Your historic main street will be assimilated, Resistance is futile !

Steven Upton's letter in the December 8th Auroan was titled "Yonge development a good thing : reader"

I think we can safely assume that Mr. Upton is biased towards development, being the vice President Development of Tridel and all.

Perhaps a more accurate tile would be "Yonge development a good thing : developer"

I like his assertion that council and residents should keep an "open mind" when it comes to shaping the "inevitable growth" of their community.  So am I reading it correctly that residents or councilors that oppose development, even in part, are "close minded" ?  I guess that assertion, coming from a developer, was inevitable.

And then he goes on to say that "residents should not be concerned with increased height and densities"

Excuse me Mr. Developer but where do you get off telling me what I should and shouldn't be concerned about?

As a citizen I am extremely concerned with increased heights and densities, and will continue to be until I see development strategies that put the needs of the community and residents before that of the developer.  Tridel has no such strategies.

In doing a quick Google search for reviews Tridel hardly looks to be an ethical company:

http://reviews.smartcanucks.ca/tridel-condo-builders-ripped-us-off/

http://homestars.com/companies/2570229-tridel-corporation?show_review=27244

Digging a little further I see that CBC's show "The MarketPlace" did an show on condo developers
http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/2008/01/09/condo_crunch/

Here's what they reported:

"You may be surprised to learn that the beautiful rooms you see in the model suites are not necessarily like the ones you’ll live in once your building is complete. The den on your floor plans may become a walk-in closet by the time you move in. Your ceilings may turn out to be a foot or two lower than the ones you saw in the model suite when you decided to buy."

As Wendy Mesley reports, "buying a condo is fraught with risk for you, the buyer. The developers? They’re pretty well protected."

And user feedback on the page for the episde included the following owner review:

"I purchased a brand new condo in 2006 from Tridel. It's been nothing short of a nightmare. The show is completely accurate. Caveat emptor is definitely the rule."

I couldn't help but notice Mr. Upton's objection to Toronto's bylaw mandating green roofs.  He seems to have a very limited view, in his words "What the bylaw does is limit our options for future buildings,"

I find it upsetting when a developer claims that environmental issues get in the way of their planning.  What else get in "their way"?

Mr. Uptown is correct that A historic main street such as Aurora's needs focus and refurbishing of historical buildings.  It needs improvements to local parks/community facilities and the creation and improvement to public spaces for everyone to enjoy.

He seems to be of the belief that the only way Aurora will see these benefits is if we accept what developers, like Tridel, propose and hike up huge rat bag condos.  Perhaps he does not realize that as taxpayers we already contribute to town projects that provide us these benefits.

All of the "benefits" that Mr. Uptown outlined that come from new development is not what will be opposed, its how the development is proposed.  Increased height and densities is only inevitable if poor planning is what is turned to. 

No thanks.

Aurora deserves better.

The more I'm coming to understand about Urban Planning the more I believe developers and council should work to include concepts presented in the book "The Endless City", you can read a review here:

http://www.core77.com/blog/book_reviews/book_review_the_endless_city_by_ricky_burdett_and_deyan_sudjic_9633.asp#more

Co-author Jacobs speaks lovingly about the diversity of the city streets, the need for a heterogeneous population and a "neighborhood" actively engaged in monitoring or policing its own behavior and growth.

Co-author Richard Sennett talks about the need for anti-planners to break up the homogeneity that developers pursue, exploring deep issues like the migration of creative talent, the growing political influence of the metropolis and the environmental impact of humanity in large conglomerations.

In response to Mr Uton's closing in which he uses a cliched blanket statement that "too often people refer to new development as a bad thing, not in my backyard", I am curious Mr. Upton, where exactly is your backyard?  If it doesn't back onto Yonge Street I suggest that your comments take a back seat to someone who does.

Weekly Inspiration : crochet Hobbes doll

Anyone who misses Bill Watterson's strip Calvin & Hobbes also misses the opportunity to interact with anything from that world as Watterson has proven to be a hard-ass on merchandising and does not give authorization for anything to be done with his characters.

That is a shame, but it doesn't stop those who are determined. Check out the crochet replica of Hobbes here:

http://www.jamesclark.com/calvin-and-hobbes.html

What an excellent present, that most likely only cost a couple of bucks in materials and a couple hours of someone's time.

It's awesome, and I'm inspired, maybe even enough to take up crochet.

I so want one....Christmas anyone?

What is wrong with Aurora Youth?

It looks like vandalism is on the rise in North West Aurora, but don't expect it to be covered by any local news outfit.
After all Aurora is squeaky clean and nothing bad ever happens here, don't you know.

