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OPINION: 'Guelph has become a cold and mean place in recent weeks'

GuelphToday

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All people are welcome downtown as they are everywhere else in Guelph but there are society rules to follow and societal norms. Societal norms are unwritten rules, that define acceptable and appropriate actions. Pitching a tent in city flower beds, washing clothes and oneself in the fountains, taking over benches with your belongings, doing your business in the woods along the river, and other things is not acceptable or appropriate by anyone. Downtown is a living, breathing community lived in by hundreds, including myself. All parts of the community need to do their part, including the far flung neighbourhoods in this city in regards to this issue. Maybe some of the services, especially for the homeless, found in the downtown need to be spread around the city instead, so that everyone gets to experience this situation, and not just those that live, work and play in the downtown.

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Province begins expropriating more land for new Hwy. 7

GuelphToday

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What has this to do with boomers and old people! Nothing! This has never been a priority of the provincial governments (Liberal, Conservative and even NDP) nor the Highway 6 south extension. The highway 6 extension, which was an idea at the time of the Hanlon being built, was in 1970. The environmental assessment for the new highway 7 only goes back to the 90's.

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'I am sorry': Mayor Guthrie backpedal, orders bike lanes plowed

GuelphToday

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Though they may be legally permitted to use bike lanes, they are also legally allowed to use sidewalks. In that sidewalks are already plowed in the city of Guelph, there is no right being infringed on by the bike lanes not being plowed.

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'I am sorry': Mayor Guthrie backpedal, orders bike lanes plowed

GuelphToday

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Electric bikes are treated as pedestrians and as such they should be using the sidewalks, which are cleared by the city. There is no reason whatsoever for them to be using a bike lane or as some of them do the roadway. These bike lanes are not for the most vulnerable. If you are going to make a case for bike lanes to be kept clear state the facts, not some tear jerking statement that is only meant to evoke an emotional response.

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Council's bike lane flip flop costs us more than you think

GuelphToday

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The mayor talks about this not being an additional cost to residents as they are not hiring two additional by-law officers. I can only hope that they were being hired for a reason. There is an opportunity cost to not hiring these new by-law officers and instead putting to bike lane winter maintenance. That cost is a reduction in enforcement of by-laws, which is a negative to residents. This also shows extremely poor decision making by council and the mayor and by putting it on at the end of a meeting shows they were trying to pull one over on residents. I did send an email to the mayor and did get a reply, though he didn't answer one of my questions and that is what is the number of complaints needed to make the mayor and council hear from residents and make changes. Is it more than 75 bikers?

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Province seeking demolition crew for historic trestle bridge

GuelphToday

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This is a stupid waste of money as it will cost more to demolition versus fix. This is bridge has historical significance and would be a great link to the trail system in this area, especially with the new homes to be built in this area. This has nothing to do with safety but a failure to recognize that there are other choices.

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Public meeting set for proposed 14-storey downtown building

GuelphToday

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People are always saying that there is no parking downtown but the parking garages, especially the market parking building has a low usage. The parking lot on Neeve Street is permit parking only and it is never, ever used. I'm not sure why the city ever developed this parking lot. We need to get away from saying that parking is a requirement. The people that will purchase here will no upfront that there is no parking and if that is a problem they will purchase somewhere else. This is a great opportunity for a car share opportunity using a few spot in the market square parking lot.

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City looks to introduce 24/7 paid parking in city lots

GuelphToday

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Yes and where are you going to park in Elora and St Jacobs? No where as close as the parkades in Guelph and of course the gas to the locations is more than what you would ever pay for parking in Guelph

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Downtown Guelph to get thousands of year-round twinkle lights

GuelphToday

11

Well please do not come downtown. You obviously only want to see what is negative, so instead please stay in your sterile, boring, and historically insignificant suburban abode.

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Council considers selling downtown parking lot

GuelphToday

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Someone at city hall has to explain why they spent money to improve this lot only a few years ago. I look down on this lot and today is a typical day - 4 cars in a lot that should hold 100. When asked just over a year ago I was told that the lot was at capacity with permit holders. Really. So who are they and why don’t they park there? Hopefully someone at city hall will take the time to do a bit of explaining.

Guthrie, two councillors had near-perfect attendance last year

GuelphToday

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Dan was at 90% of the meetings. That is a good record. People’s expectations are way too high.

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Five parks identified in city’s homelessness response

GuelphToday

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The River Walk Part has no room whatsoever for washrooms so it makes no sense that it would be on this list. Both this park as well as John Galt and Heritage Parks are very narrow and not conducive to encampments at all.

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Councillor Dan Gibson considering run for mayor

GuelphToday

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Well with your negativity, why would anyone want to run for mayor let alone a city councillor? The mayor makes around $160,000, which is considerably less than top municipal employees. The salary is in the upper middle range of mid level sunshine list employees. Councillors are paid around $45,000, which means that this is a part time job equivalent to about 20 hours a week and is low versus other equivalent cities. The question is not why would anyone vote for him but why would anyone put their name forward to take on considerable responsibility, with very little return financially and have to put up with all of the "stuff" or four letter equivalent from people.

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U of G aims to nearly double student housing access in next decade

GuelphToday

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Looks like the University is serious about housing future students. This is great news.

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City to move ahead with demolition, commemoration of historic bridge

GuelphToday

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With the expanded Macdonell Bridge there really is no need for the ward bridge. Just because it was promised back in 2011 doesn't mean it is a good idea for 2025, or whenever it will be built. Use the money instead for the underpass.

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Developers express concern about 'punitive' new affordable housing requirements

GuelphToday

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Of course developers are in it for a profit, they are not a charity. If the city wants affordable housing, then they will need everyone to contribute through their taxes and yes that includes those single family homes in the south end.

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Province begins expropriating more land for new Hwy. 7

GuelphToday

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Maybe not highway 7 in the 80's but for sure highway 6 south.

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EV buses are just another status symbol for city hall

GuelphToday

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If you cannot walk downtown, it is because you don’t want to. Sure if you are walking around at 1 am, it may not be the smartest move. I live downtown unlike others, that only want to trash downtown. If you feel more comfortable going to Stone Road Mall, so be it.

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Skyline wants to build 12-storey building across from city hall

GuelphToday

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Not everyone needs a car. AS was mentioned there are many nearby parking lots where they can lease a spot or I would expect that a car share company will see an opportunity to set up shop. Those that really need a car will rent somewhere else.

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ICYMI: Puslinch residents push back against proposed new Danby HQ

GuelphToday

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This is the right place for this development! Would you rather have a gravel pit! This area always has been a desirable location for development, since the Hanlon Expressway was built in the early 70's. The donkey sanctuary and other residents do not have the final say on this development, and versus other possible developments for this area it should be considered quite desirable. If you truly wanted somewhere quiet, peaceful and pastoral why did you ever decide to live beside two major expressways! Possibly you lived there before the early 70's but I doubt it. The minority should always be heard and if possible accommodated, but after that the silent majority wins out.

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