EDITORIAL: Don't Lament the Things We Lost, Protect What Remains

As far back as I could remember, I always wanted to work in a video store. Quentin Tarantino worked in a video store and he turned out okay. Randy, the movie geek in Scream movies, did as well, but that turned out less well. Be Kind, Rewind, a personal favourite of mine, was a movie about a couple of ne'er-do-wells trying to save their local street corner video store, but no amount of "Sueded" movies was going to save Thomas Video this year from the fate of so many other video stores. 2016 was a hard year for loss, but some losses, here in Guelph anyway, hurt more than others.

GUELPH POLITICAST #62 - Bradley Breedon, Substitute Politico

In my time using my Twitter account to cover local political events and council meetings live, I have been the one posting words next to the Twitter handle with my name and my picture. By necessity, that all changed this past November when the 2017 budget process unfolded on consecutive Wednesdays. I needed someone to step in and fill the void, and a desperate call out out to Guelph Redditors delivered me the man who kept Politico in the game. His name is Bradley Breedon, and he is the guest on this week's Guelph Politicast.

The Politico Calendar for January 2017

This Sunday is the start of a new year, so why not start 2017 by trying something new? Like attending one of the plethora of Guelph political and cultural events that are being put on through the month of January...

75 Dublin: They Hate It. They Really, Really Hate it

If the way to measure a good decision is to make sure nobody's happy with it, city council did a heckuva job last month when they passed the bylaw allowing for the construction of a four-storey condo tower on Catholic Hill. The bad news? All parties have a recourse for their dissatisfaction. We're off to the Ontario Municipal Board, folks!

GUELPH POLITICAST #61 - Randalin Ellery, Guelph and Wellington Task Force for the Elimination of Poverty

A couple of years ago, I dedicated a December episode of the Guelph Politicast to the Guelph Food Bank. It seemed wise, and it still does, to dedicate some time at this point in the year to remembering that no matter how lucky we are, there's always someone less lucky. The thought occurred to me again this Christmas season, and that's where we get this episode of the Guelph Politicast, remembering Guelphites in need.

Council and Committee-of-the-Whole Schedule for 2017

This week saw the last council meeting of the year, and the beginning of an extended break. Do you miss it yet? Well, if you're looking to mark your calendar for all the council meetings in 2017, you need look no further than below...

Changes Coming to Politico in 2017

 

It's been quite a year for Guelph Politico! Thank you to everyone that engages with the site be it monetarily, through support and sharing on social media, or by sampling making Politico you're destination for political news in the City of Guelph. 2016 was a tremendous year, tremendously busy and tremendously accomplished, but as the holiday break begins, I'm also taking this time to announce some changes for Guelph Politico in the new year. Check them out and let me know what you think.

LIVE BLOG: City Council Meeting for December 19, 2016

Just one more meeting tonight before council breaks for the year. You can click here for the amended agenda from City Hall, and you can click here to read Politico's preview of tonight's meeting. For the complete blow-by-blow of tonight's council meeting, you can follow me on Twitter, or follow along below via Storify.

GUELPH POLITICAST #60 - Mike Spicer, Guelph Transit General Manager

One-hour holiday service, no peak service in the summer, the cancellation of Free Ride Fridays with the Storm without notice, no service expansion for 2017, the firing of manager Phil Meagher, no restoration of 2015 service... This was not a good year for transit in Guelph, and probably not the plate you want set for you when you sit down at the desk as Guelph Transit's new General Manager.

MANGEZ! Dine Safe Guide for December 1-15, 2016

Twice-monthly, Guelph Politico posts the latest inspection results from the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health Unit inspection of local restaurants, hotels, cafes, grocery stores and other businesses that handle food. We call it "Mangez!", and this column highlights the latest inspections done by WDGPH, and the results they've posted.

Top 10 Guelph Political Stories of 2016

It's that time of year for lists, a glorious time for ranking and evaluation people, places and things that happened in 2016, and Guelph Politico is no exception to the trend. So submitted for your approval below are the Top 10 Political Stories of the Year. Share. Discuss. Dissent. It's all good. 

City Council Preview - What's on the Agenda for the December 19 Meeting?

After a long year, the final council meeting of 2016 will tackle reports from the Committee-of-the-Whole earlier this month, along with committee appointments and an update on the Guelph Innovation District.

