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Aurora’s Independent Community Newspaper Vol. 9 No. 32 905-727-3300 auroran.com FREE Week of June 9, 2009 Board using “fear mongering” to end Wells School, he says By MARLA LEWIS Reports of deteriorating founda- ing, according a retired Aurora seismol- Special to The Auroran tions, asbestos and declining enrol- ogist. ment have added to the deadly diagno- At issue is a slew of reports com- Hundreds of parents, students, town sis. missioned by the school board claim- officials, business owners and residents But those reports are wrong, full of ing it could cost up to $10 million to fix are expected to march on a public mistakes and amount to fear monger- Please see page 15 meeting Monday at Dr. G.W. Williams Secondary school. At issue is Aurora’s Wells Street Public School, currently on the chop- Tomlinson named ping block by the York Region District School Board. The historic school sits on death Citizen of the Year watch after being suddenly closed by York District two years ago, diagnosed David Tomlinson was named He has voiced his concerns at earthquake unsafe and being declared Aurora’s latest Citizen of the Year every public meeting regarding devel- a "ptr" school (prohibitive to replace). Wednesday night. opment of the area. The creator of the acre-big Merlin’s His dedication helped to create a Hollow, David was the hands-down protected site within the park known as Jones out, favourite of a committee that met a the East Aurora Provincially Significant This 200-pound black bear created quite a stir in Aurora last couple of weeks ago to consider who Wetland. Wednesday morning when it wandered into town and found Aurora’s newest Citizen of the Year Realizing the buffers to the wetland its way to this tree in the Wellington-Wells area. Hundreds of Black gets would be. were unsuitable, David filed an appeal people, including several photographers, both professional He replaces last year’s Citizen, Sue to the Ontario Municipal Board result- ing in a 35-metre buffer area. and amateur, were at the scene to witness the event. Walmer. The Citizen of the Year award was He has a passion for ornithology, Subsequently, officials tranquilized the huge creature and his support the highlight of an evening put on by horticulture, and landscape architec- The rumour is almost true. removed it from town. Photo by Barry Bridgeford the Town of Aurora to recognize its citi- ture. Two weeks ago, when The Auroran zens. He's won many awards, received received an anonymous phone call Given how many exceptional peo- Emeritus status, and has been invited advising that the Liberal Party of Briefly ple live in Aurora and make a differ- to speak to gardening enthusiasts Canada had decided who would run ence in the community, the Town hosts throughout Aurora. in the next federal election to repre- an annual Civic Appreciation Awards At home, David and his wife Dierdre sent the Liberals in the Newmarket- Ceremony. control Merlin's Hollow - an acre of gar- Aurora riding and a nomination meet- There are 10 categories of awards den with more than 15,000 plants. ing would not be held, the suggestion and community members are nomi- was pooh-poohed by several Liberals. nated for each category by their peers. Later in the week, one of the can- David’s most outstanding accom- didates, Tim Jones, resigned from his plishment is the creation of a protected 40,000 attend Street Festival. See pictures page 13 efforts to seek the nomination and site within the Aurora community announced he would support King wildlife park known as the East Aurora Garage sale Mayor Margaret Black. Provincially Significant Wetland. That left two people in the running; By attending this garage sale, you’ll be helping to send the Aurora Jays ball team to Italy In 1983, he began to monitor the this year. Mayor Black, and Newmarket Aurora community wildlife park. Action starts this Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the parking lot area of the Aurora Councillor Chris Emanuel. Legion, Industrial Parkway North. His commitment to ecological Emanuel told The Auroran Sunday On sale will be clothing, household items and sporting goods. preservation became obvious when that he is still in the race. development pressures threatened the Next workshop He was surprised when he learned