Living in Aurora, Town of Aurora, Ontario » Politics

At The Council Meeting For The First Time, Different Experience

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 15:46:26 +0000

It was my first time at the council chambers for the Town Council meeting on April 9th, 2013. I have to admit that it was a totally different experience in comparison if I were to watch this meeting on the Internet. Not to mention so many familiar faces there.

Council Meeting, Town Hall, April 09, 2013

I did bring my photo gear to capture the council meeting moments. The beginning music from Tom Taylor’s public forum presentation was an interesting spice, however, I can’t say that the rest of the meeting was exciting. I left after one hour.

A while ago my friend Chris Watts did a review of blogs/media in Aurora and that gave me an encouragement – and boy I really needed to get out after reading his post. I looked back how little I have done, how much I have neglected, however, my camera never stopped clicking.

But then when you look at the window NOW and see the winter blast back – I am back to my writing board again. So much for taking my camera for a walk. I don’t necessarily enjoy cold and so does my camera.

I am also happy to write that there will be couple of new blogs coming out soon and hopefully we can get blogging rolling in Aurora once again.

To conclude, I think I will leave out my feedback and criticism on the council meeting for the community FOCUS site, and in the meantime enjoy few of my photos. This was my first attendance, but not the last.

Public Forum, Council Meeting, Town Hall, April 09, 2013

Council Meeting, Town Hall, April 09, 2013

Interesting Visit To The Aurora Public Library, Mario & Luigi Came Along

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 22:24:45 +0000

I thought I make this a bit up close and personal post, but then most of my posts usually are. Well three months passed and Matthew is still adjusting to school, his first year in Junior Kindergarten. We have good mornings and we have mornings that he will not want to go school.

But the teacher tells me that he has lots of fun in school, participates and eats well. He is starting to interact more socially. Its funny to hear him, ‘we boys played together today, and girls were not allowed in our area‘. Matthew always enjoyed interacting and conversing with other children and when he went to school I noticed he had a bit trouble finding a friend to play with. Last Tuesday he surprised me, ‘Mommy Andrei is my best friend again, we played restaurant together, and we had so so much fun.’ Perhaps that is what he needs.

Children use their imaginations and create their own play scenarios, and Matthew starting to do so. He recently became good friends with Mario and Luigi (Nintendo characters). He always was friends with Mario, but this is first time where he actually converses with both of them.

Inside the Aurora Public Library, Second Floor

Last Wednesday we visited the Aurora Public Library. Matthew did not resist because he wanted to show the library to his new friends. We were on the way out but in the last minute he had to go washroom. While waiting I overheard his conversation. Yes he brought them inside the washroom. ‘Oh Mario and Luigi I cannot pick you up yet, I have to wash my hands‘.

Matthew at the Aurora Public Library

While we were driving to the library he was showing Mario and Luigi all the things outside – trees, cars, Arboretum. We took Wellington Street and turned on Wells Street. While passing by the Town Park Matthew goes, ‘and here is Aurora Farmer’s Market, oh and it is closed now‘.

Then we got to the library. He was holding Mario and Luigi at the entrance and quietly said Hi on behalf of them to the librarian. I think he was a bit shy of his pretend toy friends.

So we went up stairs. Since the last episode of going unexpectedly to the library basement, Matthew enjoys now walking up and down the stairs. Sometimes we look down on the mechanical parts when the elevator is above us on the second floor.

That day most of his time Matthew spent playing children programs on the computer and he was holding Mario and Luigi in his hand as they were watching him playing.

Mario and Luigi Visiting Aurora Public Library

When children have imagination we just have to go with it. Sometimes I get so much resistance to go on the adventures in Aurora. JK is is big change for him and he often says ‘oh it is so nice to be home, can we stay home today?‘ or ‘I am so tired today‘. But that day was different, he had new friends coming with him.

Aurora Public Library, Second Floor Gallery

So what’s new at the Aurora Public Library. Well the gallery showcase on the second floor Tobermory Remembered: Landscape photography by Simeon Posen is new. More happy watching as APL recently changed its policy regarding DVD renewals. DVDs can now be renewed twice as long as they are not on hold. Something we always asked for.