LIVE BLOG: City Council Meeting for December 12, 2016

Moving forward with plans for the IMACo site, and the review of the province's plans for updating the Ontario Municipal Board are on the table for this final planning meeting of the year. You can click here for the amended agenda from City Hall, and you can click here to read Politico's preview of tonight's meeting. For the complete blow-by-blow of tonight's council meeting, you can follow me on Twitter, or follow along below via Storify.

MacKinnon Still Considers Cost to Stream Council Meets Reasonable

On budget night, there was an unusual request amongst the potential expenditures presented by the councillors. The honour went to Ward 6's Mark MacKinnon who proposed that the City spend $20,000 to live stream the city council meetings on the City of Guelph website, and though the motion got voted down by the rest of council, MacKinnon still thinks that it was potentially $20,000 that would have been well spent considering the return on investment in enhancing our democracy.

2 Dates Lloyd Longfield Wants You to Know About, and 1 He Maybe Doesn't

It's that time of year to get together again with old friends, and our local Member of Parliament is looking to get together with you. Lloyd Longfield sent out notice of a couple of important dates coming up where he's inviting Guelphites to see him and talk in person. Meanwhile, a local advocacy group wants to talk to Longfield en masse about a promise maybe he and the Liberals aren't keep... 

GUELPH POLITICAST #59 - Bill Hulet, Guelph Back-Grounder

Hard to believe, but it's been almost a year since the Guelph Mercury went out of business, and it's a void that has still yet to be completely filled, even in spite of the best efforts of some people. But forget breaking news, and forget about the play-by-play at city council meetings just for a minute. News doesn't happen in a void, and not every story - even most stories - is self-contained with a beginning, middle and end. Context. News is useless without it, but where can we now get it?

#GuelphBudget Follow-Up: The State of Transit and Levy Timeline

So you might have followed along last night with the Guelph Politico live-blog of the council meeting, or you may have watched it on Rogers, or read some of the articles online this morning. For me, I wanted clarity on a couple of issues, so I reached out to James Krauter, Acting City Treasurer and General Manager of Finance, for his expertise.

Allt-ernative Budget Thoughts

As you may know, Ward 3 Councillor Phil Allt will be absent from today's #GuelphBudget meeting because he'd rather be selfish and go to the hospital and donate a kidney to his ailing brother. (Just kidding, of course.) So while Allt takes care of some family business, he leaves these thoughts about the City's business, and what he thinks the priorities for the 2017 budget should be.

LIVE BLOG: City Council Meeting for December 7, 2016

This is it! The #GuelphBudget for 2017 comes down to the decisions that council makes today starting at 2 pm. You can click here for the amended agenda from City Hall, and you can click here to read Politico's preview of tonight's meeting. For the complete blow-by-blow of tonight's council meeting, you can follow me on Twitter, or follow along below via Storify.

City Council Preview - What's on the Agenda for the December 12 Meeting?

The final planning meeting of city council for 2016 will deal with a couple of big issues including a certain blighted site in Ward 1, and one of the most controversial agencies in the province.

LIVE BLOG: Committee of the Whole for December 5, 2016

Money matters, mother nature and the city's pets are all hot topics for the last Committee-of-the-Whole meeting of the year. You can click here for the amended agenda from City Hall, and you can click here to read Politico's preview of today's meeting. For the complete blow-by-blow of today's committee meeting, you can follow me on Twitter, or follow along below via Storify.

City Council Preview - What's on the Agenda for the December 7 Meeting?

It's D-Day at council on Wednesday as all the weeks and months of money matters come down to how the 13 people around the horseshoe vote as they build the 2017 #GuelphBudget.

GUELPH POLITICAST #58 - Real Estate in Guelph

It's been big news in Canada the last couple of years, the record high housing prices in Vancouver and Toronto that have people concerned that home ownership is becoming increasingly out of reach for more and more Canadians. Those trends seem to be coming our way now, and people are literally lining up for whatever deal they can find, so it seems the time is right to take a closer look at the state or our real estate.

Committee of the Whole Preview - What's on the Agenda for the December 5 Meeting?

The final Committee-of-the-Whole meeting of the year doesn't have anything too terribly controversial, but it looks to be a busy one with audit discussions, budget variances, and suggestions to update bylaws pertaining to Guelph's beloved domesticated animals and pets. 

