Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Grief Permeates":
Anonymous 8:17 a.m.
There are all sorts of problem areas in
Canadian society that merit your thoughtful
attention. Is the funeral of a young cop that
high on your priorities ?
******************
I acknowledge the death of a young police officer is in the forefront of my mind at this time.
I believe I am not alone.
In the same way, young men and woman blown to pieces in countries where they are sent to bring "peace", remains brought home, in flag draped coffins,in solemn procession, for families to bury, is a senseless waste.
All the fine words about heroism and courage and dedication to the community or country give no comfort.
Families carry on. Because that's what you do. Because there is nothing else you can do. But their lives will never be the same. Grief will subside but sadness will remain.
A life cut short is a promise unfullfilled.
There is no solace.No continuum. Nothing is left but to endure.
Sometimes, talking about it helps .
Tuesday, 12 July 2011
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Invictus":
It's a beautiful poem unlike some who wrap themselves in it.
Oklahoma bomber Timothy McVeigh recited it before his execution.
My point is - not only heroes speak its words, so do villains.
*****************************
The poem was sent to me. I shared it .
After I had pasted it I went on to write about the venue for my day in Examination for Discovery .
After I posted the whole , I realised some might think I was wrapping myself in the poem
So I removed the post and let the poem stand by itself.
I think Timothy Mc Veigh was isolated in madness .
It qualifies but does not excuse what he did.
Neither does it excuse a society that deals with madness by execution.
It's a beautiful poem unlike some who wrap themselves in it.
Oklahoma bomber Timothy McVeigh recited it before his execution.
My point is - not only heroes speak its words, so do villains.
*****************************
The poem was sent to me. I shared it .
After I had pasted it I went on to write about the venue for my day in Examination for Discovery .
After I posted the whole , I realised some might think I was wrapping myself in the poem
So I removed the post and let the poem stand by itself.
I think Timothy Mc Veigh was isolated in madness .
It qualifies but does not excuse what he did.
Neither does it excuse a society that deals with madness by execution.
How Does a Blog Differ
From a publication.
Because it's personal, that's how.
A newspaper is a business. It's function is not to inform. It is to sell advertising. News is provided to encourage readership. Said readership to be influenced by advertising.
A newspaper cannot be deemed to have a heart or feelings or random thoughts.
When pricked, it does not bleed.
A blog is an expression of one person's thoughts and feelings.
It may be prose...good, bad, or indifferent.
It may occasionally contain an involuntary line of poetry.
Should there be rules?
Who says so ?
What rules?
Why?
Should individual thoughts and feelings never ever see the light of day? Except in fiction?
If technology permits, should people not be able to share how they are feeling or what they are thinking?
Well, Heavens to Betsy, who knows where it might lead. All those young people in oppressed societies are discovering how other people live and think and express themselves in free societies. And just look at the trouble they are creating.
They are demanding tyrant leaders begone. And by Crikey, it's happening.
Because it's personal, that's how.
A newspaper is a business. It's function is not to inform. It is to sell advertising. News is provided to encourage readership. Said readership to be influenced by advertising.
A newspaper cannot be deemed to have a heart or feelings or random thoughts.
When pricked, it does not bleed.
A blog is an expression of one person's thoughts and feelings.
It may be prose...good, bad, or indifferent.
It may occasionally contain an involuntary line of poetry.
Should there be rules?
Who says so ?
What rules?
Why?
Should individual thoughts and feelings never ever see the light of day? Except in fiction?
If technology permits, should people not be able to share how they are feeling or what they are thinking?
Well, Heavens to Betsy, who knows where it might lead. All those young people in oppressed societies are discovering how other people live and think and express themselves in free societies. And just look at the trouble they are creating.
They are demanding tyrant leaders begone. And by Crikey, it's happening.
Grief Permeates
People are talking about the funeral of the police officer killed in the line of duty. Not so much about the expense. But about what they perceive to have been a spectacle.
There is discomfort abroad. No lack of appreciation of the tragedy. Nevertheless,. a feeling that the spectacle distracted from the reality of a life lost. Feelings are being quietly and thoughtfully expressed.
No-one wants to convey a lack of sympathy for the family. It's there alright. Most people can identify with the loss.
But there is an unfortunate qualification. Why should it be different for a police officer than for another man. The disquiet is not centered on the expense, so much as it is on the excess.
There is sympathy for the family of the fifteen year old who is alleged to have caused the policeman's death and is understood to be paralysed from his injuries.
There is scant support for the decision of the Crown Attorney to file a charge of first-degree murder against the boy.
So we have a public reaction. It's quiet but adverse and was bound to come.
When the Police Chiefs of Canada persuaded politicians to institutionalise a charge of murder against any person who appeared to be responsible for the death of a police officer, it was a matter of time before such a charge would be seen to be completely unacceptable.
I believe , in York Region, this is the time.
At this point, the law comes into disrepute. It does not accomplish what the Police Chiefs anticipated when they decided how the law should be written and the politicians acquiesced
It does the opposite.
The fifteen-year old and his family are in people's thoughts. How can they not be? What parent of a fifteen-year old , in all honesty can separate him or herself from the situation?
Even a police officer parent could find themselves in that incredibly poignant position.
There's enough grief to go around, that's for sure.
There is discomfort abroad. No lack of appreciation of the tragedy. Nevertheless,. a feeling that the spectacle distracted from the reality of a life lost. Feelings are being quietly and thoughtfully expressed.
No-one wants to convey a lack of sympathy for the family. It's there alright. Most people can identify with the loss.
But there is an unfortunate qualification. Why should it be different for a police officer than for another man. The disquiet is not centered on the expense, so much as it is on the excess.
There is sympathy for the family of the fifteen year old who is alleged to have caused the policeman's death and is understood to be paralysed from his injuries.
There is scant support for the decision of the Crown Attorney to file a charge of first-degree murder against the boy.
So we have a public reaction. It's quiet but adverse and was bound to come.
When the Police Chiefs of Canada persuaded politicians to institutionalise a charge of murder against any person who appeared to be responsible for the death of a police officer, it was a matter of time before such a charge would be seen to be completely unacceptable.
I believe , in York Region, this is the time.
At this point, the law comes into disrepute. It does not accomplish what the Police Chiefs anticipated when they decided how the law should be written and the politicians acquiesced
It does the opposite.
The fifteen-year old and his family are in people's thoughts. How can they not be? What parent of a fifteen-year old , in all honesty can separate him or herself from the situation?
Even a police officer parent could find themselves in that incredibly poignant position.
There's enough grief to go around, that's for sure.
Monday, 11 July 2011
For The Record
Anonymous:
Regarding the comments about the costs. The suit, initiated by Ms Buck is being paid by her and her financial supporters. The defence is paid by the Town's insurance which is paid by the tax payers. No doubt the insurance premiums will go up after this - so the poor tax payer gets screwed again while egos fight in the court room. Most residents have forgotten - if they ever knew - that this thing is even going on. So much has happened since
*********************
For the record; legal action was initiated by a group of individuals who had access to public resources.
My action was taken in defence of my rights and the rights of all citizens.