May be just one more thing – important updates from the community FOCUS site. Our Aurora related content is slowly growing. The Town Politics and Lifestyle section is dominating, and we have few regular contributors Matt Maddocks, John Abel and Andrew Fogliato. Traffic is picking up and sometimes we get nice traffic spikes depending on the issues that come up in the town. We have few Aurora Directory submissions in the works.

We also have few focus page proposals in the works as well. We did in fact submitted proposal to the Sesquicentennial Ad Hoc Committee (SAC) to have a focus/landing page for the 150th Anniversary of Aurora for all the related content and events for absolutely free. Unfortunately our offer was declined because Town chooses potentially to pay $25,000 for the domain name, hosting and site design. The truth is even if the town designs their own site it does not have to cost that much.

Oh well so much for the community involvement, sounds like controlled one, but this will not stop us to continue with the anniversary focus page proposal. Stay tuned.

Lurking At The Aurora Jazz+ Festival 2012, We GO Wild !!

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Sun, 12 Aug 2012 03:10:44 +0000

Didn’t attend the Aurora Jazz+ Festival 2012, but we had an opportunity to lurk during our visit to the Aurora Farmer’s Market. It was a long weekend Civic Holiday and once in a while, no offence to the town, we just need to get out of the town and see other places.

The music played. When the music plays it is always harder to leave the park. The music did play to show off the Aurora Jazz+ Festival on Saturday prior the event, but this time it wasn’t enough to keep us around – it was just too hot. Matthew didn’t even want to go inside the Fire Truck that was there – I was surprised.

Aurora Farmer’s Market, Town Park

So this is the issue we would have. For our four year old the festival wouldn’t work. I know admission is per person per day but then just the headache of going back and forth, and then we have to have him in bed by eight o’clock.

George St. Kitts (right), Aurora Jazz+ Festival, Town Park

Well at least we got to lurk a bit on Saturday morning. I watched one girl singing, and three dance performances. I think singing part was great, dancing was good. Perhaps seeing signs for the Aurora Jazz+ Festival I would expect to hear something more jazzy, but I didn’t. I guess if you don’t attend the festival you get jazz+.

The good news was that Canada won their first gold medal that day and we got to hear it from the festival organizers. Congratulations to Rosie MacLennan for winning Canada’s gold medal, and I just learned, she blogs. Here is intriguing blog post (A day later, I am still pinching myself!) – it isn’t that easy to be an athlete I must conclude. By the way, she is from the neighborhood, King City native.

Canada Won First Gold Medal, Sher St. Kitts, Town Park

Last weekend we left the town. We GO Wild !! at the African Lion Safari zoo. It was little more expensive than staying in town, but it was worth going. We purchased hotel and admission package and stayed overnight in Cambridge.

Now for those who never been to the African Lion Safari – no you don’t have to take your own car to drive through the park (that was in the old days), there is a bus that will take you in the wild safari ride (at extra charge).

But what you also must know that there are other attractions included in the admission – unlimited boat cruises, unlimited train rides, elephants shows, birds of pray shows, bird of paradise shows, amazing water park, playgrounds, activity play areas, animal displays, pony rides (sorry that was rip off), food courts, gift shops and free parking.

We really had lots of fun considering that this was our first time going with Matthew on the small vacation out of town. Monday was a nice and cool day as well.

Aqua Dancers, Aurora Jazz+ Festival, Town Park

Now, lets lurk over to the community FOCUS LivingInAurora.COM site because we are starting to see traffic activity in addition interest in writing expressed by few.

Myself and my husband (and Matthew too), we started this community project or community blog site for everyone to express their views, write opinions, stories or create personal or business profile in our AURORA Directory. This site was designed for the Auroran community. You can write regularly or occasionally.

In addition to all this good news about our community project, we are also pleased to introduce Councillor John Abel, our new contributor, who expressed interest to write regularly on the community FOCUS site.

