Council compensation is back in the spotlight in Aurora, set for discussion at the Committee of the Whole meeting on December 2, 2025. The town plans to re-establish the Council Compensation Committee and adopt new Terms of Reference, giving the committee a clear mandate....

Perhaps Aurora can take inspiration from Newmarket and consider reopening the transitional housing for men project on a property we already own—the $7.5 million site adjacent to Aurora Town Square. I also hope there will be a renewed willingness to collaborate with York Region...

I am conducting a 2026 Municipal Election Quick POLL on Aurora POLITICS Unleashed to encourage civic engagement and give local residents an opportunity to share their views on how candidates can connect with and serve our community. Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/auroraourtown/permalink/1911971929358560 Poll: Should CANDIDATES be permitted to POST their platforms in this...

Aurora Budget 2026: Who Really Pays the Price? The Mayor is calling Budget 2026 The People’s Budget. But why now—just a year before the election? After years of silence on finding efficiencies, it’s suddenly a top priority. Looks like the pressure from Councillor Gallo’s...

Council compensation is back in the spotlight in Aurora, set for discussion at the Committee of the Whole meeting on December 2, 2025. The town plans to re-establish the Council Compensation Committee and adopt new Terms of Reference, giving the committee a clear mandate....

The day began with the usual suspects: morning chores, the rush of routines, and the holy trinity of school, bank, and grocery store. On the way to drop-off, we spotted three Trumpeter swans gliding above St. John's Sideroad. As some would say—absolute poetry in motion....

Unpredictable weather and mild winters often shorten the outdoor skating season. While seasonal outdoor ice skating rinks provide a valuable recreational option, there is some concern about whether taxpayers are receiving the full value of their investment. Even those who skate regularly on public...

If you are curious about the sudden cancellation of last night’s General Committee meeting (January 16, 2024), here is why: a long deliberation on the three items in the Closed Session meeting until 8:40 pm. Two of the items were related to the over...

In the 2024 Mayor's budget, under the new Strong Mayor Powers, it is unusual that Mayor Mrakas included a part-time Sport Tourism Programmer position with a salary of $68,300. Did Mayor Mrakas even question the appropriateness of the salary for a part-time role before...

On the topic of strong mayor powers, the next item discussed at the Town of Aurora’s General Committee meeting on November 7, 2023 was the Procedure By-Law. During the discussion, Cllr Harold Kim commented on the strong mayor powers, stating, “this is a provincial...

Councillor Kim mistakenly voted yes in favor of Councillor Weese’s motion, “Aurora Council Opposition to Strong Mayor Powers in Aurora.” Recognizing the error, Cllr Weese generously agreed to reconsider the vote. On reconsideration, the motion passed 4–3, with Mayor Mrakas, Cllr Thompson, and Cllr...

To my Living in Aurora blog readers: I am running for Mayor of Aurora.  It is a great opportunity now to step up and serve our Aurora community at the council level. I want to be your voice at the Council table. However, regardless of what...

A picture-perfect vista of soft, rolling hills where wild turkey, deer and coyote once roamed has been reduced to a lifeless, razed and barren landscape. The old yellow barn that once stood tall in all its charm, is long gone. So too is the...

At the February 22nd, 2022 Council meeting, Aurora Council UNANIMOUSLY (7-0) voted to refuse a 6-storey, 150 unit residential apartment building application on the North East Quadrant of Wellington Street / John West Way because it does not conform to the Town’s Official Plan...