Whether or not the matter is a tempest in a teapot will be for a judge and a jury to decide.
Regarding the comments about the costs. The suit, initiated by Ms Buck is being paid by her and her financial supporters. The defence is paid by the Town's insurance which is paid by the tax payers. No doubt the insurance premiums will go up after this - so the poor tax payer gets screwed again while egos fight in the court room. Most residents have forgotten - if they ever knew - that this thing is even going on. So much has happened since
*********************
For the record; legal action was initiated by a group of individuals who had access to public resources.
My action was taken in defence of my rights and the rights of all citizens.
Whether or not the matter is a tempest in a teapot will be for a judge and a jury to decide.
Saturday, 9 July 2011
Here's What I can Tell.
Evelyn, I have some questions about the discovery
examinations.Please do not post this if I cross into
forbidden territory. Will the results be made public as
they were with the former Town lawyer's exam ? And
are you allowed to discuss the attendees? The cast
of characters?
Can you report on side snide comments that were
off the record and aimed at you or your lawyer ? Did
you develop a head ache?
************************
And the last shall be first. I did not develop a headache.
The discovery examinations are not complete. Wednesday was my examination. In Mid-August the six defendants will be examined separately.
I swore on a bible to tell the truth. The record is transcribed. I think the procedure will be a matter of public record, but only when complete. I think there may be another process before court proceedings.
There were no snide comments.Nothing is allowed to interfere with the process.
The venue was a relatively small board room. At the table were four lawyers, the court reporter and myself. I was the focus of attention.
On the table were piles and piles of documents in folders the court reporter's equipment. A lawyer with the defendant's lawyer, had a lap-top. My lawyer had a lap-top. Metroland's lawyer was there. I'm not sure if there was a third lap-top.I couldn't see over the forest of lap-tops.
It just occurred to me,if my mother was reading this she would have no idea what is a lap-top, why would a lap-top be on a table top and why would it be a sight barrier.
The perimeter of the room was crowded with document carriers and boxes A table in the corner had a thermos of coffee, cream,sugar,cups and spoons.
My walker with its own basket of documents, which I didn't need , was in a corner.
Attending were four defendants. Messrs Morris and McEachern stayed the whole day, Gaertner and Wilson left halfway through.
Morris brought a walker and sat on it. Wilson found room to sprawl just as he did in the council chamber for four years.
The end wall was windowed and that made a positive difference.
We started at ten and finished at five.
It was a new and interesting experience.
Very satisfying
examinations.Please do not post this if I cross into
forbidden territory. Will the results be made public as
they were with the former Town lawyer's exam ? And
are you allowed to discuss the attendees? The cast
of characters?
Can you report on side snide comments that were
off the record and aimed at you or your lawyer ? Did
you develop a head ache?
************************
And the last shall be first. I did not develop a headache.
The discovery examinations are not complete. Wednesday was my examination. In Mid-August the six defendants will be examined separately.
I swore on a bible to tell the truth. The record is transcribed. I think the procedure will be a matter of public record, but only when complete. I think there may be another process before court proceedings.
There were no snide comments.Nothing is allowed to interfere with the process.
The venue was a relatively small board room. At the table were four lawyers, the court reporter and myself. I was the focus of attention.
On the table were piles and piles of documents in folders the court reporter's equipment. A lawyer with the defendant's lawyer, had a lap-top. My lawyer had a lap-top. Metroland's lawyer was there. I'm not sure if there was a third lap-top.I couldn't see over the forest of lap-tops.
It just occurred to me,if my mother was reading this she would have no idea what is a lap-top, why would a lap-top be on a table top and why would it be a sight barrier.
The perimeter of the room was crowded with document carriers and boxes A table in the corner had a thermos of coffee, cream,sugar,cups and spoons.
My walker with its own basket of documents, which I didn't need , was in a corner.
Attending were four defendants. Messrs Morris and McEachern stayed the whole day, Gaertner and Wilson left halfway through.
Morris brought a walker and sat on it. Wilson found room to sprawl just as he did in the council chamber for four years.
The end wall was windowed and that made a positive difference.
We started at ten and finished at five.
It was a new and interesting experience.
Very satisfying
Friday, 8 July 2011
About Water Softeners
FYI. One of 51 cities banning water softeners and it was the citizens who voted in favour of it.
Officials search for illegal water softeners in Santa Clarita Valley
SANTA CLARITA, Calif. — The Santa Clarita Valley Sanitation District announced last week that it is on the hunt for homeowners using illegal water softener systems, The Santa Clarita Valley Signal reported.
In an effort to reduce the amount of chloride discharged into the Santa Clara watershed, residents approved a ban on all brine-generating water softeners in 2008.
Officials estimate that as many as 2,000 people in the Santa Clarita Valley still own banned water softeners.
Residents who are caught with banned softeners will be given 30 days to apply for the water softener rebate program or get rid of the machines, according to the story.
If the residents fail to comply, they will be fined $1,000, according to the story
*****************************
I've received a number of comments from a resident on the subject of water softeners. Apparently there is a growing awareness of the harm created by the salt.
I had a softener machine once. Aurora water has always been exceptionally hard. Kettles, faucets and shower heads became heavily scaled with lime within days of new use. Toilet bowls quickly acquired hard lime deposits.
The water softener didn't work in my house. There were too many children. No amount of salt was enough to keep the water soft.
My commenter drew my attention to something I hadn't noticed. The water is not hard any more. The kettle, the most obvious place to notice, has no scale at all and it's probably a year old.
It seems since water from the aquifer has been mixed with water from Lake Ontario, its hardness
is reduced tremendously .It's more evident apparently at the south end of town and mid section of town..
Water softeners are no longer useful in most parts of the town.
Furthermore, they are harmful.
The process of softening hard water is accomplished with salt. It removes the minerals. One of the reasons it was easy for me to get rid of the softener was that softened water didn't taste so good.
No-one ever pointed out that water with minerals removed is not good for your health.
Neitherdid anyone ever point out, the salt used to soften water is not good for the environment.
Yet evidence abounds.
How is it with all the foo-fer-a about the environment...about protecting our water source...how is it
the harmful use of water softeners has never been brought to public attention.
With all the environmental engineers on the public payroll. federal,provincial,regional and municipal, why is such an obvious source of damage is so easily overlooked.
Are they asleep at the switch?
The Region of Waterloo is carrying out a study.
I believe we use brine in the cooling system for ice at the Aurora Family Leisure Complex.
As well as a hundred thousand of gallons of water a day to produce ice that isn't hard enough for
hockey and being soft, is only useful for figure skating ,we also now know brine funnelled into the sanitary sewers from the complex , is not removed by treatment and goes into Lake Ontario.
That can't be good.
Now there's talk about diverting sewage from Aurora to Lake Simcoe.
So even as we spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on storm water ponds to filter out toxic residue
prior to water reaching streams and waterways, we consciously dump tons of salt with the direct result of degrading the waters of the lake.
Go figure.
Thursday, 7 July 2011
Invictus
This is a spectacular poem by William Ernest Henley written in 1875. The title means “Unconquered” in Latin.
