City Council Preview – What’s on the Agenda for the February 15 Meeting?

After months of consultation online, by phone, and in person, Guelph Hydro is read to present whether they’re going to buy, sell, merge, or stay exactly the same. It turns out that focus is on options two and three. Continue reading “City Council Preview – What’s on the Agenda for the February 15 Meeting?”

LIVE BLOG: Committee of the Whole for February 6, 2017

It’s back to our regularly scheduled Committee-of-the-Whole meeting this month. You can click here for the amended agenda from City Hall, and you can click here to read Politico’s preview of today’s meeting. For the complete blow-by-blow of today’s committee meeting, you can follow me on Twitter, or follow along below via Storify. Continue reading “LIVE BLOG: Committee of the Whole for February 6, 2017”

Electoral Reform Advocates Give Trudeau a Hot Take on a Cold Guelph Day

Considering that they were feeling like Justin Trudeau and the Liberal government was giving them the cold shoulder, the chilly air and lightly falling snow provided the perfect atmosphere for a demonstration on electoral reform today at Market Square. Although bitter, angry and disappointed that the Liberals will not be following through on a campaign promise to reform the electoral system, between 60 and 70 protestors promised to not give up the fight. Continue reading “Electoral Reform Advocates Give Trudeau a Hot Take on a Cold Guelph Day”

Hydro Talk Energizes the Weekly Breezy Breakfast

It had been almost a year since I attended the first “Breezy Brothers” breakfast, a now weekly town hall at Breezy Corners, and what was once a single large table of concerned citizens had now turned into three. Perhaps it was the subject matter. With all the present concern about hydro, perhaps the timing worked out that the people were eager to hear from the CEO of Guelph Hydro Pankaj Sardana on a Thursday morning. Continue reading “Hydro Talk Energizes the Weekly Breezy Breakfast”

GUELPH POLITICAST #66 – The State of the City 2017

If you haven’t already read the article, recapped live blog, watched the video, or learned about it somewhere else, you can now download the State of the City right to your device and listen to it via whatever podcasting platform you prefer. Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #66 – The State of the City 2017”

Committee of the Whole Preview – What’s on the Agenda for the February 6 Meeting?

The Committee-of-the-Whole meeting moves back to its usual first Monday time slot with three different issues coming before the horseshoe covering the areas of park planning, fuel use, and outstanding motions. Continue reading “Committee of the Whole Preview – What’s on the Agenda for the February 6 Meeting?”

MANGEZ! Dine Safe Guide for January 16-31, 2017

Twice-monthly, Guelph Politico posts the latest inspection results from the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health Unit inspection of local restaurants, hotels, cafes, grocery stores and other businesses that handle food. We call it “Mangez!”, and this column highlights the latest inspections done by WDGPH, and the results they’ve posted.

Here are the inspections done between January 16-31 according to the “Check Before You Choose” website.

*No infractions found

Al’s Sandwiches, 42 Cork St E
Dairy Queen, 9-995 Paisley Rd
Food Basics, 3 Clair Rd W
Freshii, 1-84 Clair Rd E
Home Depot-Subway, 63 Woodlawn Rd W
Meltwich Food, 96 Gordon St
Mucho Burrito, B8-492 Edinburgh Rd S
Platters Catering & Events, 3 Watson Rd S
Subway, 5 Clair Rd W
Trotters, 42 Cork Street E
Wendy’s, 415 Woodlawn Rd W
Zinger Chick, 18-500 Willow Road

*Non-critical infraction: An infraction (violation) that is not likely to lead to food-borne illness or infection (e.g., lighting is not bright enough for food preparation or work areas).

A & W Restaurant, 435 Stone Rd W (1 Non-Critical Infraction)

  • Cleaning required around, under, and behind kitchen equipment, counters, and baseboards

Black Box Vending, 130 Woodland Glen Dr (1 Non-Critical Infraction)

  • Provide an easily readable, accurate indicating thermometer to check food storage temperatures

Fionn MacCool’s, 494 Edinburgh Rd S (1 Non-Critical Infraction)

  • Prepare and maintain sanitizing solutions according to manufacturer’s instructions

The Works Gourmet Burger Bistro, 97 Wyndham St N (1 Non-Critical Infraction)

  • Ensure floors are kept clean and in good repair; Ensure floors, walls, and ceilings are tight, smooth, and non-absorbent

*Critical infraction: A violation found during an inspection that could be a health hazard.

China Express, 10A-362 Speedvale Ave E (1 Critical)

  • Store all toxic / poisonous substances in container bearing identifying label Corrected During Inspection

Galt Juice Company, 122 Wyndham St N (1 Critical)

  • Provide hot and cold running water under pressure in areas where food is processed, prepared or manufactured

Pho Saigon Restaurant, 2-240 Silvercreek Pkwy (1 Critical)

  • Cover all food in storage Corrected During Inspection

Town & Country Restaurant, 683 Eramosa Rd (1 Critical, 5 Non-Critical)

  • Critical: Adjust or repair the refrigeration unit immediately. Do not store any hazardous foods in the unit until it is able to maintain hazardous foods at 4°C (40°F) or less
  • Non-critical: Ensure all hazardous foods are stored at 4°C (40°F) or less
  • Non-critical: Provide an easily readable, accurate indicating thermometer to check food storage temperatures; Ensure equipment / utensil(s) / dishware are corrosion-resistant and non-toxic; Provide multi-service food containers that are constructed of food grade materials; Ensure equipment / utensil(s) / dishware are readily cleanable and in good repair
  • Non-critical: Ensure all surfaces are clean and maintained in good repair; Ensure all surfaces are easily cleanable and non-absorbent
  • Non-critical: Ensure a sanitizing test kit is provided and used to verify the concentration of the sanitizing agent; Bleach and water solution must be prepared no less than once a day, or as often as necessary to maintain the required concentration; Wash, rinse and sanitize equipment / utensils after each use or as often as necessary
  • Non-critical: Remove all materials not associated with the daily operation of food premises; Daily housekeeping practices must be improved

Curious about the restaurant or establishment you’re going to, check out “Check Before You Choose” before you head out the door.

LIVE BLOG: City Council Meeting for January 30, 2017

It’s the first city council meeting of the year, just in time for the end of January! You can click here for the amended agenda from City Hall, and you can click here to read Politico’s preview of tonight’s meeting. For the complete blow-by-blow of tonight’s council meeting, you can follow me on Twitter, or follow along below via Storify. Continue reading “LIVE BLOG: City Council Meeting for January 30, 2017”