AURORA VOTES: Residents voice thoughts on top priorities for next town council

Environmental protection, affordable housing and supporting local small businesses among items that make list

Yorkregion.com
Oct. 26, 2022
Melissa Wallace

Affordable housing, poverty relief, environmental concerns and support for small businesses are some of the issues that are top of mind for Aurora residents. But what many want most of all is transparency and trust between politicians and the people they serve.

“Generally, community relationships with politicians could always be improved,” says Tessa Hogerwaard, who has lived in Aurora for the past six years. “They need to be approachable and ready to listen to issues that are important.”

For Allison Stuart, chair of the Aurora Food Pantry and resident for 27 years, council has a distinct role in being “the glue between individual community members and other levels of government” and is challenged by high and complex expectations. She believes the primary task for all levels of government should be a focus on alleviating poverty.

“It’s an enormous task. Locally, that includes affordable housing and advocacy with other layers of government to fund social assistance programs that cover all basic needs.”

Sylvia Martignani, principal of Agora Prep Academy, shared the need for funding and support for small businesses.

“I feel like most people are on the cusp between middle class and lower class because there isn’t a lot of support,” says Martignani. “It’s becoming more challenging to afford daily life, and I have families coming to me saying, ‘You know, with gas and groceries, everything is so expensive. We want to come to your school, but we can’t afford it.’”

“It seems like every business is working in a silo and everyone’s in survival mode. You’re constantly caught in this state of fear where it’s like, ‘if I don’t work super hard today, I might not make it. I won’t be able to pay the bills.’”

Martignani moved to Aurora in 2010 and started the Aurora Moms Facebook group in 2021 to build community, envisioning a space where members could talk freely, be heard and receive support.

“I believe children need to be sort of built up in the community and moms can help each other rise up.” Martignani has seen group attendance grow to 560 members, with more joining every day.

“It’s pivotal that we go back to basics and understand that families make up these communities and are the very fibres of our community,” she says. “They knit us together. Families need to know where they stand and what promises are going to be made by council to enhance and enable families, especially with the rising cost of inflation. We want transparency.”
Tony Keludjian, who has lived in Aurora since 1988, urges a pause in the overall expansion of new development. “I used to live on a golf course, and they took the golf course away and put new homes there.”

And finally, Joanne Maier, who moved to Aurora in 1992, shared what she thought council should prioritize.

“I’m concerned about the environment and the cost of housing. The environment’s long-term and more has to be done. “We also have to take care of our families and make sure housing is affordable for everybody.”