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”
Author Archives: Jeff Wheeldon
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”
Why Not Run?
One of the things that got me thinking about one day running for public office was that, sometimes when I would speak passionately about some societal issue, someone I respect would say “hey, have you ever thought of running?” That kind of comment meant a lot to me, encouraging me to make a bigger impactContinue reading “Why Not Run?”
Polarization in Canada
“We’ve never been so divided.” I have heard that phrase more times than I can count, recently. It’s bad enough that we hear examples of polarization so often in American news, but it’s much worse that we see so many examples of it here in Canada. It seems that our political rhetoric is increasingly negative,Continue reading “Polarization in Canada”
Procedural Bylaw Review
Why does Council do things the way that we do? Our mayor leads us through an elaborate program at each meeting, governed by rules that most residents will never see. Those rules are called the Procedural Bylaw, and on Monday night we’re going to review them to see if there are any changes we’d likeContinue reading “Procedural Bylaw Review”
Breakin’ the Law
There are endless ways to make trouble, but only a few ways to enforce the law. In response to the recent addition of Automated Speed Enforcement to Brighton’s streets, and a bit of concern expressed about it, this week I’ll give a rundown of how laws are enforced in Brighton. The Ontario Provincial Police NotContinue reading “Breakin’ the Law”