This year's grade: A-
Last year's grade: B+
If a municipality can be defined by the citizens who populate it, Ajax can hold its head high, for it has a plethora of citizens who fight the good fight not only within their borders, but in far-off countries.
From local students who take an interest in staying green to local professionals who head overseas to offer their services to the underprivileged, Ajax is a community which cares.
That sentiment can also be applied to the men and women who sit on local council.
Ajax councillors are as green as they come and take their social responsibility very seriously.
Their green side can be seen in championing projects such as a new operations centre and fire hall to make sure it is as energy efficient as possible. Money in this year's budget has been set aside to convert old streetlights to more energy-efficient versions. There is more than $1 million for new trails and the Town is consistently leading the fight to find out why Rotary Beach is closed each summer.
The Town also has a social side. Since 2006, the Ajax Community Fund has been providing money for social infrastructure projects. This year, residents can donate to the fund, with Veridian providing $1 for every $3 donated. As part of a $250,000 donation to the hospital over four years, this year the Town paid for a device to perform minimal invasive surgery on women who are facing breast cancer surgery.
The Town helped save one of its oldest landmarks when it purchased the St. Francis de Sales Church and began work to convert it to a performing arts and cultural venue. The Town saved it from the wreckers' ball at a cost of $50,000 and just this month received federal and provincial funding, with the Town adding $850,000, to start the work.
Councillors continue to be cognizant of the need for economic growth, fighting against developers who attempt to rezone property for housing which has been set aside for employment opportunities. It helps that Ajax councillors have one of the lowest ratios of developer and union contributions to municipal election campaigns outside of Toronto. But the report from a York University professor on municipal election campaign contributions also notes Ajax has a higher number of councillors paying for their own campaigns, which helps the rich run for office. A median must be found to make sure all have an opportunity to run for council.
The Town did lose one fight this year, when the Rouge Valley Health System moved mental health beds to its Scarborough Centenary Hospital from the Ajax-Pickering site. The fight against the move dominated 2008 but in the end, the board could not be swayed and moved the beds as part of a cost-saving measure.
Ajax is fortunate to have a fantastic waterfront and a good source of revenue from the Slots at Ajax which contributes millions to the Town's coffers each year.
Ajax councillors continue to be good stewards for their municipality and for that we give the council an A.
-- Ajax News Advertiser
Recommend :