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
How charged with punishments the scroll
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
************
Alyson sent me this poem on Tuesday evening.
Tuesday, 5 July 2011
Gay Pride...Culture.? ..Art ?
Toronto provides $130Ks financial support for the festival. Two hundred thousand dollars in policing and street cleaning services.
WOW
But taxpayers may take comfort from the possibility the organization might have to pay that back.
Yeah Right! And where would they get the money to pay it back if they didn't have it in the first place.....Maybe former Mayors David Miller and Barbara Hall could help them out.
One thing may be assumed. The hand-outs are being scrutinized.
Imagine being so silly as to launch an attack on the Mayor Of All The People because he wouldn't walk in their parade. All the while they wouldn't even likely have a parade, if it wasn't for the city's .
money.
There are eerily similar circumstances with the Aurora Cultural Centre.
Gay Pride claims credit for the creative and artistic environment in Toronto. So Does the Culture Centre in Aurora.
Gay Pride gets $130Ks financial support and $200Ks in services- in- kind from the city.
The Culture Centre gets a rent free facility and half a million dollars in financial support and services in kind from Aurora .
A Councillor puts forward a Notice of Motion to review the agreement with the Culture Centre. . The Board held an emergency meeting on a Sunday and deluged the Councillor with hostile comments. He even received a name- calling abusive call from a Board Director.
Staff at the Centre encourage out-of-town patrons to lobby Council with supportive e-mails for continued support; involvement in the politics of the matter.
As if there are no rules to follow.
But there are.
They' re not written down anywhere.
But they're there, Like common sense.
Hidden or not.... In your hiding place...you shall be caught.
WOW
But taxpayers may take comfort from the possibility the organization might have to pay that back.
Yeah Right! And where would they get the money to pay it back if they didn't have it in the first place.....Maybe former Mayors David Miller and Barbara Hall could help them out.
One thing may be assumed. The hand-outs are being scrutinized.
Imagine being so silly as to launch an attack on the Mayor Of All The People because he wouldn't walk in their parade. All the while they wouldn't even likely have a parade, if it wasn't for the city's .
money.
There are eerily similar circumstances with the Aurora Cultural Centre.
Gay Pride claims credit for the creative and artistic environment in Toronto. So Does the Culture Centre in Aurora.
Gay Pride gets $130Ks financial support and $200Ks in services- in- kind from the city.
The Culture Centre gets a rent free facility and half a million dollars in financial support and services in kind from Aurora .
A Councillor puts forward a Notice of Motion to review the agreement with the Culture Centre. . The Board held an emergency meeting on a Sunday and deluged the Councillor with hostile comments. He even received a name- calling abusive call from a Board Director.
Staff at the Centre encourage out-of-town patrons to lobby Council with supportive e-mails for continued support; involvement in the politics of the matter.
As if there are no rules to follow.
But there are.
They' re not written down anywhere.
But they're there, Like common sense.
Hidden or not.... In your hiding place...you shall be caught.
I Received A Jewel This Morning.
Take your new media policy and shove it, White Rock!
July 4, 2011 - Posted by
City hall in White Rock, B.C., has told reporters they can no longer talk to city councillors without going through the city's public relations office."A press release from that city's administration section appeared in my inbox Wednesday morning informing me that I no longer have the luxury of picking up the phone and calling city council members directly to elicit information about the doings of that august body," writes Ted Colley in a column in Surrey Now. "White Rock city council has decided it no longer wishes to have unfiltered information released to the public.
"The policy requires reporters to call the city's PR person, or the city manager, to request an interview with anyone on council or staff."
************************
My inbox yeilded this treasure this morning accompanied by the comment;
"If I was on council I would be screaming blue bl''''dy murder"
*********************
One might say Aurora was more advanced than White Rock. They started the process with passage of a Code of Conduct . Clause 3 required Councillors to explain the rationale for Council decisions
even if in disagreement.
The former Mayor declared the Code had been written by a legal expert on municipal law. He was even named but I never could accept that as a fact.
I didn't agree with the Code. I refused to sign it. I continued to convey my view of things to the people who elected me.
So follow-up strategy was the one now employed by White Rock.Only two channels of information were to be provided to the public. One of them being ,in the person of the Chief Administrative Officer. That was after they created a lesser position with the publicly declared responsibility of correcting "misinformation" that might appear from time to time in blogs and letter to the editor and such.
That didn't work out as planned either.
Along the way, $126 K of public money was spent to silence the critic.A whole bunch of collateral damage was done.
We all know the outcome of the second to final chapter of the Grand Experiment for Controlling the Message in Small Town Ontario.
So...People of White Rock ...Stay Tuned.
WE STAND ON GUARD FOR THEE..
Holy Jehosophat!!!
Dear Town of Aurora,
Further to my presentation to council on Tuesday March 29, 2011, I respectfully request your support for the ongoing work of the Oak Ridges Moraine Foundation by way of resolution by council and/or letter of support.
As you know, the future of the Oak Ridges Moraine Foundation is in jeopardy - our ability to work with your council and others depends on winning renewed investment from the Province of Ontario.
The Foundation’s mandate, based on the 2001 Oak Ridges Moraine Act and subsequent Conservation Plan, is to preserve, protect and restore the environmental integrity of the Oak Ridges Moraine. Today, more than ever, the headwaters on the Oak Ridge Moraine are understood as vital to the Moraine’s inhabitants.
The Conservation Plan is clear, as is the Foundation, that the Town of Aurora and your colleagues in municipalities across the Moraine are key implementers in this headwaters recovery mission. For the past eight years, we have been proud to work with you and more than seventy partners in delivering our shared mission to restore headwaters on the Oak Ridges Moraine. But now, we need your important support to win renewed investment for the Foundation’s work.
While much has been accomplished, much remains to be done. The Foundation and its Stakeholders prepared a ten year strategic review of progress and essential work needed. We have a road map forward that highlights vulnerable aquifers to be protected and the forests, streams and grasslands where strategic restoration will produce the most effective results.
The Foundation’s Business Plan seeks renewed investment of $11 million over four years from the Province of Ontario to deliver the essential headwaters recovery mission in partnership with your municipality and others across the Oak Ridges Moraine.
May we count on your council’s support in our quest for renewed investment from the Province? Your important support should be expressed through a formal resolution and/or letter to decision makers, Premier Dalton McGuinty and Minister Jim Bradley, the minister charged with the Foundation’s mandate.
Thank you for your attention to the Oak Ridges Moraine Foundation’s request for time sensitive moral support. Please do call me for any detail I can provide that will make it possible to gain council’s important support.
Respectfully,
Kim Gavine
Executive Director
Oak Ridges Moraine Foundation
*************************
Yesterday I made the error of confusing the Oak Ridges Moraine Foundation with the Oak Ridges Morain Trust.
I had no idea there were two of them.
I received an angry e-mail from a Volunteer Director of the O.R.M.T. which I will be happy to share if I receive permission.
