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
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?
Politicians “Experience” and Years in Office Are Not Equal
Some politicians hold office for many years because they are good at getting results for the people they represent. Others simply benefit from the “incumbent advantage” of name recognition and vote splitting to hold on. So the public should never mistake years in public office with the experience needed to “get the job done”.
Recently, this was evident in the debate around the proposed “adult entertainment license” for a new strip club in east London’s Ward 2. Continue Reading
AM980 Roundtable with Craig Needles & Jeff Preston
Talking City of London Noise By-law appeal, Health Unit cancelling dental clinic, and high school student busing:
London Home Owners Get Some Tax Relief
Get this year’s property tax bill yet?
When you do, you might notice how the 2.9% increase homeowners were supposed to get ended up only being 1.1%
That’s some good news and Londoners have my friend Ward 7 Councillor Josh Morgan to thank for that.
In 2014 I was happy to serve as Campaign Manager for Josh Morgan’s (successful) bid for a council seat, not just because Josh is a friend, but because I knew Josh was someone Londoners could count on to balance the need for city building and infrastructure improvements with the fiscal realities of London families.
Josh and his wife are working hard to raise 3 kids, make the mortgage and car payments, and cover the grocery and hydro bills, just like so many other London families. So he gets prioritizing the “need to haves” over the “nice to haves” for the City, and recognizes just how hard people work to generate a tax dollar.
This year, some changes to the education portion of our property taxes meant there was an opportunity to provide some tax relief. These variances do happen from time to time, but historically City Councils (remember, Mayor Brown and Councillors Armstrong, Hubert, and Usher have been on past councils) have given the relief to industrial and commercial landowners (people like Mr. Farhi who can write off more in taxes than most homeowners earn in a year).
This year Josh Morgan made sure that homeowners got the relief.
This is exactly the kind of balanced, fair tax approach Josh campaigned on.
Here is Josh (along with AM980’s Craig Needles and myself) talking about how he delivered this tax relief for homeowners, give it a quick listen:
Urging Council to Connect Argyle to BRT
Members believe the college is too isolated and would prefer the transit hub be located at Argyle Mall, or close to it.
“People want to see transit improved,” association chair Shawn Lewis told AM980.
Full story and audio clip:
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Time to Fix Council Pay (Permanently)
It happens almost every term of council in London, the issue comes up of how much council is paid and whether or not the position should be “full-time” or “part-time” (currently councillors are considered part-time). It always brings a cry of (ignorant) protest from some quarters that “greedy politicians” are feeding at the trough again, and instead of making a tough (and awkward) decision, councillors kick the proverbial can down the road with some version of “make it an election issue” or “let next council decide”.
So let’s cut through the crap shall we?
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Stop Fighting Vimy Park MP Urges
From the London Free Press, Feb 27th. Full Article Here: http://www.lfpress.com/2017/02/27/bureaucracy-suggestions-of-politicking-threaten-timely-tribute
A London MP is entering a city council conflict in which a mix of patriotism and military history has collided with bureaucratic rules and accusations of politicking.
With competing proposals to name a park in honour of the Battle of Vimy Ridge — and neither likely to be formalized by its 100th anniversary in April — MP Peter Fragiskatos is urging council to quickly approve a community-led option he believes best honours Canadian veterans… Continue Reading
When it’s time for a new City Manager
If London was left wondering what happened at City Hall’s special meeting about the City Manager and the Police Services Board on Friday, I think the best way to sum it up is, this isn’t over…
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