Saturday, July 12, 2025

Editorial

The COVID-19 Roller Coaster Continues

In the early days of this pandemic, many, including myself, assumed that after a few months everything would be under control, and life would return to normal. More than 12 months later, normal seems very far away. An article on the CBC website published on Monday suggested that the COVID-19 pandemic is “completely out of control in Ontario”. According to...

New Library Cost Ratepayers Less Than You Might Think

If your aging house was crumbling, and leaky, and your grandmother could no longer access all of the floors due to difficulty on the stairs, and you were told that you could build a brand new home, all on one floor, with updated modern amenities, and that you could make that purchase for half the actual cost, I would...

It’s Been a Long 12 Months, Is the End in Sight?

Last week we officially surpassed one full year since the COVID-19 pandemic marched into our lives, and has caused frustration and confusion ever since. With vaccines finally finding their way into the arms of Ontarians, the light at the end of the tunnel burns ever brighter. As I have been reflecting upon the past 12 months, I find myself feeling...

Busy Days For Our Local Firefighters

It has been a few years since I've offered a tip of the cap to our local firefighters, but with some major fires in recent days, I was reminded of how fortunate we are to have two fine fire departments serving this municipality. There is an old joke that nobody opposes socialism when their house is on fire and they...

Five Things I Have Learned or Confirmed During This Pandemic

Throughout the many long months of this pandemic, there has been plenty of time for reflection, and there have been many lessons to learn. None of us has experienced a global pandemic such as this in our lifetimes, and as frustrating and indeed downright depressing as life has been over the past 12 months, if anything good is to...

Would You do the Job of Councillor for What They Are Paid?

One of the most common criticisms I hear about our members of municipal council is also the most inaccurate criticism I hear – that our councillors make too much money, and they should take a pay cut before ever raising taxes. Many think the job of a municipal councillor is an easy way to collect a paycheque, however some have...

The Stay at Home Order Has Ended, So What’s Next?

Tuesday was our first day of newfound freedoms after the provincial stay at home order was lifted, and Grey-Bruce moved to the Yellow stage of Ontario's reopening framework. As if to prove that Mother Nature has a sense of humour, many of us found ourselves snow-bound at home after a significant overnight snowfall, causing school bus cancellations and a...

Premier Ford: Try to Hang in There a Little Longer

As I watched Premier Ford's press conference on Monday afternoon, during which he announced that the current stay at home order would be extended for one week before moving to a gradual reopening of our economy, the Premier looked tired, and he looked frustrated, or in other words he appeared the way many of us feel – exhausted and...

Meaford is on the Verge of a Development Boom – But Are Residents on Board?

If you have lived in Meaford for any length of time, you are bound to have heard a time or two that this municipality is on the verge of a development boom. I heard it when I moved here 16 years ago, and every few years we hear discussion of a building boom heading our way. Nothing ever seems...

Cabin Fever a Pandemic Reality For Many

Two weeks into a planned 28-day province-wide stay at home order aimed at reversing an upward trend in new COVID-19 cases in the province, and to avoid overwhelming our hospital system, many are understandably beginning to feel cabin fever-like effects. Ordered by the province to stay at home but for the most essential outings like groceries or a stop at...