Monday, 4 July 2011
The Oak Ridges Moraine Trust
Is an organisation that created itself. The Ontario Heritage Trust was created pretty much for the same purpose. Original reason for being was to receive donations of property in return for its appraised value to be paid in tax rebate to the affluent who pay taxes sufficient to the extent money is saved by donating property to the government.
They get to be hailed as benefactors while pocketing the loot and the goody-goody among us, chant the chorus of songs of praise while basking in the reflective warmth of human kindness.
A municipality can't give tax rebates. A town is a tax collector. Not a charitable foundation.
Like most non- government agencies, no sooner is life breathed into them they swell and expand and there's no stopping their growth and imagined importance.
The Oak Ridges Moraine Trust has come to believe they and they alone are responsible for saving the planet.
To that end, they have requested the Province provide them with eleven million dollars over the next few years to realise their "mandate" .
The Town has been asked to endorse the request and send messages of support to our provincial masters.
It seems to have escaped notice, the Province is billions of dollars in debt and desperately seeking an idea to distract voter attention in time to win the next election.
Giving money away is a tried and true political strategy.
It didn't work in Aurora in the last election.
But those who won hardly seem to have noticed.
They get to be hailed as benefactors while pocketing the loot and the goody-goody among us, chant the chorus of songs of praise while basking in the reflective warmth of human kindness.
A municipality can't give tax rebates. A town is a tax collector. Not a charitable foundation.
Like most non- government agencies, no sooner is life breathed into them they swell and expand and there's no stopping their growth and imagined importance.
The Oak Ridges Moraine Trust has come to believe they and they alone are responsible for saving the planet.
To that end, they have requested the Province provide them with eleven million dollars over the next few years to realise their "mandate" .
The Town has been asked to endorse the request and send messages of support to our provincial masters.
It seems to have escaped notice, the Province is billions of dollars in debt and desperately seeking an idea to distract voter attention in time to win the next election.
Giving money away is a tried and true political strategy.
It didn't work in Aurora in the last election.
But those who won hardly seem to have noticed.
This Just In......Last Thursday
Aurora Culture Centre
Ramp up your creativity this August with a series of 4 individual Camp Days
brimming with a variety of music, dance, art projects, improv & theatre games.
Two great themes to choose from - only $45 per child per day!
Camp day hours: 9 am - 4 pm
BONUS! Fee includes 8:30 am Drop-off and After-Camp Activities
*************************
I get regular bulletins about what's going on at the Culture Centre.
A couple of weeks ago, it was a sing along on a Monday afternoon at two o'clock. The songs were from World War 11 . A company was providing the program. No doubt a fee was paid. Somebody would need to pay expenses.
Admission to the concert was free. Refreshments were provided afterwards
No doubt seniors would enjoy the program.
The odd thing about it is the Seniors have their own facility and staff support. t Perfectly capable of organizing entertainment and refreshments to follow.
They pay for it too. Seniors don't get services for nothing.
The question is, why would the Culture Centre be providing that program at public expense when Seniors are providing programs of their own choice at their own expense.
Consider the bulletinabove. Individual camp days. $45. a day. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. But the children can be there from 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Presumably they will be doing whatever for the first half hour and the last hour.
Isn't that a bit weird?
Isn't it a bit expensive?
What artistic knowledge can a child absorb in a day "brimming" with activities, that's worth $45.
How does it compare with camp programs offered by town leisure services in facilities designed for the purpose ...like outdoors in a park on a summer day?
Ramp up your creativity this August with a series of 4 individual Camp Days
brimming with a variety of music, dance, art projects, improv & theatre games.
Two great themes to choose from - only $45 per child per day!
Camp day hours: 9 am - 4 pm
BONUS! Fee includes 8:30 am Drop-off and After-Camp Activities
*************************
I get regular bulletins about what's going on at the Culture Centre.
A couple of weeks ago, it was a sing along on a Monday afternoon at two o'clock. The songs were from World War 11 . A company was providing the program. No doubt a fee was paid. Somebody would need to pay expenses.
Admission to the concert was free. Refreshments were provided afterwards
No doubt seniors would enjoy the program.
The odd thing about it is the Seniors have their own facility and staff support. t Perfectly capable of organizing entertainment and refreshments to follow.
They pay for it too. Seniors don't get services for nothing.
The question is, why would the Culture Centre be providing that program at public expense when Seniors are providing programs of their own choice at their own expense.
Consider the bulletinabove. Individual camp days. $45. a day. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. But the children can be there from 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Presumably they will be doing whatever for the first half hour and the last hour.
Isn't that a bit weird?
Isn't it a bit expensive?
What artistic knowledge can a child absorb in a day "brimming" with activities, that's worth $45.
How does it compare with camp programs offered by town leisure services in facilities designed for the purpose ...like outdoors in a park on a summer day?
Saturday, 2 July 2011
Toronto Star July 2 2011
Two stories ...contradictory
A Toronto Councillor tweets the word "hot" a lot. The Mayor says it's inappropriate. The Councillor should apologize. The Councillor says, yes he should and does. But still tweets the word "hot" a lot.
Where does it say the Mayor of a municipality has authority to act as arbiter of language? Why would any Mayor imagine being elected automatically endows that level of judgment?
Incredibly, some do.
The Councillor is described in the Star story as "flirtatious". He is said to be sixty- three years old. What kind of word is that to describe a tweeting sixty-three year old.?
Presumably something about his personality, revealed by vocabulary, was audible during his campaign for office. Could it have been part of his appeal ?
Where does the Mayor get off admonishing a councillor on suitable language?
Concurrently the saga was being waged about whether or not the Mayor should participate in the ten day celebration of homosexuality in Toronto
He doesn't want to.
Those who want him to, say if he doesn't ,people will say he is homophobic, even if he is not.
Some will say that . A former Mayor of Toronto, John Sewell , in the seventies, appeared on a platform of speakers arguing for gay rights. Some said he was homosexual because he supported gay rights. He wasn't. They said it anyway . He was a one-term Mayor
He also had the audacity to suggest the Toronto police were accountable to the community. That was the real reason for his single term in office.
A former Prime Minister, Pierre Trudeau made a statement:
"The State has no business in the bedrooms of the nation "...or words to that effect. Laws proclaiming homosexuality a crime, were being changed.
It was said Trudeau was homosexual. He wasn't either. Didn't stop them from saying it.
So they may say the current Toronto Mayor is homophobic. Some may think that's fine.
Whether he is or he isn't ...is that not also O.K. Does he not have a right to be wrong?
While talking about one person's right to be a flaming drag queen, should we not include a person's right to be the heterosexual opposite. ...however that might express itself..... I can't think of a way right now..... except maybe a Speedo swim suit!!!!!
Or... here's an original idea.... maybe we should just consider the subject an entirely private matter...not suitable for public debate.
And while we're at it ....let's not any of us presume to dictate what vocabulary one might use to express him or herself . It is very much tied up in a person's personality.
If the State has no business in the bedroom, it surely has no business in the psyche either.
A Toronto Councillor tweets the word "hot" a lot. The Mayor says it's inappropriate. The Councillor should apologize. The Councillor says, yes he should and does. But still tweets the word "hot" a lot.
