Comments for Mayor Karen Farbridge's Blog

Comment on How big is your water footprint? by Karen Farbridge

Karen Farbridge — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:38:40 +0000

Thanks for your feedback as our staff are keenly interested to know how to improve the calculator.

The calculator will be part of a significant educational program so the education component is coming.

Zerofootprint is the name of the organization that has developed the calculator for us.

Comment on How big is your water footprint? by Tara

Tara — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:13:58 +0000

This is an interesting exercise and I’m happy to come in well below both the national and Guelph average but can’t help noticing a major flaw. Since the bulk of water use seems to be in the bathroom, it would do well to offer more specifics, such as how often do you shower, do you take baths, and do you “let it mellow”. This is a prime opportunity to show people what a big difference a small action can make. I also think an opportunity is lost in not having any ‘clickables’ to more information on ways residents can further reduce their water footprint.

Comment on How big is your water footprint? by al de jong

al de jong — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:33:54 +0000

the webpage that talks about the water is headed ‘zero footprint’, well, how can there be zero footprint?

a short period of dry weather and Guelph must post it’s water restriction advisories, thus the balance between supply and demand is tenuous as we continue to increase the population to accommodate items like ‘places to grow’.

Comment on Major change to capital budget by Susan Ratcliffe

Susan Ratcliffe — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:56:05 +0000

I appreciate that the city is experiencing financial difficulties along with the other levels of government. I understand the need for careful financial planning, but
- the central library has been planned for so long, has been studied for so long, has been yearned for amongst citizens for SO long – now is the time to make it a priority. A project to bring beauty and shared knowledge space for our community. Please make it happen as soon as possible – a matching gem to the new City Hall and Market Square at the other end of Wyndham Street. Just think of the wonderful city centre we will have when it is done.
Thanks,
Susan Ratcliffe

Comment on Sod Turning for Hanlon Creek Business Park by Paul Crawford

Paul Crawford — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:14:15 +0000

Today was a victory of democracy over anarchy. It was an honour to be at the sod turning today to watch history in the making that will benefit Guelph for generations to come. Thank you Mayor Farbridge.

Comment on Major change to capital budget by Patti Maurice

Patti Maurice — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:56:46 +0000

I am pleased to see this fiscally responsible action. Yes, it means that things we want may not get financed for some time, but we need to apply the same prudent rules to public financing as we do to, hopefully, our personal financing. Running up credit cards for wanted but not necessarily needed items is not sustainable, and neither is placing municipal projects in a budget for which we have no idea how we are going to pay for them.

I suggest that the next several years are going to be very rough, and so financial restraint will be one of the many things that will be absolutely critical to survival. This is a good step along the way to a more sustainable approach to municipal budgets and projects. Good work.

Comment on Community Gardens by ksulliva

ksulliva — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:11:10 +0000

Hi Erin,

A community-developed proposal for community gardens was presented to the City’s Environmental Services, Community Services, and Operations committee last month. You can see the proposal here (you have to scroll through the agenda a bit.) The proposal was referred to staff to review the matter and respond before the end of 2009. Stay tuned!

Regards,

Kate Sullivan
Mayor’s Office

Comment on Taking action on declining revenues by Bill Manson

Bill Manson — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:35:13 +0000

I cannot urge you strongly enough to ensure that the new Central Library is included in the capital plans for 2010. This is necessary infrastructure development. Delay for another five years is wholly unacceptable — a tactic worthy of the Council and Mayor that preceded this one.

Comment on Community Gardens by Erin R

Erin R — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 19:32:53 +0000

Hello Karen,
This is blog was the first stop in my investigation of initiatives in urban farming in Guelph. As a student at the university and fairly new to the city, I was wondering why the has city has not developed a community garden? Is there a lack of interest?
As many people have pointed out, these kinds of urban gardens are successful in many cities and communities around the world. I have read the article posted on Backyard Bounty’s web page which was initially submitted to you several years ago. Are the barriers discussed in this paper still true today and are too large to overcome to experiment with starting a garden?
I’d appreciate and feedback or resources you could offer to me. Thanks!

Erin

Comment on Celebrating Diversity – September 20 to 27 by ksulliva

ksulliva — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 19:26:35 +0000

Hi Alli,

Rosh Hashanah is listed in the September 11 to 19 post: http://mayorsblog.guelph.ca/2009/09/11/celebrating-diversity-september-11-to-19/

Yom Kippur will be part of the September 28 post, which will be up on Monday.

I hope this helps,

Kate Sullivan
Mayor’s Office