And this is London, Ontario, the Forest City where we love our trees and it’s impolite to point out the particular forest that was the basis of the nickname was quickly cut down by everybody making a city, ssssshhh, it’s still quite nice. There are trees. And trucks. Happy Friday.
Welcome to your weekly curated local news ROUNDUP, in which I gather some items about which I feel you should know1. I have expectations of our city’s leadership. There isn’t a quiz or anything, but you should be paying attention and making good decisions, in my opinion. And you’re leaders because you care - I don’t make the rules. Well done, though.
As I always say, this is journalism in the Public Interest, devoid of big biz interests and rooted in our community here in London. And, this is a corporate comms approach, informing you because you need to, and never promoting strong reactions to make money from you.
It’s oh so quiet
This week, the pages and airtime were all filled well enough, but we found ourselves in one of those in-between states that London gets into when it’s not fighting over something stupid in a mouth-foaming frenzy2. But there are plenty of stories being told, often by everyone at the same time, as you will see below.
And perhaps, where it’s relevant, we’ll recommend reporting from beyond London, such as Doug Ford’s $28.9 million plane, which has gone back to Bombardier. (Actually, the less said about that, the better.)
Here, into the evening because I was distracted by adulting, is your ROUNDUP AFTER DARK. That sounds kinda cool, but I hope it’s not creepy or anything. Perhaps we should be eating chocolate and drinking red wine, while lounging laconically and expressing our ennui. Anyway.
Let’s go!
Housing
A few interesting hits in this area this week.
Fundraising for veterans’ village - Brian Williams at the London Free Press - link.
And St. Thomas has launched a program to help first-time buyers - link. Ahem. Awkward. Has anyone told… never mind.
Again, LFP: here, Jack Moulton picks up the issue of backlash against infill at height.
And another Free Press story about development fees, which quotes leaders of groups in that sector and the planning committee chair.
Public sector contracts - fire and EMS
This story moved along yesterday, and here’s the latest. Talks resume: LFP, CBC and CTV.
But wait - CTV London has an update and IT’S THE PARAMEDICS WITH A METAL CHAIR… and a contract to renegotiate. Ah.
Lottery winners
Somebody local won $80 million and there are some stories3.
Here’s the CTV London report on the winners: link.
And here’s a Freeps piece about the shop that sold the ticket: link.
Drug users
This issue came up in my COUNCIL CATCHUP (click and scroll down for yesterday’s collection of muni matters), and I feel I could have served readers better with the outcomes. Councillor David Ferreira raised concerns about the private pharmacy model, and council did discuss it and take some action.
Here’s an Andrew Lupton, CBC London, story about the City pushing the Province for more help, and Jack Moulton of the Free Press has a line on it here.
Sarnia shooting
Usually I leave crime and policing to other beats, and this one is hard to ignore. There’s been disquiet on Boullee Street and I hope they catch up with this guy soon. Three this time: CBC London story, CTV London report and a syndicated story from the Sarnia newspaper.
The Lightning Round
A massive job fair drew the crowds. There’s a need, for sure.
You can tour artists’ studios this weekend. Lots of enthusiasm about this, and reporting from CBC and LFP
They’re adding more services at London International Airport, per LFP and CBC.
Finally, here’s Police Chief Thai Truong speaking out about intimate partner violence. A good message from an increasingly-prominent public figure.
City Hall next week
I see the agenda has dropped for Tuesday’s meeting of Full Council, and I know the city’s media are mining it right now. I can see the following words:
Renovictions
Landfill
Transit
Budgets
Housing
Green bins
Shelters
Oh my. That meeting also includes everything that’s come up in the last three weeks, so as usual anything could happen. And this is the last Full Council before May Day and the nominations are open, so it’s the last time incumbents can speak without a reply from challengers. Tick tock, and so on.
Support local
Know of a local journalismer that I should be promoting? Tell me.
For now, here are a number of excellent options for your local content needs:
Cedric Richards’ Southwestern Ontario Journal has reached Soho and a reference to Warren Zevon, which makes everyone happy.
Sports: Gameday London.
Business: London Inc.
Commenting: Steve Cordes’ Community Matters.
Discussion: Matt Brown’s podcast.
Theatre darling simply marvellous: The Beat Magazine and TheatreInLondon.ca.
And the treasure: Larry Cornies’ audio blog
That’s a good smattering for now
I’ll keep paying attention and sending you these updates. Thanks for reading them. The open rate is still very impressive and I appreciate the opportunity to share these thoughts.
Now it’s time to do whatever it is you do after dark. I saw that Cedric Richards with a Chinese menu in his hand, walking through the streets of Soho in the rain. I might get Indian food, though.
Take care in the dark.
- Mike
That’s right: I care about proper grammar more than I care about being clearly understood.
My first City Hall meeting, many years ago, was about food trucks. They were much-discussed and eventually allowed, on condition they would never park near an existing business, talk to a potential customer, land on a Class M planet or express the very idea of selling something edible to a passer-by. At least, I think that’s how it turned out. Bylaws are complicated, maybe I’m misremembering.
I once led the reporting of a prominent lottery win in the UK and learned: if you win, get out of town. Book a hotel and vanish for a month. I hope these winners do well. It’s a lot of change.