Where does it say the Mayor of a municipality has authority to act as arbiter of language? Why would any Mayor imagine being elected automatically endows that level of judgment?
Incredibly, some do.
The Councillor is described in the Star story as "flirtatious". He is said to be sixty- three years old. What kind of word is that to describe a tweeting sixty-three year old.?
Presumably something about his personality, revealed by vocabulary, was audible during his campaign for office. Could it have been part of his appeal ?
Where does the Mayor get off admonishing a councillor on suitable language?
Concurrently the saga was being waged about whether or not the Mayor should participate in the ten day celebration of homosexuality in Toronto
He doesn't want to.
Those who want him to, say if he doesn't ,people will say he is homophobic, even if he is not.
Some will say that . A former Mayor of Toronto, John Sewell , in the seventies, appeared on a platform of speakers arguing for gay rights. Some said he was homosexual because he supported gay rights. He wasn't. They said it anyway . He was a one-term Mayor
He also had the audacity to suggest the Toronto police were accountable to the community. That was the real reason for his single term in office.
A former Prime Minister, Pierre Trudeau made a statement:
"The State has no business in the bedrooms of the nation "...or words to that effect. Laws proclaiming homosexuality a crime, were being changed.
It was said Trudeau was homosexual. He wasn't either. Didn't stop them from saying it.
So they may say the current Toronto Mayor is homophobic. Some may think that's fine.
Whether he is or he isn't ...is that not also O.K. Does he not have a right to be wrong?
While talking about one person's right to be a flaming drag queen, should we not include a person's right to be the heterosexual opposite. ...however that might express itself..... I can't think of a way right now..... except maybe a Speedo swim suit!!!!!
Or... here's an original idea.... maybe we should just consider the subject an entirely private matter...not suitable for public debate.
And while we're at it ....let's not any of us presume to dictate what vocabulary one might use to express him or herself . It is very much tied up in a person's personality.
If the State has no business in the bedroom, it surely has no business in the psyche either.
Mea Culpa Mea Culpa
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "A Day In The Life Of A Councillor":
Who in their right mind would have thought that this was a good location for a park , hard to think of a bigger waste of tax dollars , surely you did not support this brain child.
******************
As a matter of fact, I seconded the motion to create a children' s playground on the old waterworks site off Davis Road. I knew it was there, it was idle, it should be used. My immediate reaction to former Councillor MacEachern's motion was, it was a good idea.
Then I went to see it and realised it was completely enclosed by houses and trees. I had been looking at other playgrounds in the community and realised they were totally exposed to view from every angle. And that's how it should be.
I quickly moved Council re-consider the motion . They did not. Even obvious concerns about the safety of children was not enough to support an idea from myself.
So staff did as directed. Several thousand dollars were spent in time and consultation. Surrounding residents were invited to a meeting to discuss the project ,,,say what they would like to see in the playground..
I attended the meeting. A handful of people attended. A father and son came from another neighbourhood to ask the town to consider a skate park at the south end of town and that was the extent of interest.
When staff reported back to the Leisure Services Advisory Committtee ,they were told they had not followed the direction as intended .Do it again. Councillor MacEachern was chair of the committee.
So more time and money was spent. The exercise was repeated . With even less result.
It was another time-wasting , money wasting exercise which fortunately came to naught
Apparently there was a police committee to advise communities on park locations and that particular spot had nothing to recommend it.
On the other hand the site could accommodate a small multiple residential building. The Town of Newmarket has successfully completed projects with the region to provide rental housing.
The site has everything going for it; water and sewers, roads, transit, shopping amenities and anything else one might think of. Apparently, all the region needs is for the municipality to provide a site.
In the 2003/2006 term, staff were directed to make an inventory of all vacant properties the town owned and show them on a map I believe I made the motion. Staff did what we asked. It was a major undertaking which took weeks to complete.
A meeting was called. Senior staff were all present. It was a big night. Something positive might get done.
Former Mayor Jones and two councillors attended. I was one. No quorum. Nothing was accomplished.
The meeting was not re-scheduled.
Who in their right mind would have thought that this was a good location for a park , hard to think of a bigger waste of tax dollars , surely you did not support this brain child.
******************
As a matter of fact, I seconded the motion to create a children' s playground on the old waterworks site off Davis Road. I knew it was there, it was idle, it should be used. My immediate reaction to former Councillor MacEachern's motion was, it was a good idea.
Then I went to see it and realised it was completely enclosed by houses and trees. I had been looking at other playgrounds in the community and realised they were totally exposed to view from every angle. And that's how it should be.
I quickly moved Council re-consider the motion . They did not. Even obvious concerns about the safety of children was not enough to support an idea from myself.
So staff did as directed. Several thousand dollars were spent in time and consultation. Surrounding residents were invited to a meeting to discuss the project ,,,say what they would like to see in the playground..
I attended the meeting. A handful of people attended. A father and son came from another neighbourhood to ask the town to consider a skate park at the south end of town and that was the extent of interest.
When staff reported back to the Leisure Services Advisory Committtee ,they were told they had not followed the direction as intended .Do it again. Councillor MacEachern was chair of the committee.
So more time and money was spent. The exercise was repeated . With even less result.
It was another time-wasting , money wasting exercise which fortunately came to naught
Apparently there was a police committee to advise communities on park locations and that particular spot had nothing to recommend it.
On the other hand the site could accommodate a small multiple residential building. The Town of Newmarket has successfully completed projects with the region to provide rental housing.
The site has everything going for it; water and sewers, roads, transit, shopping amenities and anything else one might think of. Apparently, all the region needs is for the municipality to provide a site.
In the 2003/2006 term, staff were directed to make an inventory of all vacant properties the town owned and show them on a map I believe I made the motion. Staff did what we asked. It was a major undertaking which took weeks to complete.
A meeting was called. Senior staff were all present. It was a big night. Something positive might get done.
Former Mayor Jones and two councillors attended. I was one. No quorum. Nothing was accomplished.
The meeting was not re-scheduled.
Friday, 1 July 2011
Information Freely Flows...Like Water at AFLC
People send me all kinds of info in response to my posts. One wrote this week that some students with mobility problems have problems opening an elevator. So, my idea of giving keys to people using the elevator at the Aurora Family Leisure complex would not necessarily be a solution for them.
That's true. I didn't think of that. .It also means spending several hundred thousand dollars for a full scale elevator to carry them up half a level one way or the other at the family leisure complex would not solve their problem either. They would still need assistance.
The contention of the accessibility committee is facilities should be provided that allow them to make their way anywhere without depending on anyone for anything. That's a worthy objective . But I don't think it can happen overnight and consideration has to be given to means available.
We had the discussion again on Monday about the amount of water used daily for ice-making at the Aurora Family Leisure Complex . We learned it is not metered. We were told it uses water for ice making but while the amount was "unknown" it was downplayed.
I have a clear recollection of the issue being raised at a public meeting during a severe drought in 2002. I raised it. I was not a Councillor. The response was water use to create ice is less since a new fully insulated roof was installed. The place had been a hot box. The new and improved water consumption was still a hundred thousand gallons a day..
