One More Time Maybe Something Will Happen This Time
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Featuring Special Guest Speaker: Colin Campbell of WineWine Southbrook Farms DineDine Winery & R.S.V.P. & 905-773-9329 as space is limited aurorafamilylaw.com PRICE $70.00 PER PERSON 9 0 5 - 7 2 6 - 9 9 5 6 Aurora’s Community Newspaper JANUARY 16TH + TAX & GRATUITY 7 pm sharp 49 North Lake Road Oak Ridges Vol. 3 No. 11 Week of January 7, 2003 905-727-3300 One more time Maybe something will happen this time. For many years a butcher shop occupied the property located on the southwest corner of Tyler and Yonge Streets. It later became a leather goods store and was dam- aged by fire, resulting in its demo- lition. The property remained empty over the years in spite of various proposals. Now it appears a five-storey mixed-use building including retail space on the ground floor and 32 residential condominium apart- ment units above will be con- structed on the site. But it's not the first time Aurora councillors have heard such a pro- Outer space visitor? posal. Looking for all the world like a dead, bloated cow, or a crashed space ship, Aurora's 40-year-old water tower located in the At a recent council meeting a town's south end, collapsed in a heap following a day-long demolition exercise by Priestly Demolition recently. A photo staff report was adopted recom- mending a zoning bylaw amend- story of the tower's final day on the Aurora horizon may be found on Page 8. Auroran photo by Ron Wallace ment with first, second and third readings of the enabling bylaw to be considered at the next avail- able council meeting. A look at Aurora's first half of 2002 In March, 1996, council approved in principle an application for the The year 2002 will go down in respected citizens, retired Deputy on a split vote. the United Church. redevelopment of the site for a Aurora history as a year of growth Fire Chief Fred Bolsby who died at The 2002 capital and operating Council supported an initiative for four storey mixed-use building and change, of increased taxes, the age of 64. budgets were adopted with a tax changes in legislation so local including commercial space on crowded roadways, stop signs, Friends of the late former increase of 8.8 per cent over 2001. bylaw enforcement officers can the ground floor and 13 condo- fear of the Ontario Municipal Board Councillor Bob Hartwell started Council petitioned the province to enforce speeding and stop sign minium units above, plus the and turbulence and conflict on planning the Bob Hartwell reduce the powers of the Ontario bylaws. retention of a house at 5 Tyler council. Memorial Runners Challenge to Municipal Board and the region to A heavy snowstorm hit the area Street. In January council was scram- raise funds for the Children's relax the smoking bylaw for bingo March 26th with more than five Council approval the application bling to reduce the 2002 tax bill. Safety Village. parlours, as charities were suffer- inches of snow. subject to several conditions The first draft indicated a 19.8 per One of the major issues facing ing financially. Council's application to federal including façade treatment, alter- cent increase, which was reduced council in February was the future March brought many problems and provincial governments for ations to the configuration of the to 12 per cent with hopes of mak- of local hydro with the provincial and challenges to council with funding to rehabilitate the historic fourth storey and issues dealing ing the final draft still lower. proposal to deregulate both Seaton Drive residents objecting Church Street School was suc- with access. Later in the month it was reduced Ontario Hydro and local utilities. to the elevation of the new homes cessful and $320,000 was commit- While a site plan agreement to an increase of 8.8 per cent or The final report was received on to the rear of their properties. ted. along with the third reading of the about $69 on the average home, construction of the new library at a Aurora continued to grow from April was another month of implementing bylaw was sched- plus an estimated $35 increase for total cost of $11 million including 35,837 to 40,167 or 15.2 per cent growth and complaints. There uled for the August 1996 council the region. $2 million for land. in five years. were 69 planning applications in meeting, the documents were not It was found that stop signs went The multi-stop at Kennedy and Proposed widening of Bathurst various stages of progress for a approved pending the involve- up on Kennedy Street during George Streets was still controver- Street through Aurora created con- total