IT'S ALL ABOUT THE SHOW ...IT MUST GO ON.

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "MYTH AND FALLACY AND DOWNRIGHT DISTORTIONS": 

Oakville's council however are very short-sighted. The same legislation that they are using to protect Glen Abbey from development also restricts the property from being used as.........
a golf course!!

So, while they will prevent the development... they will also prevent it from it's current role.

Just to let you know, in case you do not know where Glen Abbey is located. It is north of the QEW. When it was built, it was in the middle of no where. Now , Oakville has grown around it. Hardly in the beautiful part of Oakville (Bronte Harbour).  

Posted by Anonymous to  Our Town and Its Business at 24 August 2017 at 08:02

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Oakville is not so much short- sighted  as down- right -dodgy. The 7000 name petition provided the impetus for Council  to mis-use the Heritage Act to deny an application for development; a classic example of municipal political sleight of hand. 

(Oakville is an old hand at sleight-of-hand. Were they not responsible for the cancellation of one of two natural gas generating plants that put the Province into $1.2 billion debt with nothing, absolutely nothing, to show for it but half- constructed framework  and rusty padlocked gates) 

An application is made. The process begins.  Planning staff do what they're paid to do. The process takes months or possibly years before it comes before the Planning Board(council) for public input. 

Half of a GTA  municipal  payroll is related to development and matters pertaining. 

If that which is proposed  is opposed,everything done beforehand is time and effort squandered. 

Half the municipal tax bill is thus engaged. 

The average municipal politician bends like a reed to opposition.  

Previous Municipal Planning Boards existed because of the tendency of municipal politicians to lean this way and or that. 

Then Regions were created and the  Planning Act was legislated. 

Over- riding authority was established and Regions were delegated responsibility to formulate an Official Plan. Municipal O.P.s had to conform.  Both levels have full planning departments. In York ,there are ten full fledged planning departments toiling away in ever-expanding  administration buildings. 

Previously, in the days of autonomous Municipal Planning Boards,when municipal politicians could not be trusted with the responsibility,  the Minister of Municipal Affairs had  signing authority over plans of subdivision. 

Over the years, in an effort to bring order, consistency and equity to the process ,layer upon layer of   legislation and instituted policies have blanketed, one might say suffocated the process. The Heritage Act is part of the helter-skelter  mosaic.

Millions, billions and possibly trillions of dollars are funnelled into the coffers of lawyers, engineers, planning,traffic, environment consultants service the development industry. Matched equally on the public side ,municipally, regionally, and provincially. 

Nary a brown penny goes to pay for a stone upon a stone of shelter for a family. 

Glen Abbey and Aurora Highlands Golf Course are the same vintage. Urban development  has encircled both. 

In Newmarket ,Glen Manor golf course was not old. The golf course was actually a holding pattern for 

development lands. Club link is a development partnership. Yet the Town of Newmarket spent a million dollars of tax resources at the OMB  in a show attempt to stop development that never had a chance of succeeding. 

It didn't.

Hundreds of homes are already built with  schools ,parks and maybe a fire station. 

The neighbourhood will never know anything different. 

They will never know or give a fig about the added cost of processing the plan. 

But forever and a day, they will pay property taxes on taxes for hidden, useless,senseless  extravagance. 

Like  a troupe of Irish step-dancers,politicians will dazzle the audience with the flicker and flash 

of their fancy footwork.

HOW HAS THE HUMAN RACE SURVIVED THIS LONG ?

Stephen Breyer,Associate Justice of the Supreme  Court was  Charlie Rose'guest recently ; for the whole hour. 

I'm not a well organized viewer . I don't know Charlie's guest until I turn the channel. It's bonus 

If the topic particularly interests me and double bonus when there's only one guest. 

The two faced each other on a stage which usually means a university is the venue and students are the audience. 

I like that. Over the years, a number of Chief Justices have been guests. I won't say all of them.  I don't re-call Clarence Thomas  but I might not have chosen to watch that one. 

Needless to say, the program always leaves me with lots to think about.

Much ground can be covered without commercials for an hour and without the usual clack and clamour and competition of a panel.  Though it must be said on Charlie's program the group is 

usually well-co-ordinated and enjoys  listening to each other.  