We were informed on Monday, it's not metered so .its probably factored into our water rates as water loss. We also pay the region's rates for clean warm water wasting into the sewer..
We learned the ice created by the system is soft. Bad for hockey. Good for figure skating . So the figure skating club effectively has their own town operated arena.
Figure skating is a very expensive sport. A limited number of skaters can be accommodated on a rink. They need patches. Coaches. Expensive skates that need to be replaced regularly. Costumes. :Like competitive swimmers and hockey players. They skate early morning and evenings.
You might say its an elite sport. Few can afford it. We have had a club in Aurora for all the years of my involvement. But they never had their own arena before. Wow!!!!
Hundreds of hours of ice time and pool time are idle within various facilities. No revenue. Facilities open Staff on duty and equipment humming along. Does down time get factored into user fees, I wonder. Or into tax rates.
How much idle time is prime time. I do not know. I have not asked that question. I do know business evaporated from the community centre skate shop when the Stronach Centre opened.
We are having to replace windows in the swimming area at the Aurora Family Complex. Condensation.
No doubt from the open system of ice making using all that water. Not a closed system with glycol.
HMMMMMMM.... Information overload
We will have to talk, you and I, about the Town's Ten Year Capital Forecast . Colleagues are thrilled about it.
Fulsome appreciation was expressed on Monday
Me.................not so much.
It's interesting to hear people talking about how wonderful everything is, when nothing in their experience allows them to compare ..
That's true. I didn't think of that. .It also means spending several hundred thousand dollars for a full scale elevator to carry them up half a level one way or the other at the family leisure complex would not solve their problem either. They would still need assistance.
The contention of the accessibility committee is facilities should be provided that allow them to make their way anywhere without depending on anyone for anything. That's a worthy objective . But I don't think it can happen overnight and consideration has to be given to means available.
We had the discussion again on Monday about the amount of water used daily for ice-making at the Aurora Family Leisure Complex . We learned it is not metered. We were told it uses water for ice making but while the amount was "unknown" it was downplayed.
I have a clear recollection of the issue being raised at a public meeting during a severe drought in 2002. I raised it. I was not a Councillor. The response was water use to create ice is less since a new fully insulated roof was installed. The place had been a hot box. The new and improved water consumption was still a hundred thousand gallons a day..
We were informed on Monday, it's not metered so .its probably factored into our water rates as water loss. We also pay the region's rates for clean warm water wasting into the sewer..
We learned the ice created by the system is soft. Bad for hockey. Good for figure skating . So the figure skating club effectively has their own town operated arena.
Figure skating is a very expensive sport. A limited number of skaters can be accommodated on a rink. They need patches. Coaches. Expensive skates that need to be replaced regularly. Costumes. :Like competitive swimmers and hockey players. They skate early morning and evenings.
You might say its an elite sport. Few can afford it. We have had a club in Aurora for all the years of my involvement. But they never had their own arena before. Wow!!!!
Hundreds of hours of ice time and pool time are idle within various facilities. No revenue. Facilities open Staff on duty and equipment humming along. Does down time get factored into user fees, I wonder. Or into tax rates.
How much idle time is prime time. I do not know. I have not asked that question. I do know business evaporated from the community centre skate shop when the Stronach Centre opened.
We are having to replace windows in the swimming area at the Aurora Family Complex. Condensation.
No doubt from the open system of ice making using all that water. Not a closed system with glycol.
HMMMMMMM.... Information overload
We will have to talk, you and I, about the Town's Ten Year Capital Forecast . Colleagues are thrilled about it.
Fulsome appreciation was expressed on Monday
Me.................not so much.
It's interesting to hear people talking about how wonderful everything is, when nothing in their experience allows them to compare ..
Thursday, 30 June 2011
Experience Versus The Lack Thereoff
Elizabeth Bishenden has left a new comment on your post "A Productive Day":
"Figure our rules on the run..." is not the same as "first to know his mind and declare his position".
Would anyone prefer a councillor sit back and not ask questions or give opinions while he quietly figures out the rules? He's an elected coucillor. Let him do what he was elected to do... ask questions and opine and vote.
He doesn't have to be a guru of municipal history. He doesn't have to agree with any particular point of view. He does have to be sure that he he knows what is going on now and that he votes for something he can explain to the electorate.
******************
You are absolutely right Elizabeth. The Councillor is young. energetic and eager to participate.He will learn the history as he goes and acquire a sense of how a municipality operates and a council functions. If he enjoys the experience, by the time the next election comes along , he will have something of substance to offer for a second term in office.
He will have made the most of his opportunity to learn and make a contribution.
Voters in the main,don't ask for more than that. They take a chance on an inexperienced candidate.They watch the subsequent performance with interest and if their hunch was right, they take personal satisfaction from having made the right choice.
If the opposite is true they do not have the same satisfaction and may be unlikely to make the same mistake twice. Intuition plays a large part in voter selection of candidates.
The safe thing to do with a vote is park it with an incumbent. Inexperience is not generally considered an asset. And not just in politics.
That's why an intelligent person functioning in the public arena of politics,without experience, is wise to appreciate the gift of trust.
It can't be taken for granted. Voters have made an investment. A gamble if you like.
They give. They can take away.
Four years is a good long time to grow in the job , demonstrate judgment, dependability and integrity.
It is an investment by the candidate but even more so by the community.
An imbalance between experience and inexperience is not an asset.
An inexperienced candidate can be easily seized by the proboscus and led in the wrong direction.It's an invitation waiting to happen.
"Figure our rules on the run..." is not the same as "first to know his mind and declare his position".
Would anyone prefer a councillor sit back and not ask questions or give opinions while he quietly figures out the rules? He's an elected coucillor. Let him do what he was elected to do... ask questions and opine and vote.
He doesn't have to be a guru of municipal history. He doesn't have to agree with any particular point of view. He does have to be sure that he he knows what is going on now and that he votes for something he can explain to the electorate.
******************
You are absolutely right Elizabeth. The Councillor is young. energetic and eager to participate.He will learn the history as he goes and acquire a sense of how a municipality operates and a council functions. If he enjoys the experience, by the time the next election comes along , he will have something of substance to offer for a second term in office.
He will have made the most of his opportunity to learn and make a contribution.
Voters in the main,don't ask for more than that. They take a chance on an inexperienced candidate.They watch the subsequent performance with interest and if their hunch was right, they take personal satisfaction from having made the right choice.
If the opposite is true they do not have the same satisfaction and may be unlikely to make the same mistake twice. Intuition plays a large part in voter selection of candidates.
The safe thing to do with a vote is park it with an incumbent. Inexperience is not generally considered an asset. And not just in politics.
That's why an intelligent person functioning in the public arena of politics,without experience, is wise to appreciate the gift of trust.
It can't be taken for granted. Voters have made an investment. A gamble if you like.
They give. They can take away.
Four years is a good long time to grow in the job , demonstrate judgment, dependability and integrity.
It is an investment by the candidate but even more so by the community.
An imbalance between experience and inexperience is not an asset.
