By Stephen Vance, Editor
On, Tuesday July 14, a special meeting will be held in Meaford's council chamber, when a Joint Compliance Audit Committee (JCAC) will meet in order to determine if a request for the audits of campaign expenses of two mayoral candidates who sought election in the October 2014 municipal election should move ahead.Failed mayoral candidate Ray McHugh...
By Stephen Vance, Editor
Big numbers – they have the ability to anger some while at the same time providing comfort to others. Big numbers – they can be transparent, they can be confusing, and often they are wildly deceptive.
Whenever I see people getting worked up over a big number, or whenever I receive a press release from any level...
By Stephen Vance, Editor
Exams are over, school is out, and the warm weather has arrived – sort of. It's time for summer to really begin, and what better way to kick off summer than with a huge Canada Day bash? And where better to have said bash than in the Municipality of Meaford?
I've lived in Meaford for a decade...
By Stephen Vance, Editor
Council's approval of a pilot project that will allow licenced sidewalk patios in the downtown core could be a giant step forward for all businesses in the municipality.
One of the comments often heard about Meaford is that it is a 'drive-through town', with little to catch the attention of a passing motorist, not enough to prompt...
By Stephen Vance, Editor
For the past eight years, the beginning of June has marked the opening of the Meaford Farmers' Market at the Rotary Harbour pavilion, and today market organizers are set to begin their ninth season.
As far as community initiatives go, Meaford's farmers' market is a genuine success story. It's no simple task to get a farmers' market...
By Stephen Vance, Editor
It has been painful to watch over the past few years when council reviews requests for community grants, and decides who and what to fund, and for how much.
What might seem a simple task is turned into a long, drawn-out, confusing affair caused primarily because this council, and the previous council, just can't follow the policy...
By Stephen Vance, Editor
With a few simple words at council's May 11 meeting, Meaford's Deputy Mayor, Harley Greenfield, seems to have created concern amongst councillors. Enough concern that Mayor Barb Clumpus called a closed meeting this week to discuss and seek legal advice.
What did the Deputy Mayor say to bring about a closed session meeting for council and...
By Stephen Vance, Editor
I suspect that if there's a word we will all likely tire of in the coming years, it's 'infrastructure'. Whenever I write about the coming infrastructure nightmare, I typically receive two types of responses from readers – some are concerned, and some think I'm nuts.
I might be nuts, but the looming infrastructure crisis is very real,...
By Stephen Vance, Editor
This weekend mothers everywhere will be sent flowers, given cards and gifts, pampered with breakfast in bed, and a host of other traditions that have been developed for the annual expression of appreciation for mothers.
Motherhood is a tough job. If there was a job description posted for the position of motherhood, I would be surprised that...
By Stephen Vance, Editor
Unlike my friend at Meaford's other paper, I have rarely been bothered about, and have never written about the meals provided for council and municipal staff during council meetings, primarily because embarking on such a topic typically devolves into “council is wasting our money” even though the cost is literally peanuts, and really should not be...
