Back at the start of this term of council, one of the first things that I asked for was a Sustainability Officer who could start us down the path of getting a sustainability plan. Council disagreed, and suggested instead that we start with a plan and see if we need an officer. It took allContinue reading “The Integrated Community Sustainability Plan”
Tag Archives: municipal politics
The Challenge of By-Law Enforcement
One of the reports on tonight’s agenda is about by-law enforcement–specifically, about being able to issue fines against folks who break our new parking by-law. With a new parking by-law and the ability to issue fines to enforce it, hopefully we can address some longstanding frustrations with parking in town. But by-law enforcement is oneContinue reading “The Challenge of By-Law Enforcement”
A Vibrant, Mixed-Use Community
I’ve been writing a series on Brighton’s Land Banking initiative, addressing each aspect of the vision, including the six key values: Continuing that series, let’s talk about the value of adding a mixed-use, “complete community” on the edge of town. Mixed Use Traditional zoning by-laws emphasize a single use for each property. I still rememberContinue reading “A Vibrant, Mixed-Use Community”
Tightening Belts
Two nights ago was the all-candidates event, and a theme that came up quite strongly was the idea that we should tighten our belts and do whatever we can to avoid tax increases. I am not averse to the idea of keeping tax rates as low as we can; I pay taxes too, and IContinue reading “Tightening Belts”
Traffic Calming and Those New Curbs
One of the issues that got a laugh at the all-candidates meeting last night was one particular feature at the south end of Prince Edward Street, and I’m delighted. In answering a question about economic development in Brighton, several candidates mentioned the Industrial Park, until one candidate added something along the lines of “how willContinue reading “Traffic Calming and Those New Curbs”
Communication, or Community?
One of the most common things that I see and hear from my neighbours is that they never know what’s going on, that we need to get better at communication, and that they never see us. I heard this a lot four years ago, and I tried to work on it all term (not leastContinue reading “Communication, or Community?”
Adaptation 2026 Conference
This week I had the privilege of attending the Adaptation 2026 conference in Toronto, joining people from across Canada (and one lovely, thoughtful American) to explore ways to make municipalities more adaptable to our changing climate. As always, by the end of the conference I had (and currently have) a head that feels like it’sContinue reading “Adaptation 2026 Conference”
AI in Brighton
Some folks recently asked me what I thought about AI in Brighton, particularly in the wake of news of a proposal for a new AI data centre in Trenton. I have a lot of thoughts. And links for further reading/viewing. Strap in, this is a doozy. First, I’ll offer the seemingly obligatory nod to theContinue reading “AI in Brighton”
Candidate Questionnaire
Every election, candidates get questionnaires from various sources, usually advocacy groups from one cause or another, with the goal of helping voters know where their candidates stand on those issues. This year candidates in Brighton received a general questionnaire from a resident, Phyllis Lanham, who intends to share those responses via social media so thatContinue reading “Candidate Questionnaire”
An Inclusive, Mixed-Income Community
Who belongs in Brighton? I would love to take it for granted that everyone belongs here. I sometimes tell people that, as far as I’m concerned, you’re from here whether you’ve lived here for five generations or five minutes. It’s by choosing to live here that you become one of us. If only it wereContinue reading “An Inclusive, Mixed-Income Community”