Open Road BMW www.openroadbmw.ca 87 Mulock Drive, 905-713-3199 Newmarket (just east of Yonge St.) [email protected] 1-888-295-8714 Aurora’s Independent Community Newspaper Vol. 10 No. 39 905-727-3300 auroran.com FREE Week of July 20, 2010 May solve Conduct complaints conflict to wait for election A compromise could be reached this week in a conflict between the Aurora A proposed amendment to the rather than out of any genuine Farmers' Market and Aurora Jazz Town's Council Code of Conduct sense of grievance”. Festival, after a battle over space at Complaint protocol, which would The proposed moratorium Town Park came to a head this week. have seen a moratorium on mak- inspired strong feelings from The Aurora Jazz Festival on July 31 ing formal complaints to the many quarters, including some is expected to overlap with the Market, Integrity Commissioner between members of the audience creating concerns over space usage August 1st and December 1st, Tuesday, who took to the micro- and vehicular access to the area. was relaxed somewhat before phone for Open Forum. "The Town and the head of Bylaw, receiving approval at last "I don't know how anyone in are working out a compromise that I will Tuesday's council meeting. the chamber feels, but as a citi- be happy with and they are going to get The proposed bylaw called for zen I can say that I think if you're back to me by Wednesday as to the a complete moratorium on com- going to use an integrity commis- results of that because I need some plaints, but was subsequently sioner and rule tonight possibly assurances that our farmers have a amended to allow for complaints [on Integrity Commissioner place to operate their business and sell to be filed but held in abeyance David Tsubouchi's report on their wares on a regular basis," Andre until the next council is fully complaints filed by Councillor Flys, chair of the Farmers Market told formed. Evelina MacEachern against The Auroran Monday. "There are other places where farmers can go if we can't The Complaint Protocol did Councillor Evelyn Buck] and then offer them a safe place. " not include provisions which you're going to decide to have a Bylaw officers were at the Market would suspend formal com- moratorium, I kind of take that as Ada Johnson, Aurora’s oldest citizen, celebrated her 107th plaints to the Integrity Saturday to ensure vendors were not birthday with a party at her residence, Park Place Manor, Please see page 11 bringing vehicles into the Town Park Commissioner during an election area. According to Mr. Flys, the move Saturday. Ada, married to the late Norm Johnson, lived for campaign, something which "really caused a big stink" with vendors. years in a house on Connaught Avenue, and remembers some candidates could have "Some of the [vendors were ready to when the sidewalks would be rolled up on Yonge Street. used to their advantage, said go home]," he said. "Fortunately we Auroran photo by David Falconer Town Solicitor Christopher Please see page 3 Cooper in a report. "There is no realistic basis upon which an investigation can Integrity Commissioner ruling be conducted and reported on before election day," he said, with respect to complaints may be discussed next month lodged after an election cam- paign has started. A ruling by councillors on Aurora Commissioner evaluated a complaint the opportunity to ask for more infor- "Given this reality, and in the Integrity Commissioner David made by Councillor MacEachern mation at general committee and absence of a moratorium in the Tsubouchi's report calling for a council against Councillor Buck on April 15 council meetings. Complaint Protocol, there is a reprimand against Councillor Evelyn that Councillor Buck did not "accurate- "I conclude that Councillor Evelyn very real risk that members of Buck following a complaint filed by ly and adequately communicate the Buck violated the Code of Conduct in council will be confronted during Councillor Evelina MacEachern, has attitudes and decisions of Council" that the Councillor... did not 'accurate- an election campaign with the been postponed until Mr. Tsubouchi with respect to the approval process ly and adequately communicate the allegation that they are the sub- appears before council to answer for the Town's Master Recreation Plan. attitudes and decisions of Council,' ject of a code of conduct com- questions. The complaint alleged that and did not 'show respect for the deci- plaint and have no effective way Mr. Tsubouchi's recommendation Councillor Buck breached this with sion making process of Council' and of defending himself or herself or was slated to be heard at Tuesday's various posts written on her blog, did not convey accurately the proce- securing timely vindication." council meeting but was referred to alleging that the working group