Category Archives: Municipal

A zero percent municipal property tax increase means cutting many services that Londoners enjoy.  Zero percent means delaying costs and increasing debt.  Zero percent leads to the temptation of the very short-term thinking of selling assets.  And zero is going … Continue reading →

The zero percent 2013 municipal budget, and the subsequent budget cuts, will effect us all in some way by impacting many services and future tax rates.  However, the two cuts that I believe will hurt the most are those to … Continue reading →

In yesterday’s post I highlighted why the whole idea of this Council being the ones to save us money is largely smoke and mirrors.  In the same way, driving to zero does not necessarily solve financial difficulties, and may in … Continue reading →

The ultimate stated goal of the 0% tax increase is to save you, the taxpayer, money.  This sounds like a fine goal, because after all, who doesn’t want to save a little money?  In fact, TransUnion has reported that average … Continue reading →

…a little bit louder, and a whole lot worse. This line from a popular camp song is a good summary of the London Budget 2013.  Because we’ve been down this road before, twice before, and again we find ourselves facing … Continue reading →

The 2013 municipal budget season is upon us.  I will be blogging regularly on the topic over the next few months, but wanted to highlight at the outset why this is important, and how you might get involved.  Whether you … Continue reading →

In a follow-up to my last post about the importance of relationships, I wanted to speak to public participation and the things that citizens say.  Because let’s be honest, I’ve often shaken my head at the things that people say … Continue reading →

This past Monday I had the privilege of spending the afternoon and evening with Councillor Sandy White.  I won the opportunity by completing a survey on the City of London website during Local Government Week.  Sandy and I spent some … Continue reading →

Councilor Van Meerbergen stated: “It is not the case that [the] electorate is guided or motivated by the levels of communications pumped out by councillors on City Hall expense accounts. Citizens involve themselves in politics and policy-making when they have … Continue reading →

This is the final post in the series, which you can read in full by downloading the pdf version if you like. When it comes to planning decisions, politicians hold ultimate sway.  Although the Planning Act and the Official Plan … Continue reading →