Category: News

PRESS RELEASE – City Touts Continually Strong Credit Rating

Published on by Adam A. DonaldsonLeave a comment

Considering that financial prudence (or lack there of) is going to be an issue in the municipal election, it came as somewhat suspicious that the City of Guelph would release the following press release on the Friday before the long weekend that official launches the campaign in earnest. Yes, the city wants to remind citizens that Standards & Poor’s has decided to continue our status as an AA+ credit rated municipality. That sounds pretty good, but will it be persuasive enough for city hall’s critics endorse the current administration when it comes time to case ballots? Continue reading “PRESS RELEASE – City Touts Continually Strong Credit Rating” →

Furfaro Decides to Not Run for Re-Election

Published on by Adam A. DonaldsonLeave a comment

Another one bites the dust? Perhaps a cruel (or cruelly funny) way of putting that, but in week that’s already seen two incumbent councillors decline the chance to run for re-election, first-term Ward 1 Councillor Jim Furfaro has decided to join them. All eyes now turn to Furfaro’s Ward 1 colleague Bob Bell, will Bell ring up a re-election push, or has he tolled for the end of his time on city council? Continue reading “Furfaro Decides to Not Run for Re-Election” →

PRESS RELEASE – City of Guelph Invites You to Learn to Vote Online

Published on by Adam A. DonaldsonLeave a comment

Despite my personal opinion about the somewhat audacious idea of bringing online voting to the hometown of the robocall, the City of Guelph is moving full steam ahead with it in this year’s municipal election. If you’re at all interested in learning more about the nuts and bolts of the computer-assisted democracy, then city hall is having a tutorial next week and you’re invited to bring your favourite device along to see how it’s all going to work. Continue reading “PRESS RELEASE – City of Guelph Invites You to Learn to Vote Online” →

James Gordon to Give Municipal Politics a Try

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After two turns running for provincial office, James Gordon is throwing his hat into the Ward 2 race in this fall’s municipal election. Gordon officially filed his papers yesterday joining a five person race (so far) that includes Ray Ferraro, Chris Keleher Sr., Sian Matwey, and Mark Paralovos. Continue reading “James Gordon to Give Municipal Politics a Try” →

Burcher Exits Ward 5 Race

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Despite registering to run for re-election the first day that nominations were open, Ward 5 Councillor Lise Burcher has decided to withdraw her name from the ballot. Burcher’s is the second departure from the Ward 5 race in the last two weeks as Robert Routledge withdrew his candidacy last week citing work commitments. Continue reading “Burcher Exits Ward 5 Race” →

Safe Semester Kicks Off Next Weekend

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From some it’s a return to normalcy, for others its the deafening end to a precious few months of peace and quiet. However you see the start of a new school year, it’s beginning again this weekend, and the city is responding to the influx with the implementation of the Safe Semester Program. Taken for a test drive last year and deemed a success, the program makes a comeback with one small change, and the hopes that the weekend flock to pub row downtown is run as smooth as humanly possible (given that many of those humans are deeply inebriated). Continue reading “Safe Semester Kicks Off Next Weekend” →

More Candidates Enter Race as August Draws to Close

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The close of nominations for the 2014 Municipal Election is fast approaching, and with only a couple of weeks left to file papers, the ballots in races for the City of Guelph have seen quite a few new additions in the last couple of weeks. In brief, a new name makes the mayor’s race even more competitive, the ranks of the Ward 4 contest swell, and a couple of new old names are making their play in another election run. Continue reading “More Candidates Enter Race as August Draws to Close” →

Artist/Activist Sue Richards Passes Away

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It was sudden though not terribly surprising last week when it was announced that local arts scion Sue Richards had passed away. She had been suffering from Parkinson’s Disease since 2007, but kept up the good fight up until last Saturday when she couldn’t outpace her illness anymore. Richards was only 56, but her legacy and contributions to the culture of the Royal City will be felt for years to come. Continue reading “Artist/Activist Sue Richards Passes Away” →

New Candidate Aims to Shake Up Mayor’s Race

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A new candidate who entered the mayoral race this week hopes to shake things up, and he’s making a pretty big noise as he’s filing his papers. University of Waterloo professor Jason Blokhuis is the sixth candidate to declare for the mayor’s race in Guelph this election cycle, and he’s making a play to position himself as a middle path between incumbent Karen Farbridge and her immediate challenger Cam Guthrie. Continue reading “New Candidate Aims to Shake Up Mayor’s Race” →

This Municipal Election Year is an Animal Farm

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George Orwell’s 1945 political satire Animal Farm was about a group of animals who take over their farm from the drunk and inept Mr. Jones and enjoy success until the pigs that led the revolution become corrupt and human-like. Orwell was commenting on the Russian Revolution, but Animal Farm may be somewhat prescient in terms of the way the municipal election is shaking out in some quarters. You see, the animals are making a play to take over. Continue reading “This Municipal Election Year is an Animal Farm” →