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…?

Outside Water Use Now at Level 1 Yellow

After all the recent hot and dry weather, the City of Guelph is changing the local watering restrictions to Level 1 Yellow, which means that lawn watering is restricted to 7-9 am and 7-9 pm on odd or even calendar dates by address number—odd numbered houses can water on odd numbered dates, and even numbered houses on even dates. Outdoor water uses such as watering trees and flowers or food gardens, and running sprinklers for children’s recreational use are still allowed. Any use of a garden or outdoor hose around the yard must use a shut–off nozzle. Wasting water is not permitted at any time.

Baker District Groundbreaking Announced  for June 20

Save the date! The City of Guelph is going to break ground on the Baker District Redevelopment, including the new main library, on Tuesday June 20. More details will be released soon, but for now there’s plenty of excitement. “We’re thrilled to put shovels in the ground for our new central public library,” said Guelph Public Library CEO Steven Kraft in a statement. “This is a big step forward. The new library is going to bring many social, economic, and environmental benefits to the city. It will also support the needs of our growing population.”

New Fire Chief Hired

Brian Arnold has been hired new fire chief and general manager of Guelph Fire Services. He began his career in 1993 as a firefighter in Toronto and has since taken up leadership roles in London, Woodstock, and Sarnia, before most recently serving as Fire Chief with Cambridge Fire Department. Arnold also holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Western Ontario and is an active board member of the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs.

“I look forward to working with the talented team at Guelph Fire Services,” said Chief Arnold in a statement. “I’m eager to apply my steadfast commitment to community safety and equity, diversity and inclusion within the fire service to help advance Guelph’s shared vision of an inclusive, connected, prosperous city where we look after each other and our environment.”

Local Crime Stoppers Wins Awards at Conference

The Ontario Association of Crime Stoppers met in person for their annual conference for the first time since 2019. The meeting took place here in Guelph at the Delta Hotel and Conference Centre, but when the delegates went home, much of the hardware stayed here in the Royal City. The local Crime Stoppers took six different awards including Best Print Feature (100,001-299,999 population), Best Video Feature, Best Radio Feature, Special Project, Online Excellence (Open Class), and the Marla Moon Memorial Award of Excellence.

“We are always so appreciative of any recognition we get for the program, but having six awards given to us the same year we host the OACS conference – in our own community – is remarkable,” said Sarah Bowers-Peter, program co-ordinator, CSGW. “We hope these awards reinforce to our community that the work we do is being recognized and that Crime Stoppers is safe, reputable and recognized option for reporting crime anonymously and confidentially.”

Market Box Series is Back This Summer

All eight of Guelph and Wellington County’s farmers’ markets have teamed up to bring back the award-winning Market Box Series and the Taste Real Farmers’ Market Trail this summer.

The Farmers’ Market Box Series featuring a curated goods from a different market every two weeks. The initiative aims to highlight the unique flavour of each market, showcase new vendors and products, and promote local markets as destinations for outstanding local food. The program was launched in 2021 and has won provincial and international awards from the Economic Developers Council of Ontario and the International Economic Development Council.

“Farmers’ Markets are an important seasonal economic driver, especially for rural communities. They provide a sales venue for local farmers, an incubator space for startup businesses, and a great setting for established businesses trying out a new product,” said Jeff Duncan, Chair of the County’s Economic Development Committee in a statement. “They are a reason for locals and tourists to visit our downtowns and explore our communities. Based on data provided by Farmers’ Markets Ontario, up to 70% of market-goers visit neighbouring businesses.”

This year, the Market Box programme has partnered with the Wellington County Social Services Department to further support access to healthy, nutritious food in a manner that maintains dignity, builds health and community, and challenges inequality. When ordering a Market Box, individuals have the option to donate to the Market Bucks programme which enables recipients to purchase food at Wellington County farmers’ markets.

Taste Real Market Boxes cost $59, feature pick-up and home delivery options, and can be ordered on the Taste Real website.

Additional Notes

The Upper Grand District School Board has released the list of principal and vice-principal transfers and appointments for September.

Between June and August, City of Guelph staff members will be conducting it’s annual employment survey to get a picture of how the local economy is fairing.

Nobel laureate Dr. Donna Strickland will be one of the special guests to be granted an honorary degree at the University of Guelph’s spring convocation.

The Rotary Club has announced the line-up for their Towards Truth Film Festival for Indigenous History Month.

After losing all their followers in tech glitch, the Habitat for Humanity ReStore shops in Fergus and Guelph are asking for help to rebuild their Facebook followings.

Metrolinx has rolled out their appropriately flamboyant Pride bus.

Follow these instructions to donate to the Friends of the Guelph Public Library’s big book sale this fall.

ICYMI: The Guelph Public Library and the Vocamus Writers Community announced this year’s Teen ETCH Creative Writing Contest at an event last weekend.

The Guelph Human Society’s Happy Trails Walk-a-thon raised more than $68,000 for vulnerable animals in our community.

Current “Have Your Say” Opportunities:

Culture Plan (*new*), Race to Zero, Silvercreek Parkway North Reconstruction, and Guelph’s Bicentennial.

Transit Detours

Until June 23, the #20 Northwest Industrial is being diverted from the Galaxy Cinemas stop on Imperial and two stops on Curtis at Monarch and Regal.

The #3 Westmount, #12 Delhi and #13 Eastview will all be detoured from June 12 to June 30 as inbound trips will be diverted from Suffolk Street to Wyndham Street.

#99 Mainline will be detoured away from Woolwich between London and the Walmart Smart Centre from June 16 to June 19.

New and Upcoming Construction

Glasgow Street will be closed between London and Garth for one week starting on June 14 for the installation of new underground electrical connections.

The reconstruction of York Road will begin again on June 19 with a full road closure between Stevenson and Brockville, which will continue until (vaguely) the end of the year.

There will be lane restrictions on Eastview Road at Mountford Drive for 10 days starting on June 19 for the installation of a new pedestrian crossing.

There will be more lane reductions on Eastview Road at Summit Ridge Drive for 10 days for the installation of another new pedestrian crossing.

There will be lane reductions on Beaver Meadow Drive between McGarr and McArthur for 10 days starting on June 19 for the installation of a pedestrian crossing just south of that intersection.