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
AM980 Roundtable Aug 30, Jeff Preston & Shawn Lewis
Talking about the issue of strip club licensing that is affecting London’s Argyle neighbourhood, about whether it’s time OHIP covered mental health service costs for citizens, and about the CAMI strike vote in Ingersoll.
AM980 Roundtable with Shawn Lewis, Steve Garrison, Devon Peacock & Craig Needles
Talking municipal smoking by-laws, basic income, long term care for seniors, and does City Hall planning process give developers special advantage over citizens?
Broadcast Legend Steve Garrison, Political Insider Shawn Lewis, Program Director Devon Peacock, discuss the issues with host Craig Needles:
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:
Continue Reading
New Leadership Resolves Firefighter Contract Battle
As 2016 drew to a close, I wrote about the need for City Council to replace London’s top bureaucrat (https://shawnlewis.ca/2016/11/when-its-time-for-a-new-city-manager/) . The (now former) City Manager, a hire made by the previous city council, was clearly not interested in playing nice with others.
Not only was the new (the city elected 11 new representatives to the 15 member council in 2014) council’s authority being undermined, but the City Manager had also become one of the key figures identified as the source of labour disputes with the firefighters and police associations and CUPE Local 101 representing the city’s inside workers.
Continue Reading
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…
Continue Reading