Municipality “disappointed” by letter inclusion

December 10, 2014 · 0 Comments

(Re: Under-promise and over-deliver, says resident on Complex renos, December 4)

It is with disappointment that I write The Auroran to question their editorial decision last week to publish a resident’s letter that included an unwarranted personal attack on a Town of Aurora employee.
As public servants, we can expect criticism. We accept this as part of the job. Having residents provide input on matters of concern is something we encourage. Working with residents often leads to positive solutions and better outcomes.
We understand that residents are passionate, and sometimes passions boil over from the professional into the personal. While this may be unfortunate, it is understandable.
What is not understandable – and frankly unacceptable – is having a respected newspaper enable personal attacks by publishing such inflammatory remarks in a widely-distributed public medium.
In addition to being a questionable editorial decision, the decision to publish a letter of this nature ultimately failed to address a very legitimate question over the opening of the newly renovated Aurora Family Leisure Complex and Youth Centre, which will be open for business in January, a few weeks longer than originally anticipated.
It is unfortunate that name calling overshadowed an opportunity to inform and educate residents about a great new facility and community success story.
I sincerely hope that The Auroran takes this perspective into consideration when exercising editorial discretion in the future.

Neil Garbe, CAO
Town of Aurora