This discussion was about being a Justice and an associate. Judge Breyer cited two of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor  conference rules;  "No- one speaks twice until everyone has spoken once"and  " Tomorrow is another day."

I could not convey the conversation in a blog post. I won't even try. I seriously recommend 

watching it on u-tube. 

But one piece of advice he gave, I think is critical  and equally important to both our communities. 

Asked if he had a message for the student audience he answered softly; 

 " I hope you find someone to love ,  a job that gives you satisfaction ....and  you 

contribute to public service." 

Then he added , almost pleading : 

"Teach civics in the schools . Show the children how government works."

No thoughtful American can allow their thoughts to stray far from the current critical political 

situation. We are all at risk. 

 I wonder if they remember Hillary's challenge during the 2016 campaign. 

Think of him , with nothing  between him and his finger near the nuclear button. 

And that's where we are at. Nothing intervenes between his finger and  the nuclear button. 

It's clear,  as it always was , the man is not in his right mind. 

The talking heads keep expounding what he should be doing, as if they expect him to become suddenly sensible. 

The electoral college which was supposed to stop such a candidate from assuming the Office of President , didn't. 

And a wise men can only offer general advice ....be happy ...make a contribution .. and teach the children about government. 

When I was a child ,the law required school attendance for nine years. Much was taught. Much was not.

 The main lesson was how to keep on learning and why it mattered.  

MYTH AND FALLACY AND DOWNRIGHT DISTORTIONS

HBefore  I came back on council in 2003, the Province made changes to the Heritage Act. A property could be designated without owner consent . Once designated, It had to be maintained in good condition. Changes can be made but not so's you'd notice. Municipalities can raise taxes to make loans to owners without sufficient resources for property upkeep. 

Any time legislation is amended ,you can count on it being the result of a lobby to suit somebody's advantage. Not necessarily the public's. 

Oakville has designated Glen Abbey golf course heritage, following  a petition of  7000 names. Club Link,owners of Glen Abbey filed a development application two years ago. The plan leaves 124 acres as Open Space. 

The Ontario Municipal Board has ruled the application complete. On Sept 26, council must decide 

on the plan. The  decision on heritage designation is just in time to put the kibosh on the development .

The Mayor says designation is the first step in a process. They will now proceed to delineate features of the 240 acre  parcel of Open Space that makes it historic. 

Even with  limited details of the Toronto Star's report, the Mayor's justification for designation at this point is assuredly ass backwards. 

Oakville, aside from being wealthiest, really is an old original Ontario settlement. The area south of Lakeshore Road is charming , romantic and beautifully preserved. It's easy to transport oneself in

time in the  lakeshore park with the tiny wooden structure of the first post office. It's not clear Oakville 

is much interested in tourism.There's  plenty to see and savour but  tourist promotion is conspicuous in its absence. 

The upscale neighbourhood  on the lake is quiet and secluded. People live there.the homes are plaqued. Obviously privacy is valued. Overcrowded streets and shops of the same vintage in Niagara-on-the-Lake are in total contrast. 

Something new has been added to the Heritage Act since I was last involved. A Conservation Review Board is in place. Club Link will likely take advantage of the right of review. 

The municipality will undoubtedly embark on lavish legal expense from the municipal treasury to prevent the property owner from exercising their legal rights. The enterprise will be cloaked in virtue 

to escape scrutiny. 

 

The developers will equal the expense in legal fees and whatever other ransom is demanded. Years

will pass, all kinds of people will be kept in lucratively employed.

Whatever housing units are eventually constructed will reflect a cost for which there is not a farthing of commensurate value. Not a stone upon a stone, nor brick upon brick will have been paid with the  millions spent to process the plan. 

Taxes will rise and be attributed by a high-priced financial officer, to the cost of growth

The Best Laid Schemes Gang Aft Agley

Yesterday was not a nice day . Despite my plan I didn't weed the garden or tour on my scooter. I did watch American news and comment on Facebook. 

This morning I searched T.V. for something of interest other than CNN and came up short . 

I checked out Facebook and launched into a lengthy debate with my friend Tom Mrakas.

On Tuesday, I drove down the cart path of the former golf course until stopped by a rotting bridge across the creek. A sign advertises future homes from $2 million. Premier Kathleen Wynne is 

traversing the Province talking about perceived problems. The price of housing and the difficulties 

for families featured amid her concerns.   

