IN GOOD COMPANY: Summer is coming to a close

August 17, 2016 · 0 Comments

By Mayor Geoff Dawe

The summer is almost coming to an end, but we still have many fun and exciting events in store over the next couple of weeks.
Aurora’s Ribfest from August 26 to August 28 will have a medley of entertainment for everyone to enjoy. Sample delicious foods, have fun with the family and see two iconic Canadian rock bands, David Wilcox and Haywire, perform at Machell Park.
Concerts in the Park also have a few more performances left. Enjoy dancing and songs by a list of live entertainers. Concerts are free to attend.
You can also watch some of your favourite movies outdoor on Canada’s largest screen! Movies are free to attend. Arrive early to enjoy movie-themed activities and special pre-movie surprises. A food donation to the Aurora Food Pantry for both events is also appreciated.
I am also pleased that working together the Town, the Aurora Winter Blues Festival and community volunteers will provide a free outdoor screening of The Tragically Hip: A National Celebration to commemorate this iconic band’s performance live from Kingston. The event will be held on August 20 in Aurora Town Park with live music starting at 6.30 p.m. and the screening at 8.30 p.m.
For more information about our upcoming special events, please visit www.aurora.ca/specialevents.
I would also like to thank the Government of Ontario for extending the deadline for feedback on the four provincial land-use plans that manage growth, curb sprawl, build complete communities and protect the natural environment in Ontario’s Greater Golden Horseshoe.
Land-use planning has a tremendous effect on the quality of life for our citizens and we appreciate the opportunity for stakeholders to provide meaningful feedback. In May 2016, the Province released proposed changes to the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, the Greenbelt Plan, the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan and the Niagara Escarpment Plan and sought feedback from stakeholders, the public and indigenous communities.
The original deadline for public feedback on these land-use plans was the end of September. Following meetings with the Greater Toronto Area and Hamilton Mayors and Regional Chairs, as well as several other stakeholders, the Province agreed to extend the deadline to provide input on the plans to October 31, 2016.
For more information on the proposed growth plan, Shaping Land Use in the Greater Golden Horseshoe please visit the Co-ordinated Land Use Planning Review website at www.ontario.ca/landuseplanningreview.
Parking in Aurora has become an important topic in the past few months. Did you know that the cost of a parking structure, similar to the one at the Aurora GO Station, costs in the range of $35K to $40K – per spot or over $30 Million to replicate the whole structure?
In my opinion, this is not a long-term sustainable solution. We must change our way of thinking! I would like to hear your ideas, how can we alleviate parking congestion cost effectively? Working together we can find a viable solution to easing the parking concerns in our town. Please email me at mayor@aurora.ca with your suggestions.
Aurora Town Council is also looking for feedback on how you would like to see your tax dollars spent. Put yourself in the driver’s seat and help shape Aurora’s 2017 budget. Fill out the Town’s Citizen Budget online survey and be entered to win $250 towards your municipal tax account. The survey is open until October 31. For full contest regulations, please visit www.aurora.ca/budget.
Stay connected to the Town. Visit the Town’s website, read the local Notice Board, subscribe to our social media feeds and sign-up for our monthly e-newsletter, Aurora Matters.
Enjoy the remainder of the summer!