Not like us, John Abel was able to attend the Aurora Jazz+ Festival that weekend and he shares jazz festival insights in his first part 1 post, Aurora Jazz+ Festival 2012, The Event Observations, Part 1.

Solo Dancer, Aurora Jazz+ Festival, Town Park

community FOCUS Website For Town of Aurora, A Different Kind Of Walk Today

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 04:05:00 +0000

Today let me take you for a walk. Not outside and not inside, but the virtual kind of walk. A walk through just published site for the Town of Aurora community, the community FOCUS virtual site LivingInAurora.COM. It took a long time to assemble this site and we are very pleased and happy to have it up and running.

Nokiidaa Trail Link Boardwalk, Aurora

Let me tell you more about it then.

The name says it all. The community FOCUS site is for you. The site is for you to write about anything and very focused on Aurora. You can express your views, opinions, issues, start discussions or even share the news. You can write essays and you can write stories.

The site is organized based on areas of specific interests and as the content will grow you will see more categories introduced. You can even suggest a topic.

Go Station Parking in Aurora

In addition it will be a resource site to everything in Aurora from outdoors recreations to indoor shopping, entertainment and events. We are inviting everyone from Aurora Ontario to submit a profile to our AURORA Directory – people, bloggers, small business owners and big business owners – all of you can participate and it is absolutely FREE.

We have certain guidelines but not to worry, they are designed to work for you, to give you better ranking and better exposure in the virtual world, a world we are heading towards to.

There are always beginnings. With town politics always on the spotlight we teamed up with Matt Maddocks who will have a regular column with us – Point of Privilege on our Town Politics focus page. Matt have been writing letters to editor in our local newspaper The Auroran or commenting on few Aurora blogs regularly. We are very pleased to have someone like Matt on board, but wait Matt will tell you more in his first introductory post on the community FOCUS site.

There is always lots to talk about when comes to politics – so don’t be shy you can write as well.

Having said that – focus pages, example being Town Politics, will be added regularly as we get public interest in writing their opinions/views, reviews or stories. We have in mind History/Heritage, Arts & Culture or Sports to start. Columns are available. Cartoonists are welcome.

Note that commercial writing to promote your Aurora, Ontario business for consumers is also welcome. Read our Message Board for more information.

Now, we have also introduced Aurora-Youth-Writes project.

Yes we want Aurora youth to participate as well.

We want to give Aurora youth writing opportunities as well. A column will be great opportunity to create a writing portfolio for those who want to enter writing field, especially journalism. You can read more about this here: Aurora-Youth-Writes Project Initiative – Writing Opportunities for Town of Aurora Youth. Talk to your children.

Town Hall, Town of Aurora

Not to overwhelm you I will conclude my virtual walk for today and let you tour the site for yourself – community FOCUS LivingInAurora.COM. Lots of great writing opportunities for everyone.

Just so you know, my role on the community FOCUS site will be to moderate the site, organize received content, manage site updates, write newsletters, write about updates and write resource content. Feel free to write me if you have any questions or even concerns.

No worries I will continue to write on this blog and to confuse you more, this photo journal blog is LivingInAurora.CA and the community FOCUS site is LivingInAurora.COM. Don’t ask why?

Something Is Missing In The Aurora Cultural Centre

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 03:32:32 +0000

Once I looked at the walls of the Aurora Cultural Centre and thought – what were these diagonal scratch marks on the wall? As a matter of fact on the both sides.

It never occurred to me that they were the missing fire exit stairs. I guess with all the renovations and safety route implementation in the building there is no further need for such stairs. So that’s missing, but there is more …

Aurora Cultural Centre, Aurora

I don’t know if it just me but The Auroran our local newspaper did not have anything interesting written up in the past weeks. Not that it is the newspaper’s fault, just nothing that really interested me. I am glad that Bonnie Tiffin was back once with her Letter to the Editor some issues back.

Perhaps the next issue will have something interesting written up (I thought) and it did.