Development of the former Aurora Highlands Golf Course is certainly not going to resolve any part of the housing problem in Aurora. Aurora's MLA is Premier Wynne's Minister of Housing. He resides  in 

the golf course neighbourhood. I understand, he was active in opposing development. 

There were Councillors and neighbours of the property who believed  the town should buy the real estate to prevent it from being developed. I imagine the price gave them pause. 

Municipal councillors have  been organized and working to negate the authority of the Ontario Municipal Board. A Bill has been presented in the legislature.  The Councillors are  feeling very positive they will accomplish their objective. Specifically , any application for development of vacant land within an urban municipality can be denied without appeal. 

Aurora is not a large town. Taxpayers shoulder the burden of a massive top-heavy administration 

with a payroll in the millions for a handful of individuals . The town's recently departed CAO went to Richmond Hill for an annual salary of $260,000 . An increase from $200,000. 

In return,elected representatives are entitled to receive professional advice on efficient, municipally related, business practice. 

That's not what happens. Not here. And not apparently at Queen's Park. 

A New Plan

A couple of things happened that brought pause to the blog. My I pad stopped doing what I wanted 

and for a number of reasons it took awhile to get it back in order. 

In the meantime, Facebookbecame my outlet. It was  less work and less time.

 I developed a horrible fascination for American politics but less inclined  to add to the cacophony

In depth or extent. 

Now the current topic is racism. It's a volatile topic. Easy to be misunderstood.  I'm going to try to write a blog that has nothing to do with American politics or the issue of race. I don't think one voice less will be missed and I doubt it would make a difference. The problem is not going away soon. 

I'm going to stop watching CNN. My garden needs weeding . I want to meander  about  on my scooter. .. take in the sights and sounds of my neighbourhood and slightly beyond. 

Yesterday, I went on a circular tour. On my way home ,I scooted across Confederation Park from Seaton to Glass Drive. It was mid-afternoon. Grass was neatly cut, Soccer fields clearly marked and ready for use whenever. Baseball diamond backstop was perfectly groomed .

Everything was peaceful ,tranquil and quiet. There wasn't a living soul in the park except for myself and my daughter Heather on her bicycle. 

Wednesday afternoon ,on a sunny afternoon in early August. No children in the streets either. No kids on bicycles, roller skates, playing ball or skipping rope. Playground equipment  still and unused. 

It was like that throughout the town during the last election campaign. But the school kids were in 

their classrooms. I planned ,if re-elected ,to make myself familiar with our various town facilities 

and  make a point of visiting to observe for myself if they are used and part of the community 

lifestyle. 

Councillor Tom  Mrakas published a photo yesterday of dog-walkers ,two, on a town trail. Each had four dogs on leads. I'd heard the leash-free park was used mainly by commercial operations. The 

photo gave a sense of that. 

 I would likely spend four or more hours a day writing a blog. I am going to try to reduce that and the time I spend watching the news and maybe wean myself from Facebook. 

IT MAY HAVE TO GET WORSE BEFORE IT GETS BETTER

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "A SPADE IS A SPADE..IS A SPADE ..IS A SPADE": 

An interesting historical interlude.

The Golf Glen lands were always privately owned. The reference to "Aurora land" is its location, not its title.

But a growing population, an exploding population, has to be located somewhere. 100 or so homes are just a drop in the bucket to provide for the approximately 25,000 population influx that is provincially planned for poor, dear "our town."

There is only a finite amount of land, unless you happen to be Holland, Singapore or China, where in-filling is really filling in.

The luxury days of single family homes are at an end and future residential accommodation might have to involve 3, 4 or 5 story buildings. That is the only way baseball diamonds or other recreational facilities can be provided for our children, or for ourselves. 

Posted by Anonymous to  Our Town and Its Business at 14 June 2017 at 19:35

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The reality is the land is privately owned. The other reality is when people don't want anything to change in their neighbourhood , they tend to insist the municipality buy or otherwise obtain ownership.

The town  just did that with a 6 acre parcel in Mavric Land . Additional millions are to be spent to create a redundant park. 

I think the settlement agreed for the golf course is similar. Numbers of residential units are shrunk to a minimum and park area increased to a maximum. Cost per unit increases commensurately. 