park area. Jones had thrown his support to Revitalization of the Yonge-Wellington Corridors has been named the Aurora He used his expertise to formulate Mayor Black, since Emanuel had Promenade and workshops continue this week. a detailed report addressing the park’s The Town has initiated a study that will shape the character of Aurora. worked on Jones’ campaign in the last rare plants, flyway migration routes, The Aurora Promenade will set a new forward-looking vision for the Yonge and federal election. Wellington corridors and surrounding areas. and habitat for sensitive species - Phase 2 of the plan centres around another series of workshops, scheduled June 15 to While he didn’t have a booth in 17 at Lynett Hall. always envisioning it as an intercon- Please see page 18 nected habitat. DAVID TOMLINSON Fax, Scan & Email Services LZXVchXVcidZaZXigdc^XÒaZZbV^a The UPS Store® LZ]VkZVB68^c"hidgZ 14845-6 Yonge Street ;jaa 8dadjg VcY 7L Eg^ci^c\ Aurora, ON L4G 6H8 GjWWZgHiVbeh6kV^aVWaZ T: 905.713.1632 [email protected] 2 - THE AURORAN, Week of June 9, 2009 COMING EVENTS CONTINUING Community Bible Church on Bathurst Street just south of **** WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24 The Probus Club of Aurora meets at 10 a.m. the second Henderson from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information e-mail Aurora Historical Society yard sale at Hillary House, begin- Aurora Garden & Horticultural Society monthly meeting at 8 Wednesday of each month at the Royal Canadian Legion on Judy Hoffmann [email protected]. ning at 8 a.m. All proceeds go to the care and restoration of p.m. at the Aurora Legion,105 Industrial Parkway North. Topic is Industrial Parkway North. Probus was sponsored by the Aurora **** Hillary House. For more information, call 905-727-8991 or visit "Fabulous Foliage" with guest speaker Heinke Thiessen followed Rotary Club in 1995 with an initial membership of 25, now 82, for Scottish Country Dancing every Friday morning at St. www.aurorahistoricalsociety.ca. by flower show. Guests are welcome. Admission is $2 at the retired and semi-retired professional and business men and Andrews' Presbyterian Church beginning at 10.30 a.m. No part- **** door. women, former executives and others.The club is non-sectarian ners are needed and beginners are welcome. Merlin’s Hollow, a one-acre garden in East Aurora, is free to SATURDAY, JULY 4 and non-political. For information call 905-841-3558 or 905-727- **** visitors today. It’s located on Centre Crescent, north of Centre Merlin’s Hollow, a one-acre garden in East Aurora, is free to 9344. Aurora Rotary Club meets every Monday evening at 6.30 Street, west of Industrial Parkway North. visitors today. It’s located on Centre Crescent, north off Centre **** p.m. at Gabriel's on Yonge Street. New members are welcome. SUNDAY, JUNE 14 Street, west of Industrial Parkway North. The York Regional Police Male Chorus is looking for new For further information call 905-841-1352. Meatball Madness at the Aurora Lions Hall, 33 Mosley SUNDAY, JULY 5 members. You do not have to be a police officer nor are you **** Street. Doors open at 5.30 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m.Tickets are $20. The Aurora Garden and Horticultural Society annual Aurora required to read music to volunteer. The group rehearses Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge 148 meets the For further information, call 289-470-5102. Garden Tour covers seven gardens including a chat with the Monday evenings between 7.30 and 9.30 p.m. For further infor- first and third Tuesday of each month at 8 p.m. at 15216 Yonge MONDAY, JUNE 15 owners and creators of the landscape designs.Tour is from noon mation, contact the chorus supervisor at 905-727-9676 or the Street, south of Wellington. For more information call 905-830- Members of CAWS (Community Action for Wells Street) and to 5 p.m., rain or shine. Tickets are $10 and are availableat coordinator of volunteer services for YRP at 905-830-0303, 9205. OARA (Olde Aurora Ratepayers’ Association) will hold a parade Caruso & Co., 15210 Yonge Street, Flowers by Terry, 14799 extension 6717. **** in support of saving Wells Street Public School from the Town Yonge Street, and R&R Revisited, 95 Edward Street. **** Masonic Rising Sun Lodge meets the first Thursday of each Park at 6 p.m. sharp.