Porch Views, editorials and more
Madawaska Valley post-amalgamation wards Opinion In Part 1, I proposed a return to the ward system which I felt at the time would be the best way to ensure voter representation in the Township of Madawaska Valley. It only generated two comments online, but it prompted several visits to my …
Opinion Democratic government is based on representation and accountability. Since municipal government is the level of government which is closest to the people, it only makes sense that municipal voters should do everything they can to maintain these principles – including thinking carefully about the method by which they elect …
Image: Michael Quirk Editorial As we reported on June 24, The Current invited Mayor Love to be interviewed following her announcement that she was seeking re-election. The Current would like its more than 3,000 regular readers to hear what the Mayor has to say about her Council’s record as well …
(Photo: Jason Hafso on Unsplash.com) Editorial I suspect I was not alone on Canada’s birthday in spending a little time mulling over its future. This year, given recent events, the exercise has left me feeling somewhat apprehensive. This is because it seems, the way I look at it, that it …
Opinion John and Beth Hildebrandt Ontario’s municipal elections will be held on October 22. Two things are essential to our democratic system at this time: that taxpayers (voters) prepare themselves by critically assessing the issues and the candidates, and that other taxpayers – those with the desire to serve their …
Photo: djmilic Opinion Mayor Kim Love went to great lengths in her remarks at the June 4 Council Meeting to paint a picture of her being powerless to play any role in bringing about possible disciplinary action against misbehaving councillors. Her comments were a response to criticism she received concerning …
Photo: Jim Haskins, Principal of MVDHS doing what he loved as Producer/Director of South Pacific. If you mentioned extracurricular activities and positive high school experiences to folks in, and from, the Madawaska Valley, many, – at least those who attended MVDHS from 1967-1981 – would think of one man: Jim Haskins …
Photo: Shane Rounce on unsplash.com Opinion While Ontarians were preoccupied with electing a new government yesterday, Bill C-45 went before the Senate. The Bill, which contains the Government’s proposal to legalize the use of recreational cannabis, was passed by the Senate but with numerous amendments. Perhaps the most controversial of …
Op-Ed Photo: Code of Conduct for Council Would you be surprised to learn that the statement in …
Photo: Mark Woermke For the first time this year, I am enjoying my morning coffee on the porch. It’s pretty quiet on my corner this Saturday morning, but the sun is shining and things look promising for Wilno’s Kashub Day. I have an excellent view of Bay Street and the …
In a recent article, the Current disclosed how some municipalities give guidance to residents about making complaints including those to an Integrity Commissioner (IC). Some also provide information about the role of their ICs with reference to their Codes of Conduct for members of Council. At the present time Madawaska …
The Township of Madawaska Valley will soon present its proposed 2018 budget. Many taxpayers do not understand how their tax dollars are being spent. If you have questions, this budget “primer” will help you begin to understand the municipal budget process. To start with, Madawaska Valley taxpayers are lucky to …
On March 8, I started a Facebook post recognizing International Women’s Day. Before clicking “share” I realized it had potential as a Porch Views column, so I deleted it and started creating a list of remarkable Madawaska Valley women. My list grew until it had far too many names for …
Opinion On Tuesday of this week, at the age of 112, the Ontario Municipal Board passed into history, to be replaced by the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (“LPAT”). Whether or not this amounts to one cumbersome bureaucracy being replaced by another remains to be seen. In theory, however, some of …
Opinion As reported by The Current, at the Council meeting on March 21 2018 the Mayor took umbrage at my opinion piece entitled “MV is not a CAO-friendly environment!” (Click HERE to read it.) She took particular offence, and indeed described as “defamatory”, the following passage in that opinion piece: “Yet …
