In 2022 I ran on three key values: Vision, Communication, and Collaboration. Each of those values had three key goals. I hope to return to council for the 2026-2030 term, so I thought it worthwhile to evaluate how well I did in achieving those goals. Those values and goals have been on the front pageContinue reading “End of Term Evaluation: Vision”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Conservation Authorities in Crisis
I hate click-bait headlines about crises. Maybe especially when they’re true. I’m crisis-ed out. But here we are. It has been a privilege to sit on the board of directors for Lower Trent Conservation Authority this term of council. When councillors were being delegated to various committees and boards, this was one that I wasContinue reading “Conservation Authorities in Crisis”
The Wrong Thing for the Right Reasons
Today I learned that the Hamilton Public Library has reduced its hours, and now requires all library users to scan their library card before they can enter. I feel queasy just thinking about this: public libraries are joyful places where everyone is welcome, knowledge is free, and connection and belonging are available to all. SeeingContinue reading “The Wrong Thing for the Right Reasons”
Concentration of Power
I rarely look at federal politics these days. It is good for my mental health to focus on matters I can actually do something about. Provincial matters are unavoidable for me, because the province (increasingly) directly controls municipalities: the provincial government determines what municipalities can do, how we can do it, and has veto powerContinue reading “Concentration of Power”
Bang for Buck
This morning I attended the Codrington breakfast (which was lovely, as always!), and had a lively conversation over pancakes and sausages about rural broadband and the critical role it plays in economic development and the livelihood of residents. It brought up the question of how governments decide how to spend public funds for infrastructure: doContinue reading “Bang for Buck”
ROMA Conference 2026
The first municipal conference that I ever attended was the Rural Ontario Municipal Association conference back in January 2023. While I’ve tried to attend different conferences every year of this term, it seemed to be appropriate to start the last year of the term off with another trip to ROMA. It was a little nostalgicContinue reading “ROMA Conference 2026”
The Future of the Landfill
This week I attended a meeting of the Brighton Landfill Liaison Committee, and there’s a lot to talk about, starting with acknowledging the passing of the former Chair of the committee, Peter McCann; I agreed to take on the Chair position in his absence, and the County will be advertising for a new member ofContinue reading “The Future of the Landfill”
2025 in Review
What a year it’s been in Brighton, and Northumberland County! So much has happened that I needed to review the meeting minutes. Here are some of my highlights and things I’m most proud of for 2025. January We were a little behind on budget last year, so much of January was spent in Committee ofContinue reading “2025 in Review”
Are Drugs the Problem?
A lot of the comments I’ve received on my posts about homelessness lately have been about drug use. Some of them have been nasty, blaming people for their own poverty because they use drugs; others have been more generous, simply acknowledging that drugs are part of the problem. So let’s take a closer look: areContinue reading “Are Drugs the Problem?”
The Brighton Homelessness Task Force
My last few posts stimulated a lot of comments along the lines of “why don’t you advocate for a shelter/warming room/safe consumption site/etc in Brighton, instead of Cobourg?” There are two answers to that. Why Are Services in Cobourg? Northumberland County Social Services, like all Northumberland County services, are headquartered in Cobourg. It’s what isContinue reading “The Brighton Homelessness Task Force”