I Am Fuming

An e-mail to all councillors:

I am a resident of York Region and have been involved in the
arts in York region for many years. For the past 21 years I have
been the artistic director of Thornhill Chamber Institute. I am ,as
well, a professional musicoan and private teacher of violin at the
Toronto Waldorf School.
As a member of  York Region arts community, and participant in
many musical endeavors in York region I feel compelled to address
you. I have been made aware of your  possibly taking away a clause
in the agreement which would threaten the Aurora building's
previously-agreed-upon contracted time of use.
The building has been a welcome change in serving the arts of
all persusions. I personally was thrilled to see it arrive and felt
that we
finally had a place to visit and use as a home base. We were
finally allowed a place similar to any  in cities and towns where
the arts are considered an integral part of the community. The
Aurora building is a visible presence and certainly draws
attention to the arts as being a valuable part of our culture.
Please do not take this away!!!
Yours Sincerely,
Gretchen Anner , Artisitic Director ThornhillChamber Music.com

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This is typical of the numerous e-mails received by the Mayor and Council  in the last week.  I am posting it because I understand the York Region Arts group were leased the space  in the Church Street School that was intended for the Historical Society. It was one of the board's first decisions.

Under the agreement the board is  required to obtain town approval to lease space. It doesn't have to come to council.  Nothing does.

Because of  previous  re-organisation of the town's administration,  request for approval went to the Director of Public Works  or is as now known, Director of Infrastructure and Environment.

Responsibility  for management of facilities was transferred from  the Director of Leisure Services; the person thoroughly familiar with various programming and the significance of the request.

Approval was granted  by the new chief out of ignorance of the significance or perhaps by direction of the Mayor.

Who could know under the circumstances?
 
Half  the Leisure Services Department's  responsibilities were transferred from one  who had  credentials and  background in all town  programs , to one who had none.

The first person's salary stayed the same. The second  moved up the grid on the pay scale.

I need to stop now and have a nice calming cup of tea.