Gallo responds to criticism over letter

October 2, 2013 · 0 Comments

(Re: Gallo’s letter had “delicious touch of irony”, September 25)

I would like to thank Mr. Walkinshaw for his letter to the editor last week.
I have no issue with anyone questioning my views or actions if done in a respectable way, which you have.
I would like to make it very clear that I find no joy in writing letters to the public criticizing decisions that are made. I have done it a handful of times only when I feel decisions are made that aren’t in the best interest of the public. I am very passionate about how taxpayer’s money is spent and strongly believe that the public should be well informed, with facts, not fiction.
You suggest I am a big fan of soccer, which could not be more accurate. However, you have suggested I would vote not to replace a soccer field for a playground because I support soccer. If that were true, should I not have voted in favour of the artificial turf that was planned for Stewart Burnett Park?
I was in opposition to the construction of a new field it would have cost the taxpayers and additional $250,000 to move a stormwater management pond.
I was at odds with Aurora Youth Soccer regarding that issue as well as a majority of Council. We later found out that estimates were incorrect and moving the pond would cost even more money and the project was put on hold.
If I were such a blind supporter of soccer, surely I would have supported that project. I did not, because it was not in the best interest of the town.
I find the comparison to my appointment and public input interesting. You suggest there was overwhelming support for a by-election and I should not have accepted the appointment.
I agree with you that if I could have had certainty that the public did not want Council to appoint a replacement, I would have declined the appointment. How does one gauge that? Even if a by-election were held, it would not have indicated that the public wanted a by-election.
It would have simply indicated who the public wanted in office, which they did 18 months prior. I was lucky enough to be runner up, as such, it was offered to me. I ran in the subsequent election and was again fortunate to be elected.
My views on public input have been very clear, they are essential in the decision making process. In the case of the QDJ Park, when you are re-designing a park in an established neighbourhood, consultation with the public should be the first step. Council agreed to spend $30,000.00 before going to the neighbourhood, and that’s one of my issues.
Regarding Council chambers, you state “yet [he] would not support Councillor Gaertner’s request that Council spend over $100,000 on revamping the Council Chambers to be accessible” and “Councillor Gallo supports spending a lot of money for an accessible chamber, which quite frankly will serve a minimal number of people.”
Let’s get it straight: the vote not to support spending $100,000 was 7-2 in opposition. I was one of the 7 in opposition. The minutes will clearly show that.
A further vote took place requesting the Accessibility Advisory Committee and staff “further explore the requirements to determine how to provide full accessibility to the Council Chambers”, which was supported 8-1. I was one of the 8. The minutes will also show that vote.
Regarding the Town initiated lawsuit, I voted in support of a motion that the Town take “any and all actions” to stop anonymous bloggers from writing slanderous and defamatory comments about staff and council.
I continue to support that view today.
I believe anyone who writes slanderous and defamatory comments needs to be held accountable, particularly towards staff, as they cannot defend themselves.
This does not mean I am against the public’s right to free speech and criticizing as they see fit. I wholeheartedly believe in that, provided it is done in a respectful manner.
You have done this, as I have in the past. I have no hard feelings against you. You have a right to criticize my view and I respect that. As long as we are all on the same page and trying to make this town the best it can be, we are on the right track.
I have corrected some of your comments, as I believe them to be inaccurate, which adds to the debate. Nothing wrong with that either.