I was intrigued by two Letters to the Editors, ‘Cultural Centre should stand on its own two feet: reader‘ by Matt Maddocks and ‘Aurora High teacher has made good use of Cultural Centre‘ by Richard Markie, Head of Drama, Aurora High School.

Two very valid letters, Matt’s letter is eye opener for tax payers and Richard’s, oh I really don’t know what to call it, but it is encouraging to know that the centre is beneficial to many of us. No doubt, I have seen for myself that our Cultural Centre is being utilized effectively.

Well, between those letters there is something missing, perhaps some Aurora Cultural Centre’s financial transparency.

Matt wrote ‘In my experience, I’ve learned that when a business starts spending significant marketing dollars, it usually means profits are up. It can also mean the business anticipates growth‘.

I would like to add ‘may be they just got a good chunk of taxpayer dollar and they needed to justify the spending; and a full-page thank you was a bad move as it angered many of us‘. But then one can only assume such thought of mine. By the way, the Letter to Editor costs nothing and some write them to thank others – a hint here.

Well the list does not end here. In the beginning of the February I was invited to photograph the SOYRA show and sale event. It turned out to be a very successful show.

Visual Arts Class of Sacred Heart Catholic High School

During the same event, upstairs in one of the rooms it was last day art show for the Luisa Capelet’s Grade 12 Visual Arts Class of Sacred Heart Catholic High School. The art work for that show was inspired by Canadian Abstract Expressionist Cesan D’Ornellas Levine. There were paintings but there was also other art objects on the display.

Visual Arts Class of Sacred Heart Catholic High School

The same could be done for the Aurora history and museum artifacts. Library is already doing it and there is no one reason why Aurora Cultural Centre can do the same, but on the permanent basis. Yes, if there is no place for the museum at least we can share spaces.

‘Trust, honesty, humility, transparency and accountability are the building blocks of a positive reputation. Trust is the foundation of any relationship.’ ~ Mike Paul

Coyotes Back In Aurora, February Start Of The Mating Season, Happy Valentines

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:56:00 +0000

I have been deliberating – got no pictures of coyotes, have seen couple and no body is emphasizing that coyote mating season starts in February. I doubt they are looking for a dog companion perhaps more like food for Valentine’s dinner.

Yes I have been deliberating if I should write few things that I have on my mind about coyotes – everyone else did it including politicians.

So I have seen two coyotes.

St. Andrew's Golf Course

Not this year. But last year I saw one crossing Vandorf (common in that area).

Then few months later the second coyote I saw was in the Hamilton Park soccer field (near St. John’s sideroad). That day on the opposite side of the field I spotted unleashed dog sniffing around.

I don’t trust unleashed dogs, so myself and Matthew decided to head home. I know I turned few times behind me and there was no sign of any dog owner, just that one dog. He looked like Husky from far away. It hit me later.

Just Husky Dog In The Dog Leash Free Park, Industrial Parkway

My neighbour once told me (3-4 years ago) that five or six coyotes have been killed in that same area, Hamilton Park soccer field. There was no publicity for that event. The same neightbour told me that she many times heard howling at night, but then it went away. I guess her killing story was correct.

Few weeks ago, my other neighbour couple of times saw coyotes coming out the St. Andrew’s Golf Course. I guess no body is golfing now so they have place for themselves to hunt. That one time the coyotes face was all bloody – she told me.

I understand that food chain is important, but I prefer vegetarian animals over the meat eating coyotes. Oh just the image of the poor rabbit being eaten. Oh, on other note my backyard rabbit is also missing.

Community Arboretum, Coyotes On The Map

My thoughts.

What can we do? Do not kill and do not relocate, and do not feed. Stay alert and educate yourself. The bottom line is that coyotes always will be in our area and there is nothing we can do beside to be alert and to be cautious.

Do I like it? No, not one bit, but this is not any different than having a giant dog off the leash running around the neighbourhood. So may be this is a wake up call for dog owners to keep dogs on the leash at all times.

Now that we have all this attention going on in our town about coyotes I thought that we may need a map of coyotes sightings. That will be a very useful page that can be added to any of the Town of Aurora printed materials released to the public.