An inexperienced candidate can be easily seized by the proboscus and led in the wrong direction.It's an invitation waiting to happen.
Wednesday, 29 June 2011
A Day In The Life Of A Councillor
The following was received
On Tuesday 9.14p.m.
Councillors
I have been told that the park is going ahead on the old water tower site that is at Mosaics, Henderson and Davis. I would like to express my concerns regarding the park. On Saturday night between 12 and 1 am there were people in the field yelling and screaming and lighting off fire works. This is a common occurrence in the field. That field is not that far from houses and all of the tall trees it is not a great place for people to be letting of fireworks. People use it as a short cut to get to Davis Dr so, besides them yelling and screaming in field they then come through the development yelling and screaming. My concern is that when there is a park there then they will hang around more often and for longer periods of time. There will also be bottles getting broken and who knows what else. So, in the end it will not be a good place for kids to play. One night there was also a bunch of boys passing through the development to the field and one of them was going to go to the bathroom on my daughter's car in the driveway. I just happened to look out because they were so loud and they then took off. I feel that we will have more problems in our development if you go ahead with this park. We will also have people going to the park and the will come into our development to park. We don't have that much parking to begin with so we will have none.
Please reconsider this park. I think it is just going to be a hang out for people to cause trouble
Tue, Jun 28, 2011 at 9:30 PM, I responded
Good Evening Mr.
There was a proposal to use this site for a children's playground in the last term of council. It did not materialise and is unlikely to do so. It is a completely unsuitable location for a playground hidden as it is from public view. All children's playground must be open and visible to passers by.
The vacant site does present a problem though. I think the only way to solve it would be to develop the site for use. Perhaps a small residential building. It is owned by the town and we can decide the best use. I would be interested in knowing if you have any views on the subject. Or your neighbours?
It is only one acre in size and I'm not sure of access. I'm not even sure it has the width of a driveway at the Davis Drive entrance
On Tuesday 9.42p.m. I received:
Mrs. Buck
I feel that the site should be left as is the kids play in it and people have somewhere for their dogs to run. The only thing that is needed is signs for people to pick up their dog dirt. I think the field should be left as is
*********************
A single acre surrounded by Henderson Drive town houses,the Mosaic town houses and Davis Road, in my neighbourhood the site in question was formerly occupied by a water tower, There probably is the width of a driveway from Davis Drive. The site could accommodate a small multiple residential building.
It is surrounded by trees. There is no reason it should remain vacant.Newmarket has been successful, working with the region in providing affordable housing for families. Not having to buy land is the first step to making a project affordable. We have another piece of land on the other side of Henderson DRive next to the Aurora Village Co-op which would also lend itself to a small multiple building.
There is no reason to keep the properties idle,earning no revenue and a dozen reasons why they should be developed in the manner described.
On Tuesday 9.14p.m.
Councillors
I have been told that the park is going ahead on the old water tower site that is at Mosaics, Henderson and Davis. I would like to express my concerns regarding the park. On Saturday night between 12 and 1 am there were people in the field yelling and screaming and lighting off fire works. This is a common occurrence in the field. That field is not that far from houses and all of the tall trees it is not a great place for people to be letting of fireworks. People use it as a short cut to get to Davis Dr so, besides them yelling and screaming in field they then come through the development yelling and screaming. My concern is that when there is a park there then they will hang around more often and for longer periods of time. There will also be bottles getting broken and who knows what else. So, in the end it will not be a good place for kids to play. One night there was also a bunch of boys passing through the development to the field and one of them was going to go to the bathroom on my daughter's car in the driveway. I just happened to look out because they were so loud and they then took off. I feel that we will have more problems in our development if you go ahead with this park. We will also have people going to the park and the will come into our development to park. We don't have that much parking to begin with so we will have none.
Please reconsider this park. I think it is just going to be a hang out for people to cause trouble
Tue, Jun 28, 2011 at 9:30 PM, I responded
Good Evening Mr.
There was a proposal to use this site for a children's playground in the last term of council. It did not materialise and is unlikely to do so. It is a completely unsuitable location for a playground hidden as it is from public view. All children's playground must be open and visible to passers by.
The vacant site does present a problem though. I think the only way to solve it would be to develop the site for use. Perhaps a small residential building. It is owned by the town and we can decide the best use. I would be interested in knowing if you have any views on the subject. Or your neighbours?
It is only one acre in size and I'm not sure of access. I'm not even sure it has the width of a driveway at the Davis Drive entrance
On Tuesday 9.42p.m. I received:
Mrs. Buck
I feel that the site should be left as is the kids play in it and people have somewhere for their dogs to run. The only thing that is needed is signs for people to pick up their dog dirt. I think the field should be left as is
*********************
A single acre surrounded by Henderson Drive town houses,the Mosaic town houses and Davis Road, in my neighbourhood the site in question was formerly occupied by a water tower, There probably is the width of a driveway from Davis Drive. The site could accommodate a small multiple residential building.
It is surrounded by trees. There is no reason it should remain vacant.Newmarket has been successful, working with the region in providing affordable housing for families. Not having to buy land is the first step to making a project affordable. We have another piece of land on the other side of Henderson DRive next to the Aurora Village Co-op which would also lend itself to a small multiple building.
There is no reason to keep the properties idle,earning no revenue and a dozen reasons why they should be developed in the manner described.
Tuesday, 28 June 2011
A Productive Day
The meeting ended at 4.30 P.M. We got stuff done. The session on the strategic plan with staff and council and consultants was productive. I'm not convinced it was worth $80Ks but it was enjoyable.
A Strategic Plan is supposed to be a creative exercise; an invitation to let one's imagination soar. But when it's done, it always comes out in the same-old same-old pedantic languageunlikely to stir anyone to greaterthings.
In the afternoon we got to an issue pending; substantial expense forrepairs to the Aurora Family Leisure complex.
The Accessibility Committee wants a new full scale elevator.The one there now goes up half a level and down half a level. A staff person has to attend with a key to open it.
The principle of accessibility is a disabled person should be able to make their way about without help from anyone.
So we are not going to replace the elevator. We are going to have keys cut and give them to those who need them. We don't have any idea how many keys need to be cut. But it will be a lot less expensive than a new full elevator costing hundreds of thousands of dollars that doesn't even need to travel a full floor.
Another big ticket item was repairs to the ice-making equipment.The arna is home to the figure skating club.They like soft ice. They carve it up pretty good neither of which is favoured by hockey players.
The Aurora Family Leisure Complex has always had a bit of a jinx.
The pool was intended to be a family leisure pool, allowing little children to wade and water toys provided. The competitive swim lobby got after council and the design was changed to half competitive and half leisure and turned out to be a hybrid that didn't meet any needs satisfactorily.
For all its eccentricities the people who use it,like it.
Not long after it was built, it sunk down into the earth and we were ten months without a poll while it was rebuilt.
The fitness centre had a concrete floor covered with industrial carpet. Then it was changed to a child care centre. The gymnasium, intended to be a youth centre/indoor sports training facility ended up being the fitness centre.
