Michael Szeller
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Doug Ford’s PCs vote to end access to political officials’ records
51The only logical assumption here is that they have much to hide from the Public.When a government behaves this way, it is time to toss them out at the first opportunity.When the government changes next, a VERY thorough Auditing is going to be required of every action this government has taken. I expect MANY conflicts of interest will be found.
4- Michael Szeller
Nearly a year later, first-time Guelph homebuyer pays alleged squatters to leave
GuelphToday 36Key Words that must be in the Sales Agreement - "Vacant Possession"Yes, he should have inspected the property or appointed an agent to do so.This would have alleviated this pain for him, but not the issue of squatters. This is different from someone who was previously a legitimate tenant. I find the whole concept of "squatter's rights" in such a case highly problematical. I understand they were looking for shelter, but that should not supersede the legitmate owners' rights to their property. This should not be an LTB issue, this is a trespass issue (in my opinion) and the police should have acted.
1- Michael Szeller
It's time to have the talk about lowering development charges say city staff
GuelphToday 27As a ratepayer I am NOT willing to subsidise Developers building for-profit housing. Existing homeowners had the development charges baked into the price their paid for their homes. It not not fair to ask them to pay the development charges as well for future home owners as well as the ongoing maintenance of existing infrastructure.I am willing to do that for NON-PROFIT housing, ONLY to bring the cost of that down.
1- Michael Szeller
Guelph mayor looks to pause new bike lane installation
GuelphToday 25Mixed on about face. I have NEVER liked taking existing lanes and turning them into bike lanes. I too think multiuse/multipath SEPERATED lanes are the correct answer. Cyclists have said they don't feel safe with just a painted line separating them from motorized traffic, so the current lanes are not used in many cases.I do wish this epiphany had happened earlier on before the took the cheap/easy route on some major routes.We do need to understand that the correct way IS more expensive, and in some places not practical.
3- Michael Szeller
Guelph Conservative candidate says he's moving to Guelph soon
GuelphToday 25So, pretty much a carpetbagger candidate. Claiming Guelph because he went to University here. But I note that clearly he left after graduation. So it hadn't stolen his heart at that point. Likely what did was the Conservative Party telling him he would NOT get the Brampton nomination and offering him Guelph as a consolation prize.Won't be getting my vote. As policy I would never vote for a parachute candidate. Maybe if he's still here for the subsequent election I'd consider him a viable choice.
3- Michael Szeller
Downtown patio season returns, with half the interest
GuelphToday 26Seems clear that they just don't pay for themselves. The additional business doesn't cover the costs.I am one that never found the downtown street patio a great experience. Noise, smell etc. are turn offs for me. A regular patio is a different thing. A nice screened/sheltered patio can be an oasis.I have said before if they want to pedestrianize the downtown core, then it needs to be done properly, and that won't be cheap. They may have to move the bus depot and train station. I am talking about replacing asphalt with paving stones, etc. Store deliveries and servicing early morning or night. I have seen it done properly in Europe and then it's a great experience.
- Michael Szeller
Guelph homeowners push back against forced heritage designations
GuelphToday 22Heritage Designation against the owner's wishes is manifestly unfair. It imposes limitations and additional costs that are of no benefit to the owner and therefore disrupts their ownership rights. The City/Heritage Committee bear no costs for what they impose.My suggestion for fairness and natural justice, is that if the City chooses to impose a Heritage Designation against the owner's objection, then the City must also offer to purchase the property at either current assessed value AS IS, or the purchase price plus costs that the current owner paid for the property, whichever is greater.
2- Michael Szeller
Guelph residents worried their homes are headed for 'demoviction'
GuelphToday 23Forcing people out of rent controlled units is one way people can become homeless.Here they would be looking at an increase of $1000 over their current rent. People on low/fixed incomes can't absorb that.
