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Two councillors won't be running again; one considering run for mayor
GuelphToday
14Housing was on the community radar as well as programs that need, so tax payers had an affordable roof over their heads. Of course it takes work, we failed to have a plan to start from that supported our population and was not rubbing shoulders with developers that had no intention in making affordable and quality housing.I have to ask, where are we with that? Is there a strategic plan in place and if so, what stage are we in to become successful and expand and then need grows? I sincerely hope those brought in actually understand the needs but have the skill and ability to fulfill them. Just implying its important does not get it off the ground. Seriously concerned that $52,857 part time X 2 per Ward is not enough to get our tasks complete. Let's say you put 40 hours a month into the position, that's $110.12 an hour. The position is to be a stewardship to the community bringing skill sets to the table Guelph could not otherwise afford. I guess it is about personal priorities.
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Cutten Fields shares concerns about proposed student housing
GuelphToday 3If there are concerns about height, consider two buildings with fewer floors.I appreciate the concerns but the times have changed and housing for both students and residents are needed. I am seeing proposed sites and referencing numbers but the word proposed means years, not now and with planning in Guelph, expect a lot of changes. Some of the numbers I am reading in comments sound like maximum wishes, not Guelph reality. The Club probably didn't think forward enough many decades ago as the sleepy little University grew to be one of the best medical educators in Ontario. We all need to adapt to change while protecting out investments within reason.
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GRCA apologizes for destroying birdhouses along Elora Cataract Trailway
GuelphToday 15I have to ask, was there a GRCA representative there when the kids placed all the birdhouses? Or were they given to them to install? The driver of the mower obviously didn't realize there was a safe zone to avoid. All I see is our birds yet again being massacred and a serious issue with communication, mapping and planning. I feel bad for the kids too. They learned a very hard reality, adults in charge miss the big picture.We don't have conservation at the level we should. We don't enforce bird protection granted either. We still don't have chickadee returning after over 100 nests, babies and eggs with adults were killed by our community developer with absolutely not even a slap on the wrist or call from the city before they did it eleven years ago. Why have an MBCA when community leaders won't enforce?
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Councillor Dan Gibson considering run for mayor
GuelphToday 11I feel we need to look beyond the current council if we would like to stabilize taxes and improve our community. Sticking with what we have got us in this trouble.
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After 150 years downtown, Knox Presbyterian Church is moving, but not closing
GuelphToday 10Sincerely hope a developer does not destroy that building. There is so much history there and techniques only learned in classrooms. It would be a beautiful community centre for music and plays. Parking will be the death of downtown Guelph, it has been a slow hemorrhage.
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Guelph’s termite problem is back: staff report
GuelphToday 11Termite prevention should be a scheduled item on the homeowner's list to do. Excessive rains or any water damage should get them to return early.Knowing of upticks in areas is important to be more mindful when clearing leaves, brush or grass. Parks are a welcome mat for termites with our aged trees and all the rain we have had. Those areas should be treated by the City.The City probably does not want to devalue properties sharing areas with infestations. The reality is, if kept a secret, even the neighbor next door won't know to call their exterminator to have them come take a look despite it was only eight months ago they were last there. It becomes a perpetual problem. Our cold temp's don't keep them away.
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City looking at new operational model for money-losing Sleeman Centre
GuelphToday 3Attending anything at the Sleeman Centre is a struggle with no parking, dodging moving vehicles even at 40KM and a parking deck that was suppose to be removed and replaced still pending. When it was considered safe, then you had to be concerned about getting assaulted with no witnesses to hear or see you.Hockey games wont keep those doors open, and location is not an invitation to attend anything there. Why are our tax dollars still paying for that part of Quebec St Mall? Use exhibition park ice and close Sleeman. Just don't use the savings on more Italian tile or upgrades for the 74M library we can't pay for.
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Behind on housing targets, Guelph looks to create $2M accelerator grant
GuelphToday 9Need some clarity here please....The Federal Grant accelerates and supports the red tape, the city needs more builders and units to meet the target of the fourth installment from the Federal Gov.Am I understanding, you are offering up to $10k reimbursement to for-profit builder to get the unit completed with our tax dollars you don't have yet?The City needs to look at the Units approved to be built that the ground is still sitting to be broken. Who is monitoring and pushing those along? Do we need to donate more tax dollars for that task too or is that something the city didn't consider following through on?Lastly, did the City explain how that funding would be distributed and applied for?
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City working on bylaw capping how hot it can be inside residential rental units
GuelphToday 3A new city-led home energy retrofit program is a excellent idea if it networks efforts between Enbridge and Hydro to the community. Many don't realize what already exists or how to access, that wheel does not need to be recreated at tax payers bottom line, just facilitated so everyone can access.Portable AC could be an option if the windows would support for those in need. They don't drain the electric bill, they can cool a larger space. I see people commenting about landlord costs, having someone stroke on your property surely is more expensive.
