Lines Drawn...Swords crossed

Our Mayor and the CAO, Newmarket's Mayor, Regional  Councillor  and CAO  and who  knows who
at the Region and the Town's Economic Development  Advisory Committee have all had their discussion and determined how best to separate the two municipalities from double digit millions
of dollars to  entice the Province to locate a satellite York University Campus at the border of our two towns.

The money hasn't actually been spent. The intention is to commit to spend if the price is right.

Their decision had been made before it was presented to Council.

It's  a  sample of regional mindset that permeates our local Council.

There is no place for Councillors to have input let alone the community.

Unless Council takes hold of its own authority on Tuesday night , the decision gto proceed will go
forward.

Several studies  conducted by various universities are presented in camera
to convince Council to make the decision.

Waterloo.  Toronto, Vancouver Island University  have all assembled studies to indicate how many millions are contributed to the local economy with the establishment of a university.

Options for funding options  will also  be presented to Council behind closed doors.

They range from community fund-raising .use of reserve funds,sale of town assets, borrowing ,
some level of tax assessments or any combination  of the above.

Council will receive all of this information in secret.

The community  is to know nothing of the where's and wherefores of the  multi-million dollar roll -of -the -dice  until after the decision has been made.

No reference is made in the latest report to Provincially-owned- land  being  a location for  a satellite campus for York University. 

Oh My Goodness ,that would be all too simple. 

The  Mayor asked me once  what I meant by " the regional mindset"

I responded the Region is a level of government where without accountability.

The administration runs the show. 

Neither debate nor challenge is  ever recorded.

I have found  the same in Aurora  this term. Only the big boys get to play.

But the term is almost over. 

Council's decision on this issue  and how it was made  is a good start for the campaign. 

Do we have a Council ?  

Or do we have a bunch of stooges for the back room boys?

The lines are drawn....the swords are crossed.