Thursday, October 16, 2025

Editorial

Council Appears to Have Learned From Incinerator Fiasco

By Stephen Vance, Editor What Meaford's council did in response to a plea from residents to establish a policy for the placement of microwave cell towers, and to make attempts to delay a proposed tower in a residential neighbourhood if at all possible, was astonishing – in a good way. After listening to three representative speakers who all spoke to concerns...

What’s in it For Owen Sound?

By Stephen Vance, Editor Something has been bothering me about the Owen Sound Police Services proposal for assuming policing duties in the Municipality of Meaford, and it has nothing to do with the quality of service or the proposed costs and potential cost savings identified by staff. What's been bothering me about this whole issue comes down to human nature. What's in...

In Defence of the CBC

By Stephen Vance, Editor Established in 1936, The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation is Canada's internationally respected public broadcaster, however it has also become a popular modern-day punching bag for many. That the CBC has become a punching bag is unfortunate given the quality journalism and programming provided by the crown corporation on radio, television, and the internet.I felt compelled to write about...

Policing Question Should be on Ballot in October

By Stephen Vance, Editor There is no doubt in my mind that Meaford's councillors find themselves in a very difficult, confusing and frustrating position when it comes to the future of policing in the municipality. The proposal submitted by the Owen Sound Police Service would, on paper at least, save the municipality hundreds of thousands of dollars over a five year...

It Takes a Village to Produce a Community Newspaper

By Stephen Vance, Editor In an attempt to remain calm under pressure, my mantra over the last week has been “stuff happens”. Well, my actual mantra has used slightly less polite language, and has at times been followed by additional expletives, but reminding myself that sometimes stuff does happen and the best course of action is to forge ahead was...

Should Meaford be Called Meaford? Probably Not, But…

By Stephen Vance, Editor Councillor Lynda Stephens announced a notice of motion at the February 18 meeting of council. Stephens suggested that Meaford should consider changing its name to Georgian Highlands, and she would like to see the question of whether to rename the municipality on the ballot for the October 27 municipal election. The motion should be on the agenda...

Future of Policing in Meaford Now up to Council

By Stephen Vance, Editor Meaford's senior staff has reviewed and analyzed the proposal submitted by the Owen Sound Police Service, and they have presented a report to council with their conclusions. After reading the report, it is clear that senior staff is in favour of abandoning the OPP in favour of the Owen Sound Police Service, and they estimate that hundreds...

A Tip of the Toque to Those Who Clear Our Snow

By Stephen Vance, Editor I can't imagine that it has been much fun to be a Meaford snowplow driver over the last few weeks. As all of us are painfully aware, January was one heck of a month on the snow front. By the end of the month our area had already received more snow than a typical full winter...

What to do About Policing in the Short Term – and Down the Road

By Stephen Vance, Editor Meaford council has an important decision to make about policing in the coming weeks, and it is encouraging to see that they aren't going to make any decision without consulting the public first. Municipal staff is expected to submit a report to council at their February 10 meeting which will offer an assessment of the proposal put...

Knights Hockey Team Has Been Great Addition to Meaford

By Stephen Vance, Editor It's no secret that I'm not a hockey guy. In spite of having been born in small town Ontario where hockey is king, in spite of the high profile the NHL has in this country, it just doesn't grab me the way hockey does for so many others. I couldn't tell you the difference between a...