Information to consider: The Story of Stuff

I believe that City issues are interconnected with national and global issues. Therefore solutions for City problems need to incorporate this bigger picture, and education is an essential part of that.
To help out in this regard, I am forwarding a link to a 20-minute illustrated presentation called “The Story of Stuff” that outlines unsustainable systems [...]

Guelph needs a recreation master plan designed for today’s pressures

The following Guelph Mercury editorial was forwarded to Councillors by Randy Norris: 
I remember my parents telling me that time speeds up as Father Time gets older. I much prefer being called mature compared to what my teenagers could call me. It allows me to retain some resemblance of dignity since I’m on the dark side of 50, [...]

No downtown cleanup tax in 2008 budget

The following article appeared in the December 28 edition of the Guelph Mercury:
At least two downtown bar owners say they pay enough tax and don’t think the city should impose a “bar-stool levy” as a way to recover costs associated with late-night policing and garbage collection.
Mike Hauser, who owns Doogie’s and Pablo’s, said bar owners [...]

2008 Budget priorities

I would like offer my opinion on the value of sidewalk plowing as part of the budget priorities discussion.
I believe that the money used for sidewalk snow plowing would be better used elsewhere. Having lived in urban Toronto for a number of years before returning to Guelph, I know that people can and do clear [...]

Councillors Approve Glass Recycling System

The following article appeared in the December 18 edition of the Guelph Mercury:
Right now, your pickle jars are going to landfill. Soon, they’ll be finding new life, most likely as fibreglass.
Council approved a million-dollar fix to the city’s glass recycling system last night. That means, after sending glass to landfill for three years, the city [...]

Maybe we should add ‘refuse’ to list of Rs

I wish to congratulate Vicki Beard for her suggestions to alleviate garbage by bringing the problem of overpackaging to the retail stores.
There is no other way the severity of this problem can be illustrated more graphically than by leaving the trash with the store. The store, and pretty soon the manufacturer, will get the message.

Sidewalk snow clearing

Raise property taxes, offer new services or cut existing services. These are the decisions that Guelph City Council considers when reviewing budgets.
Since Guelph Transit’s move to a 40 minute bus schedule, residents have spoken loud and clear that they want to see an improvement in transit service as soon as possible.
Of course this will come [...]