The ice arena enclosure wasn't insulated. In a summer heat wave it took hundreds of thousands of gallons of water to keep the ice-making equipment cool.Clean but warm water was then released into the sewer and we paid the region for the water and sewer rates. The facts only came to light when water restrictions were imposed in a heat wave. A splash pad was proposed once to make use of the water. But that didn't fly.
Found out yesterday, water used to cool the ice plant is not metered. So it's probably included in the mysterious "water loss" that plumps up our water rates.
So...we are contemplating providng a youth centre. In the long run we will need to build new ice surfaces. We need to look at the whole picture before we spent massive amounts of money in repairs to a facility which might lend itself to a different use. I'm not saying it will. I'm just saying we should make sure.
It was a lengthy discussion. The kind of discussion where I wish I was the only one at the table and everybody else wishes it was a different table to theirs.
The problem is, I know all the history.It gives me a bias.Councillor Pirri is always the first to know his mind and declare his position.
Another wrinkle is the change that came about from re-organization in the
last term. Soemthing else I did not support.
The manager of facilities (maintenance)was transferred to the Department of infrastructure and Environment.The Director of that department knows nothing about ongoing operations.
The Leisure Service Director is now responsible for use of the facilities but not the maintenance and functionality. Re-org took maintenance and functionality away from him.
The Director was regularly denigrated and subjected to cross examination by the six member tag team of the last council. When the poking with a pointy stick didn't accomplish their objective they took half his responsibilities away and gave it to someone else.
Yesterday, during discussion of the building's function, he was not involved. Until he was asked a direct question. And answered it.
"It is the worst building I have ever had to work with" he said. "But if I didn't have it, I would be hard pressed to provide the programs"
So we deferred the decision on the big ticket ice making machinery and directed staff to look at relevant aspects of imminent decisions on facilities,including the paramount one of a youth facility.
It was a good decision. I look forward to reading the report.
A Strategic Plan is supposed to be a creative exercise; an invitation to let one's imagination soar. But when it's done, it always comes out in the same-old same-old pedantic languageunlikely to stir anyone to greaterthings.
In the afternoon we got to an issue pending; substantial expense forrepairs to the Aurora Family Leisure complex.
The Accessibility Committee wants a new full scale elevator.The one there now goes up half a level and down half a level. A staff person has to attend with a key to open it.
The principle of accessibility is a disabled person should be able to make their way about without help from anyone.
So we are not going to replace the elevator. We are going to have keys cut and give them to those who need them. We don't have any idea how many keys need to be cut. But it will be a lot less expensive than a new full elevator costing hundreds of thousands of dollars that doesn't even need to travel a full floor.
Another big ticket item was repairs to the ice-making equipment.The arna is home to the figure skating club.They like soft ice. They carve it up pretty good neither of which is favoured by hockey players.
The Aurora Family Leisure Complex has always had a bit of a jinx.
The pool was intended to be a family leisure pool, allowing little children to wade and water toys provided. The competitive swim lobby got after council and the design was changed to half competitive and half leisure and turned out to be a hybrid that didn't meet any needs satisfactorily.
For all its eccentricities the people who use it,like it.
Not long after it was built, it sunk down into the earth and we were ten months without a poll while it was rebuilt.
The fitness centre had a concrete floor covered with industrial carpet. Then it was changed to a child care centre. The gymnasium, intended to be a youth centre/indoor sports training facility ended up being the fitness centre.
The ice arena enclosure wasn't insulated. In a summer heat wave it took hundreds of thousands of gallons of water to keep the ice-making equipment cool.Clean but warm water was then released into the sewer and we paid the region for the water and sewer rates. The facts only came to light when water restrictions were imposed in a heat wave. A splash pad was proposed once to make use of the water. But that didn't fly.
Found out yesterday, water used to cool the ice plant is not metered. So it's probably included in the mysterious "water loss" that plumps up our water rates.
So...we are contemplating providng a youth centre. In the long run we will need to build new ice surfaces. We need to look at the whole picture before we spent massive amounts of money in repairs to a facility which might lend itself to a different use. I'm not saying it will. I'm just saying we should make sure.
It was a lengthy discussion. The kind of discussion where I wish I was the only one at the table and everybody else wishes it was a different table to theirs.
The problem is, I know all the history.It gives me a bias.Councillor Pirri is always the first to know his mind and declare his position.
Another wrinkle is the change that came about from re-organization in the
last term. Soemthing else I did not support.
The manager of facilities (maintenance)was transferred to the Department of infrastructure and Environment.The Director of that department knows nothing about ongoing operations.
The Leisure Service Director is now responsible for use of the facilities but not the maintenance and functionality. Re-org took maintenance and functionality away from him.
The Director was regularly denigrated and subjected to cross examination by the six member tag team of the last council. When the poking with a pointy stick didn't accomplish their objective they took half his responsibilities away and gave it to someone else.
Yesterday, during discussion of the building's function, he was not involved. Until he was asked a direct question. And answered it.
"It is the worst building I have ever had to work with" he said. "But if I didn't have it, I would be hard pressed to provide the programs"
So we deferred the decision on the big ticket ice making machinery and directed staff to look at relevant aspects of imminent decisions on facilities,including the paramount one of a youth facility.
It was a good decision. I look forward to reading the report.
Monday, 27 June 2011
Snippetts...a Couple
I'm going out to a meeting which I may or may not stay at.
The Region after increasing water rates two years in a row by 10% is planning to repeat the exercise for another four years. This is water we are buying. Not oil, It is ours. We own it.
It is not controlled by O.P.E.C. at a hundred dollars a barrel.
Apparently despite developers paying for infrastructure in the ground and handing over millions in developer charges to pay for capital infrastructure, the region has still managed to incur billions of dollars of debt and they plan to increase water rates by 60% in six years to pay for it.
The fee for a vendor in the park during the jazz festival is $250.Farmer's Market vendors can vend for $125. It is revenue to the jazz festival for vendors to sell in a facility with all services , they got from the town for free .
In the Name of Charity.
Two stories of government failure in the Star today. Millions of dollars of "eco "fees sitting in bank accounts, on the basis of disposing of computer waste.
Family businesses in school bus companies all over Ontario, put out of business by new government regulations about contracts.
Talk to you later.
The Region after increasing water rates two years in a row by 10% is planning to repeat the exercise for another four years. This is water we are buying. Not oil, It is ours. We own it.
It is not controlled by O.P.E.C. at a hundred dollars a barrel.
Apparently despite developers paying for infrastructure in the ground and handing over millions in developer charges to pay for capital infrastructure, the region has still managed to incur billions of dollars of debt and they plan to increase water rates by 60% in six years to pay for it.
The fee for a vendor in the park during the jazz festival is $250.Farmer's Market vendors can vend for $125. It is revenue to the jazz festival for vendors to sell in a facility with all services , they got from the town for free .
In the Name of Charity.
Two stories of government failure in the Star today. Millions of dollars of "eco "fees sitting in bank accounts, on the basis of disposing of computer waste.
Family businesses in school bus companies all over Ontario, put out of business by new government regulations about contracts.
Talk to you later.
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