Stopping to pickup my mail from our super mailbox today I noticed that one of the cable boxes had been torn clear off and the cables had been disconnected.  It was not an isolated case.  As I drove around our neighborhood several attempts at other cable boxes had been made.  There look to be a mix of both newer more vandal-proof boxes and older ones which were the ones that got targeted.  Several of these boxes look like they were previously fixed, several were taped, others zip-tied.

A couple months back in late summer when I was driving home through Aurora Heights I witnessed a kid with a skateboard hammering away at a cable box.  Attempting to discourage him I threw on my highbeems and drove towards him, he scattered into the small plaza on the south side close to Bathurst.  As I drove along Aurora Heights I witnessed several cable boxes that had been damaged and could only shake my head.

And then a month or so I had to go and reclaim an item that was removed from my backyard by a group of punk kids and hauled up to the neighborhood park.  Luckily its size prevented it from being taken a greater distance, but unfortunately it was damaged.

And when CAA came to boost my car battery this morning, the serviceman informed me that neighbors two blocks over had been worried that their gas tank may have been siphoned and installed a locking gas cap which was bent due to vandalism and required the service call.

I found this particularly interesting as twice I have noticed my gas flap open when I'm sure that it was shut.

I am taking extra measures to ensure my car stays in the garage as apparently driveways in North West Aurora are not safe.

This wasn't a problem when I moved to town, so the question that begs to be asked is WTF?

There is obviously a major failure of both parents with spoiled children running around our town which is in no way being addressed by our town council who would prefer to turn their backs on incidents like these, or the recent rash of break ins.

I thought I found a great neighborhood in a nice town to raise my family, but recently I'm finding myself questioning both property and personal safety and wondering if I'm living in a demilitarized zone.  My tax bill says that I'm not, but I'm not so sure.

Where are the parents? Where are our youth programs?  and where are our support programs? 

Wiping these incidents under the rug doesn't help anyone.

Aurora deserves to get to root of the problem.

Aurora deserves better.

click to add website.... business as usual

Hold onto your hats people, in support of the "The Year of Business" the Town of Aurora has completed a "number of projects" including this new and "improved" website" :  http://businessaurora.ca/

Wow, no expense was spared in purchasing the template for this baby!

The site is laden with obviously purchased stock imagery from old catalogs.  It looks like it was lifted from PowerPoint. It is void of any social media connectivity and flies in the face of the principals of effective information design.

Overall the site is uninteresting,  ineffective and insulting to display outwards in hopes of attracting/retaining business.

I shudder to think of the total amount of tax dollars that were spent on this.

Listen to the marketing-speak on the landing page :

Aurora is a "fast growing" centre just "30 minutes" north of the City of Toronto.

Honestly, how can anyone support the claim that Aurora is "fast growing".  Has anyone conducted a study to determine the number of businesses we have lost over the last couple years?  If we did I think we would find some shrinkage.  

And can anyone honestly say that we live "30 minutes" north of Toronto.  I think it would be an out-right lie to claim a figure of 30 minutes even by Go-Train.

Don't even get me started on the claim "Our supportive municipal government..."  please.

It was very interesting to see "Interactive Media" under the heading of "Target Sectors" : http://businessaurora.ca/interactivemediac18.php

It goes on to say "The GTA is one of Canada's most significant interactive media hubs" which is true, however Aurora is not in any way close to claiming they are a vibrant contributor to this, as a city proxy is not enough to flaunt, you actually have to be an active participant in this sector.

I noticed the interesting choice of wording "companies with interests in the interactive media sector" which of course fails to mention any of the companies by name or any local successes.

Toronto, Ottawa, Oakville, Burlington are all active and globally recognized interactive media hubs.

Waterloo was just recently recognized as "the" Digital Media Hub for Ontario, receiving $26 Million in funding:
http://www.interactiveontario.com/news/view/496

As a citizen having spent my entire career in Interactive Media and working through all of these cities I can safely say Aurora is not on the radar in this sector and it is blatant false advertising to say otherwise.

You'd think if we were an "interactive media hub" as so claimed that the town could have hired someone within that hub to design the website.

Aurora may have aspirations of being in this group but this site reinforces how clueless the town is as to how to get there.

At the bottom of the site there is some logo that reads "ED Tools".  I don't know who Ed is, nor do I even want to click on a link to his "tools" but if you're brave enough it links to McSweeney & Associates : http://65.109.194.153/index.php

If they are in "any way" responsible for the design of this website (or their own) they should be fired, along with anyone on the town of Aurora's Economic Development committee that approved this abomination.