for the dures of this Council," said Mr. In his report, Mr. Cooper said next month's session after the number Master Rec plan allowed for "secrecy", Tsubouchi in his report. the City of Toronto's former of councillors at the table dwindled fol- among other issues. "I recommend that a reprimand be Integrity Commissioner conclud- lowing Councillor MacEachern declar- Mr. Tsubouchi found, however, that issued against the Councillor Evelyn ed "that complaints brought Aurora’s Citizen of the Year, ing a interest in the matter and Councillor Buck "had access to the Buck." against members of council dur- Councillors Bob McRoberts and process at several times for each Mr. Tsubouchi's second report ing the period leading up to an Gord Barnes, shows a new Alison Collins-Mrakas excusing them- stage of the recommendations of the related to a further complaint brought election will often be politically skill during event at the Town selves from the proceedings. Leisure Services Advisory forward by Councillor MacEachern motivated and brought as part of Park Saturday morning. In his report, the Integrity Committee" and that councillors had Please see page 12 an opponent's campaign strategy Aurora photo by David Falconer Renovating? $75 Regional mail-in coupon with purchase ULTRA high efficiency toilets As seen on CBC and CityLine Only $ 27999 $129 Reg: $169.99 99 White or N7716 $ 234 (Elongated) White or (round) Biscuit Biscuit N7717 Dual Flush White - # WM2631 only Aurora Home Hardware Building Centre While 289 Wellington Street East Aurora - 905-727-4751 quantities last! 2 - THE AURORAN, Week of July 20, 2010 COMING EVENTS CONTINUING The featured artist in the Skylight Gallery for July is Irma Gusch, whose work is on display Monday to Friday from 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. on the 3rd floor at Aurora Town Hall, across from the Aurora Seniors’ Centre. **** Alateen meets every Sunday at 8 p.m. at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, corner of Victoria and Mosley Streets. Al-Anon meets every Tuesday at 8 p.m. at the Aurora United Church on Yonge * Street. For more information go to al-anon.alateen.on.ca. *(For Royal LePage) * Based on Gross Income Generated **** Marilyn Redvers, Sales Representative The Aurora Garden & Horticultural Society meets on the fourth Wednesday of every month at 8 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion, 14799 Yonge Street, Aurora L4G 1N1 105 Industrial Parkway North. Visitors are welcome for only $2. For 905-727-3154 more information call Ray at 905-727-6168. www.realestateaurora.com **** York Highlands Chorus is an award-winning a capella Sweet Adelines chorus, a group of women who gather Tuesday evenings at the Old Fire Hall, Newmarket, to sing, share in the harmony of friend- ship and learn the barbershop art form. York Highlands is always looking for new women who share the love of a capella music. Call Karen at 905-726-2113 or Vikki at [email protected]. **** The Upper Canada Chordsmen, Aurora-Newmarket’s award win- Please see page 19 ning chorus, is looking for male singers. The group meets every Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Old Fire Hall, 140 Main Street South, in Newmarket. **** The Optimist Club of Aurora meets the first Wednesday of each month at the Aurora Legion. New members are welcome. Call 905- 727-5012 for more information. **** $349,000 The Aurora Lions Club meets the second and fourth Thursdays at $359,000 the Aurora Lions Hall, corner of Mosley and Victoria Streets. Co-ed TERRIFIC BUNGALOW - WEST AURORA! SOLID BUNGALOW - CENTRAL AURORA! club welcomes new members. For further information, call 905-727- 6079. Super brick bungalow on beautiful 50’ x 143’ lot with no house Deceiving from the front, this great house is larger than it appears! behind! Refinished hardwood! Finished basement has kitchen, bed- Super location near Yonge and Wellington - zoned Commercial! **** room, living room, 2 separate laundry rooms and side entrance. Great Finished walkout basement with recreation room and workshop! Martha's Table, at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Aurora, school district! Call Lexie Badali - 905-727-3154 Sitting on a fabulous lot - 68’ frontage by 142’ deep. is closed for the summer and will start up again Thursday, September 2.. **** The York Regional Police Male Chorus is looking for new mem- bers. You do not have to be a police officer nor are you required to read music to volunteer. The group rehearses Monday evenings between 7.30 and 9.30 p.m. For further information, contact the cho- rus supervisor at 905-727-9676 or the coordinator of volunteer serv- ices for YRP at 905-830-0303, extension 6717. **** $429,000 $499,900 Aurora’s Air Cadets meet every Tuesday night at Cardinal Carter School from 6.30 p.m.