Saturday, July 19, 2025

Editorial

April Has Arrived, So Green Grass, Budding Flowers, and a Federal Election Are on the Way

They say that April showers bring May flowers, but Mother Nature didn't wait until April this year and instead poured an enormous amount of rain and freezing rain on us over the weekend, which, when combined with chilly evening air and some healthy winds, resulted in significant damage to trees and power lines throughout the region as that rain...

Small Town Councillors Take on a Huge Responsibility For Relatively Little Pay

Around this time each year, as is required by Section 284 of Ontario's Municipal Act, this week the municipality released a report that outlines the remuneration received by our seven members of council last year. While you might hear some folks suggest that council members should cut their pay in order to reduce taxes, the reality is that you could...

It’s Been a Long Haul, But Municipal Budget Season is Nearly Over

When Meaford's council was presented with the first draft of the 2025 municipal budgets, they had anticipated holding three full days of discussions before establishing a final budget that could be approved during council's December 9 meeting. It hasn't worked out that way of course, and though it might be four months later than they had planned, council is...

Regarding Pumped Storage Proposal Council Must Prepare For Every Eventuality

For those who oppose TC Energy's controversial hydro-electric pumped storage proposal, it can be uncomfortable, if not infuriating, to see council discussing future negotiations for community benefits, among other considerations, should the project ultimately move forward. It is important however, even when faced with what has been an unpopular proposal for many, for council to prepare as best as...

Has the World Gone Bonkers?

Over the weekend I was having an online chat with a long-time friend, who shared with me that they are feeling like 'the world is going a little crazy', and I must admit it can certainly feel that way. My friend said that all of the at times chaotic news over the past few months has raised their anxiety, and...

I Think I Have Had Enough of Winter

It is now the end of February, and I for one am done with winter. I will be happy to feel the air warm, and see the snow melt, leading to budding trees and greening grass in the weeks to come. The month of March is nearly upon us, the gateway to springtime, the lone month standing between winter storms...

Healthcare a Top Issue For This Provincial Election

We are a week away from a provincial election, an election that we weren't expecting until June of next year, however Premier Doug Ford opted to call an early election for the end of what has been a stormy February. While many of us would have been quite happy to have left the next provincial election until next year, here...

Council Wise to Await Centreville Beach Property Ownership Resolution Before Exploring Acquisition

Centreville Beach is a lovely, tranquil spot that many of us have enjoyed from time to time over the years. The small beach area is perfect to enjoy with a morning coffee, or on a hot summer afternoon with the kids. For many years most of us assumed that the property was owned by the municipality as there was...

Our Southern Neighbour Has Become the Bully Next Door

Over the past few weeks we have all been bombarded with news story after news story focused on newly inaugurated President Donald Trump and his threats to impose hefty tariffs on Canadian goods.  Because apparently Canada is a bad neighbour which takes advantage of the mighty USA. All I can say is poppycock. I must give credit to President Trump,...

Busy Days Ahead For Meaford’s Council

Meaford's council will be busy as we head into February. With a second attempt to develop a municipal budget for 2025 now underway, councillors will be busy scouring the new budget documents in hopes of finding opportunities for cost savings in order to shape a budget that will both meet the needs of the municipality and the pocketbooks of...