Who cares? Not the developer. Time is money. They will agree to anything just to get going. 

Not Golf Glen or Mavricland residents that's for sure .They already have theirs. 

But more reprehensibly,  the consistent official position of some ,not all, politicians, is to do everything possible to accommodate the demands of some, not all, abutting homeowners.

It's the nature of the beast. It's certainly the easiest way to win votes. Always was. 

That's why there has always been an Ontario Municipal Board . 

There used  to be Municipal Planning Boards as well for the same reason. 

Politicians complained about that as well ,the same way they complain about the Ontario Municipal Board today. 

A SPADE IS A SPADE..IS A SPADE ..IS A SPADE

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "GYPSY..GYPSY..LIVES IN A TENT": 

Had the OMB not existed at the time of the Highland "agreement" between the parties it is conceivable that this development would not take place, or if done so, on a greatly reduced scale.

So the rape of Aurora land might have been negligible.

But leaving future development to local councils with little or no oversight might be even worse. 

Posted by Anonymous to  Our Town and Its Business at 14 June 2017 at 13:43

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The golf course was never  "Aurora land". It has always been privately owned . Before  a golf course, it was a farm on the outside edge of Aurora in King Township. 

Homes abutting the erstwhile golf course came later but  have similar history. 

The  Nesbitt family were never accused of "raping" the land when the golf course was built. 

They  were not accused of being accessory to "rape" when they sold the land to Joe Shaw,

who was a developer at the time. He built a beautiful club house that was an asset to the community for many years . Nesbitt's built two more golf courses Westview and St. Andrew's

The town continued to grow out  into the countryside . I'm  certain, the seven-hundred and fifty families who bought homes in Regency Acres were glad of that. 

I raised my family here. Golf Glen subdivision was a small fill-in development between Regency and the golf course.

 Nobody objected to Regency Acres.

Nobody objected to Golf Glen. 

Instead of being developed ,the golf course continued for half a century longer. 

Now  that  planned fill-in development  is compared to the land being "raped".

There is nothing logical or reasonable about that. 

But it's not just illogical or unreasonable. 

Community  interest is nowhere reflected in opposition to vacant serviced land being developed. 

The opposite is true. 

 

GYPSY..GYPSY..LIVES IN A TENT

Councillor Mrakas made the link available on Facebook for the Bill to establish the new Appeal Trubunal designed to disallow appeals from Municipal Official Plans. The bill has received First

Reading. Councillor Mrakas has put tremendous time and effort into organising support from municipalities across the length and breadth of the Province. 

A committee of the legislature was appointed and hearings were held for public input. 

I read it. I hate reading legislative acts. Writing does not improve. Clarity is clearly  not the objective.

 It's as if legal practitioners are afraid non-practitioners might discover the secret. 

Giving first reading to a Bill  is common practice. Three readings are required for it to pass. Even if  three readings proceed,  it can't be enacted until definitions and regulations are in place to enable enforcement. 

It used to add a year to the process. It might be better now.  And it might not. 

Councillor Mrakas is hopeful the signs and portents are positive. 

To-night's Global news had a relevant item. The provincially owned former lakefront power generation site in Missuassaga Is to be remediated and sold for multiple residential development. 

It's huge. Thousands of units will be accommodated. Worth millions it might  help reduce  debt

 caused by cancelling new generation mid contract. Two of McGuinty's staff might go to jail for 

wiling out records that traced the decision. 

This neighbourhood persuaded  McGuinty to cancel the project. Brought about his early retirement. 

and hangs around Premier Wynn's neck like a dead weight. 

The site is no doubt designated Industrial in Missuassaga's Official Plan. 

A change in Land Use designation will be necessary to allow residential development. It will change

the neighbourhood. 

We should watch that. 

It's not exactly a change from golf course open space to residential.  It is  multiplied many times 

over In neighbourhood impact. 

POLLY PUT THE KETTLE ON ...SUKY TOOK IT OFF AGAIN

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "WITH DUE RESPECT": 

I bet that senior living building will have total occupancy before the doors are opened. Traffic? Pollution? Has anyone been to seniors home in Toronto? 
Posted by Anonymous to  Our Town and Its Business at 31 May 2017 at 06:15

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If the  building proposed is ever constructed, the comment is likely correct. 

