An Open Letter to the Citizens of Aurora
Like many of you, my wife Henny and I moved to Aurora in 1977 because it was an affordable community with a sense of shared values we felt could become our home -- a place to raise a family. Our three daughters, Joanne (29), Kathryn (24) and Kristen (23) were born and raised in the Aurora community and school system.
Like many of you, I became involved in the community through my children. I have been honoured many times by having fellow parents select me for positions of leadership, such as the senior Warden at Trinity Church, Chair of the Lester B Pearson school council and many others.
Aurora has also provided a home for my business. After a successful 14 year career working in the cable/telecommunications field I started my own business in 1986. As a 1-person start-up -- in the bedroom of my home -- I experienced the satisfaction of seeing it grow to become an Aurora employer that provided consulting services to senior leadership at Fortune 500 manufacturing companies across North America, the Caribbean and Mexico.
Using lean manufacturing systems to reduce waste and increase efficiencies, our work has resulting in savings of millions for our clients; clients that include multinational companies such as Kraft Foods, Nabisco, IBM, Celestica and SC Johnson.
My company has been recognized as a leader in our field by clients such as Kraft Foods, winning their supplier award for Extraordinary Achievement, and closer to home, the Newmarket Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award for International Trade.
As a local business owner living in the Aurora community, it has also been my priority to give back, and my business has been recognized by many community organizations such as the Aurora Public Library, The Salvation Army and Southlake Regional Health Centre for our contributions.
But, of course, the Aurora my wife and I moved to so many years ago has changed and that's natural. We are experiencing significant pressures because of development approved under the Official Plan; water and power continue to be serious issues, and there is increasing pressure on our parks, sports facilities and community infrastructure as more people discover the charms of Aurora.
Many would argue that things in Aurora are still great; our roads are ploughed in the winter, our garbage is collected regularly and there is safe and clean water when we turn on the tap.
However, I believe Aurora is more than simply the services we receive, it has to be a community; our home, not just our house.
Aurora has historically been a place where people could find a sense of community; a place where you want to raise your family in a spirit of common values, a place where you meet your friends and where you want to stay. It also must be a place where our resources of water, land and taxes are used wisely and efficiently.
Unfortunately, over the last 4 years, I have seen those values erode. Our reputation across the region and GTA has become tarnished. We have seen volunteer groups openly fighting rather than focusing on working together for the betterment of our community. The integrity of our local politicians has been challenged and our Council has become embroiled in legal battles with each other, displaced staff and community stakeholders.
These issues require strong leadership as we move forward -- leadership that has not been demonstrated by the current Mayor.
I have the proven experience to deliver that leadership. I have chosen to stand for election because my family and business commitments now allow me to make a deeper contribution to a community that already given me so much. I want to help ensure that the essential qualities of community that brought my wife and me to Aurora remain for future generations.
Some people will question the fact that I have no previous Council experience - that's fair.
I have discussed this at length with other leaders and politicians at the local, regional and provincial level with whom I will be working. While they have all concurred that Council experience is an asset, in reality, the community and business leadership experience that I will bring to the job is far more important.
A major lesson I have learned is that when you treat people with respect and ask them for their input, they will respond in a positive way.
Experience is not measured just by how long someone has done a particular job, but as an accumulation of life skills that can be applied to the position of Mayor. With 35+ years of proven, real, un-embellished business leadership experience and 25+ years of community involvement, I have a track record of success in relevant areas and have shown myself to be a quick study on the key issues that face Aurora, as a long-serving leader in our community.
It's time for a new type of politics in Aurora. One based on respect and collaboration -- not based on surrounding myself with other politicians more interested in their own political ambitions that the needs of the community.
Aurora needs responsive leadership from its Mayor; leadership that will seek and use professional opinion; leadership that relies on informed opinion; leadership that will make informed decisions for the betterment of all, not just the advancement of a few.
Leadership that will put people and principles before politics.
Leadership that will promote our vision at the Region and the Province.
Leadership that is based on trust and mutual respect.
I have no other political aspirations, other than what is best for Aurora.
I am asking for your support. If you believe, as I do, that Aurora needs a Mayor with fresh ideas and innovative, collaborative solutions, I'd appreciate your vote on Oct 25th.
