Margaret Greene Park Improvements

August 27th, 2008

Many of you may have noticed construction equipment in Margaret Greene Park recently.

New playground equipment which meets current Canadian safety standards will be installed at a new location within the park, closer to the washroom building and the existing play equipment (swings, slides, climbers, etc.) will be removed at a later date. Additional plantings, pathways and parking will also be installed.

Read the rest of this entry »

The Power of One

August 8th, 2007

As many of you are aware, City Council, senior city staff and the community at large have been involved in refining our community strategic plan. Given the number of business ventures I have been involved in, I am a big fan of strategic planning. As far as I am concerned it is the equivalent of pulling out a road map at the beginning of a journey. (Whether the trip is long or short we really need to know where we are going)

Read the rest of this entry »

The United Way in Guelph

March 22nd, 2007

The United Way of Guelph & Wellington hosted their Annual General Meeting (AGM) last Wednesday evening. Rather than simply a ‘wine and dine event’, the attendees at the modest dinner were expected to participate in a strategic planning exercise to help guide the future direction and efforts of the organisation.

Read the rest of this entry »

A Sober Look at the War on Drugs in Guelph

February 21st, 2007

“We need to end this insane war on our own people”
Walter Cronkite – ‘the most trusted man in America’ speaking on the war on drugs.

On Saturday, February 17th, I attended the Guelph Union of Tenants & Supporters (GUTS) panel discussion and community dialogue entitled “Harm Reduction: Alternatives to the War on Drugs.” The event featured speakers from Low Income Families Together (LIFT), the AIDS Committee of Guelph and Wellington County, the Safer Crack Use Coalition, as well as a harm reduction worker from Agincourt Community Services Association.

Read the rest of this entry »

2007 Development Priorities Plan

February 9th, 2007

The Guelph Development Priorities Plan (DPP) provides a multi-year forecast of development activity and is used to manage growth in a balanced and sustainable manner.

At the inaugural meeting of the Community Development and Environmental Services Committee, I brought forward a resolution referring the DPP back to city staff. ‘to report back in March with possible strategies to curb sprawl’ within this year’s development priorities plan.

Read the rest of this entry »