For the same reason, people come from Toronto to buy multi-million dollar mansions because 

they would cost twice as much there, senior living facilities would quickly fill. Every vacant 

site in Aurora could be used for the purpose and they would still be fully occupied. It's a lucrative business. 

The Town  of Newmarket keeps moving forward in partnership with York Region to provide  rental housing for families and the elderly . Can't point to a single such development in the last twenty-five years in the Town of Aurora. 

But the discussion is  not about that. pay attention people. 

The town  recently  adopted a Secondary Plan for the  area.

It calls for a Culture Precinct. Whatever one thinks about that , it was approved during the last

term. It allows for residential intensification in the area; purpose being to cut down urban sprawl

 and make public transit an option for commuters. 

A Senior's Living Centre does neither. Though it suits the needs of the United Church, it contributes 

zilch, zero, nada, nil , to the Town's stated objective.

Without  a study or collected data to prove my contention, I'm willing to  bet Senior Living and day- long parking in every nook and cranny  in the town centre for commuters is high on change activity 

in the last several years. 

Neither contribute to re-vitalisation of  Aurora. 

The opposite is true.

If it were the Town's intention, it may be argued. 

But it's not. 

The Town has expended substantial resources developing an Official Plan that generates a different objective. 

The document went through all  legal requirements; advertising, public meetings, consultant studies, 

public input, endless routine occupying planners, and finally public approval and the stamp of authority. 

If this proposal is approved , it will prove once and for all, planning is a farce. 

WITH DUE RESPECT

My friend Councillor Mrakas has updated us on Facebook onthe status of the United Church rebuild 

proposal. The town's decision is not yet made but the item has been referred to the 

next general committee meeting. 

The Councillor is supportive and provides his rational. 

Tom is in  his third year serving of his first term on Council. He works hard and  provides a channel

for communication with constituents. Also offers information and his position on issues. It's. A mark of respect for those  he serves. 

In response I have to say on some issues, mais non, mon ami, Je suis disagree .

There is little about the United Church site that lends itself to senior living. 

At the time Seniors can be expected to be out and about, traffic is heavy on Yonge Street.  

Exhaust fumes are not good for health. Traffic lights barely provide enough time to cross.  

Amenities are few . Public green space is sparse and the site even less adequate. 

A retirement centre is the last thing likely to revitalize the core. It is not a better use of retail space. 

Seniors are not shoppers. 

The need cited  is not there . Retirement centres are probably second in growth only to the construction industry . It's a lucrative business and resources come from sale of seniors' homes.

What happens in York Region when seniors outlive their stash and York Region has to provide 

beds for the outcasts ? 

Council  is being coy about designation under the Official Plan. Completed in 2010 ,the Promenade Study ,was adopted in the Plan during the last Council term. The area is designated as a "Culture Precinct".  I'm fairly sure the "culture" referenced is not a community of elderly. 

The Planning Director has budgeted millions for fancy sidewalks,heritage lighting and street 

furniture. Build them , they will come and  shop and sit to rest from their  frenzied efforts of 

shopping in the block , wave to drivers and breathe in pollution. 

 

We've heard much about the sacrosanct Official Plan. This proposal requires a change in 

designation with  little to commend  it. Certainly no municipal interest. 

The library was built on Yonge Street twenty years ago. The library got busier the downtown did not.

Stores continued to close. 

Park Place Manor , with a huge presence, was built thirty years ago and still the downtown is moribund.

 Density Intensification  has been referenced . 

The purpose of provincial policy is to bring people on or near public transit routes to cut down on vehicular traffic and reduce urban sprawl. 

Seniors are not commuters . Crossing Yonge Street at the lights is a time challenge . 

There are no  good arguments for this proposal .

Council would do well to review the recent application for a Montessori  school in the vicinity with 

all the same details and difficulties. Thousands of hours were spent seeking ways and means to realise the project.In the end, it came to naught. The last thing mentioned were  soil tests.  

Construction is possible in most soil conditions. The question is one of  feasibility of cost and returns.

Furthermore, an Official Plan designation for high density multiple residential, is exactly what it says.

Nothing in the Plan designates a particular proponent. 

