Tax Free Beverley Varcoe 905-727-3154 Savings Highly Qualified to Handle Your Accounts Real Estate Needs with Over 20 years of Award Winning service! 53 Wellington St. E. Aurora 905-727-4300 Your Community Realty, Aurora BROKER, CRES, SRES www.beverleyvarcoe.com Market Value Appraiser Aurora’s Independent Community Newspaper Vol. 9 No. 11 905-727-3300 auroran.com FREE Week of January 13, 2009 Movement forms after Aurora advice ignored In Leaside a small grassroots little interest was shown in the movement has been established Bill by the Liberals. that aims to force governments The main source of public into making polluters and small information is Environment factories that use or dispose of Canada's National Pollutant hazardous materials disclose Release Inventory, but it is limited how they affect the environment in the information provided. and human health. Much of that would not have And it all goes back to the been necessary if the govern- death of a worker in an Aurora ments had taken action on rec- plant in 1983. ommendations of a coroner's JOHN GUTTERIDGE Unlike people in parts of the inquest jury that investigated the United States and in other indus- death of an industrial worker in a trialized countries, Toronto resi- flash chemical fire in Aurora. Gutteridge dents received little information In March, 1983, Darryl Erb about the issue and a local group died from carbon monoxide poi- will retire called “The Community's Right to soning caused by an accidental Know” want this changed. flash fire of volatile and inflam- In spite of the cold weather New Year’s Eve, Aurora’s annual The issue has surfaced at mable materials at his place of First Night drew record crowds. Most elected to visit indoor on April 15 Queen's Park from time to time work at 12 Industrial Parkway programs, including Tyler Crook, who had a 22-year-old cock- and in May, 2007, a legislative South in Aurora. atoo visit him during a show presented by Zoo Tek. Zoo Tek Aurora's Chief Financial Officer, committee studied a right to A Coroner's Inquest was held reps brought all kinds of creatures to Aurora’s Recreational John Gutteridge, is retiring. know Private Member's Bill pre- to investigate the accident and to Centre, including turtles and snakes. Auroran photo by David Falconer Mr. Gutteridge, who has been with pared by NDP’s Peter Tabuns, but Please see page 13 the town since September, 2005, advised the mayor last week that he would be retiring effective April 15. The good, the bad and the ugly in 2008 By providing three months notice of his retirement, Gutteridge has By DICK ILLINGWORTH fulfill new provincial legislation which ties had not been developed as ing a contract for the concessions at allowed the town the opportunity to requires municipalities to perform approved plus the untidy condition of the various town community centres look for a replacement while he The year 2008 was not a particu- additional tests at private residential the properties, including Yonge and with three firms responding to the assists council through the upcoming larly good year for Aurora Council taps to check for lead in the drinking Tyler, Yonge and Centre, Yonge and Request For Proposals. Council 2009 budget. and it might be described as the water. Irwin and the vacant lot across from members and Aurora minor hockey His three-month notice has also good, the bad and the ugly. Here are It proclaimed 2008 as the Year of the Library. officials objected to the staff report avoided what could have been a some of the activities during the first Arts, Culture and Heritage in Aurora A presentation was made to and sent it back. Staff issued a new financial mess for taxpayers. During six months. to honour its rich cultural fabric and council regarding Sport Aurora to RFP and recommended the same the 2005 budget deliberations the It was a good year as the town fostering appreciation and education promote participation in sport and vendor which was adopted by coun- town's new CFO abruptly left, leaving and its citizens received several about the arts, culture and history of recreation for all citizens, to work cil after criticism of staff over the the Deputy Treasurer and an Interim awards including the prestigious the town. together for the common good of process. CAO to assist council through a Prince of Wales Award for Heritage The Anti-Train Whistle campaign sport and ensuring a safe, friendly Following an in camera session, budget process that included financ- Conservation and the many suc- was renewed in Aurora as a resident and fun environment for all in sport, council approved February 18 as ing for the largest capital projects in a cessful community events, the bad wanted to know why