New Rules for Drivers in the New Year

New year; new rules. At least so far as what you do when you're a driver and how long you're supposed to wait before turning when someone's walking across the street. As a walker, this is a big pet peeve of mine: drivers either whiz past you with barely inches to spare, or passive aggressively turn as slow as possible as you walk on through. The only regret? This new rule won't apply to all crosswalks.

Would You Help Pay for Politico?

Normally on Boxing Day, I get on my high horse and look down on the people that line-up for Boxing Day bargains. But in the spirit of buying stuff on December 26, I want to suggest a possible investment in an endeavour that's not new, but is definitely different. After almost eight years, the time has come to expand Guelph Politico into a media entity in its own right, more than a blog, and it will require the help of you readers to do it. 

Guelph Protesters Amongst Line 9 Arrests

The days of rowdy protests in Guelph seem to have come and gone. Sure, there are still demonstrations, but it seems like no one is riled up enough to get arrested for the cause anymore, or maybe there are just no causes in Guelph worth getting arrested for. Among three activists arrested yesterday for protesting the Line 9 pipeline in Sarnia were two Guelph women.

Police Advice on Hazardous Chemical Leak on Wellington 124

It was a rough day on Wellington Road 124 today with the usual traffic concerns on the main route between Guelph and Cambridge, but even more concerning was a chemical spill from Flow Chem at 6986 Highway 124. According to the CBC, first responders were able to contain the spill, but the road is still closed and will be closed until all relevant agencies clear the scene.

Mike Duffy Dropped a Non-Guelph Robocall Bomb

When Mike Duffy was arrested and charged for writing off one too many receipts at the government's expense, he promised that in the midst of his trial, he was going to be dropping some bombs concerning insider knowledge of the Prime Minister's Office. The fireworks have been somewhat muted, but for those that have still been smelling something fishy in the Robocall scandal had their paranoia pay off last week when Duffy seemed to indicate that the Conservatives were behind the Robocall prototype in 2008 in the riding of Saanich-Gulf Islands.

What's Coming Up for Open Sources' Holiday Specials?

It's the holiday season, so gather your family around the radio and listen to some great specials from your favourite locally-sourced political and current affairs discussion show, Open Sources Guelph. 

Guelph Makes Top 10 for Culture Days in 2015

It's a terribly kept secret that Guelph is a culturally rich little 'burb, and now we have the statistics to prove it. The Royal City was one of numerous groups across the country to have participated in Culture Day activities back in September, and it turns out that were one of the best it terms of celebrations. 

City Reveals the Secret of the Ooze on the Speed

If you walked along the Speed River recently and noticed something weird about the water, you're not alone. For the record, it was an oil spill, but fortunately it's not the type of oil spill that typically makes headlines.

Here's what Lloyd Longfield Said in his First Speech in the House

Although he didn't get one of your fancy cabinet seats, Guelph MP Lloyd Longfield is still taking care of business in the House of Commons. In his first address in said House, Longfield rose to salute a Guelphite who's doing his part on the preeminent human rights issue of our time, assisting Syrian refugees.

BUDGET 2016: MacKinnon Expands on No Vote

I believe the 7-6 approved #Guelph budget levy of +2.99% is significantly worse than the budget council rejected last night. #IVotedNo

— Mark MacKinnon (@ward6mark) December 11, 2015

Shortly after the razor thin vote of 7-6 in favour of the 2016 Budget, Ward 6 Councillor Mark MacKinnon sent out the above tweet. I decided to ask him to expand on his comment, and although he, like many councillors, was committed to bringing in a lower increase for the next year, that actually wasn't the crux of where he disagreed with the approved budget.

BUDGET 2016: City Puts a Happy Face on Contentious Budget Night

It took two days, a total of 11 hours, and nearly a million dollars added and taken back, but Guelph finally got a budget for 2016. As per tradition, the city's press office sent out a press release following the meeting announcing success. 

LIVE BLOG: City Hall Tries Again with 2016 Operating Budget.

Tonight, city council will try again with the 2016 Operating Budget. The capital budget was approved unanimously last night, but things started to get sticky when after hours of negotiation and debate, the final tally came in at $217,336,736 or 3.42% above 2015. Most of council balked at that number and the budget failed to pass by a motion of 5 to 8. So now what? Council will begin tonight, revising yesterday's close votes in order to sort out again what they need, and what the city can afford. What will the final impact be?

LIVE BLOG - City Council Decides on 2016 Budget

A number of tough choices lie ahead for Guelph's city council tonight. Many on council want to keep any potential tax increase inline with the rate of inflation, others are concerned about making too many significant cuts in city services. Meanwhile, there are a lot of people in the city worried about losing transit services, or paying more for them (not to mention paying more for just about anything else). So many tough decisions, what will the 13 members of city council do? 

Coucil Goes Late to Approve a 2-Lane Bridge on Niska Road

It was in some respect an issue more contentious than the budget itself, a packed house came out Thursday to see a staff report on the fate of the one-lane Bailey Bridge on Niska Rd., hear public delegations, and listen to council's debate and decision on the matter. Sometime after midnight, despite an overwhelming number of people in attendance representing the status quo, the fate of the bridge was sealed: Niska Rd.'s route over the Speed River will now be two-way.

BUDGET 2016: Other Points of Concern from Public Input

Many of the concerns on public feedback night in council's 2016 budget deliberations involved big ticket items: garbage pick-up, transit, taxes, but many people came out to speak to a variety of different issues. Whether it's fees, mobility, or funding for new and continuing projects there was a lot of insight into what city council should make a priority in the next year. 

BUDGET 2016: Garbage, Taxes, Services Among Other Points of Public Concern

Of the 37 delegations that came out to speak on the 2016 Budget last night, over a third of them were in some way concerned about the proposed service cuts and fare hikes to Guelph Transit, but that wasn't the only issue that got interest from multiple parties. From condo owners wanting to be able to access city waste collection services, to those concerned about a bigger tax bill next year; from fans of the library to opponents of changes to Niska Road, there was a lot of passion on display in front of the horseshoe.