OMB Obfuscation

Or, If you don’t like the facts, change the story!

My Promenade Pantomime post had barely gone up on Friday morning when I got an email response to it. (Thank you for reading). Unfortunately, the person who sent me the email either did not understand the point of the post, or is trying to deliberately misrepresent it.  You decide:

Here is the email (with the sender’s identity removed):

“Your article raises issues whether you understand this case.

Do you not know that it is the developers who are seeking to have the Official Plan designation of 188 acres changed from rural to urban expansion involving nearly a thousand houses?

You would allow that to happen?”


My post was addressing the fact that Town does not respond in a timely manner, leading to expensive OMB hearings. The most recent decision on this matter was released August 12, 2010 (from which my post quoted). Don’t you think that if this was a positive decision for the Town it would have been shouted from the roof-tops?

It is interesting to note that the date for the preconference hearing is November 15, with a full hearing scheduled for 2011. How convenient that the heart of this matter will not be addressed until well after the Municipal elections.

Is it simply a coincidence that no one is looking for a front-page photo-op on this issue?

My Perspective

Just because you don’t like the facts does not invalidate them. And the facts seem to be that Aurora has a history of missing deadlines.

Contrary to what my correspondents seems to suggest, abiding by and working within the rules does not indicate that I support development or developers. It does indicates that I respect the rules and that every party has rights under those rules. Both developers and citizens. My goal is to always respect those rights and work with all parties to get the best result for the citizens of Aurora. I am neither for or against developers – I am for Aurora.


My Commitment

If elected Mayor, we will deal with issues in a timely manner and we will work within the rules.