GUELPH POLITICAST #68 - Ted Drewlo, The Coldest Night of the Year

This is probably not the type of weather you want when you're holding a fundraiser called "The Coldest Night of the Year," but on the other hand, if you want to rally people to come out and walk between two and ten kilometres to raise money for charity, this is maybe just the kind of weather you want.

GUELPH POLITICAST #53 - Friends of the Guelph Public Library

Ten years ago, council was talking about building a new main public library, and 10 years later... they're still talking about it. But back in the heady, care-free days of the aughts, the goal seemed a lot closer, and a group of citizens thought they'd put their money where their mouth is by showing council what an appetite there was for a new, modern, state-of-the-art library and cultural centre. One decade, and a half a million dollars later, those people - and many, many more - still come out every year to show their love of books.

Follow the Adam-Vent Calendar All Month Long in Patreon Funding Drive

In February, I launched the Patreon campaign for Guelph Politico, and it while it hasn't been a wild success, it is an ongoing effort. Admittedly, I've fallen down on the promotion of that fundraising effort, so I decided to do what all great fundraisers do: a pledge drive. October will be my pledge month, and to raise awareness we'll be looking at Guelph Politico's greatest hits all month long. 

Guelph Citizen Digs Into Campaign Expenses

Doing their due diligence on the money front from last fall's Municipal Election, Andy Best at the Guelph Citizen posted a breakdown of how much the current members of council spent in order to win their seats. For council candidates, the spending limit is between $16 to $18,000 depending on the ward they're running in, while there's a $82,000 limit for mayor. For the most part, the candidates didn't get near their spending limits, but the numbers, as pointed out by the Citizen, do show some interesting trends.

Angus Promises Vicious, Nasty Campaign at Bullring Fundraiser

It was a bitterly cold night outside, but inside the Bullring at the University of Guelph, a small crowd of loyal New Democratic Party members stayed warm with good food, good music and more than a hint of partisan politics. Timmins-James Bay Member of Parliament Charlie Angus came to town with guitar in hand, but he also came to get Guelph riled up for this fall's (or sooner) Federal Election campaign. 

Charlie Angus Coming to Guelph to Warm Up Local NDP

A lot of the local news for the upcoming Federal Election has been in regards to the very busy race for the Liberal nomination, but what of other opposition parties? The NDP hopes to make their presence felt in the suddenly vacant Royal City riding by bringing in a trusted representative to rile up the base. Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus will be at the Bullring at the University of Guelph on Sunday February 22 to do a fundraising concert to “build momentum” for the 2015 election.

Press Release - Run for Earth Hour

While I strongly support any activist action to combat global climate change, I have trouble with Earth Hour because if you can shut off non-essential lights for an hour one night a year, shouldn't you do that all year round? When it comes to these kinds of actions, it boils down to it being literally the very least you can do.

But they say it's the thought that counts, and this is a thought I can feel comfortable counting. Here's a press release promoting the 60km Community Relay for Earth Hour, which will take place on a week from Saturday on March 31st. All the details are below.

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60km Community Relay Keeps Momentum for Cutting Electricity - Guelph Lights Out Relay asks for mass participation to remind everyone to switch off lights for Earth Hour

(Guelph, On) March 19, 2012 – Once again, Guelph Environmental Leadership (GEL) is encouraging Guelph residents to join over one billion people worldwide calling for action on climate change by switching off non-essential lights for Earth Hour at 8:30 p.m. on March 31, 2012.

James Gordon Re-Ups For NDP Nom

'Tis not so much the season for political announcements, but in a fundraising e-mail today, James Gordon tells local NDP supporters that he'll be running again in the next provincial election.

"With a minority government, we are never sure when the election will be, but I will be running to win; I want to be your MPP," writes Gordon. "To do this, I’m setting an ambitious but achievable fundraising goal to match the PCs and Liberals dollar for dollar. This campaign, we proved we could do it, and over the coming months, I’d like to show that we can make change for the better in Guelph."

Gordon isn't the first candidate from the recently concluded Provincial election to declare his desire to run in the next election. After the campaign wrapped in a minority government for Dalton McGuinty, Progressive Conservative candidate Greg Schirk said that it was his intention to run again as well. 

The optics look good for Gordon, who added over 4,200 votes to the NDP's count, and came within 800 votes of tying Schirk for second place.

"For the first time, we were able to close in on the PCs and Liberals," the e-mail continues. "While voter turnout was at an all time low, creating challenges for all the parties, the NDP was the only party to increase its number of votes. [P]eople are hungry for our approach: a positive, practical and progressive way of doing things."

