CITY PAGES: County Budget Passed, Splash Design, and Crime Stoppers Success

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…?

Careful Around Waterways This Weekend

If you find yourself near a river, lake or stream this weekend, the Grand River Conservation Authority wants you to take care because above freezing temperatures and approximately 15 to 20 mm of rain forecasted for Friday means increased river flows throughout the Grand River watershed due to runoff generated by potential snow melt and rainfall. No flooding is expecting, but river and stream flows will be elevated meaning an increase safety risk. The GRCA’s message will remain in effect until Monday at noon.

Summer Camp Registration Opens on Valentine’s Day

It may be January, but you already be thinking about summer, and if you’re thinking about summer camp for the kids, you may want to mark Valentine’s Day on your calendar. Starting on Wednesday February 14 at 7:30 am, you will be able to register your kids for summer camps in Guelph. City of Guelph summer camps run from July 2 to August 30, with options for kids aged 4–6 and 5–12 with appropriate activities and games for kids of all those ages.

There are three ways to sign up: online at recenroll.ca, by phone at 519-837-5699 from 7:30 am to 10 pm, and in-person at West End Community Centre, Victoria Road Recreation Centre, and Evergreen Seniors Community Centre from 7:30 am to 10 pm.

Crime Stoppers Gets Good Results in 2023!

Last year was an “outstanding” one for Crime Stoppers Guelph Wellington, but in a really good way. The program saw an increased number of calls, 39 per cent more when compared to 2022. In all, $247,403 in personal property and cash was recovered and $1,130,869 in drugs were recovered for a total recovery of $1,378,272; this is an overall increase in recovered drugs, personal property and cash of 1,170 per cent. Also, there were 14 cases cleared, 17 arrests made with 101 charges pressed, and nearly $5,000 was given out to tipsters.

“These statistics would not be possible without the assistance of our investigative partners, including Wellington County OPP and Guelph Police Service,” said Sarah Bowers-Peter, Program Co-ordinator of CSGW in a statement. “Most importantly, without the assistance of the brave Tipsters who come forward anonymously and confidentially. Without them, we know that 14 cases would be unsolved, 17 individuals would not have been arrested and no charges would be laid.”

Wellington County Approves 2024 Budget

At their monthly meeting this week, Wellington County Council approved their 2024 budget. The total property tax increase came in at 4.6 per cent, but for that money the County is getting $37.4 million for roads, bridges, and culvert improvements, facility upgrades at the Elora and Rothsay Transfer Stations, capital investment for 24 new emergency shelter beds and 12 transitional housing units at Stepping Stone in Guelph, nine new paramedics, and increased service levels for the Ride Well Rural Transit Service.

“The 2024 budget attempts to strike a careful balance between limiting the cost impact to County residents, while continuing to provide the necessary resources to deliver core services and maintain and improve the County’s critical infrastructure,” said Gueelp/Eramosa Township Mayor Chris White in a statement.

Guelph General Hospital Adds New Dementia Specialist

Just in time for International Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, the Guelph General Hospital has added a new Dementia Resource Consultant thanks to funding from the Alzheimer Society of Waterloo Wellington. The DRC will coach staff on how to recognize the signs of dementia, provide support to patients and caregivers, liaise with doctors and community health groups, and make recommendations regarding specific programs and treatments. With this staff member, the hospital is answering a growing need; 22 per cent of patients who came into emergency in the last year were 65 years of age and older.

“Emergency department visits can be particularly stressful for people with dementia and their caregivers; triggering confusion and fear. By linking them to resources where they live we can limit future hospital visits and the impacts that come with it,” said Melissa Skinner, Vice President of Patient Services and Chief Nursing Executive at Guelph General Hospital in a statement.

Final Design for Margaret Greene Park Splash Pad Selected

The votes have been tabulated, all community consultation has been taken into account, and the City of Guelph has reached a decision on the preferred option for the new splash pad in Margaret Greene Park. You can see the slides of the final design here, but it will include a large shade structure in a natural leaf theme, accessible paths to the playground and parking lot, a variety of seating options including accessible picnic–style tables, and a seat wall near the splash zone. The final detailed design is in progress and construction should begin some time this summer.

Additional Notes

The Guelph Public Library is marking Family Literacy Day with events today the Westminster Square Branch in the south end and the main library downtown.

The City of Guelph is looking for people to join the Housing Affordability Strategy Focus Group (HASFG) to help develop a strategy that will determine what affordable private-market housing looks like for our community and how we can help close the housing gap.

Three baby chickens, maybe three-to-five days old, were found abandoned in a garbage dumpster behind an apartment building Speedvale Avenue West. Two of the chicks are recovering, but unfortunately one didn’t survive. The Guelph Humane Society is asking for members of the public to provide information about this incident if they have any. You can report it to the Provincial Animal Welfare Service (PAWS) at 1-833-9-ANIMAL (1-833-926-4625).

The Crime Stoppers of Guelph and Wellington are looking for volunteers interested in joining their board of directors. They’re also looking “Friends of Crime Stoppers” to support the group at community events as well as student volunteers.

Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis will be hosting a Human Trafficking Awareness Day movie screening of Sound of Freedom on February 22 at 6:30 pm, and that will be followed by a discussion about representations of human trafficking in pop culture.

Wellington County has cancelled the February meetings of the Accessibility Advisory Committee and the Social Services Committee.

Tytler Public School is now a fully protected heritage asset.