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…?

Habitat Selling Community Bonds for New Projects

With the completion of one project here in Guelph, Habitat for Humanity Guelph Wellington is now looking to raising funds for their next projects, one for the Guelph area and one for Fergus. The projects will see a mix of market and Habitat sales with 35 habitat units and 30 market units, but with the cost of construction and other inflationary pressures, Habitat will be asking for more help from the community to get these projects completed: Community bonds.

“Community Bonds are an investment strategy for anyone looking to create social impact through their investment portfolio, or just looking to make a difference in their community,” said Ryan Deska, director of community engagement and development in a media release. “It’s a way for people to be an active contributor to the future strength and prosperity of their community, with a financially secure return on their investments.

Anyone interested can sign up to receive the full Prospectus document and project specific Financial Pro Forma sheet, sign up for a one-on-one phone session or receive information about monthly information webinars and in-person Q&A sessions. You can find more information by clicking here.

New Spin-Off from the Smart Cities Office

The Circular Opportunity Innovation Launchpad (COIL), itself an initiative of the City of Guelph and County of Wellington’s Smart Cities office, now has a new side hustle, the Climate and Circularity Solutions Hub. The Hub will provide expertise, research and strategies to help regional businesses and community organizations adopt circular economy actions to specifically reduce carbon emissions and tackle climate change as part of the City’s commitment to get to net zero by 2050.

“The circular economy is climate action, and in Ontario we have an incredible ecosystem of leaders committed to building a more sustainable future,” saidDavid Messer, executive director of the Smart Cities Office. “The research and programming within the Hub fosters new knowledge, tools and resources that will engage more people with the circular economy and ensure developed strategies deliver maximum impact toward emissions reduction. We look forward to working with current and new collaborators to accelerate the shift to a climate-smart circular economy.”

Halloween Fun Planned for Wellington Museum and Archives

It may be Thanksgiving weekend, but that doesn’t mean you can’t look ahead to Halloween. Certainly, the Wellington County Museum and Archives is already thinking about it and they’ve released a slate of Halloween-related events starting on Friday October 21 with “Murder Mystery nights for young people 14 and over, and then wrapping up on Tuesday November 1 with the annual Pumpkin Walk.

“We’ve put together an incredible lineup of Halloween programming,” said programme assistant Emily Peters in a media release. “Between a family- friendly party and pumpkin walk, murder mystery date nights, and spooky cemetery walks, we hope to see many familiar and new faces at the museum this year.”

Help Grow the Number of Community Gardens!

The City of Guelph is now accepting new community garden proposals for the 2023 growing season. If you have some space in your neighbourhood, and a group of volunteers eager to growing, you can submit your application to the City anytime from now until October 31 at 4:30 pm. To get started, download the form at guelph.ca/communitygardens and if you have any questions, you can phone the City at 519-822-1260 ext.3871, or email them at communitygardens [at] guelph.ca.

Applications Open for New Horizons for Seniors Program

The Government of Canada has announced the launch of the 2022–23 call for proposals for community-based projects through the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP). The program funds opportunities for projects that support healthy aging, prevent elder abuse, celebrate diversity, promote inclusion, and that help seniors age in place. A number of Guelph organizations had success last year with their applications. The deadline to apply is November 1, and for application details, click here.

County Clerk Retiring

There won’t just be a whole new county council and warden in the admin building next year, there will be a whole new county clerk too. At the September 29 county council meeting, Donna Bryce announced that after 12 years of service, her last day as the current clerk will be December 30, 2022. In her career, Bryce has also held positions at both the Region of Peel and the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, and her retirement marks the end of over 27 years of public service.

“It has been an honour and a privilege to work with several Councils and the dedicated and hardworking staff at the County of Wellington,” said Bryce in a statement. “It has been a bittersweet decision to retire, and I know I am giving up something special to get to that next something that will be special.”

“On behalf of County Council, I would like to thank Donna for her 12 years of outstanding municipal service,” added current Warden Kelly Linton. “Donna has always set an incredibly high standard for herself and her employees. Her extensive experience, knowledge and professionalism will be missed in Wellington County.”

Baker Street Update

In their latest update on the work being done in the area of the Baker District Redevelopment, the City of Guelph says that Enbridge’s work replacing underground utility pipes is complete, and in the days to come crews will begin replacing the watermains mostly on the east side of Baker Street. Later this fall, Alectra Utilities will be temporarily relocating hydro poles, which will likely be the last bit of construction until spring.

Additional Notes

REMINDER #1: You can apply for a mail-in ballot until October 14, and early in-person voting takes place at City Hall this weekend and next weekend.

REMINDER #2: Pre-register to take part in the annual mayor’s event for mental health, which this year takes place on October 13 at 10 am.

REMINDER #3: Guelph Transit is offering free rides to and from the Sleeman Centre for all Guelph Storm home game ticket holders this season. This initiative is brought to you by Chris Mochrie, Broker of Record with M1 Real Estate Brokerage Ltd, who’s face you can see on some select buses.

Here are the holiday hours for the City of Guelph during the Thanksgiving long weekend, and these are the holiday hours for WDG Public Health.

The University of Guelph admin is still at the bargaining table with the University of Guelph Faculty Association, which represents around 875 faculty, librarians and veterinarians who have been working without a contract since June 30.

Daniel Pace has been hired as the new Superintendent of Education at the Wellington Catholic District School Board.

The Rotary Club of Guelph is holding a special breakfast and then a flag raising at city hall to mark World Polio Day on October 24.

The Rotary Club is also running a blood donation challenge from October 25-29. Sign up your team, and see who can bleed the most!

Maureen Jennings, who wrote the novels that the long-running CBC series Murdoch Mysteries was based on, will have a conversation with Cameron Smillie on stage at the River Run Centre on Thursday October 27.

New and Upcoming Construction

There will be periodic construction along with Hadati Creek Trail as Fusion Homes does sewer work at their new development at 300 Grange Road. Work will be ongoing until December 9.

Dufferin Street will be closed between London and Kerr for three weeks starting on October 10 for the installation of sewer and water pipes.

Grove Street will be closed from Regent to Metcalfe for one week starting on October 11 for the installation of sewer and water pipes.