NEWFOUNDLAND DECLARES WAR ON USA

Forwarded: nothing to indicate I can't  share. I can't resist. 

President Trump was in the Oval Office when his telephone rang. 

"Hallo, President Trump, " a heavily accented voice said. "This is Archie, up 'ere at the Harp Seal Pub in Badger's Cove, Newfoundland, Canada, eh? I am callin' to tells ya dat we are officially declaring war on ya!" 

"Well Archie," Donald said, "This is indeed important news! How big is your army?" 
  
"Right now," said Archie, after a moments calculation "there is myself, me cousin Harold , me next-door-neighbor Mick, and the whole dart team from the pub. That makes eight!" 

Donald paused. "I must tell you Archie that I have one million men in my army waiting to move on my command." 
  
"Wow," said Archie. "I'll have at call ya back!" 
Sure enough, the next day, Archie called again. " to acquire some infantry equipment! We have two combines, a bulldozer, and Harry's farm tractor." 

President Trump sighed. "I must tell you Archie, that I have 16,000 
tanks and 14,000 armoured personnel carriers. Also I've increased my army to one and a half million since we last spoke." 

"Lord above," said Archie, "I'll be getting back to ya." 

Sure enough, Archie rang again the next day.. "President Trump, the war is still on! We have managed to git ourselves airborne! We up an' modified Harrigan's ultra-light wit a couple of shotguns in the cockpit, and four boys from the Legion have joined us as well!" 
  
Donald was silent for a minute and then cleared his throat. "I must tell you Archie that I have 10,000 bombers and 20,000 fighter planes. My military complex is surrounded by laser-guided, surface-to-air missile sites. And since we last spoke, I've increased my army to TWO MILLION!" 
  
"Jumpins, Lord tunderin! Two million, ye say!!" said Archie, " have to   call youse back."

Sure enough, Archie called again the next day. "President Trump! I am sorry to have to tell you dat we have had to call off dis 'ere war." 

"I'm sorry to hear that" said Donald. "Why the sudden change of heart?" 
  
"Well, sir," said Archie, "we've all sat ourselves down and had a long chat over a bunch of pints, and come to realize dat dere's no way we can feed two million prisoners." 

CANADIAN CONFIDENCE CANNOT BE SHAKEN 

Senior Scholar
York University

GUEST POST

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "GUEST POST ON VIMY RIDGE": 

I wrote the original post Evelyn. Thank you for publishing it.  

The Great War was a terrible time. I think more so than WWII. It was a time when technology was being tested but still "old school" tactics and weapons were being used.  

The airplane had only existed since 1903. Only 12 years later flimsy contraptions were being used to find and photograph the enemy, shoot down the enemy or bomb the enemy. Meanwhile, old-style trenches extended for hundreds and hundreds of miles. Most of them filled with mud, water, rats and death. The machine gun was a recent invention. No longer did you need to be an accurate shot, all you had to do is press the trigger and move it left to right and back again. The Germans created the first weapon of terror.... mustard gas. Put into artillery shells or just in canisters that were opened and let travel on the winds. Of course, this brilliant weapon was not lost on the allies, they developed their own gas weapons. 

Part of the success of the Vimy battle was attributed to the artillery barrage that "crept" in front of the troops. As the shells fell and exploded, the troops moved behind them. After a period of time, the guns were adjusted to shoot a little further, and then the troops moved up behind.  

I visited France and Belgium two years ago. If anyone needs to understand the horror of this conflict, you only need to drive along any road in the Calais area. You can be driving along and a small cemetery appears. In some cases it may be as small as 10-15 headstones. But, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission maintains every one of these cemeteries. The grass is immaculate. Dead flowers are disposed of. Broken headstones are replaced. At the entrance to every cemetery, there is a nook with a door. In there is a binder with a catalogue of all those buried there and in needed, a map to help find the grave.  

The Vimy memorial itself, contains the names of every Canadian solder that was killed but their body never recovered. The names go all around the structure. To further bring some reality to the area, the grounds of the park area where the memorial is located have not changed substantially in 100 years. There are craters from the shelling. Signs and wires tell you to not go into those areas because there is still unexploded ordinance there. Inside that area are sheep grazing. It is more pleasant to pick up exploded sheep than exploded people.  