Aurora had not plus the development of a Sports Family Day, a new holiday pro- generation - the new Seniors’ Centre due to the long, unproductive meet- taken action to adopt a bylaw similar Hall of Fame. claimed by the province with staff and the new recreation complex. ings resulting in deferrals and lack of to other local municipalities to elimi- Council also received a presenta- receiving a paid holiday and the clo- Even their experience couldn't action and the ugly due to interper- nate train whistling in residential tion regarding a Community Wildlife sure of the town hall. help avoid a 7.9 per cent tax increase sonal relations and raucous meet- areas. The original request was sub- Park, the first of its kind in Ontario Council was advised the town for the year. ings. mitted in 2004. and a model for other municipalities, was facing a financial crisis as over Prior to coming to Aurora, Mr. The year got off to a bad start Aurora's Accessibility Advisory which was endorsed. the past few years capital projects Gutteridge had worked for the Town with the announcement by the Committee adopted ways and Although council had started on had been deferred in order to keep of Cobourg and Kawartha Lakes and Aurora Agricultural Society, spon- means to retain full service gas sta- the annual budget the previous the tax rate down and as a result an spends recreation time as a hockey sors of the Aurora Horse Show that tions in Aurora for seniors and the September with a target date of estimated $102 million was required referee. the Society was being disbanded disabled. December, later changed to over the next four years with only While he may be retiring, he has after 86 years due to lack of volun- Council decided to investigate January, it was finally adopted in $60 million in reserve funds. On a 5- offered his services to the town on an teers and funding. why some of the planning applica- April. 4 vote general committee agreed to as needed basis. Aurora was seeking volunteers to tions for vacant Yonge Street proper- Council had problems in award- Please see page 12 Brokerage LENARD LIND Aurora’s #1 Sales Producer 2007!* Call today forafree property evaluation!** 905-841-0000 • [email protected] 15105 Yonge St., Suite 100, Aurora www.lhlindrealty.com 1 (2 ⁄2 blocks south of Wellington Ontario’s ONLY. on the east side) * Based on IMS Statistics ISO 9001:2000 REGISTERED ** Some conditions may apply Residential Real Estate Company Broker of Record/Owner 2 - THE AURORAN, Week of January 13, 2009 COMING EVENTS CONTINUING **** FRIDAY, JANUARY 30 The York Regional Police Male Chorus is looking for new members.You Scottish Country Dancing every Friday morning at St. Andrews' The Aurora Chamber of Commerce annual Ski Day is at Osler Bluff Ski do not have to be a police officer nor are you required to read music to vol- Presbyterian Church beginning at 10.30 a.m. No partners are needed and Club in Collingwood. If you are interested in participating, call the Chamber unteer. The group rehearses Monday evenings between 7.30 and 9.30 p.m. beginners are welcome. Office at 905-727-7262. For further information, contact the chorus supervisor at 905-727-9676 or **** THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19 the coordinator of volunteer services for YRP at 905-830-0303, extension Aurora Rotary Club meets every Monday evening at 6.30 p.m. at Aurora Chamber of Commerce annual Sponsor-a-Student Luncheon will 6717. Gabriel's on Yonge Street.New members are welcome. For further informa- feature speaker Gold Medal Olympian, Adam van Koeverden. Sponsorship **** tion call 905-841-1352. is $30 per student and is a great introduction for local students to Aurora’s The Adult Bereavement Support Group offers a chance to learn how to **** business community. cope with the loss of a loved one. Fred Bullen has given the use of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge 148 meets the first and third MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25 Aurora Lions Club and Brent Forrester of Thompson Funeral Home will pro- Tuesday of each month at 8 p.m. at 15216 Yonge Street, south of Aurora Garden & Horticultural Society presents Dessert Competition vide administrative cost so that this service is given free to the community. Wellington. For more information call 905-830-9205. and Social presented by its Society Members. Aurora Legion, 105 Industrial Contact [email protected] to reserve a seat or get further **** Parkway North 8 p.m. Guests welcome. $2 at the door. information. Masonic Rising Sun Lodge meets the first Thursday of each month at FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20 **** the Rising Sun Temple, 57 Mosley Street, Aurora at 7.30 p.m.