Obviously, if you read some of the online blogs, there's a degree of dissatisfaction about the way Guelph's being run these days. Wish you could tell your city councillor to their face what you think the future of Guelph should look like? Opportunity meet door.
From the communications office of City Hall, comes an invitation to all Guelphites to a series of townhall style meetings between city councillors and regular Guelphites courtesy of the Guelph Community Wellbeing Initiative. Of course, it's more than just political as the Wellbeing Initiative encompasses more quality of life issues than political ones, but it should be very interesting to hear what members of the Guelph community across the city want from their city.
The first town is tomorrow night, and the full schedule can be found below along with the press release:
GUELPH, ON, September 5, 2012 – Starting tomorrow the City will host
several community conversations to learn what people like about living
in Guelph and what would improve their quality of life.
As part
of the Guelph Community Wellbeing Initiative, each conversation will be
an opportunity to discuss what matters in life, and how to work together
to improve the wellbeing of individuals, neighbourhoods and the Guelph
community.
“People have an important role to play in improving
the quality of life in Guelph,” says Barbara Powell, General Manager of
Community Engagement. “We’ve already heard from thousands of residents
who completed our community survey in July. “Now, we’re still seeking
additional input to make sure everyone has a chance to shape Guelph’s
future.”
Ward conversations are scheduled to take place:
Councillor June Hofland will host a ward conversation at a future
date to be determined. Information about this and other upcoming events
will be posted at guelphwellbeing.ca.
During September, the City and its community partners will continue
to encourage residents to participate in the Guelph Community Wellbeing
Initiative by:
- Completing a comment card at their neighbourhood recreation centre, library branch or City facility
- Attending a ward conversation view dates here
- Talking to wellbeing volunteers at community events and gathering places view dates here
- Hosting a conversation with family, friends, neighbours or coworkers – a do it yourself guidebook is available on guelphwellbeing.ca
- Submitting comments at guelphwellbeing.ca
- Following and sharing comments using #guelphwellbeing on Twitter
- Posting comments on the City of Guelph Facebook page
About the Guelph Community Wellbeing Initiative
Using the Canadian Index of Wellbeing, the City and its partners
are measuring Guelph’s quality of life in terms of community vitality,
democratic engagement, environment, education, time use, health, leisure
and culture and living standards.
Learn more about the Canadian Index of Wellbeing and the eight dimensions of wellbeing here.
Its purpose is to develop a shared understanding and vision for
Guelph’s future so the City and community partners can make better
decisions, improve programs and policies, and increase the wellbeing of
people, neighbourhoods and the community as a whole.
In addition, the initiative aims to to inspire more people to take
action and contribute to Guelph’s community wellbeing – creating a
healthy and safe community where people can live life to the fullest.
Adam: Well being is political. In this instance it's about identifying which public goods deserve to become or remain as priorities when it comes to how we use "public money". When it comes to spending tax dollars or "fees" from one level or another of government for any use, however you want to frame it, I'm not sure how you can separate politics from it.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I am guessing that there was additional advance notice of the first meeting than what is suggested in the info you provided through your post; if not, that would require a comment as well, right?