Editorial

Stephen Vance, Editor Over the past week I have fielded some questions from readers about council's recent approval to purchase the former Smith's Tire property on Nelson Street at a cost of $350,000. After explaining that it was simply council and municipal staff planning ahead and anticipating future downtown parking needs, and taking an opportunity in the rare instance that...

Stephen Vance, Editor After two decades of helping to develop what has become one of Meaford's most anticipated events each year, Head Scarecrow Marilyn Morris has stepped aside, or in her words, she has 'retired' from the Scarecrow Invasion & Family Festival, and I think an expression of gratitude is in order.But first, a confession. When I first met Marilyn...

Stephen Vance, Editor Meaford's newly elected council features two rookies who in the early going appear to be settling in quite nicely to their new positions. After any municipal election I'm always curious as to how those elected to council for the first time wade into the sometimes crazy world of municipal governance. For me, new faces on council always offer...

Stephen Vance, Editor Meaford's council held its first meeting of 2019 on Monday, and it was everything one might expect, and also some of what people might hope for. As for what one might expect, the meeting was lengthy, and at times frustrating, but if you're looking for some hope, this council appears to be laser-focused on infrastructure and continuing the...

Stephen Vance, Editor As one busy year draws to a close, we look toward a busy year to come. Before looking toward the coming year however, I think we all deserve a bit of a break, and thankfully some days off are on the way.The end of December is always a good time to take advantage of some statutory holidays, and...

Stephen Vance, Editor Meaford's newly elected council held its first meeting (the pomp and circumstance of the inaugural meeting held last week aside) on December 10, and they sent a message to staff, though if staff is confused by the message they might be forgiven.On the one hand, council was clear in their message to staff that a 5.6 percent...

Stephen Vance, Editor There was plenty of optimism and many beaming smiles in the opera house at Meaford Hall on Monday as the new council was formally sworn into office. Which is how it should be, but now the party is over, and the real work begins.The inaugural meeting of council isn't your typical council meeting, of course, as no...

Stephen Vance, Editor It's that time of year again. Downtown storefront windows will have been covered with red plastic during the week while shop owners and their staff create their displays for the annual BIA Downtown Christmas Window Unveiling event, which will once again be partnered with the Kinsmen Club of Meaford's annual Santa Claus Parade to create a night...

Stephen Vance, Editor While the November 19 meeting of council was in many ways a typical council meeting, it was also special in that it was the final meeting of the current council term. The next meeting of council on December 3 at Meaford Hall will see the inauguration of the newly elected council.When the new council takes over, it...

Stephen Vance, Editor This week The Meaford Independent celebrates its ninth birthday, and we enter our 10th year – how time flies! When this paper was born in November of 2009, Stephen Harper was our prime minister, Dalton McGuinty was premier of Ontario, and Francis Richardson was mayor of Meaford. It's just nine years, but at times it almost seems an...