Travel a little further east and you go to the Town of Ypres, Belgium. Google Ypres and look at the pre-1915 photos and compare to 1918. The town was levelled. They rebuilt it and you would never know what savage destruction was here. On the east entrance to the town is the Menin Gate. A large structure that contains the name of every Commonwealth soldier that was killed but who's body was never found. Thousands of names.  

A final thought. Driving down those roads and you come to a cemetery. The headstones for the allies are bright white granite. I happened by a German cemetery. All of those grave markers were black. Think about the imaging of that. 

Posted by Anonymous to  Our Town and Its Business at 3 May 2017 at 14:27

SOME THINGS WILL CHANGE AND SOME WON'T

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "STEALING FROM PETER TO PAY PAUL IS NOT A FORMULA F...": 


Most Aurorans have known for years that the land base requires going up with buildings. Still the politicians hark back to years ago when urban sprawl was possible. A couple of our councillors " get " it, but the squabbling will prevent meaningful decisions. Cllr Abel looks for a fight on every issue and Sandra blows with every breeze.

Posted by Anonymous to  Our Town and Its Business at 3 May 2017 at 08:29

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You know, that's not true about limits of the land base. When Aurora is built out to the boundary, the Province will simply expand the boundary : probably to the east.

Already no division exists between our town and Newmarket. Fire protection is shared. Police, transit, water, sewers and planning authority are all regional. As is education. 

As long as the federal government continues to encourage immigration and as long as immigrants 

are  drawn to the GTA , demand for housing will continue to grow. 

Public investment in infrastructure is in the GTA . No effort or incentive is taken to direct newcomers to less dense regions and even sparsely  populated areas are being vacated in favour of the GTA.

Housing is an essential part of the economy. 

All things spring from the housing industry. Furnishings,gardening  implements ,furniture and supplies and automobiles.

The retail industry needs a market. Hospitals with expensive technology need to be centralized . 

Most people like to be where people are. 

They will continue to arrive and towns will continue to grow. 

Aurora will be a amalgamated with Newmarket and  the new town will not  be called Aurora. 

It will be a sad day but only for those of us who knew how it was. 

I can't believe how many believe that Aurora will stop growing when infilling is complete. The 

Province created new  boundaries in 1971 .They will do it again when the need arises. 

We will have wards then for sure. Aurora will be a single ward and we will have one or perhaps two representatives in the new town. 

Forty-nine per cent of the electorate will turn out to vote if there's a mayoralty contest and nineteen 

per  cent if there isn't. 

Like always. 

On the plus  side, we might bring  back industries that left with the North American Free Trade 

Agreement. 

GUEST POST ON VIMY RIDGE

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "WAR HAS NO WINNERS": 

to 19:33 and 18:40....

The "Nation Building" that occurred at Vimy is a topic that came up a lot over the last few months in preparation for the centennial, however I think you must go back 100 years to fully understand the rationale.  

In the first few years of the Great War, the Canadian units deployed in France and Belgium were under the control of British Army Generals. They (as well as other Commonwealth units) were considered mere extensions of the British Army. Vimy Ridge was the first battle that all four Canadian divisions were combined into a common force. The "nation building" was really the unification of these units. After the successful battle of Vimy Ridge the British High-Command realized that the Canadians can be a force on their own. To that end, there eventually was the assigning the Canadians a leadership that was Canadian too. No longer a part of the British, they were a force of their own.  

Back on the home front in 1917, the success of the Vimy battle was seen as a successful unification of Canadians from all corners of the country. Also, remember that all of these men were volunteers - there was no conscription at this time. 

As some background information. My Grandfather and great-uncle (his bother) both came to Canada from northern England in 1905. Both were married (my grandfather with 2 daughters) enlisted into the CEF (Canadian Expeditionary Force) in late 1915. They shipped out to England in the summer of 1916. In January 1917, my grandfather was wounded in a battle south of Vimy that was meant as a rehearsal for Vimy. He missed the Vimy battle, but my great-uncle fought and was wounded at Vimy, and continued with all of the major battles for the rest of the war and even served in the occupation forces post 11/11/18.  

It is unfortunate that the current political talking heads try to wrap themselves in a flag and talk about nation-building when they really do not know what they are talking about.

Posted by Anonymous to  Our Town and Its Business at 2 May 2017 at 12:22