Five things going on in Aurora that are worth knowing about

Marriage licence appointments now possible, council approves anti-racism task force and two high school students win scholarships

Yorkregion.com
July 23, 2020
Lisa Queen

Looking to get married, obtain personal documents from the town or find out what council is up to?

Here are five interesting things that have happened in Aurora:

• As of July 20, the town has expanded two services offered during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you need to obtain a marriage licence or other personal documents from the town, you can now make an appointment. For a marriage licence, call 905-727-1375 and request an appointment with a division registrar. Limited appointments are available from Monday to Friday. For documents, call 905-727-1375 and request a commission appointment. Commission appointments will be available on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
• At its July 14 meeting, council received a report regarding guidelines for the downtown wall mural program. The town will seek experienced artists through a call for artists application process undertaken by a selection committee. The aim is to have the first mural installed before the end of 2020.
• This year’s John West Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship awards have been given to Kiana Mirshahi and Amanda Bishop, both students from Aurora High School. The scholarships, valued at $1,000 each, annually honour the achievements of two senior students who are entering their first year of full-time post-secondary education. The awards are named in memory of former mayor John West, who died in December 2013. He was known for more than two decades of public service in Aurora between 1979 and 2006.
• Council approved a motion put forward by Coun. Sandra Humfryes to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) working definition of anti-Semitism. York Region is enriched by its thriving, active and engaged Jewish and Israeli communities, her motion said.
• Council approved an Anti-Black Racism and Anti-Racism Task Force, an initiative put forward by Coun. Harold Kim and Mayor Tom Mrakas. The town is committed to building a more inclusive society by working to identify, address and prevent systematic racism in municipal policy, program and services. The town is also committed to taking meaningful action to address anti-Black racism and affect long-term systemic change. The task force will work on developing strategies that seek to eliminate racism against Blacks and all other types of racism in the community.