Longfield to Carry Liberal Banner for Guelph in Fall Election

They may not have been first, but many eyes were on the Liberal Party's Guelph membership to see who they would be nominating to succeed Frank Valeriote as their nominee in Guelph. Three people submitted their names for the chance to run for the Liberals in this fall's federal election. By the time it was all said and done, former Guelph Chamber of Commerce President Lloyd Longfield came out on top, but if there was a unifying tone amongst all the potential Liberal nominees it was that they're very convinced that Stephen Harper is going down this October. 

Guthrie Delivers his First State of the City

Earlier today, Mayor Cam Guthrie did what mayors do and delivered a speech. In this instance, the speech was the annual State of the City address at a breakfast get together held by the Guelph Chamber of Commerce. This was Guthrie's first State of the City, and like the more famous "State of the Union" addresses made by the cheif executive of the country immediately to the south of us, it's filled with fine platidudes and a lot of feather fluffing about the awesomeness of the Royal City (not that it isn't well deserved of course).

Audit to Dig into Ward 6 Candidate's Election Donations

One might think that coming in a distant fourth in the race to become one of two city councillors in Ward 6 would have been punishment enough, but a Guelph citizen is demanding an audit of Glen Tolhurst's donations from the 2014 election be performed. Why? Two words: GrassRoots Guelph.

PRESS RELEASE - Niska Bridge to be Closed till May 1

The Bailey Bridge over the Speed River on Niska Road is a bit of a local legend, and in case you don't know it, that history is outlined here. For a "temporary bridge" it's held up remarkably well for the last four decades, but the growing Guelph and more wear and tear from the increased traffic is starting to take its toll. A regular inspection lead to the discovery that there maybe some bigger issues, so while the City closes the bridge for repairs starting today, they'll be taking the opportunity to determine a more permanent solution.

Ranked Ballot Initiative Launching in Guelph

After last fall's round of municipal elections in Ontario, Premier Kathleen Wynne promised to look into the idea of incorporating ranked ballots into the process for the 2018 vote. The idea generated a lot of interest, most prominently from Toronto Mayor John Tory, who recently pressed Wynne to move forward with legislation to approve a new ranked ballot system for Canada's biggest city. Never one to shy away from progressive thinking and new ideas, concerned Guelphites are now jumping on to the debate and are looking to make ranked ballots a reality for the Royal City in 2018.

PRESS RELEASE - City Wants Feedback for New Equipment in 4 Parks

Do you like parks? Do you like playgrounds? Who doesn't? And I know you kids who read this blog do. So the City of Guelph is looking for feedback concerning a new playground equipment being installed in four local parks. I don't have any kids, so I really have no skin in the game, but what I will say is that if it were me offering my input, I would lean more towards the sandlots and metal bars of my own playground days. Hey, it may not have been as safe, and I knocked out my two front teeth on a see-saw when I was five, but I survived. (Maybe that's why I shouldn't have a say...)

PRESS RELEASE - Repairs to East Parkade Start Monday

Do you drive downtown regularly? That may be a bit more difficult come Monday as repairs are undertaken at the East Parkade parking structure alongside the Sleeman Centre.

More Reasons to Rethink the "Right" to Drive

In a curious release a couple of weeks ago, the Guelph Police Service reminded local drivers that Victoria Road is not, in contrast to how they were treating it, a "speedway." In a 24-hour period, the police had stopped six vehicles along Victoria Road for speeding, including one driver who was doing 102 kilometers per hour. For the record, the speed limit on that portion of Victoria Road was 50 kilometers per hour. As a 31-year-old Guelph man faces charges for drive motor vehicle-perform stunt-speeding by 50 or more km/hr and speeding under the Highway Traffic Act, a very public act of road rage should be making us all think about how much nonsense some drivers are getting away with on the roadways of the country.

'Party of One' Author Michael Harris Coming to Guelph

April is shaping up to be the cruelest month for Prime Minister Stephen Harper: the Mike Duffy trial begins this week, the knives are already out for the federal budget coming April 21, and author Michael Harris will be hitting the road to talk about his takedown of the Harper years, Party of One. Fair Vote Guelph is bringing Harris to the Royal City on April 19, but Open Sources Guelph will have the reporter, columnist and author on the show later this week.

Andrew Seagram Acclaimed as NDP Candidate for Guelph in #elxn42

The local New Democrats were the first out of the gate last night in naming their candidate for this October's Federal Election. In the now-open riding of Guelph, the stakes will be high here for the implications of the national race along with choosing who will represent us, and the NDP are hoping Royal City voters are going to choose Andrew Seagram.