Business will not chose to locate themselves in our town through such a thin marketing veneer of placing rhetoric over reality.  Nor will the skilled labor force that we flaunt at every turn chose to stay here if the town chooses to market itself in this manner.

Anyone from a technical or emerging sector would not spend more than two minutes on this site.

If it has any chance of being recognized for anything it will be from being nominated to WebPagesThatSuck .com : http://www.webpagesthatsuck.com/

Like, Oh, My, God

Like councilor Gaertner, Mr Kroon took offense to councilor Buck exclaiming "Oh my God" during a recent budget meeting.  He chose to write about how truly wounded he was on the Aurora Citizen blog recently here:
http://auroracitizen.ca/2009/12/05/who-owes-an-apology/

I'm sure these two also took offense, as did our mayor when councilor Colins-Mrackas exclaimed the same at a recent council meeting and was chastised by our mayor for uttering a "profanity".

Yes, lets all get our panties in a knot because someone says "Oh my God", never mind addressing the source of the frustration.

I wonder if David Glasgow Farragut was ever questioned of blasphemy when he cried  "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!"

I'm sure that the majority of us can agree that free speech doesn’t surrender to ANYONE’S imaginary friend, so where do al these mollycoddled, self rightous morons come from?

Well, Mr. Kroon isn't even from Aurora, but look hard enough and you can find a picture of almost anyone on Google.  Okay that may not be true but this is what I picture Mr Hugo "T" Kroon to look like as he runs around town in an old rusted van correcting teenage girls that are saying "like, oh my god!" on grounds of blasphemy:

We only have to watch the video of council meetings to see the childish behavior of councilor Gaertner and our mayor, both of which obviously never escaped the gravitational pull of shoolyard antics and are sure to damn us all.

Like, oh my God help us.

A Farmers Market at Christmas, only in Newmarket

All of my questions from my previous post regarding the Aurora Farmers Market remain unanswered. 

Interested to know more I took to Google and a quick search provided the following communications from General Comittee back in April:

http://tiny.cc/muduA

It lists Permit Revenue for 2008 as $2,175, and a projected revenue for 2009 as $2,400.  As the 2009 year has come to a close, I wonder what the actual # was.

If The Farmers Market is a private venture and if it is collecting revenue from permits as well as financing from the town, how are they not being held accountable for how they spend said $?

Google also provided a letter requesting support from the town for the 2009 year:

http://tiny.cc/5v30y

Mike Howard , of Howard Farms, chairs the Aurora Farmers' Market Executive Committee.

I saw Mike and the rest of the Howard Farms clan yesterday while attending the Newmarket Farmers Market Christmas Bazaar.

That's right the Newmarket Farmers Market holds a Christmas Bazaar.

What a fantastic event.  Crafts and baking, produce and meats, all available in the weeks leading up to Christmas. 

I didn't bother to ask Mike about any of the recent craziness that Mr Granger has caught himself up in, because there are times for politics and this was not one of them.

Having stocked up on a whole chicken and both nitrate free bacon and English style bacon our family ventured back outside and were able to enjoy a horse drawn wagon ride around old main street in Newmarket.  It was fantastic.

I understand now that Mr. Granger's request came before the executive committee meeting was held, so one has to wonder how he could have been asking for this on their behalf. 

What I wanted to as Mike, or any member of the executive is:

If they approved of Mr. Granger's request to council for $10,000, or if they even needed such a position?

How much money from the town was spent on the Farmers Market last year? and what was it spent on?

A majority of such monies sure as hell better not have been spent to promote a "Jazz" Festival which was produced by St.Kitts music as that is a private venture and presents a huge conflict of interest given Sher's position as a "special events coordinator".

It sure was nice to gain access to these market vendors after the market closed over a month ago and I wondered why the Aurora Farmers Market couldn't coordinate such a special event, but then remembered who was the "special events coordinator" and that answers everything.

Newmarket's community center was brimming with community, smiles and great products.
Instead Aurora gets treated to Karaoke at tax payers expense?

Renaissance, my horse's ass!

I'm sure where Sher is concearned, successfully using the toilet constitutes a "special event"

councilors at large

The Mayor's Era Banner ran an article for its Sunday edition titled: "Councilor plans to pitch ward system"
http://www.yorkregion.com/News/Aurora/article/100270

I agree with councilor Granger as often as I do Steven Sommerville, but on the issue of pitching a ward system for Aurora I find myself on-board with both of them.

