By Stephen Vance, Editor
When a government begins legislating based on fear, or a perceived fear, it should be cause for concern by everyone. Of even more concern is when that legislating is aimed at chipping away at the freedom and privacy that Canadians have long viewed as crucial components of our democratic society.
In response to the seemingly growing problem...
By Stephen Vance, Editor
Once again our Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MP is in the news for all the wrong reasons, and this time he has rankled the feathers of more than a few Canadians with comments he made on a local radio show.
“People who come to Canada and don't want to show their face at immigration or citizenship ceremonies should stay...
By Stephen Vance, Editor
Our new council has survived their first budget deliberation, and the end result should please just about everyone.
As fine a job as this council has done in their first few months, and with their first budget, the real praise and acknowledgement should be spread around a little beyond the current council and staff.
After enduring four years...
By Stephen Vance, Editor
For a small town, Meaford (and the immediate area) is certainly churning out top-notch youth athletes these days. Medals and ribbons, and trophies have been piling up around runners, skiers, and even competitors in the sport of biathlon have found their way to gold.
When teenagers earn medals and trophies, it is the result of a lot...
By Stephen Vance, Editor
Should Meaford's council take the lacklustre attendance at the recent public engagement sessions for the 2015 municipal budget as a sign that ratepayers are happy with the budget and the 1.3 percent property tax increase that comes with it, or should they take it as a warning that the public has become frustrated, apathetic, and as...
By Stephen Vance, Editor
Small towns like Meaford often struggle with change, and for good reason. As developer Lino Toncic pointed out during the February 2 public meeting focused on his proposed redevelopment of a section of century-old buildings on Sykes Street, Meaford was once a vibrant, bustling community with strong industrial, agricultural, and commercial sectors that provided plenty in...
By Stephen Vance, Editor
Perhaps I'm feeling a little cranky after spending the past week fighting an impressively powerful and determined flu bug, but I've had enough of winter already.
I've long wondered what we Canadians have done to deserve the annual punishment we call winter. For a nation of people known across the globe for being friendly, polite, and for...
By Stephen Vance, Editor
You have to hand it to bag tags – for a simple sticker, they can sure get people worked up. In 2009, when the $2 pay-as-you-throw bag tag program was implemented, there were many that were convinced that the move would result in our ditches and parking lots being used for waste disposal rather than pay...
By Stephen Vance, Editor
The first draft of the 2015 municipal budget was presented to council on January 12 after councillors had been educated about asset management and budgeting by Treasurer Darcy Chapman during a special education session.
For municipal staffers and members of council, budget the budgeting process requires a lot of time, patience, and the balancing skills of a...
By Stephen Vance, Editor
On Monday, January 12, Meaford's council will be presented with a report concerning the challenges currently faced by the library with regard to accessibility and space. The 48-page report prepared by Lundholm Associates identifies the deficiencies in the current facility, and offers a range of proposed options for creating a fully accessible library with adequate space.
Before...
