By Stephen Vance, Editor
There isn't enough for the kids to do in Meaford.
It is a sentiment I have heard expressed often in the years since I moved to this fine community, and it is one that I have never really understood.
Recently though I have come to realize that perhaps it isn't that there is a lack of activities for...
By Stephen Vance, Editor
Any time a government employee is charged with a crime, there is a justified cause for concern among the citizens who paid for and were served by that employee.
The recent arrest of Meaford's Director of Community Services, Catherine Purcell, on charges of fraud while employed by the Township of King where she worked for 11 years...
By Stephen Vance, Editor
Back in December I wrote a column in support of the Toronto Star who had essentially been black-balled by Toronto Mayor Rob Ford and excluded from official notices and information coming from the mayor's office. The spat began with Ford taking offence to an article the Star had published during the 2010 election campaign, and progressed...
By Stephen Vance, Editor
Meaford Councillor Deborah Young says democracy is dead. Perhaps the councillor doesn't understand democracy at all.
Merriam-Webster defines democracy as a “government by the people” which is grounded in the “rule of majority.” Further, democracy is defined as “a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly...
By Stephen Vance, Editor
Earth Day was first observed the year I was born, and for the last 42 years the initiative has gradually gained traction in North America and throughout the world. Personally, I like the fact that I was born into a generation that was beginning to take stock of the human impact on our environment, and is...
By Stephen Vance, Editor
The Municipality of Meaford has posted some pretty impressive waste diversion numbers over the last couple of years, and everyone in the community should be proud that our little municipality is currently ranked third of 223 municipalities in our efforts to shift waste from landfills to recycle stations and compost heaps.
Even more impressive is that of...
By Stephen Vance, Editor
One of the most frequent complaints about Meaford's council that I have heard over the last several years is that council spends too much time behind closed doors.
With Councillor Deborah Young this week suggesting that our council has been abusing the in-camera meeting process, the issue has once again reared its ugly head, and tongues are...
By Stephen Vance, Editor
If you've ever been in a room full of firefighters when their pagers start beeping, you can really appreciate the dedication and focus required by members of our volunteer fire department.Recently at a gathering at Meaford Hall to honour Meaford firefighters who had participated in the dousing of the Reeds restaurant fire of 2009, the galleries...
By Stephen Vance, Editor
The first mayor of the amalgamated Municipality of Meaford is continuing to pressure council to do away with area ratings for police services in order to make Meaford's taxation system fair for everyone.Gerald Shortt, who had a lengthy political career which included terms as Reeve of St. Vincent Township as well as the Mayor's chair in...
By Stephen Vance, Editor
Perspectives are important. It is always fascinating to read one person's take on a situation and then compare it to your own. Sometimes you learn something new, sometimes you don't, and at other times you might simply scratch your head, shrug your shoulders, and move on.In a column this week, our friends at the Express have...