of 5,000 residential units. A ment of an urban design consult- reconstruction without an enacting sial and stop signs left up for a six- cern about traffic noise and noise 112-acre development on Bayview ant. bylaw, and residents objected to month trial. Growth in Aurora was attenuation measures were Avenue was approved and added The applicant retained a new their removal. still strong with 1,300 approved requested. The need for a side- to the list. architect for a revised project in The licencing for public garages residential units in the works. walk on Bathurst Street was ques- Clublink's proposal for a seven- 1999, which was for a five storey was put on hold, as was the pro- Council supported a centralized tioned storey retirement home on the for- mixed use building, located on posed development for a five- fire dispatch system in principle Lighting for the Thompson mer Aurora Highlands clubhouse both the Yonge and Tyler Street storey building at Tyler and Yonge pending a report on final costs, Funeral Home parking lot con- site was appealed to the Ontario properties. Streets. and approved Aurora being desig- cerned neighbours and town Municipal Board. Aurora lost one of its most nated as a Character Community renewed parking agreements with Please see page 10 Please see page 2 LENARD LIND Broker/Owner #1 SALES PRODUCER IN AURORA & REGION 2001* Call today for a free property evaluation!** L .H.LIND REALTY INC. 905-841-0000 53 Wellington St. E., Aurora (1 block east of Yonge) www.lhlindrealty.com Ontario’s ONLY... *based on IMS Statistics Aurora Offices. ISO 9001:2000 REGISTERED **Some conditions apply 2 - AURORAN, Week of January 7, 2003 Coming Events Former educator In Aurora dies in hospital Retired Assistant Director lengthy career. CONTINUING of Education in York As assistant to Region, Terry Gray died in Education Director Bob Every Wednesday afternoon from 3 to 7 p.m., free inter- hospital New Year's Day, Cressman, Terry's office net training for seniors over 60, sponsored by Elder following a courageous was located at the board Connections. For further information, call Barbara at 905- battle with cancer. headquarters in Aurora. 727-8808. Although he lived in Services were held * * * * Toronto, Terry had been Monday in Toronto and Aurora United Church is looking for volunteers for its Out playing pick-up hockey were attended by a num- of the Cold homeless program. Call Bev at 905-841-8420. with friends in Aurora ber of his fellow hockey Training is mandatory for new volunteers and will be held There were no canastas in the background, but Mayor since 1994. players from Aurora. on Jan.30. Tim Jones did the "rose in the teeth" routine anyhow He served with the York He is survived by his during the official opening of The Rosarium recently. Region District School wife, Janet, and children JANUARY 12 The store, which specializes in roses only, is located in board for many years, and Kelly Gray-Levitt, Tom the plaza at the corner of Wellington Street East and taught in several Ontario and Chris. There are four Enjoy a Community Skating Party with John West Way. locations during his grandchildren. Vaughan/King/Aurora MPP Greg Sorbara at the Aurora Auroran photograph by Dick Illingworth Leisure Complex from 2 to 4 p.m. located on Industrial Parkway North, Bring a non-perishable item for the food bank. Comedy opens Jan. 24 Back Pain? Theatre Aurora's latest asking questions and trying * * * * Aurora, ON – According to a recently released back pain relief report, comedy, "Run For Your to clear up apparent dis- most back pain sufferers have no idea how to eliminate their pain. Roy Meacock Memorial Dart Tournament at the Aurora Some use heat, others ice. From sleeping on the floor, to pillows Wife", written by Ray crepancies in the informa- Legion. Register at 10 a.m. Tournament starts at 11 a.m. underneath the legs, back pain relief techniques vary. But thanks to a Cooney, opens at Factory tion he has provided. $40 per four-person team. Further information at 905-841- free report, local back pain sufferers finally know exactly what to do. Theatre January 24 and A neighbour tries to put To get a copy of the free “Back Pain Relief Report”, call toll-free, 24 hour 9188. continues for a 10-perform- things right, which adds to recorded message * * * * ance run. the mayhem. If you had one of the old-fashioned Christmas trees and A man with two wives in The production is directed 1-888-433-3244 want the town to pick it up, place the tree at the curb after adjacent towns is involved by Jeff Burke and produced 4 p.m. today. Do not place in plastic bags. All tinsel, deco- in an accident.