WHERE TANNING IS OUT OF THIS WORLD Sean Herbinson (905) 751-0666 Your Aurora “HOUSESOLD” FIRST TAN FREE NAME SWIMWEAR by BIKINI INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED MASSAGE THERAPY 905 AESTHESTICS 727-1941 BEACH ZONE 2 ALLAURA BLVD., Aurora’s Community Newspaper (BY MCDONALDS) York Group Realty Inc. Vol. 3 No. 8 Week of Dec 3, 2002 905-727-3300 Started at 17.7% Garbage shift brings budget hike to 9.3% An $800,000 transfer of funds from ond draft January 14. Aurora to the Region of York helped Money is expected to be found with- councillors shave budget increases in the Central York Fire Services budg- from a proposed 17.7 per cent hike et and the Leisure Services budget. down to under 10 per cent Saturday. The fire department, entering its sec- The money had been earmarked to ond year as a combined service cover costs of picking up garbage in involving Aurora and Newmarket, will Aurora, but that service is being cost more than $10 million, of which assumed by York Region. more than $4 million will be charged to Councillors agreed taxpayers will still Aurora. pay for the service, but it will show up It was noted that had Aurora on a regional bill rather than a local remained as a "stand-alone" depart- one. ment, the bill would have topped $5 The nine-member council met in the million. Volunteers were ready, willing and able Sunday as Hillary House hosted its annual day-long session to have its first look Town staff may dip into reserve funds Christmas party at the historic location on Yonge Street. Waiting for the throngs are, in the at the town's proposed 2003 budget, set up for that purpose to bring the rear, left to right, Kathi Legge, Sydni Legge and Carol Wake. Up front are Crystal Inrig and and before the session was over, had proposed tax increase to the line Trisha Melnik. Christmas events continue at the house next week. See the coming events on removed more than $1 million worth of requested by councillors. Page 2. Auroran photo by Naomi Tobin items, including the $800,000. Once the second draft has been More than $100,000 was taken from approved, the budget is expected to the library budget as councillors, in a go to council's general committee in narrow 5-4 vote, elected to keep the February. Collins Cres. likely to be new library closed on Mondays. Taxes are based on the assessment Councillors, facing a 9.3 per cent of your property. Residents probably increase in the town's tax bill, sent received their new assessments in the treasurer Allan Evelyn back to his cal- mail last week. repaired a year earlier culator with instructions to attempt to If it went up in the neighbourhood of bring the figure down another three 10 per cent, it's probably close to being So many streets, so little money. struction in 2004. complete the design for the points. accurate. If not, there are ways to That's the problem facing Aurora During the Open Forum portion reconstruction of Ridge Road They will find out if he was success- question it. Council as members try to decide of the meeting, Rebecca Beaton during 2003 with possible recon- ful when they tackle the budget's sec- See the story on Page 3. on the capital road reconstruction told council members that 20 struction in 2004. program for the next 10 years. years ago council had agreed to Several delegations have review traffic flow and safety on attended recent meetings com- Richardson Drive. plaining about the condition of She said council had carried out their roads. a traffic study in July, 1985, and South end landmark Last week, council endorsed a nothing had been done since staff report that Henderson Drive then. be reconstructed from Yonge Council referred the issue to the Street to Lee Gate and Child Traffic Safety Advisory Board to Drive in 2003. review the history of the road. The Henderson Drive project Jim Day, a resident of Ridge will soon disappear includes an extension of the trunk Road for the past 17 years, Motorists entering Aurora from in the late 1950s and early 1960s With the coming of regional watermain to provide for the west appeared before council to com- the south on Yonge Street are due to the development of government the wells and the water zone pressure to be joined plain about the condition of that greeted by a large water tank Regency Acres and the Sterling water tank along with an under- with the east pressure zone at south Aurora street. with the name "AURORA" paint- Drug plant, there was a need to ground reservoir on Orchard Yonge Street and Industrial Staff provided a series of options ed on