1- Michael Szeller
Holiday Inn coming back to Guelph with new six-storey hotel
GuelphToday 20And why would Holiday Inn build affordable housing? It's a private project using private money on private land to create a business return on that investment.
2- Michael Szeller
Province approves Guelph-Wellington HART Hub
GuelphToday 13So, the HART site will be where the Safe Consumption site is now.Downtown, where they forced all the homeless people AWAY from.I guess the ones that made it into Norfolk Manor won't be too bad off, but the ones that moved their camps away are now going to have to figure out how to travel there to access services. Maybe our Mayor will supply them some bus passes.
9- Michael Szeller
The Ward redevelopment proposal includes a 24-storey building
GuelphToday 17It DOES include parking."There are 825 parking spaces being proposed, as well as 563 spaces for bicycle parking."You may have noticed taller building in the area already (Metalworx, etc.)Guelph is legally required to grow (ask Dougie) and this is a nice chunk of housing to help meet the demand. The sooner they can get going the better!
4- Michael Szeller
Starting Aug. 1, here's where 12 speed cameras in Guelph will be located
GuelphToday 17They need to add a display board at each Camera site that Indicate "Speed Violation Detected, Ticket will be issued"Then people will have immediate feedback and know where and when they messed up. The DRIVER who was speeding will know it, which might not be the registered owner.
3- Michael Szeller
Trestle bridge demolition decision 'economically short-sighted'
GuelphToday 14You've met the Doug Ford government, right? Is any other explanation needed?
6- Michael Szeller
A bridge no more: Guelph's historic trestle bridge is demolished
GuelphToday 9The time for the community group to fix it was when the one end collapsed.
10- Michael Szeller
Free parking coming to an end at city lots, parkades
GuelphToday 15Well, I guess it depends on what value people put on their time and if they have a deadline to be somewhere (like a reservation or appointment) as to how long they would keep circling. For myself since I'm only going there for service calls, proximity is more important than cost if I need to bring in equipment or materials.Free parking is a benefit to the businesses. Truly a lot of people would forgo the visit the downtown if they had to pay for parking if it was not essential. That's human psychology. If I have a choice of booking a restaurant where I have to pay for parking or where I can park for free, I would lean towards the free parking other things being equal.I'm not advocating one way or the other, but I suspect restaurants and entertainment venues downtown are going to take a hit.
1- Michael Szeller
Council approves controversial public space use draft bylaw
GuelphToday 6This amounts to trying to sweep the issue under the rug. Move them where most won't see them and there won't be so much pressure to actually fix the homeless issue.Most of the resources the homeless access are in the downtown core. They will now be a few miles walk from them.I will not be voting for the Councillors and Mayor that passed this. I will support the ones who voted against it.
10- Michael Szeller
Mayor inadvertently violated code of conduct: integrity commissioner
GuelphToday 11"Reasonable Person"It is a Charter violation. There are court cases of similar actions that judged it so. This is why he was asking Doug Ford to provide cover with the "Not Withstanding" clause. Tresspassing and squatting have different legality when it's "Public Spaces."https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/homeless-encampments-legality-public-land-1.7317621#:~:text=Meanwhile%2C%20judges%20have%20ruled%20that,housing%22%20is%20in%20an%20encampment.
5- Michael Szeller
The saga continues: Developer appeals rejected demo permit for historic barn
GuelphToday 11So, how much longer until the barn demolishes itself from neglect? Another winter do it? Maybe a couple of good windy storms. The developer appears to be 100% against preservation in any form for the building since it would cut into their profits. This would be a really bad example to let succeed.
4- Michael Szeller
Proposed Shoppers Drug Mart for west Guelph wants reduced parking
GuelphToday 13Considering there is all the other parking for all the other stores there this should be a no brainer to approve.
2- Michael Szeller
Owner of 7 dogs terrorizing Guelph neighbourhood now faces 18 charges
GuelphToday 15The odds they will get home delivery back now that box is installed are very low.
- Michael Szeller
