INSIDE AURORA: The Christmas Wish

December 14, 2016 · 0 Comments

By Scott Johnston

Twas two weeks before Christmas, up north saw a gale
While a well known elf inside was reading his mail.
Hard copy letters once were the way it had been
Santa now sat back before the glow of a screen

From Aurora, he saw the next letter was from,
So he reached for his milk, and added some rum
‘Cause this Town always asked, for things big and small,
Regional reps to hotels, he had heard it all

He rarely gave them these things for fear they’d abuse ‘em
Or like the rebuilt Petch House, might hardly use them
Sipping his drink he scanned the list with a frown
To see what tests awaited him this time around

All it took was a quick glance, it soon became clear
What impossible task the Town wanted this year
He looked up from his reading and said “Rudolph, my stars
They want me to solve issues ‘round parking and cars!”

You might not believe me but I tell you they’re true
Listen to these examples, I’ll read you a few
“To smooth traffic congestion, and make it all fair
Please arrange for one way streets, ‘round Library Square”

Traffic flow changes crossed municipal lines
But maybe Santa could help, and bring them some signs
Folks in this area could then drive only one way
And like Council go ‘round in circles all day

Please ensure snow doesn’t fall, after it gets dark
So people on the Town’s streets can legally park
This request of St Nick was an impossible ask
“They should get Mother Nature to handle this task.”

Based on St John traffic near the four oh four
Wider streets weren’t enough, they wanted much more
An interchange linking this road and the highway
Could St Nick possibly fit that into the sleigh?
Of course more traffic calming was on the Town’s list
Spelled out in bold letters, so not to be missed
But Santa was not a fan, recalling with dread
The year speed humps on Golf Links, had damaged his sled

Santa frowned at the things on Aurorans’ minds
And read still more requests of vehicular kinds
From congestion, construction, and other dislikes
To pleas for underpasses, for people and bikes

Yonge Street left turn restrictions were also on there
As was the widening of select thoroughfares
The lack of GO parking spots was one more Town fear
But St Nick had seen this ask each previous year

Santa sat back in his chair, and sighed once more
Pondering all that Aurora’d asked for
To his friend he then asked, “Rudolph, all this talk
Of driving and of parking … why don’t they just walk?”

Feel free to e-mail Scott at: machellscorners@gmail.com