The City of Guelph, and it’s various partners and agencies, put out a lot of information on a weekly basis, and while it all ends up on the City’s website somewhere, wouldn’t it be easier to just scroll through it all on one easy-to-read article on Guelph Politico here…?

City of Guelph Names New Deputy Fire Chief

Ryan Schubert has been named the deputy chief of administration for Guelph Fire. Shubert arrives in Guelph from Waterloo Fire where he served for 18 years, rising through the ranks from firefighter to administration/support services deputy chief. “We welcome Ryan Schubert to the City of Guelph and recognize Ryan’s commitment to organizational excellence and his experience gained during his journey at Waterloo Fire and Rescue,” said Fire Chief Dave Elloway in a statement.

GO Trains to Go Faster Through Guelph

As a result of improved signalling systems and completed upgrades at level crossings earlier this year, the speed limit of GO trains will be increasing over a period of several weeks starting later this month. Speeds will increase from 10 mph to 20 mph starting October 25, then from 20 mph to 30 mph starting November 15, and from 30 mph to 45 mph starting December 6. Now those are the speed *limits*, trains will move at speeds appropriate to operational circumstances. If you have any issues or concerns, you can get them answered by Metrolinx community relations by sending them an email at GuelphWellington [at] metrolinx.com.

City Says You’ve Got Four Choices for All Those Leaves

The City of Guelph is reminding everyone that there are four different ways to get rid of your fall leaves. First, you can leave them on your lawn to mulch, and second you can rake them up on the November 13 weekend and leave them on your curb for loose leaf collection from November 15-26. The third option is to take them directly to the Waste Resource Innovation Centre, and finally, at least until November 12, you can bag the leaves, label them “yard waste”, and leave them in the your grey cart for pick-up day. The City is asking everyone to not rake their leaves on to the road so that bike lanes and storm drains don’t get blocked or clogged. Get all leaf-related information here.

The County is Rebranding the EarlyON Centres

The County of Wellington is rebranding their EarlyON childcare centres as the Early Years Professional Resource Centres for all their Guelph and Wellington locations supporting Child Care and Early Years Professionals. What does that mean for you? Not much, the types of services being offering at the Early ON centres will be unchanged. “This re-branding will promote easy access to valuable resources for those working in the child care and EarlyON Centres in efforts to continually increase the quality of the important services they offer children and families,” said Luisa Artuso, the director of the Children’s Early Years Division in a statement.

Feedback Wanted for Parking Master Plan

In advance of the formal study of the downtown parking environment next year, the City of Guelph is asking you to kick things off by giving them your two cents. The master plan will help determine parking needs for future residents, businesses, shoppers and visitors, while talking into account changes crated by the pandemic, future growth, technological changes, and the need to reduce the City’s financial burden to pay for parking. Head over to Have Your Say to log your opinions now. The completed Downtown Parking Master Plan is expected to come back to council in 2023.

Ontario Government Approves Craft Beer Sales at Farmer’s Markets

The Government of Ontario has announced that they’re moving forward with a new initiative promised in the 2021-2022 provincial budget, the sale of craft beer, wine, cider and spirits at Ontario’s 180 farmers markets including, presumably, the Guelph Farmers’ Market. Licensed eligible brewers will be able to apply to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) for a permit that will let them extend their on-site stores to farmers’ markets, and they will then be able to sell their products at the markets.

“Allowing the sale of craft beer at farmers’ markets has been a great next step in providing real choice for consumers, and more retail opportunities for locally-owned craft breweries at this critical time for our sector,” said President of Ontario Craft Brewers Scott Simmons in a statement. “It has truly been a win-win for craft beer lovers and locally-owned craft breweries alike and we are raising a glass to this important change which has been good for local jobs, good for consumers, and good for our communities.”

Arts Council Has Money for Historical Projects

Creatives from across Guelph and Wellington County are being invited to submit proposals around story- or research-based art projects to foster more engagement with historical archives, collections, and resources.

The project proposals should engage community resources in researching and interpreting local stories, and include concept development, creation, performance, exhibition, and/or community engagement. There will be a Q&A session on October 26 for potential applicants to learn more, and the deadline for submission is November 1. Award(s) of $500 to $1500 will be selected by an independent award jury with relevant experience and announced sometime in December.

“Communities are enriched by artists’ curiosity and the diverse perspectives they bring to the stories and collections that recount our human experience, said GAC Executive Director Patti Broughton in a media release. “Support for artists’ exploration and discovery – so fundamental to the creative process – is important, and we’re so grateful for Jason’s vision and generosity in supporting this new GAC award.”

Upcoming Road Construction

*Aberdeen Street will be closed from Edinburgh Road North to Arnold Street for three days starting Monday for rehabilitation work on the railway crossing.

*Then, starting on Wednesday, the railway rehabilitation work will move to Liverpool Street for three days forcing the street to be closed to traffic between Edinburgh Road North and Arnold Street.

*There will be lane reductions for four weeks along Riverview Drive starting on October 25 as a new pedestrian crossing is being installed at Wolseley Road.

*Paul Avenue will be closed between Delhi Street and Metcalfe Street for one week starting on October 25 for the installation of new sewer and water pipes.

*Expect lane reductions from October 25 until mid-December on Hanlon Creek Boulevard between Downey Road and Laird Road as a new three-metre multi-use path is installed on the south side of the street.

*More new sewers and water pipes will be installed on Chester Street, forcing its closure between Kathleen Street and Exhibition Street for one week starting on November 1.

*Mont Street will be closed from Woolwich Street to Exhibition Street for one week starting on November 2 for the installation of new sewer and water pipes.