http://www.ward4guelph.ca Community Information Portal Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:41:33 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Like many Canadians I spoke with over the last few weeks, I couldn’t help but draw comparisons between the opening ceremonies of the Canadian Winter Olympics and the opening ceremonies of the recent summer Olympics in Beijing. Without a question, the Beijing opening ceremonies were flawless and awe inspiring. They were ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2010/03/01/on-being-canadian/ Last summer I hand delivered a survey to several thousand households in our neighbourhood to better understand and represent your needs at City Hall. I was grateful to receive well over 300 responses, many commenting it was the first time anyone had asked for their opinion. Five common themes emerged that ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2010/02/16/results/ The Sustainable Neighbourhood Engagement Framework Study explores the way in which the City partners, and engages with specific neighbourhood groups. It also includes how the community can respond to the elimination of funding for Community Development workers currently provided by Family and Children’s Services to work in vulnerable neighbourhoods. The following ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2010/02/16/project-update-neighbourhood-engagement-study/ There has been a tremendous outpouring of support for the victims of the disaster in Haiti Below is a list of the local events / initiative in our community where you can lend your support. TUESDAY NIGHT NON-PROFIT SCHOLARSHIP LEAGUE Mike Thanks for all your help regarding the fund raiser we are doing on ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2010/01/25/local-support-for-haiti/ (Originally Printed in the Guelph Mercury, "Sightlines" - by Unto Kihlanki ) This past Monday, largely due to the efforts of Coun. Mike Salisbury, Guelph city council decided not to turn the city’s recently acquired building at 152-158 Wyndham St. into a parking lot, at least not yet. They voted ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2009/11/30/we-should-keep-our-options-open-on-the-new-library/ I like Gerry Barker - I find myself waiting eagerly for his editorial column; a longstanding diatribe about local municipal politics published bi-weekly in the Mercury. I also like Steven Colbert - Steven is a popular late night TV talk show host featured on the Comedy Network who plays an opinionated ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2009/10/21/an-assessment-of-guelphs-finances/ On June 5, 2009, the governments of Canada and Ontario announced a joint investment of more than $44.4 million for 21 infrastructure projects identified as priorities for the City of Guelph that will create jobs and help build a stronger community.  The City of Guelph will contribute $22.2 M. Through Canada’s ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2009/06/05/44-million-infrastructure-stimulus-funding/ The City, through its operator Wyndham House, has provided an interim shelter for at-risk youth since November 2008 at the former Delhi Community Centre.  This interim facility provides twelve beds and has been operating at about a 50 percent occupancy rate. There have been 51 clients using the facility in the period between November 2008 and the ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2009/06/02/youth-shelter-update/ As part of our commitment to good governance, Guelph City Council met last night to learn more about the City’s Long Term Financial Plan and a new tool that will help prioritize capital projects, both of which will strengthen strategic and fiscal management for the City. Guelph’s Long Term Financial Plan ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2009/05/28/long-term-financial-plan-underway/ Guelph City Council voted to adopt the policy recommendations of Water Conservation and Efficiency Strategy Update at last night’s Council meeting. The policy recommendations include formally endorsing the three water reduction goals of the City’s Water Supply Master Plan, the formation of a Water Conservation and Efficiency Advisory Committee to provide ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2009/05/26/water-conservation-and-efficiency-policy-recommendations/ Construction of Guelph's new organic waste processing facility could get underway as early as this fall, after Guelph City Council selected Maple Reinders to design and build the facility at last night's Council meeting. Maple Reinders presented its proposal to design and build a new organic waste processing facility using in-vessel ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2009/04/28/new-organics-processing-facility/ Today, Guelph’s new City Hall is officially open to the public. The new building located at 1 Carden Street is home to City departments that have, until now, been based out of five satellite locations around the city. Just inside the front doors is ServiceGuelph, the City’s centralized customer service, makes ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2009/04/07/new-city-hall-opens/ Bravo for creating arts, culture post By Renann Isaacs, curator, Alma Gallery, Guelph Dear Editor - Re: "Need for cultural post debated" (Guelph Mercury, Dec. 19). Hooray for Mike Salisbury and the six other councillors who voted in support of creating a much needed position for an arts and culture supervisor. I can't ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2008/12/27/guelph-mercury-editorial/ I find it interesting that when city staff reported the possibility of a 6.5% tax increase it was front page news. However, when Council pared down this estimate to deliver the lowest tax increase of the last two terms of council it was reported on page three of the Mercury. Well, ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2008/12/24/taxes-and-growth/ One of the benefits of living in the ward I represent is noticing the small things that need attention. One of those “small things” can now be crossed off my list. At the beginning of my term I toured our neighbourhood with the Director of Community Design and Development. I pointed ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2008/10/28/small-victories/ We were told that the changing regulatory environment was forcing the issue. “Merge now or risk being forced to do so at a later date”. While I think that it is pretty unlikely that we will be forced against our will to