Why Aurora needs a Ward System

December 18, 2013 · 0 Comments

(Re: Should Aurora split into wards? That will be your call in 2014. December 4.)

A community leader wishing to run for elected office once visited a wise old man in the Town and asked the question “How do I get elected?” The answer was “well, son, all politics are local. All you have to do is talk to people and find out what is wrong. Then say you are going to fix it.”
Successful politicians know this very well, but only because they are in touch with their constituents. Because Aurora does not have a Ward system, there is a communications disconnect at the neighborhood level. Getting a Councillor’s attention is difficult.
Mayor Dawe is on record as being against a ward system as it would be “too parochial.”
Parochial is a negative word meaning having a limited view.
We now have neighborhood issues to deal with, but no one to advocate for us.
According to media reports, our existing councillors are not in favor of a ward system as they complain about workload or “sore feet” at election time.
Most communities nearby Aurora have ward systems in place. We submit neighborhoods make up the larger community of Aurora. Apparently our Councillors prefer to discuss the larger community issues from the comfort of their chairs at meetings but frequently ignore the local ones.
There are looming or pending neighborhood issues before us as the town’s density grows and many of us in Aurora need councillor advocates to represent us – isn’t this what they are supposed to do?
We suggest our councillors revisit the phrase “all politics are local” and enthusiastically support a ward system for Aurora. The ward system question needs to be voted on by one and all during the next election.
While we are changing things too, Council should also provide their citizens with the ability to vote on the internet. Let’s get with it, Aurora!

John Greenhough
Aurora