However I do question the timing of Mr Granger's pitch.  If councilor Granger was truly interested in the issue he would have brought it to council shortly after his election.  Granger's original proposal from 2006 is online here:

http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:Hs8ss3pC-1YJ:www.town.aurora.on.ca/app/DocRepository/1/TownHall/Agendas%2520and%2520Minutes/AAC06-03/CouncilAgenda06-03DelegationD.pdf+ward+system,+aurora&hl=en&gl=ca&pid=blsrcid=ADGEESjQFFURnrEm5L_gRTy05mfFz7ED2EfA6HdHmNoCNbJuHOaNx4ONRJxFd8DVYkw01xIAMXAZrv9VVWMtnZc5NNNbsDDUg1EPaNC_DOyYKFEYJtZC38plHZZdZxY-LNnAZ3zop4nF&sig=AHIEtbQlnuMs-ocn0PzG9caxKE-JnjleaQ

It's almost 2010, so what has been taking all of Mr Granger's time in the last 4 years bringing this matter forward in a timely fashion as he promised in his last campaign?

I assume that a ward system is not in the interest of the coalition he is in on council, and that his individual issues take a back seat to the MorMac regime.  The main reason that the majority of our council opposes the ward system: With no direct representation, no one can be held accountable.  How convenient.

The fact that he is resurrecting this now is so that he can use it as a campaign issue.
It is too late for this discussion to evoke changes for the 2010 election, so he is safe to raise the issue now as he has nothing to lose except make it look like he is looking after key issues.

Regardless of Granger's lack of both a brain or a spine, the issue is worth pursuing so I thought I would explore it at more length here.

There are two separate discussions over at the Aurora citizen blog, with seemingly equal arguments for and against:

Aurora Citizen Blog topic - September 2008
http://auroracitizen.ca/2008/09/21/community-corner-ward-system-what-happened/

Aurora Citizen Blog topic - March 2009
http://auroracitizen.ca/2009/03/29/guest-post-preparation-for-the-next-election/

I'm dumbfounded that there is so much resistance to a ward system when almost every other municipality is using the ward system and for good reason. The arguments against it are ludicrous, and I hope to dispel some of the bullshit behind those that chose to discredit the movement.

Here are their claims:

1.) Ward systems pit councilors against councilors to get things for ‘their area’.

Really, and this dysfunction is rampant in every ward system? 
If this is such a concern is there any ward system that could be cited as an example where this is true?  I couldn't find one.

Newmarket, our neighbors to the north, seems to be functioning perfectly, and they adopted a ward system in 2003.

"Ward councillors have a more intimate knowledge of the area," Mayor Tony Van Bynen said.

"Residents know who to call about something. Residents have a richer representation and councillors have a richer perspective."

This is an important facet of councilors, being accessible to, and knowledgeable about residents concerns.  I often echo the following comment from the Aurora citizen's blog:

"Many times I have had concerns or comments that I have wanted to address to my representatives, but I never do because I just don’t know whom to approach. I feel it is a waste of councillors’ time for me to email eight people and get eight responses. And it would be a waste of my time to phone eight people. With the present system, I don’t get involved."

My fear is also one where a citizens issue can easily be lost in the "pass-the-buck" mentality because no councilor is representing that citizen in a ward.  This is especially the case when councillors are not evenly spread accross the municipality but clustered together like we have in Aurora.

Ward systems are created not to pit councilors against one another but to ensure adequate representation.

2.) We have enough antagonism now without councillors becoming even more territorial.

How would councilors become territorial?  Its not like it could bring us any more dysfunction then we already have.

Wouldn't they be better able to represent their particular ward without having to spread themselves over the entire municipality.  I seriously question that any councilor can be effective given the size of the municipality and the diverse changes in our geography given recent development.

How is it even conceivable that any of our councilors can claim that they represent the entire town that has grown to a population of approx 52,000?

I live in NW Aurora, there is no councilor who lives close to me that can relate to my specific concerns, nor is there anyone from the NE area of town.  This is a failure of democracy which a ward system would rectify.

Carve up the town, and reduce the demands on each councilor, allow them to focus their efforts.
There is nothing preventing them from working in the best interest of the town as a whole, but they should work to represent their ward so that all residents are equally represented at council.

3.) We’re not (yet) big enough for a ward system.

And how exactly is this claim validated? exactly
How big do you have to be?  What is a magic number that needs to be reached?

If we are such a small population how does one justify 8 councilors?  Would 6 suffice?

It seems to me that all of these arguments are heavily flawed, how could we not want to pursue the merits of the ward system, when there are several.  Including countering all of the points above a ward system could:

1.) Reduce election confusion and increase voter turnout.

Why should any citizen have to inform themselves with over 20 candidates to pick the top 8?
If there's any question as to voter apathy I seriously suggest one looks at this.