Ironic Twist: Begging Bear Lives Up to Name

Out of commission since some scofflaws knocked him off his perch this past March, it was previously announced that the Begging Bear, a sculpture that stands on guard in front of the MacDonald Stewart Art Centre, would be back in October (or Octobear as observed wryly by the Mercury). Just one problem, and it's kind of ironic given the name of the sculpture and everything, a $6,800 difference on the repair bill not covered by insurance. 

The total cost of the repair will cash out to about $11,300 and insurance will only cover $4,500. A fundraising effort is now underway to collect the nearly $7,000 needed to complete repairs and restore the bear to its footing along Gordon Street. Why so much? Long, stainless steel pins that will attach the Begging Bear to a deeper concrete base, and thus, hopefully, preventing future drunken pranks.

"Share Your Care for Our Bear" donations can be made by cash, cheque or credit card at Mac-Stew, or you can mail in a donation, or make one by phone at 519-837-001. The police investigation is still ongoing, but if the perpetrators are caught, I think the logical thing would be to squeeze the cash out of them. 

Women Build Launches Saturday

Women in Guelph are banding together this summer to build a house for a family in need and it begins with a blessing of the foundation on Saturday June 4th, 9 am to 10 am along with a Meet the Neighbours.

Habitat for Humanity Wellington County’s Women Build are looking for women who are willing to roll up their sleeves and pitch in. They’re building a single detached home at 439 York Road and they need volunteer builders on site from June through to September, Tuesdays through Saturdays. Tools, lunch and training are provided. Registered volunteers can also attend free skills workshops so they can feel more comfortable with power tools before their build day.

Additionally, volunteer builders are being asked to raise a minimum of $150. That will get you up to three days on the build site. For a $25 administration fee, you can have eight days or more on-site. And if building doesn't appeal to you, you can still participate by fundraising. Anyone who raises $500 will be entered into a draw for a hot air balloon ride for two.

Women can also put together a team of 10 and build with friends and family. The fee is $1,500. Women Build is also looking for corporate sponsors for financial or in-kind donations.

Men are also allowed to participate, but the point of Women Build is to promote women as leaders and provide an opportunity for women to learn new skills, to build confidence, to work in solidarity, and to really make a difference to a family.

Stable housing is a critical factor in raising a family out of poverty. Habitat for Humanity homes are sold to the recipient family at market value and the organization holds the mortgage with payments geared-to-income. Mortgage payments help to fund subsequent builds.

The recipient family also puts in 500 volunteer hours building their home. It’s very likely you could be working along-side a family member.

Registration and payment is easy online. You'll also find out more about how to get in shape for build day, ideas for fundraising, and information about our special events.

During Saturday morning’s event you can meet the participant family, meet the Women Build project leaders, see the unveiling of ‘The Powder Room,’ the prettiest outhouse on a construction site and learn more about the project.

As well, you can follow Women Build on Twitter @hfhwc and join the conversation with #womenbuildhthwc, or you can join the Facebook group at www.facebook.com/hghwc. You can also check out the website at http://www.habitatwellington.on.ca/womenbuild.html

Construction will begin on June 7th.

Guelph Arts gearing up for Budget Fight

This came across my desk today from the Guelph Arts Council. News about possible cuts to the arts sector git buried beneath the big ticket items I reported on last week, but there's some pretty substantial cuts earmarked for the arts in Guelph should city council decide to enact them. Here's the letter from GAC:

Well, folks, this missive feels a bit like déjà vu!! Back in 2005 – after the community rallied and successfully defeated a City budget proposal to cut all community / voluntary sector grants – we did say that “it could happen again”!! And, if you’ve been reading the newspapers, you’ll know that such cuts are indeed on the table for the 2010 City budget. I heard it all during last night’s four-hour staff budget presentation / Council question period.

It’s no secret that the City has recently been dealing with some very significant financial challenges. For 2010, these look to be even greater! In fact, even the base budget increase (after consideration of revenues losses and increases as a result of contractual obligations) looks to be $8.1 million which would translate into a 9.2 % tax hike.

Recognizing that such an increase would be completely unacceptable to Guelph citizens in these tough economic times, City staff have prepared two scenarios for City Council to consider:

List A - cuts to bring the increase down to 4.48 %
List B – cuts to bring the increase down about 2.5 %

The good news is that staff is recommending List A; the bad news is that List B, although not recommended, does include elimination of all community / voluntary support.

