Is The Force With London Council Candidate?
How big of a Star Wars fan is Shawn Lewis?
So big, he will be celebrating his love of the sci-fi saga by announcing his candidacy for city council in Ward 2 by waiting until May 4 — known as Star Wars Day among geeks. Continue Reading
Time for Someone New to Represent Ward 2
I’m literally on the wrong side of the tracks to be able to say I live in Ward 2. But arbitrary lines on a map don’t define community. I’ve called east London’s Argyle neighbourhood home for more than 20 years.
Argyle—or Ward 2—is where I work, shop, and play. It’s where my heart is. Home. Continue Reading
Better Transit, a To-Do List that isn’t all about BRT
Let’s be honest eliminating poverty in a generation. Not something a City Council can do by itself. Bringing more jobs? Well, a city council can create a good environment for that to happen in again not something a city council can do on it’s own.
But fixing transit…that folks is something that with leadership at City Council and through it at the London Transit Commission, that is something that can be done! Transit is something wholly under the city’s control. Continue Reading
Bus Rapid Transit, an Argyle Neighbourhood Viewpoint
As chair of the Argyle Community Association, I have been pressing the City of London to hold public information sessions on the proposed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) plan outside of the Central Library and in neighbourhoods where people live. This week, BRT information FINALLY came east of Highbury, when the Argyle Community Association hosted city staff at an information session at Clarke Road Secondary School.
What I learned in trying to get people to attend was that people feel that this is a done deal, that there is nothing they can do to stop, change, or improve it. They feel nothing they have to say is genuinely going to be listened to. Continue Reading
The Friday Roundtable: Former City Councillor Cheryl Miller, local Broadcast legend Steve Garrison, & Shawn Lewis
Talking about local school boards pulling funding from high school theatre production of “Prom Queen”, (true story of an LGBT student’s fight to take his boyfriend to prom), the first poll on issues in the 2018 municipal election and the mayor race, and more.
Apology to London’s LGBT Community Must Come From Council
When I first arrived in London (much younger) the Mayor of the day was defending herself and her council at the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal for refusing to declare Gay Pride Weekend in the city. As a gay person who was still in the closet at the time, it certainly made it feel like the city really didn’t want me or–anyone like me–to make London home. Continue Reading
Time to Axe the Vacant Property Tax Rebate
Talking with Ward 14 Councillor Jared Zaifman and 980CFPL host Craig Needles about the recent move by City politicians to eliminate the 30% rebate commercial and industrial landowners get if their properties sit vacant for more than 3 months.
The Election Sign By-Law Must Be Consistent and Fair
You don’t have to love election signs, but they are an important part of our election process. They are a relatively low cost way to let the public know who is running in their area, and especially important for those running against an established incumbent. Continue Reading
Talking Tourism Goals for London
On October 25th, I had the chance for the third time this year to sit down with the chief of Tourism London, John Winston. The impact of tourism on our local economy is really underestimated by most London residents, but it is huge.
Oct 18th AM980 Roundtable: Councillor Jared Zaifman & Shawn Lewis
AM980’s Craig Needles talks with Shawn Lewis & Councillor Jared Zaifman about the passing of the Tragically Hip’s Gord Downie, and also Council’s latest…the possibility an International Plowing Match in London and should we really want one?