I’m not yet over my sadness at the loss of Councillor Faretis, but I am nonetheless happy that Brighton is in the process of choosing a new councillor to serve out the remainder of the 2022-2026 term. The details of the appointment process will be confirmed on a special meeting on December 24th at 9am,Continue reading “Do You Want to Join Council?”
Author Archives: Jeff Wheeldon
Filling a Vacant Council Seat
As much as I’m still uncomfortable with saying that there’s a vacant council seat in Brighton, especially with Councillor Faretis’ celebration of life still to come this Saturday, council was required to declare his seat vacant within the first two council meetings after his passing. That was this past Monday. Council postponed determining how hisContinue reading “Filling a Vacant Council Seat”
Farewell, Byron
Councillor Byron Faretis recently and suddenly passed away, and it’s a big loss to our community. There’s been a lot of other things going on that I’ll blog about eventually, but today I’d like to reflect on the impact Byron had on our council, and on me personally. When I first heard about Byron’s nominationContinue reading “Farewell, Byron”
What Elections Tell Us About Ourselves
One of the worst things about American elections is that, even when they’re over, they’re never over. Even though we’re not American, our news and social media have been deluged with American politics for the past two years; we’ve weathered the spectacle of the primaries, the spectacle of the campaign, and now we’re stuck inContinue reading “What Elections Tell Us About Ourselves”
Update
Three short updates this week: First, we’ve just wrapped on the 50th Applefest, and it was a HUGE success. Many, many thanks to all of the volunteers, staff, and supporters who have kept this annual event going for half a century. Our little town nearly doubles in size, one day a year, and it takesContinue reading “Update”
Legacy, Heritage, and Community
Today I attended a small ceremony just behind the bustling Codrington Farmer’s Market. We were there to plant two apple trees in commemoration of this year’s 50th Applefest: one to remember the apple growers of the past, and one to dedicate to the apple growers of the future. While there are certainly fewer apple growersContinue reading “Legacy, Heritage, and Community”
Housing Update
After a restful summer break, September is refreshingly brisk — both in the cool morning breeze and in the pace of change. It is the Monday of the year, when most people get back to work in earnest. And I have some things to report after last Monday’s council meeting with regard to the stateContinue reading “Housing Update”
Much Ado About Nothing
I try not to write about things that are currently unfolding; I don’t want to accidentally spread half-truths about matters that are not yet settled, or worse yet, accidentally say something publicly that I’m obligated to keep private. But council’s agenda tonight includes a matter that has been subject to an awful lot of misinformation,Continue reading “Much Ado About Nothing”
Hello from FCM 2024
Hello from sunny (then dark and windy, then sunny again) Calgary. I’m here for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities conference, and while I’ve been sick the whole time (this mask is starting to chafe!) the conference has been almost as restorative and reinvigorating as I had hoped. It’s hard to describe how just being inContinue reading “Hello from FCM 2024”
Official Plan Updates
Last night I attended a County public consultation about their draft Official Plan update, perhaps one of the most esoteric and boring events I can imagine…and it was packed. I was a bit late for the first presentation, and had to wait in the hallway; there wasn’t even anywhere to stand in the room. AndContinue reading “Official Plan Updates”