merge I believe that the OEB will continue to ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2008/09/30/why-i-voted-yes-to-the-merger/ The following entry is reprinted from a memo sent out by the Mayor regarding the proposed Hydro merger. As the Shareholder Representative on the Guelph Hydro Inc. (GHI) Board of Directors, I support the recommendation to merge Guelph Hydro Electric Systems Inc. (GHESI) with Horizon Utilities Corp. (Horizon). Context Industry consolidation is being ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2008/09/25/the-mayor-speaks-out-about-the-proposed-merger/ The Guelph Chamber of Commerce (representing 825 businesses in Guelph, and over 40,000 employees) has come out with their own independent analysis of the Guelph Hydro merger proposal. The entire report can be downloaded here - Chamber of Commerce Hydro Analysis. Excerpts from the report are reprinted below. CONCLUSION The Board of Guelph Hydro ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2008/09/24/chamber-of-commerce-reaches-a-conclusion/ Parks Planning Department is preparing to replace playground equipment in Marksam Park. Existing play equipment (swings, slides, climbers, timber edging etc.) in the park will be removed and new playground equipment which meets current Canadian safety standards will be installed as soon as possible after the removals. Information was gathered by ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2008/09/22/playground-improvements/ The Council of Canadians is Canada’s largest citizens’ organization, with members and chapters across the country. The general public has an expectation that an organisation of this calibre will present well thought out and researched opinion on matters of public policy. Unfortunately I believe that this is not the case in ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2008/09/19/council-of-canadians-reaches-a-conclusion/ I spent 10 hours over Labour Day weekend combing through the hydro merger business case. To be honest I was specifically looking for reasons NOT to support the recommendation. I read the business plan looking for details / or the lack of details that would support my basic personal bias ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2008/09/12/hydro-qa/ 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 ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2008/08/27/park-improvements/ It was so nice to get this email I just wanted to share it with you. Mr. Salisbury, I want to thank you for your help with my request for assistance in recognizing our Novice girls fastball team representing Guelph at the Quebec nationals. I have heard from the Mayor's office today and ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2008/08/04/who-says-its-a-thankless-job/ The 2008 City of Guelph Citizen Satisfaction Survey, conducted by Ipsos Reid Public Affairs is being presented at the July 28th council meeting and the results are very informative. This type of communication is vital to the democratic process, in fact I think it is so important that I have established ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2008/07/21/citizen-satisfaction-survey/ I recently received an email indicating that Rogers Cable television would be unable to televise City of Guelph council meetings in the month of July due to staffing shortages. Unfortunately there are several very significant issues coming before council in July. While I can’t guarantee anything can be done to ensure ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2008/07/07/too-important-to-miss/ With the implementation of 20-minute bus service this summer, the City of Guelph will be posting fixed transit schedules with much more user information for riders. (please note that this is only sample and that the route information is not accurate) . How many signs are being installed? There are 969 Information Posts ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2008/06/25/new-transit-signs/ Earlier this month I joined six other city councillors to spend the morning working with our staff at the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) sorting Guelph’s garbage. What an eye opening experience it was! The idea was originally conceived as an opportunity to provide a show of support for our hard working ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2008/05/20/blue-bags-the-holy-grail-of-recycling/ We have an alignment of the stars above Guelph when it comes to public transit. This City council is one of the most transit friendly councils we have seen in a great many years. Both the federal and provincial governments see public transit as a top priority. The general population is beginning to ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2008/03/28/on-losing-an-advocate-for-transit/ We hear it at the beginning of every council meeting. “Are there any statements of a pecuniary interest?” But how many people really know the significance of this simple question? The prime responsibility of elected officials is to act in the public interest. If a Council member has a pecuniary interest, ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2008/02/21/what-is-a-pecuniary-interest/ Following an extensive public strategic planning process, City Council and staff engaged in a priority setting exercise to determine exactly where our efforts should be focused. Our top priorities are listed below Organics Facility Community Energy Plan Growth Management Plan 20 minute transit service York District Lands Downtown Action Plan Waste Management Plan Urban Forest Strategy City/County service agreements Organics ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2008/02/11/top-priorities-for-guelph/ A number of years ago my father and I sat at the kitchen table deep in thought. We had come to an impasse with the design of a piece of equipment we were developing. For months we had tried different alternatives, each one falling short of achieving our objective. And so ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2007/12/20/second-guessing%e2%80%a6or-2nd-opinion/ I have received a number of emails regarding the rumors surrounding Guelph Hydro fueled in part by some of the misleading editorials written by outspoken critics of the current Guelph City Council. Gerry Barker recently wrote one of most ludicrous, misleading and inflammatory editorials that I have ever read on the ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2007/11/02/are-we-losing-guelph-hydro/ I recently attended the Making Cities Liveable conference in Portland. When I arrived at the airport I had a choice between a $40 + cab fare to my downtown hotel or taking the light rail rapid transit which conveniently stopped right in the airport terminal.  