Got a Question for the Mayor? #AskMayorCam on Open Sources Guelph

Last year, Open Sources Guelph hosted Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie for a full-hour of discussion after only just six months since his 2014 election to head of the Royal City’s government. It was a tremendous success, and it was thanks i to you, our beloved audience, who gave us such great questions to ask the mayor live on air. So in the grand Hollywood tradition of doing things so right the first time that we have to do it again for a second, get ready for #AskMayorCam Part 2: Electric Boogaloo!

The Politico Calendar for December 2016

We made it! The year 2016 is almost over, and as we race towards Christmas, and other holiday festivities, let's keep in mind the following political events for the month of December.

LIVE BLOG: City Council Meeting for November 30, 2016

What was supposed to be a meeting to hear public delegations on the #GuelphBudget, has now biggie-sized to include debate and decision about the development at 75 Dublin St N. You can click here for the amended agenda from City Hall, and you can click here to read Politico's preview of tonight's meeting. For the complete blow-by-blow of tonight's council meeting, you can follow me on Twitter, or follow along below via Storify.

MANGEZ! Dine Safe Guide for November 16-30, 2016

Twice-monthly, Guelph Politico posts the latest inspection results from the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health Unit inspection of local restaurants, hotels, cafes, grocery stores and other businesses that handle food. We call it "Mangez!", and this column highlights the latest inspections done by WDGPH, and the results they've posted.

What's in a Territorial Acknowledgement?

Women's Drumming Circle During the Water Rally in September

For the last several months, the City of Guelph has been working on a formal Territorial Acknowledgement that can be read before council meetings and other City of Guelph events, and meetings. Last night at council, it was the first time it was read before the public...

LIVE BLOG: City Council Meeting for November 28, 2016

Tonight's council meeting brings to end two major storylines of the fall: the 75 Dublin St development and the Council response to Nestle's Permit to Take Water renewal. You can click here for the amended agenda from City Hall, and you can click here to read Politico's preview of tonight's meeting. For the complete blow-by-blow of tonight's council meeting, you can follow me on Twitter, or follow along below via Storify.

City Council Preview - What's on the Agenda for the November 30 Meeting?

After a week off, the #GuelphBudget process begins again with a night of public delegations. What will the people think of the proposed 2017 City budget? 

The Majority Opnion Seems to be Against 75 Dublin Development

At council Monday night there will be a final decision about the proposed apartment building to be constructed at 75 Dublin St. N. The process has been very controversial with the speed at which it's been done, the effect on the heritage landscape, and the placement immediately next to Central School all being considerations. Public reaction seems negative for the most part, but there are three groups in particular that might tip the balance against the development's approval. 

Maude Barlow Has Words for Guelph City Council

Guelph City Council will be deciding on how to officially respond to Nestle's renewal for its Permit to Take Water in Aberfoyle on Monday. But if you thought the situation would pass before Maude Barlow had her say, you'd be wrong.

GUELPH POLITICAST #57 - Ted Pritchard, Fair Tax Campaign

Condo living is a growing market in Guelph, and that wasn't just a high-rise joke. With Places to Grow breathing down our neck, the demand on the Royal City is to get higher and tighter, so the issues of condos should be of particular concern, and Ted Pritchard tries to make that case every year at budget time as he reminds council that not all homeowners in Guelph, it seems, are created equal.

City Council Preview - What's on the Agenda for the November 28 Meeting?

This coming Monday, council will be back in session with decisions on two of the most important issues of the fall, the City's reaction to the Nestle renewal for their Permit to Take Water and the development of the old tennis courts at 75 Dublin St N. What way will this all shake out? 

Full List of New Committee and Board Appointments

This past week, city council named new committee chairs and board appointments that will carry on through to the end of the current term. The full list provided by the clerks office is below:

Burlington Transit Director Spicer New Guelph Transit Manager

Despite the fact that the firing of Guelph Transit General Manager Phil Meagher has yet to be explained, the City of Guelph is proceeding into the future with the announcement today that they've hired a bran new general manager. Mike Spicer, fresh from being the Director of Burlington Transit, has come aboard Transit Services in the Royal City to lead our system through difficult times.