More specifically, List B includes:
Guelph Arts Council and United Way $ 57 500
Macdonald Stewart Art Centre 168 700
Community Arts & Culture Grants 70 000
Community Health & Social Service Grants 53 600
Community Events 91 000
Civic Celebrations and Special Projects 100 000
Neighbourhood Support Coalition Grant 150 000
Total $690 800

At the Council presentation last night (November 30), Council members made it pretty clear that they had no appetite for most of the cuts identified on List B. But, at the same time, some councillors also had problems with some of the items on List A (e.g. hike in transit fares). They further indicated that they were hearing from members of the public who want virtually no tax increase!

So, where are we with the arts / voluntary sector cuts? We are not at the top of the list but we are on the list – in other word, we are threatened, and we do need to make our case.

We don’t have a lot of time to do so. Council will hear delegations from the community ONLY next Tuesday, December 8, starting at 6 p.m. Then, they will debate the budget and make a decision on Tuesday, December 15 (and Wednesday, December 16, if more time is needed).

Remembering back to the February 2005 Council meeting (which had so many delegations that by 11 p.m. one could see that Council members were tuning out), we are recommending a fairly targeted approach to avoid too much repetition at the December 8 meeting.

Guelph Arts Council has registered as a delegation for that meeting, and will speak specifically to its own city allocation (without which, our organization’s future would be in serious jeopardy) PLUS the community arts grants (which we have just finished reviewing and recommending on) PLUS some community events such as Doors Open (which could not proceed without City funding), Hillside Inside, Multicultural Festival. We know that there will also be presentations from others (Neighbour Support Coalition, Macdonald Stewart Art Centre, Seniors Centre) and expect possibly others from the voluntary sector generally and possibly Civic Celebrations.

But there is a role for each and every one of you. You can communicate with Mayor / councillors:
- as an individual or as a representative of a specific group;
- specifically to your Ward councillor and/or all councillors;
- by phone, email, or letter delivered / mailed to City Hall;
- any time between now and December 15, although likely the sooner the better.

Click here to get contact information for councillors - http://www.guelph.ca/cityhall.cfm?subCatID=855&smocid=1441.
You could also consider sending a letter to the editor of either the Tribune or the Mercury.

Experience would show that we should be as positive as possible in any communications, not being overly critical or confrontational, and acknowledging the challenges faced by Council this year and the efforts they are making to responsibly deal with their financial shortfalls. At the same time, we need to point out how the not-for-profit voluntary sector, especially in the arts, has been similarly affected by cuts in support form other levels of government (no infrastructure $$ for us!) as well as a decline in fundraised dollars and, in many cases, a decrease in ticket sales / entry fees. For organizations already operating close to the line, for many of us it has meant going into a deficit position.

We would also be grateful if those of you who are members of Guelph Arts Council and/or work closely with us or appreciate the role we play as “the voice of the arts” in this community could put in a good word for maintaining our funding intact.

In return, as we did in 2005, Guelph Arts Council is prepared to take on the role of co-ordinating this “campaign” and keeping you posted on anything that develops between now and December 15. To that end, we would ask that each of you send us a copy of any correspondence to/from councillors.

Together, we can win this battle yet again – and live to fight another day!!

Eat for Earthquake Relief

The City of Guelph has a large Italian-Canadian community, so it should come as no surprise that our fair berg should feel deeply affected by the devastating magnitude 6.3 earthquake in L'Aquila, Italy this past Monday.

Recovery contributions and fundraising efforts have been underway since Monday. So far, 287 people are known to have been killed by the quake, with another 20,000 people left homeless.

The Guelph Mercury ran a piece about the impact of the news on the quake for people living here in Guelph. Now, I've received this press release from out Member of Parliament about an event this Saturday. Please read below.

April 9, 2009
For Immediate Release

Frank Valeriote Voices Support for Local Earthquake Relief Efforts:

The Italian Canadian Club of Guelph’s efforts to raise relief money for those affected by the earthquake in L’Aquila, Italy are critical and timely, said Frank Valeriote, Member of Parliament for Guelph.

“This earthquake has caused the deaths of hundreds of people and left tens of thousands without shelter. My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Italy, and with the families and loved ones of those affected in Italy and in Canada. People, who are understandably afraid to return to their homes while aftershocks continue, require immediate help. I encourage all people of Guelph to come to Italian Club between 11am and 5pm to participate in this worthwhile effort,” said Valeriote.

On Saturday April 11, the Italian Canadian Club of Guelph will be hosting an all day pasta buffet fundraiser between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. All proceeds will be directed to the relief of those suffering in L’Aquila.