Published Articles
FRIDAY, JULY 9/10
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AYLMER/EAST ELGIN TODAY:
-Fri-Sun: Free licences for fishing at Springwater on south side of pond.
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OBITS:
-DOROTHY STOCKFORD; of Aylmer ; on July 7; in her 86th year; Survivors include: daughter Patricia (Tony) Hoffer and son James (Carol) Stockford, both of Aylmer; Dorothy was a former employee of Sophies Fashions; Visitation at Kebbel Funeral Home Friday 2-4 and 7-9; Funeral Saturday at Kebbels at Noon.
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“MALAHIDE HALL ALSO A ‘COOLING CENTRE’ “
(SPRINGFIELD) – (From Malahide Township Office): “With high temperatures we may experience over the next few weeks, the Community Place will be opened as a “cooling centre” daily, during normal operational hours, and will continue throughout these summer hot spells. This will give residents who do not have air conditioning a chance to get out of the extreme heat (i.e. citizens may choose to read a book, play cards or a board game in the main hall seating.) For more information, contact Dianne Morgan at the Malahide Community Place.”
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“CORNER CUPBOARD IS OPEN MORNINGS IN SUMMER”
(AYLMER) – Aylmer’s Corner Cupboard Food Bank will again stay open this summer – but only 9am-12 pm on Tuesdays. NOTES: The total number of persons served April-April from last year is almost identical – 557-537. Last week, the graduating classes of the Ontario Police College donated two full pickup loads of groceries.
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“CANDIDATE COUCKUYT ISSUES OPENING COMMENT”
(Aylmer Mayoral candidate Jack Couckuyt issued this election comment today:)
“I believe that the most important issue in this election is the type of government we have. To be careful with tax payer’s money is a given. To advocate monetary restraint is a necessity in these times. To say we have been prudent in the last two years is misleading – we have, after all, – received almost TWO MILLION dollars more from the provincial government (beyond any road or sewer grants) than we did in the two years before that. To pay off debts is easy in this scenario. No, the real issue is how democratic is our government? Is debate encouraged? We need a new tone at Town Hall. We need a new attitude towards running this town. I plan to call an old-fashioned Town Meeting at least once a year. I want to hear from the people of Aylmer. I want to give them the chance to have input. Fiscal restraint and good management are givens. We don’t need to be reminded of them just at election time.”
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Comments (2)
Really ! Paying off debt is easy in this scenario? Not when you inherit such an overbearing debt that we are still bogged down by it. And will we continue to receive such largesse for the next few years from the province or the feds? I, for one, am not counting on it.
As to the real crux of your rant, if I may call it that, is that you didn’t get your way in all the votes that counted for you. Your conclusion in this – we were undemocratic! How much more democratic could we possibly have been? The votes were tallied and you lost. Suck it up, Jack, or you will never be able to handle the real meaning of democracy – sometimes you don’t get your way, even if you become the mayor.
Fiscal restraint and good management are not “givens” – they are absolutes without which you won’t have much to run anyway. That is what people can expect from me as their councillor and I believe whole-heartedly it is what they deserve. It is, afterall, their money, no matter the source. I will remind them of this every chance I get, but I guaratee you, they already know
It is interesting to hear that paying off debt has been easy. My property tax bill really hasn’t shown that. I will admit to not having the stats in front of me but over the last 5 years the taxes have definatly gone no where but up.
Two million more dollars….where exactly did that go. Oh I know, mainly to the Police budget I’ll bet.That item is eating this Town alive and unless other options are actually looked at this will never change. If I am correct it is nearly half of all Town expenses.
There is always time to debate BUT when the debate is done and the vote is taken it is time for the council and it’s members to stand as one behind the final vote.
It is tiring to hear from any Board or organization it’s members say “I didn’t vote for that” after the fact. That is actually the time to stick together as one unit and support what has been passed. Like it or not.
Really hope the Town Hall Meeting idea works but I am afraid the apathy here will only bring out special interest groups with their own agenda. I think you are already aware of that.
I still prefer tougher fiscal restraint and good management.
Just my opinion. The times dictate needs not wants.