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Tiny home housing homeless man in the woods torn down
GuelphToday 7Not everyone has a backyard and tiny homes are regulated for areas of Guelph.The problem is, we don't have quiet places for those with mental health needs, nor our homeless.
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MUST READ: Guelph landlords left with five years of tenants’ water bills
GuelphToday 7Reading this, I am assuming the Hydro is paid by the Landlord and the water was billed separately, which is not the common way inside the city limits. Until this summer, they are combined.File a claim, put against credit report and force payment terms with a Judge. Notification should have been clear to owner of house. It would have been reflected on the tax bill in advance of authorized payment. That's two weeks notice at best, something didn't work out here...
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City looks to buy a slice of former reformatory lands
GuelphToday 3Thirty-nine feet puts you up to your knees in water. The run off stream close to the road controls the pressure of the pond overflow and I watch daily for trees wanting to land on my vehicle as I drive by. I agree the road needs widening, especially with truck but it sinks annually because of the water and often floods or ice forms quickly. We can't force nature to confirm to what we want..York Rd is always a reflection of us trying.
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Mayor urges community to ‘come together,’ ‘take action’ and ‘hold council accountable’
GuelphToday 5Our taxes are increasing because Cam cannot follow guidelines and there were no grants available for that over budget library he had to have. Sometimes less is more when other essential needs should take priority.We had the opportunity to go in with the county to purchase a building walking distance from Homewood that would provide temporary housing and mental health needs that cost on average a house in Guelph and we said No. One, truth, our elected officials make up their own rules and make decisions behind the finance departments back leaving our Mayor out of the conversation. That must stop, their judgement is personally driven and this is not affordable. You find the funds and you set small goals to reach when they don't exist. I wonder if any of them understand graft, or just work off other's backs to achieve. How many new City Police were hired with the Provincial funding provided two plus years ago?
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Tiny home housing homeless man in the woods torn down
GuelphToday 5I'd like Cam to dedicate a building they are buying up for housing closer to Homewood and the Hospital and offer a place for support and assistant living housing above the office spaces for counselors and mental health workers. The street is where people like this end up with families not receiving the supports they need to manage the roller coaster of manic episodes, medication changes and safety for small children. Our community would be safer, our residents would be warmer, some dignity would return. Good Mental Health is not an elective problem and should be available to anyone.
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Jaya James stepping down as executive director at Hope House
GuelphToday 6Jaya James will bring a vision to any organization and bring out the best in it for the community. I am sure this is bitter sweet and even a bit stressful to transition leaders, but I am certain Hope House remains in good hands with her dedication driving that change. So happy for her!
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Tiny home housing homeless man in the woods torn down
GuelphToday 4Our Mayor had an opportunity to purchase a building on Delhi next to the kidney dialysis center and above the ambulance spot and refused to go in with the County to do it. Our tax dollars are paying more for temporary housing so far from any mental health or counseling on the west side towards Hwy 6 instead. I don't understand why building being bought up for housing could not be converted off Speedvale to provide some sound services close to the Homewood.
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City looks to buy school board land for affordable housing
GuelphToday 4Promising start, but the land should be sold to the City at current tax value x 15% to recoup some maintenance of the land for 23 years. The Council and School Board might have other opinions but this transaction is being covered by our tax dollars and likely future increases to cover.
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OPINION: No one to blame for Niska debacle but the mayor
GuelphToday 5The priorities and foundation of being elected has become blurred, too familiar and just another fund for personal gain. Anyone elected must work, work together and not just have a vision but understand how to actually plan, execute and develop.Some of these steps are missing in everything they do, even undermining each other and losing the end goal. It's beyond time for some serious changes in each Ward, it is beyond time for a new Mayor.Before voting, look for economics, engineering, planning backgrounds. Look for past leadership and goals that were met serving others over themselves. I believe some just gave up dealing with the hierarchy within, at our cost.
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Permanent speed cushions will soon be a thing of the past in Guelph
GuelphToday 1Something not thought of is our construction and how those spikes raise with heavy vehicle's going over. I cannot count the number of calls to the city to come fix to avoid punctures crossing over the last couple years. What we need is the sink holes from the underground springs repaired properly before one of us fall through a patch. A couple years ago an OPP vehicle cracked their under carriage attempting a high speed chase because of one. Glad he was not seriously harmed, but still...
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193 families in limbo as before/after school childcare provider plans to shut down
GuelphToday 5Well written article and only scratches the surface of this topic. Closing your business after twenty-three years of dedication to the community because you are a % is just wrong. This doesn't start with the county, its the province deadline to meet their goal to keep their federal funding. I feel bad for Noma, her staff and all those families. While Alberta and British Columbia are running out of funding, Ontario needs to rethink their plan to provide quality childcare without those children being treated as just a number to meet their funding goal.
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