The Town recently ran a survey to get input o the traffic calming measures that were introduced in the northeast quadrant of the Yonge & Wellington area.

The results of this survey will be released at a Public Information Centre, at Town Hall, in the Holland Room, next Tuesday, May 15, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Interested residents are invited to attend this public information centre to review and discuss the findings of this survey.

Please note that this is an information session only. There will be no formal presentations, nor will any decisions be made that evening.

Looking forward to seeing you there.

I joined representatives from the Compost Council of Canada, the York Region Food Network, Miller Compost and local gardeners at the Aurora Community Garden on Industrial Parkway South.

Last year there was a demonstration of layered gardening – looks a bit like making lasagna. This year there was a demonstration of covered row gardening. Different techniques to compensate for some of the challenges in this area. Especially the weather variations this year!

In conjunction with the York Region Food Network, the Aurora Community Garden started in 1996 and there are now 56 families who have plots here. York Region Food Network operates one of the largest community garden programs in Ontario. And, with the assistance of Miller Compost, one of the healthiest!

It’s a little known fact that over the last 100 years or so, as a result of the reduction of crop rotation, our soils have lost about 50% of their nutrient content. Composting is an excellent way to replenish the soil. So, thanks to Miller for their donation of compost to the Aurora Community Garden.

And, for more information on composting, please visit http://www.compost.org.

Oer 1,000 people gathered to celebrate and recognize the dedication and hardwork of the officers and civilian staff whose work has made York Region among the safest communities in Canada.

The main focus of the evening was to recognize a few of the outstanding employees of the York Region Police in the categories of Civilian Recognition Award, Herbert H. Carnegie Award, the Rob Plunkett Outstanding Service to our Community Award, and the Excellence in Policing Award.

But for me, the highlight of the evening was the Chief for a Day, Ms. Ashley Chan. Ashley is a Grade 5 student from Bayview Hill Elementary School in Richmond Hill, and she presented her essay, which answered the question: If you had an opportunity to be the Chief for a Day, what would you do to lead York Regional Police in making a difference to our community? She did an outstanding job!

More information on this event can be found here: http://www.yrp.ca/pan.aspx

Yet another example of why we are so fortunate to live in this area.

Proceeds from this event will go to a local charity – CHATS. CHATS, (Community and Home Assistance to Seniors) is a not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to enhancing the independence of seniors living at home.

Henny and I went last year and had a blast! Great Music = Great Time.

You can find out more at this web site: http://iloverockandroll.ca/

 There is a special prize – an Elvis watch. This is the model of the watch that was worn by Elvis (yes, that Elvis). It is made by the Hamilton Watch Company and is the LAST one available. It has been valued at $1,000.00.  You can see a picture of the watch here: http://iloverockandroll.ca/2012-dance-spot-prizes

Hope to see you there.

SOYRA was founded in 1987 to provide a forum for artists to exchange ideas, and give them an opportunity to help reach their creative potential.  Through art shows, trips, study groups and guidance from professionals,  SOYRA allows artists to hone their craft and share their works with the public.

These artists are an amazing group with a wonderful array of vision and talent. Additionally, Sacred Heart Catholic High School had their graduating art class display upstairs. And, Aurora High had their display a couple of weeks ago.

Aurora is a community with a rich cultural heritage and a strong history of support for the arts. We are a community that actively promotes artistic endeavour, and the Aurora Cultural Centre is an ideal venue to showcase these vibrant works of art for everyone to enjoy.

So, congratulations to SOYRA for 25 years of fantastic work and beautiful creations.

The show is on until February 4th, so please take advantage of the opportunity to see some terrific art.

This was an opportunity for our residents (and others!) to safely dispose of those electronic devices that were no longer wanted or needed.

Computers, monitors, TVs, telephones, batteries, turntables, the occasional toaster and I think I saw an 8-track!

We need to wait for the final numbers, but there were over 300 cars that came in, and the estimate was about 18,000 pounds or 8,000 Kgs! That’s a lot of waste that is being handled properly! Not being thrown out.

We partnered with Artex Environmental ( http://artexenvironmental.com/ ) who have a proven track record of responsible disposable of electronic items.

And, a big thanks to our Public Works crew for helping out, along with Amanda Newman and Betty DeBartolo.

And, of course, thanks to our residents for “pitching in”.

The Municipal Act requires each municipality to enact tax deferral programs for low income seniors and low income disabled persons. For our two tiered structure, the Region of York manages the text of the policies for the lower tier, while the lower tiers administer the actual programs with the taxpayers.

The following link will jump you to the Town’s website section, and the actual application form for these programs.

http://www.e-aurora.ca/app/wa/mediaEntry?mediaEntryId=59353

You will see there are three distinct programs: 

• low income disabled persons (any tax increase eligible)
• low income seniors aged 55 to 64 (only tax increases in excess of $100.00 are eligible for deferral)
•  any senior aged 65 or older. (any tax increase eligible)

There are low income eligibility criteria for those seniors aged 55 to 64, and for disabled persons under 65, while all persons 65 or older are eligible regardless of income. Each program defers year over year total tax bill increases, or a portion of it, interest free until the property ownership is transferred. This concept is similar to a reverse mortgage, but is interest free. For those who qualify in the low income disabled program or the 65 and over program, it is possible to essentially fix your tax bill at the amount of taxes in the year of first enrollment, and pay the same amount each year thereafter, until the property is sold or transferred.

Should you be interested in this program, you can

• fill out the form and submit it,
• contact our tax office at  905-726-4747, or
• contact my office at 905-726-4741

Thanks to our Treasurer, Dan Elliot, for this information.

In addition, 7 of the local municipalities (Aurora, Bradford West Gwillimbury, East Gwillimbury, Georgina, King, Newmarket and Whitchurch Stouffville) sponsor a tree that you can bid on.

And, in shameless self-promotion, I am pleased to announce that as of November 30, the bids totaled $4,861, with Aurora leading the way at $1,000.00.  Way to go Aurora!

A big thank you for showing your spirit.

Considering that I had a moustache for almost 40 years, I can’t believe how happy I was to have it off as well.

But, it was for a very good cause and thanks to MoBro Paul, Councillor Pirri, for being our team captain. Our team, Aurora Town Stache, raised $3,425.00. Congratulations!

With Africa’s recent history of civil wars, there is, unfortunately, no lack of amputees. According to Linday Maggs, who is making a documentary on the league, the sport offers them “a sense of hope, camaraderie and purpose”.

Inspirational!