Instead a ballot could simply list a vote for mayor and a vote for ward councilor, thus reducing the amount of confusion a voter will have come the election to wonder how (or if) any of the councilors could represent them.

East Gwillimbury seems to be reaching the same conclusions:
http://www.yorkregion.com/News/East%20Gwillimbury/article/100276

Another reason for the push to establish a ward system is to introduce new blood and new ideas into the election.

"For the last two elections, there have been no issues at stake," Mrs. Sullivan said. "There's no issue to vote for one councillor over another. Residents interested in running can run based on a platform of ideas about a ward system and about everything else going on."

2.) Reduce the cost of By-elections.

One of the lame-ass excuses that was given by our mayor to forgoe the democratic process and hold a by-election was cost.  Cost of holding a by-election in a ward system is reduced.  How could anyone want a repeat of the miscarriage of justice that happened when Grace marsh's seat was handed over to Gallo?

3.) Reduce campaign costs for candidates.

Through a ward system a councilor doesn't have to campaign over the entire town, they can maintain their focus in their ward.

Eric McCartney proposed a 4 ward system with 2 councilors to each ward.

I would go further.  A 3 ward system with 2 councilors in each ward.  That's right 6 councilors.  Hey we just saved some tax money.

Split the town into north, central and south, and then again into east and west.  The lines can be best shifted to represent population clustering and less like trying to divide a birthday cake equally.

Having 2 councilors in one ward would reduce the # of people to contact, it would hold councilors accountable, it would unify, not divide our council and as citizens we would have more power to prevent against a slate of candidates being elected and working as a coalition inside council.

Let's call our council out, so they have little opportunity to hide and remain "at-large".

come for the tree lighting, stay for the politics

I went to the tree lighting ceremony last night with the family and was disgusted to see our mayor use the opportunity which was supposed to be reserved for lighting the town tree, to manipulate a captive audience by diverting everyone's attention to the dedication of yet another plaque for the Price of Wales prize awarded back in 2008.

Everyone who was waiting for the tree had to wait around for 15 minutes while it started to rain while the mayor gave a little speech.  The mayor and her gang sure love to milk that award, which is hilarious given that it recognizes the efforts of previous councils more than it does the current lot.  Couldn't help notice Councilor Granger all dressed up in a Santa hat mugging for photos alongside Evilina and Geartner.

I noticed it got cut out of the video here: http://www.theauroran.com/?ID=640019960  no doubt because it had nothing to do with the event, and rightly so.

Talk about turning a holiday celebration into a wholly political event.

Any other time would have been appropriate, holding everyone hostage while they waited for the traditional Christmas tree lighting was not.

The looks on peoples faces were priceless, needless to say they were not impressed.

"of course I'm a people person...you idiot!"

The Mayor’s executive assistant, Robyn Smart is apparently off on stress leave.

Who could blame her.  There must be only a few worse jobs on the planet then hers.
I'm sure taking her leave in Afghanistan would seem like a pleasure cruise from the insanity she has to deal with on a daily basis.

Perhaps when (or if) Robyn returns she could contribute to a study being conducted at the University of Guelph (http://www.uoguelph.ca/cfww/stress/ ) although I'm sure they couldn't even conceive of such a polluted work environment.

Phyllis has proven that she is incapable of even the most basic of consulting tasks let alone management.

The only role model our mayor can claim to be is a bully.  Leadership is so far from her reach it is laughable.

The mayor claimed to have "HR experience".  From where exactly?  Some medieval dungeon?

Phyllis needs to take the advise from StrategA, a UK outfit whose website reads:

"get a grip on stress before stress gets a grip on your staff and impacts their productivity and your profits"

Turnover is not inline with other years it is outlandishly high.  Staff are not content, and the stress placed on town staff by Phyllis is costing us money.  Tax money.

I think Aurorans require a stress leave and come next election we should get one from this power crazed mayor.

Rogers "most reliable" in false advertising

I posted previously about a CRTC ruling that stoped Rogers from falsely advertising their internet service.  What they once claimed was "High-Speed" internet service became"Hi-Speed" because it wasn't considered "high speed" in relation to its competition.

Well, they're at it again.

Claiming they were the "most reliable" recently got them sued.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/rogers-ditching-most-reliable-claim/article1383253/

I think Shawn Hall, a Telus spokesman said it best:

“A lack of planning is no excuse for being able to make false claims in the marketplace.  The fact that they failed to catch up to the reality that any network advantage they had is gone, is nobody's fault but theirs"

And what does Rogers do right after this, sue Bell of course for the same thing

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/now-rogers-sues-bell-mobility/article1384460/

Rogers has to be the most ethically void telecommunications outfit on the planet.