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Reader disagrees with “Politics” column

March 26, 2013   ·   1 Comments

(Re: “The Extraordinary, Strange and Downright Bizarre”, March 12)

What I find extraordinary, strange and downright bizarre is that you are allowed to write this nearly half page column in The Auroran whose central fact is erroneous.
You then expound upon it as your whole column. Then you have the gall to accuse others of “misinformation at best”. Ms Collins Mrakas, as a paid columnist on politics, and a past Councillor, I would think that you might know how to factually report a motion.
You infer that these three Councillors (Ballard, Gaertner and Gallo) were part of the unanimous FINAL vote to move forward with this music festival proposal. You state “…they voted in favour of the motion…the vote on the music festival was unanimous.”
And then your whole column is spent questioning their motives in continuing to pursue more information, as if they have already given final approval. Ms. Collins Mrakas, what they voted on unanimously on February 12 was the ”principle” of the proposal but for STAFF to request FURTHER details from Lucid Group (Aurora Live Festival):
“…and THAT staff be directed to meet with the organizers of the event to ensure that all municipal requirements are addressed and are compliant with any fees or permits required; and THAT staff provide a full report to Council.”
And, in the following you are wrong too. Others were not spreading “misinformation” by having concerns about a proposal put to staff and a resolution referring to that proposal which they were required to vote on in Council that asked taxpayers to pay $25,000 towards the new music festival, and also for the perimeter of the park to be fenced.
Anybody’s ridiculing of the due diligence shown by the three Councillors who wanted some references from the Lucid Community Development Corp. from past festivals or projects completed before they, the Council, had to finally vote on whether to accept this grand (but unsolicited) proposal surely shows a lack of understanding of council’s responsibility.
There is no moral high ground in false history. Please do your due diligence on the facts before trying to inform the reading public.
And although (according to you) it is “pretty extraordinary”, and “bizarre actually” and you “have no idea what has happened” now that the significant portion of stars and Lucid members have decided that they no longer wish to be associated with Lucid Group Aurora Live Festival, they obviously know their reasons.
Mr. Flex, as spokesperson, has stated “intrinsic differences in business philosophy” and that these differences between these members and Mr. Roche are “irreconcilable”. These stars have established reputations, so “red flag” to the logically inclined!
Maybe you could research the source corporation, Lucid Community Development Group, George Roche et al’s past references/behaviour plus the irreconcilable differences and tell us citizens what happened in a useful column.
I am disappointed that “I told you so!” possibilities are your overriding concern.
Obviously these three Councillors’ questions were needed, although not respected by others on Council, especially Mayor Dawe.
They see that the Aurora public would like a music festival to replace the scuppered Jazz+, but from a trustworthy source. And, unlike your personal interpretations, to me this is caring for the town’s best interests.

Catherine Marshall
Aurora

(Editor’s Note: Ms. Collins-Mrakas is not a paid columnist)

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