Oh! I get it. The friend of a friend thing. I hear that's very popular in political circles.
Posted by Anonymous to Our Town and Its Business at 15 November 2017 at 21:14
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I thought not to publish this comment. Slight in substance, it's hardly worth repeating.
I thought again and realized... it sarcastically echoes a point I'd made.
It's true, politicians can help people with problems and in return, supporters help re- elect. It's not always true, not of all politicians nor of all perceived problems. But consistently true of some.
Nine members, elected independently, render chicanery less likely.
At the first Chamber of Commerce Mayor's Luncheon of Mayor Dawe's term , he informed a named guest, of sidewalk to be built on the Industrial Parkway.
The recommendation had come from the Director of Infrastructure with no indication of a request.
no Council input or direction.
The pleased luncheon guest had obviously asked the Mayor and received.
Mr.Dawe was immediate past-president of the Chamber. It wasn't the first indication town interest
was not first. But it was the first I couldn't ignore or deny.
I helped him get elected. It was secondary to my primary intention but disappointment was profound all the same.
It got worse.
A Council seldom gets elected without a candidate or two willing to sell their soul for votes and voters wiling to buy.
Nine Councillors elected independently reduce the opportunity for that practise to prevail.
With the Mormac "slate" , and a re-shaped administration, Council went to hell in a hand basket.
The gang -of -six and staff worked hand-in-hand. Checks and balances vanished into,the mist of antiquity.
In the Dawe council, even rules of order were altered to smooth the path to perdition.
Recent debate to reduce the number of Councillors is a case in point.
The Mayor was absent.The item could have been deferred but was obviously deemed of insufficient significance for his input.
Councillor Thompson made his usual argument. He asked politicians in other municipalities and read a Harvard Study.
Councillor Pirrie wanted to know why others changed their minds but failed to repeat his own logic.
Councillor Mrakas wasn't quoted.
Councillor Thom saw no reason to change the number .
Councillor Gaertner opposed the motion.
Councillor Humfryes moved the motion and saw it as a step towards a ward system when she would
be able to serve "her area " better.
The ward system was rejected by ballot in the previous election.
Recently discussed is a move to make council office full-time. The idea would be easier sold with two fewer Councillors.
Logic dictates, if economy is the criteria, the community would be better served by amalgamation with
the Towns of Newmarket and Richmond Hill.
Considering electoral disinterest , the whole Aurora shebang would hardly be missed, save by the NIMBYs and other eccentrics among us.
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