My direct commute to downtown ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2007/10/02/two-cents-on-400-million/ Transit Services recently announced the need to change from our existing 30 minute service during peak times to a 40 minute service. The change is more an admittance of the reality of our current situation rather than a policy change, nevertheless it appears that at the very point when the ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2007/08/10/transit-improvemernts/ 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 ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2007/08/08/the-power-of-one/ The public has until August 13 to comment on the application by River Valley Developments Inc. to change a licence condition that would allow it to extract twice as much limestone from the former Guelph Dolime site west of the Hanlon Expressway. Most of Guelph’s water comes from a permeable zone ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2007/08/06/guelph-dolime-public-comment/ At some point we need to talk about what to do to make things better. Today is not the day for that. Today I want to talk about Dawn Ling. I knew the Lings… not well enough to know them by name, but if you live in the West end of ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2007/08/01/goodbye-dawn/ This short questionnaire is designed to take the pulse of the community on whether the City of Guelph is ready to graduate to full time City Councillors.Should we have 12 part time... or 6 full time councillors? or something else all together? – speak your mind on the issue. Thanks to ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2007/07/30/cam-to-the-rescue/ A quick look at the date of my last blog entry shows that it has been almost a whole month since the last time I have added commentary to this site. It’s not that I haven’t had a number of really great topics to write about; because there have been many ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2007/06/28/moonlighting/ Going door to door during my campaign in November I heard stories from people who were absolutely impressed with the service they received from City staff. I recently received yet another report of a job well done by our city staff. Just thought I would drop you a note to let you know that ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2007/06/12/a-job-well-done/ At the May 21 council meeting, councillors unanimously supported a very simple request with profound implications. For almost 6 years, the non-profit Guelph Community Car Co-operative has provided shared access to a vehicle for over 50 individuals and families in Guelph who choose not to own a personal vehicle. Now ready to ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2007/05/26/city-supports-grassroots-alternative-transportation-group/ City Council received an inspiring delegation at last night’s council meeting by the local chapter of Students Working against Tobacco (SWAT). Young people from across the city filled over half the gallery during the highly professional presentation outlining the group’s anti-tobacco initiatives and outreach. SWAT is a group of Youth Peer ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2007/05/22/youth-activism-in-guelph-alive-and-healthy/ During my recent live-to-air interview on Rogers Television’s “Politically Speaking” with Tim Mau, a caller inquired about the recent hire of an event co-ordinator to assist the Mayor, mentioned in the papers as a “Public Relations Consultant for the Office of the Mayor." I did not have a full and complete ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2007/05/02/politically-speaking/ The Mercury called him an “Earth Day Hero!” Ward 4 resident, Josh Cameron started the annual Castlebury Park Cleanup when he was only four years old because he was tired of seeing trash around his neighbourhood. This year the efforts of the 11 year old were assisted by almost two dozen ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2007/04/24/hangin-out-with-the-heros/ Some constituents have expressed concerns that the proposed ban on pesticides will undermine the hard work and pride they have put into their property. As a home gardener and a professional landscape architect (who has nothing against a beautifully manicured lawn) I understand these concerns, however, allow me to explore the ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2007/04/12/coffee-cigarettes-pesticides-and-grass/ As many of you will recall, one of the primary issues in the recent municipal campaign, and indeed some of the strongest promises made by those elected to City Council this time around was… a return to professionalism at City Hall. We had all grown really tired of the dysfunctional behaviour ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2007/03/30/a-tribute-to-professionalism/ I recently recieved an email from a concerned citizen who wrote: As a homeowner and taxpayer in your Ward, I feel strongly that the regulation of pesticides should remain the jurisdiction of the Federal and Provincial governments, and that it has no place on the municipal agenda. In my opinion, the ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2007/03/27/health-canada-regulation-and-guelphs-pesticide-bylaw/ The Mayor and a number of Councillors together with the Director of Economic Development met with senior staff at Cargill Meat Solutions (formerly Better Beef) to explore opportunities to further stimulate employment and business development in Guelph. This meeting comes on the heels of a similar initiative earlier this month where ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2007/03/24/fostering-economic-development-in-guelph/ The Ministry of Transportation announced this week that it is moving forward with plans to build a new, four-lane highway between Kitchener and Guelph to reduce traffic congestion, improve safety and accommodate growth. Ironically, while the Ontario government committed to supporting improved transit system to run through the urban cores of ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2007/03/23/new-highways%e2%80%a6-but-nowhere-a-bus-to-be-seen/ 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. ... http://www.ward4guelph.ca/2007/03/22/the-united-way-in-guelph/