Urbacon Issue Finally Settled with Two More Cheques

It's been almost a decade of debacle, but the long legal fight between the City of Guelph and the contractor Urbacon over the cancellation of their contract to build the new City Hall and renovate the old one into the Provincial Court building, has been completely settled. 

Clair-Maltby Secondary Plan Nearly Ready for Review

Coming soon, Guelph will heading even further south than Clair Rd. Development in the Clair Rd. area of Guelph has come a long way in the last five to ten years, but now council is looking at the next phase, developing the area south of Clair Rd and north of Maltby Road. 

Beware Phone Scam Offering Gifts to Guelphites

They say there's no such thing as a free lunch, and neither is their such a things as a free gift from the city for helping them fill out a water quality survey. Officials are warning that if you should happen to get a call offering you a free gift from the city, then you're to be advised that giving them your home address for delivery is a very bad idea indeed. 

Whatever They Were, the Site with the Drums is Clean Says City

 

The incredible case of mysterious drums buried near the intersection of Wellington St. and the Hanlon Expressway has been a local curiosity since the first drum was dug up last fall. But whatever they are, and wherever they came from, the City of Guelph is saying that the site is officially clean, even if they still aren't revealing - or are just unsure - what or why they were buried in the first place.

Water Level Back in Blue

The rain may have ruined your weekend fun and activities, but it did have the positive effect of reversing our outside water use slide into drought like levels. Yes, the Royal City is back and blue! But, you know, still use that water wisely.

Valeriote Makes Law and News on his Last Day in the Commons

Just because it's Frank Valeriote's last week on the job, doesn't mean he's going to leave without one last accomplishment. Today, on Valeriote's last day on Parliament Hill, a private members bill he shepherded though the Commons received Royal Assent, and it will be to grieving Canadian families who will reap the benefit of Valeriote's last act as a legislator.

Next Time Follow the Signs When Trying to Drive Through a Movie Set

It's a pretty big week for the Ward, which is playing host to Hollywood star power in the form of James Franco. The prolific actor, producer and director is in the Guelph area shooting a miniseries based on a Stephen King novel, but in one of those truth is stranger than fiction stories, the fun and excitement of a big film shoot was interrupted by the kind of criminal idiocy that would be right at home on the long-running reality series, Cops.

Found Remains Confirmed to be Mimi Dietrich

After nearly a year of questions, and the arrest last week of Stephan Dietrich on the charge of first degree murder, Guelph Police have confirmed today that the remains in the home on Vancouver Dr did indeed belong to Mimi Dietrich. 

PRESS RELEASE - Macdonell St "Island" to be Tested for the "Enhanced" Downtown Experience

In a move that's sure to be a hit with everyone that thinks Downtown Guelph already caters too much to the hippie/dippy side of the War on Cars, the City of Guelph has decided to cordon off a portion of Macdonell St. at it's western end, right in the middle of the road, and make it a tourist trap. Say what? Yeah, like say have you ever wanted that perfect shot of the religious establishment formally known as the Church of Our Lady, right there front and centre? Well, for a summer test trial, the City is going to give shutterbugs of all stripes, local and foreign, the perfect vantage point. Right in the middle of a busy downtown intersection. If this isn't the biggest thing to hit downtown since pissoirs I'll eat my hat. 

A Farewell by Frank (to Parliament)

With the legislative year winding down, many MPs are enjoying (or dreading) their last days in office. Over 50 Members of Parliament from all parties have decided that they will not run for re-election in this coming fall's Federal campaign, and one of those politicians is Guelph's own Frank Valeriote. For many residents of the city and riding of Guelph, Valeriote is considered a great and influential public servant, one that's been open, available, and responsive to the people he represents. As much as politicos look forward to an open horse race here in October, Valeriote will be missed. And if you read his final remarks in the House of Commons below, you can tell that he's going to miss it too.

Gord Miller Acclaimed as Green Party Nominee for Guelph

The final piece of the electoral puzzle, at least so far as the major party candidates are concerned, fell into place last night when former Environmental Commissioner of Ontario Gord Miller was acclaimed as the Green Party of Canada candidate for the Guelph riding in this fall's Federal Election. Miller was running unopposed, so his victory was a foregone conclusion, but the meeting was still an occasion because of the presence of not just one, but two Green Party leaders, Ontario leader Mike Schreiner and federal leader Elizabeth May.

Guelph Greens to Make Miller Official on Monday

Although he presently has no competition and it seems likely that his name is going to be on the ballot when Guelphites vote in this fall's Federal Election, former Environmental Commissioner of Ontario Gord Miller will make his nomination for the Green Party official in a meeting this coming Monday night.

PRESS RELEASE - Clean Air Day Tomorrow, Ride the Bus for Free

Although I'm not sure how successful it is at actually getting people out of their cars and on to city buses, it's worth pointing out just the same that tomorrow is Clean Air Day. All day long, folks will be able to ride Guelph Transit for free across the Royal City, an act of faith that you'll be so impressed with the ease and comfort of your journey that you might be convinced to take it more often and pay for the privilege. The bus is always full on Clean Air Day, but I'm unsure just how much of that increased ridership has to do with the (lack of) price tag, and how much of it is people experimenting with the system. Still, do yourself a favour and do the air a favour, and for a day tomorrow, just leave the car at home.

Report - Work on Highway 7 to Start Later this Month

It's been on the books for, well, ever, and it was a promise made by the provincial Liberals in the 2011 election campaign (that's two campaigns ago for those keeping score at home), but now it looks like the expansion of Highway 7 between Guelph and Kitchener is set to begin sometime later this month.

PRESS RELEASE - Outside Water Use Level at Yellow

It's been a long time since we've gotten a warning like this. But the incredibly dry conditions of the last month have caught up to us here in Guelph and the City has now moved out outside water use level to Yellow 1, meaning that greater restrictions over the use of water have now gone into effect. Lawn watering is now tied to a strict schedule, and you best leave the Slip 'n' Slide put away if it gets hot again. When it comes to water now, we don't have a drop to spare.