I mentioned this in the last episode of the Guelph Politicast, but in the wake of the incredible partisanship I’ve been seeing online, I thought it beared repeating. There will be a delay in the posting of the podcast interview with mayoral candidate Cam Guthrie. Continue reading “A Quick Note About the Cam Guthrie Podcast”
With Election Day coming up, and advanced voting already begun, people are going to have to start making up their minds about who they want to represent them on Guelph City Council, but if you’re one of those indecisive types, perhaps you may be open to a few suggestions. Suggestions are not an issue this election, sorting through the bias and implications of said endorsements, is. There have been a few major endorsements by local political groups, and whether those endorsements speak to you will likely depend more on your personal politics than the more general criteria of who is the right fit for the job. Continue reading “Who Endorses the Endorsers?”
As I was buttoning up the candidate questionnaires and looking ahead to election night through past election stats, I hit upon a question that interested me: How many of this year’s candidates have run before? Continue reading “Election Name Game – Who’s Run Before When?”
GrassRoots Guelph came into 2014 looking to shake up election race by creating more civic engagement, which is no mean feat when the voter turnout in the 2010 Municipal Election was at an all-time low garnering a slim one-third. But will GRG been able to live up to those ambitions, especially when being chased by rumors and accusations that they’re Tea Party Light and concerned merely with taxes and supporting politicians who put the word “low” in front of it? Which GRG was hosting the barbeque they put together on September 18? Good question. Continue reading “VIDEO – Highlights from the GrassRoots Guelph Barbeque”
The discussion about election matters in the last couple of weeks has turned nasty. Well, the conversation is about nastiness, not necessarily that people talking about it are being nasty to each other (although from what I’ve heard there’s some of that too). Since I’m a lover of all things cultural, one recent trend in particular caught my eye, and that was a pair of cartoons by noted Guelph cartoonists that have headed waist deep into the campaign, and they seem to have a common target in mind. Continue reading “Cartoon Wars”
It’s the final (ish) countdown starting today, exactly one month until the Municipal Election here in Guelph (and many parts of Ontario). Practically speaking, I have about one-quarter of the candidates’ responses to the Politico candidate questionnaire, and I expect that I’ll be getting many more through the week. I have one mayoral candidate podcast in the bank, but I’m still chasing the two main competitors in the race to give them their 15 (or 30 to 40) minutes. As we enter October, I hope to put the emphasis on issues reporting, and less on information gathering, so there will hopefully be a chance to generate some good discussion. But as we’re marking one month to Election Day, I thought I would post this little treat. Continue reading “Election Day Exactly One Month Away”
It’s fall and the election is full swing, but the fall also seems to bring with it new opportunity for scammers and ne’er-do-wells looking to swindle hard working Guelphites out of a few bucks. The City of Guelph sent out a warning yesterday that the old water treatment system fraud is back in town going door-to-door in an attempt to bamboozle Royal City citizens. If you are approached, and you think there’s something fishy about the offer, they’re advising you to get in touch with Guelph Police. Continue reading “City Warns of Door-to-Door Water Treatment Scammers”
The next big event on the Municipal Campaign trail is taking place next week on the University of Guelph campus. The Community Engagement and Global Citizenship wing of Student Life is hosting a mayoral debate and candidate meet and greet for those running in Wards 5 and 6 in the University Centre courtyard on Tuesday during the noon hour. This will be the first time the mayoral candidates will clash in the direct appeal for votes, and it will be a chance for those running in Ward 5 and 6 to get together prior to their separate October 3 Chamber of Commerce debates at City Hall. Continue reading “Mayoral Debate and Candidate Meet-and-Greet at U of G”
Along with signs and canvassing, one of the sure indications that you’re in the middle of an election season is the announcement of debates. As per usual, the Guelph Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a series of debates for all the candidates from the various wards and the mayor races. In addition, the University of Guelph will be hosting its own electoral debate/get-together at the end of the month. Below find the details of the upcoming announced debates. Continue reading “Dates for Chamber Debates Set”
The last time Cam Guthrie called all his supporters together for a campaign event, it was a blizzard-y day in January to announce his intention to run to become Mayor of Guelph. On this Thursday evening in September though, the weather was better, but the crowd wasn’t any less enthusiastic nine months later about supporting their man Guthrie in his bid. With camera in hand, I went to Guthrie’s official opening of his new campaign HQ on Wyndham St. S. and talked to some of the people who were there to celebrate the occasion, what their issues were and why they’re supporting Guelph. Both of the main contenders have officially launched their campaign now, so it’s a race to Election Day now, everyone. Watch the video below. Continue reading “VIDEO – Guthrie Official Launches Campaign with Barbeque”
Guelph Politico 