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Aurora mayor: 'As we move into 2021, our main focus will continue to be the pandemic'

Library Square, official plan, financial stability, business and youth concerns also top issues

Yorkregion.com
Jan. 4, 2021
Lisa Queen

Navigating the challenges of COVID-19 will be a top concern in 2021, Mayor Tom Mrakas says.

“As we move into 2021, our main focus and priority will continue to be the pandemic and ensuring that everyone in our community remains safe,” he said.

“We will also continue through the new year working with our business community to ensure that we do all we can to support our local businesses and have them build back better than ever.”

Council is updating its official plan, which Mrakas called a “crucial” strategy in setting out the community’s vision for years to come.

“This document will allow us to ensure that we move forward with appropriate growth and maintain our heritage and unique characteristics that make Aurora the great place that it is,” he said.

Making sure construction and development of the $51.6-million Library Square project comes in on time and on budget will be another priority for the town, Mrakas said.

“Lots of exciting things (are) happening in our town, from the rebuild of United Church to the revitalization of our downtown being well underway and the return to a downtown core that is thriving,” he added.

“With the news of the vaccine, and the start of inoculations, when it comes to this pandemic, we truly are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

Young community leader Chloe Hull, an organizer of Aurora’s 1,000-strong Black Lives Matter Solidarity Walk in June, wants the town to provide more opportunities and platforms for young people to share their ideas, concerns and initiatives.

“It is evident that Aurora is home to many talented and passionate young people capable of making change but there seems to be a lack of opportunities for this age group to share their voice,” she said.

Battered by the pandemic, Aurora’s small businesses are entering 2021 with mixed feelings of hope and anxiety, Chamber of Commerce president, Sandra Ferri, said.

With York Region in the middle of a COVID-related lockdown, Aurora shopkeepers wonder why large retailers remain open selling non-essential goods while small retailers offering many of the same products must shut down or move to curbside pickups.

“As we prepare for the future, the Aurora Chamber of Commerce is concerned that without the government’s reconsideration of these current policies, the consequences will potentially be disastrous,” Ferri said.

Building on its model of supporting and advocating for Aurora businesses, the chamber is finding innovative ways to boost retailers, including through the streamed mayor’s lunch in February, the return of the speakers series, business awards in June, the potential of a series of marketplace outdoor events to replace the Home Show and Street Festival and the ExploreAurora.ca social media campaign.

“Shopping local may look different, but it has never been easier or provided more support to our neighbours and friends,” Ferri said.

“I encourage everyone to continue to shop local first.”

Looping back to council priorities, several councillors shared their goals for 2021.

Deputy Mayor Harold Kim and Coun. Michael Thompson said updating the town’s official plan is crucial to shaping Aurora’s future over the next decade as the population grows to 80,000, up from the current 60,000, by 2041.

Kim also wants council to identify a location for a new mural to promote diversity and multiculturalism and, as a new member of the Aurora Economic Development Board, hopes to help the town will emerge successfully from the pandemic.

A “rigorous” review of the town’s service and delivery levels proposed by Thompson is expected to start in January.

“Being more efficient and cost-effective is always a priority in my view,” he said, adding Library Square and the revitalization of downtown are also his top concerns.

Coun. Rachel Gilliland is focused on the town’s books.

“Looking forward, I will be keeping a close eye on our financial outlook, the Library Square project and the economic recovery of small businesses in our town,” she said.

“I don’t think we have even crossed the bridge to begin economic recovery and we will have residents looking for support. In addition to our own fiscal responsibility and support, we must continue to work alongside our provincial and federal governments to ensure our concerns are being addressed and the financial aids are available.”

During these difficult times, Coun. John Gallo his main focus is the town’s financial stability.

Coun. Sandra Humfreys listed her priorities as supporting small businesses during the pandemic, development of Library Square, protecting the town against forced development in environmentally protected lands, completing a town service level review and working on the official plan for completion in 2022.