or having business with a resident, has a need to be there.
It is an exclusive neighbourhood.
It is a nature preserve to every kind of native wildlife. Some houses are second and third homes for the owners.
The wooded areas, slopes and inclines and a completely natural area surrounded and protected by homes makes the neighbourhood truly unique.
A hidden treasure.
A Wonderland.
So well hidden apparently and so little understood, it is not even familiar to those who should certainly know better.
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