MANGEZ! Dine Safe Guide for November 1-15, 2016

Twice-monthly, Guelph Politico posts the latest inspection results from the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health Unit inspection of local restaurants, hotels, cafes, grocery stores and other businesses that handle food. We call it "Mangez!", and this column highlights the latest inspections done by WDGPH, and the results they've posted.

LIVE BLOG: City Council Meeting for November 16, 2016

Tonight's #GuelphBudget meeting will deal with the budget items shared between the City and other levels of government, boards, and organizations. You can click here for the amended agenda from City Hall, and you can click here to read Politico's preview of tonight's meeting. For the complete blow-by-blow of tonight's council meeting, you can follow me on Twitter, or follow along below via Storify.

Métis Nation Flag Raised in Guelph and Across the Region

This week, the Grand River Métis Council are marking Louis Riel Day and the 200th anniversary of their flag by raising the blue and white over city halls around the region. 

School Kids Star in Video Protest Against 75 Dublin Development

Perhaps taking inspiration from the young kids that came out for protecting local water resources at Committee-of-the-Whole last week, neighbours against the proposed apartment development at 75 Dublin Street North have made a video featuring Central Public School students who are not eager to learn and play in the shadow of a five-story building.

LIVE BLOG: City Council Meeting for November 14, 2016

It's time for the monthly planning meeting at city council, and with much of the focus this time of year on budget matters, this might be a short one. You can click here for the amended agenda from City Hall, and you can click here to read Politico's preview of tonight's meeting. For the complete blow-by-blow of tonight's council meeting, you can follow me on Twitter, or follow along below via Storify.

City Council Preview - What's on the Agenda for the November 16 Meeting?

This week's installment of the 2017 #GuelphBudget will deal with all the services, programs and organizations that split costs between the City of Guelph and various other levels of government and revenue sources.

City Council Preview - What's on the Agenda for the November 14 Meeting?

With much of the emphasis on the #GuelphBudget these days, this is a rather spartan agenda for the monthly planning meet with two statutory matters and a resolution to discuss, plus a number of committee appointments. 

LIVE BLOG: City Council Meeting for November 9, 2016

Bradley Breedon will kick-off the coverage of the city council tonight, as the horseshoe gets down to the major issues surrounding the 2017 tax-supported operating budget. You can click here for the amended agenda from City Hall, and you can click here to read Politico's preview of tonight's meeting. For the complete blow-by-blow of tonight's council meeting, you can follow me on Twitter, or follow along below via Storify.

City Council Preview - What's on the Agenda for the November 9 Meeting?

The real meat and potatoes of crafting the 2017 budget begins tomorrow night with the presentation of the tax-supported operating budget. How well will staff handle the ying of lower taxes with the yang of government funding?

LIVE BLOG: Special Committee of the Whole on Water Taking

Water, water everywhere, but who has the right to take it? This is the questions that the committee, and about 37 delegations, will try and answer in this special meeting. You can click here for the amended agenda from City Hall, and you can click here to read Politico's preview of today's meeting. For the complete blow-by-blow of today's committee meeting, you can follow me on Twitter, or follow along below via Storify.

LIVE BLOG: Committee of the Whole for November 7, 2016

Affordable housing, the new commercial policy, and the pilot project of the service review are all on today's agenda for Committee-of-the-Whole. You can click here for the amended agenda from City Hall, and you can click here to read Politico's preview of today's meeting. For the complete blow-by-blow of today's committee meeting, you can follow me on Twitter, or follow along below via Storify.

The Puslinch Mayor Says What?

Guelph City Council will be discussing the Nestle Water renewal of its Permit to Take Water on Monday at a special meeting of Committee-of-the-Whole. When the matter was discussed at the end of September, council asked anyone who might be in favour of the renewal to make their wishes known. Be careful what you wish for.

GUELPH POLITICAST #56 - Ed Butts, Local Historian and Author

Every November 11, wreaths are laid and poppies are left at the Cenotaph at the corner of Woolwich and Eramosa. On this corner, in the centre of town, there's a wall of names memorializing those Guelphites that fought and died in the two World Wars and the Korean War, but how often does the average Guelphite in 2016 read those names? How often do we think about those lives lost, or who those people even were when they died in the killing fields of Europe and Asia?