the side. improve the town's water distri- Heights Drive were transferred to Parkway. ranging from full reconstruction in Not for long. bution system. the region. Due to pressure from residents 2003, to leaving the road alone. The landmark is about to disap- Constructed by the town in 1958 With changes in the water distri- of Collins Crescent, council The report also noted that Ridge pear as it is no longer in service the tank held half a million gal- bution system and the construc- agreed to reconstruct the cres- Road was not included in the 64 and the demolition permit was lons of water. The water was tion of a new tank on Ridge cent along with Ottawa Court in projects listed in the proposed 10- issued recently to Priestly pumped to the tower from wells Road, the Aurora tank was taken 2003 with funds borrowed from a year capital road reconstruction Demolition Inc. of Aurora with a near the Community Centre. out of service a few years ago, reserve account to be repaid a program. low bid of $55,484.85. The tank provided floating stor- Regional officials have assured year later. Day said residents had only Vic Priestly told The Auroran the age for daily fluctuations in the town that the demolition of Originally, Collins and Ottawa asked for a phased program. huge tank would likely come demand and emergencies and the tank will have no effect of had been scheduled for recon- It was finally agreed staff would down in a week or two. the weight of the water produced summer water restrictions in the With the rapid growth of Aurora the pressure in the pipes. town. ly s on ora’s Aur tore CD s SOUNDSOUND CITYCITY AURORAAURORA U2 MUCH DANCE 2003 THE BEST OF 1990-2000 BIG SHINY TUNES 7 Gift Certificates Available for ANDREA BOCELLI Christmas SUM 41 Christmas SENTIMENTO BARBRA STREISAND DOES THIS LOOK INFECTED? DUETS 14800 Yonge St. (Aurora Shopping Centre) 905-751-0397 2 - AURORAN, Week of Dec. 3, 2002 Coming Events Step into a Christmas In Aurora CONTINUING past at Hillary House Every Wednesday afternoon from 3 to 7 p.m., free Imagine a December of Wellington, in the heart Christmas. restoration and operation of internet training for seniors over 60, sponsored by Elder evening in a magnificent of Aurora. All proceeds from the Hillary House, one of Connections. For further information, call Barbara at Victorian house, aglow with Seating is limited and evenings' entertainment will Canada's finest examples 905-727-8808. candles and oil lamps, must be reserved in help the Aurora Historical of Victorian Gothic Revival decked with cedar garland, advance by calling 905- Society in its continuing architecture. DECEMBER 7 alive with story and song, 727-4015. Cost is $10 per Watch the film "Mr. Deeds" on a big screen and munch and filled with the tempting person, which includes on a pizza at Dinner and Movie for all 11-14-year-olds, aroma of Christmas bak- refreshments. DAMIR VRANCIC at the Aurora Community Centre from 7 to 9 p.m. Cost ing. This year's program will $3 per person. Call 905-727-3123 extension 528 for Such an evening awaits feature a trip back in time LAW OFFICE details. as Hillary House National to 1913 as Dr. and Mrs. Historic Site presents a Hillary discuss the presents BUSINESS LAW, DECEMBER 7/8 program of Christmas sto- they have purchased for REAL ESTATE, Theatre Aurora sponsors the CBC dramatic reading of ries and music, Saturday each of their eight children. WILLS & ESTATES Charles Dickens' classic "Christmas Carol", with music, and Sunday, December 7 Music by piano and violin, at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Newmarket and 8, at 7:30 p.m. along with carol singing by 905-841-6411 December 7 at 8 p.m. and the Factory Theatre in Aurora Hillary House is located at the audience, will help set December 8 at 2 p.m. Maureen Brosnahan, Mary 15372 Yonge Street, north the mood for a memorable Providing valued and trusted legal advice since 1983 Lawless, Ken Lloyd and Mayors Tim Jones and Tom Taylor are the readers. The Voices of Joy Community Choir and the Hill Top Bell Ringers will provide the HOME OF THE WEEK music. Call 905-898-3000 for ticket information. * * * * The Hillary House Players present a concert of read- ings and music and a chance for you to sing at 7.30 p.m. Call 905-727-8991 for tickets at $10 each. DECEMBER 8 Art Auction, hosted by the Bereaved Families-York Region and Rose of Sharon Services for Young Mothers, at St. Andrew's Valley Golf Course, 368 St. John's Sideroad in Aurora. 12.30 p.m. Further informa- tion at 1-800-969-6904; 905-853-5514; or 905-727- 8228.