Monday, June 5, 2023

Term 2014-2018 Town Council’s LAST Meeting, Farewells

Aurora Town Council’s last 2014-2018 Term meeting was held on November 27th, 2018. In my opinion, probably one of the least interesting Council meetings I attended in the past four years, mainly because it was ceremonial rather than operational.  It was the last one for three of the Council members: Deputy Mayor John Abel (2-Term Councillor and Deputy Mayor), Councillor Paul Pirri (2-Term Councillor), Councillor Jeff Thom (1-Term Councillor); as well as the Mayor: Geoff Dawe (2-Term Mayor).  Those departing had no business to look after. No new debates, no deliberations, no new business on the agenda, only a few public announcements. A handful of regulars in the audience, including myself. Interestingly enough public applause was allowed, unlike most regular meetings.

Term 2014-2018 Town Council's LAST Meeting, Farewells

Furthermore, during the comments session there were lots of praises at the semi-round table which during the next term will only seat six members of Council and a Mayor. Many, many “thank yous” among themselves, including farewell notes, best wishes, and of course gifts. Lifelong friendships formed among some. A few 2014-2018 Term accomplishments and one disappointment mentioned. And I almost forgot, at the beginning there was one last delegation for this term by the former Mayor Tim Jones, that could easily be titled “thank you, thank you, thank you.”

If you do survive watching this video that only showcases the comment session of the Council meeting, what do you think? Are you happy with the Mayor and Councillor’s performance in the 2014-2018 Term? Perhaps some of you can’t even answer, and perhaps for many of you out there it is time to engage in municipal politics for the 2018-2022 Council Term. Decisions will be made at the Council table in the next four years and those decisions need public support.

Here is something interesting to note from the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, S.O. 1996, c. 32, Sched., the official Transition from one term Council to another take place as follow: “(1.1) Despite subsection (1), with respect to the 2018 regular election, the term of all offices to which this Act applies shall begin on December 1, 2018 and end on November 14, 2022. 2017, c. 10, Sched. 4, s. 8 (2).

Therefore next week at the December 4th Council meeting there will be a ceremonial transition only. We will officially welcome back Cllr Tom Mrakas as Town of Aurora Mayor, Cllr Harold Kim (Deputy Mayor), Cllr Sandra Humfryes, Cllr Wendy Gaertner, Cllr Michael Thompson, and welcome coming back this term Cllr John Gallo and first time elected Cllr Rachel Gilliland.

Anna Lozyk Romeo
Aurora, ON

Latest Blog Posts

Anna Lozyk Romeo for Mayor of Aurora, Municipal Elections 2022

To my Living in Aurora blog readers: I am running for Mayor of Aurora.  It is a great opportunity now...

From Shining to Shameful – The Continued Loss of the Oak Ridges Moraine

A picture-perfect vista of soft, rolling hills where wild turkey, deer and coyote once roamed has been reduced to...

North East Quadrant of Wellington St & John West Way Development Appealed

At the February 22nd, 2022 Council meeting, Aurora Council UNANIMOUSLY (7-0) voted to refuse a 6-storey, 150 unit residential...

Important Links

The Knowles Butcher Shop on Fire, June 25th 2021 – Photo Gallery

The so known Knowles Butcher Shop on 9 Wellington Street East is a long-standing building in Aurora, c. 1885....

Church Street School, Construction Site (Photo Gallery)

Photos of Church Street School during the Library Square construction. Photos dated May 22, 2021. Anna Lozyk RomeoAurora, Ontario

Cineplex Odeon – What Year Was This Photo Taken?

Photo of the Cineplex Odeon in Aurora. What year do you think this photo was taken? Your clues are...

Snowflake Path Downtown Aurora, Photo Gallery

Finally, just in time for Christmas snowflake decorations are all working downtown Aurora. ... and this is what we used...

Changes Along Wellington Street, 3-Years Ago & Today

Few changes along Wellington Street. While looking back at some of my old blog posts I came across one from...

Archived

The Most Powerful Thing We Own Is Our Vote

"The most powerful thing we own is our vote."...

Town of Aurora Council Meeting February 12, 2013 – Reporting From Town Hill

For those that regularly follow the Town of Aurora...

documenting Aurora, A Sesquicentennial Legacy Project

‘documenting Aurora’ is a legacy project created with the...

Think About It

Building Relationships with the Public

"Local governments must value and continuously invest in building...

You Might Also Like