Here we are again in London, Ontario, where the ‘springtime’ weather is essentially a game of atmospheric Boggle1 and that beach body seems very far away, so let’s have another apple fritter, oh go on, there’s one left.
This is London City Hall Notes, where we keep our city’s leadership - that’s you, because you care enough to pay attention - updated with the info we all need to operate well as engaged citizens. This is public interest journalism through a corporate communications lens - we’ll never patronize you or seek to irritate you, and we’ll always remember we live here together. This is teamwork.
They’re both BONUS POSTS this week, because the March Break holiday is having its usual disruptive effect on City Hall, and on parents who are reminded just how many questions a small child can ask in one day, oh my. Meanwhile, events march forward implacably2, so let’s have a quick roundup of local news before I get to that book about Vladimir Putin.
The Lightning Round
GET STRUCK3 AGAIN! Here are some local news items to pick up, if you are so inclined.
Housing and homelessness
CTV London’s dashing Daryl Newcombe is still doggedly working on the Tolpuddle Housing Co-op story, and has an update here.
Support for drug users
Friday’s announcement that the province is to close drug consumption sites has drawn a lot of commentary. Let’s highlight the reporting of Isha Bhargava at CBC London, who handled two of these stories:
Advocates say overdoses will increase - and a similar story from the LFP here.
Meanwhile, the community is still dealing with the fallout from recent overdoses - and here you can find a discussion on this issue led by podcaster Craig Needles.
Opinion alert: Like a lot of people who follow the research on this, I’m alarmed by this change. The effects will quickly become apparent on the streets and in ‘third spaces’ like libraries. The community is looking for leadership from its elected representatives at all levels and these sites should be funded.
Let’s take a break
The news is a lot. Here’s some chicken curry I made.
And more Lightning Round
Roads and construction
I object to the concept of “construction season” but apparently it’s started.
And, one highlighted by CTV London: the BRT south construction has begun at Wellington and Commissioners.
And the Free Press did this weather story.
Municipal politics
Sticking with the London Free Press4, I see our Local Newspaper Of Record has produced a story about who’s running for council this year. It contains much the same information I reported earlier here and here, and I’ll keep writing about this, to keep everyone informed. The boundary changes especially deserve strong scrutiny.
Finally, the fascinating tale of Vladimir Putin
About four years ago, I encountered an interesting book that I wanted to write about. My usual outlet, the Toronto Star5, was unavailable due to a misalignment in publishing dates, so the lovely Zack Quaintance at Comics Bookcase gave me a platform. The outcome is a review here.
Why am I resharing it? Because I think it still has something to say. We can become overwhelmed by information - blast, hit, soundbite, clip, argh - and forget to stop and think. Books are good for that.
You don’t need to buy the book, although I’d love it if you did. I’m resharing this review because it provides useful background about Vladimir Putin, head of state and obvious monster. And I think, in coping with that unending flood of information, it’s important to remember there are bad guys in power.
Sometimes we forget just how bad.
Enough
Back with more this week, including a ROUNDUP on Friday. Hang in there!
- Mike
Everybody loves Peggy Hill, right?
I still don’t really understand why the London Lightning had to stop at all.
The London Free Press is owned by Postmedia, which is owned by Chatham Asset Management: “private investment firm focused on the leveraged credit market”. You can find out more about them here. That’s Chatham, New Jersey, by the way, not Chatham, Ont.
I wrote the Star’s graphic novels column for nine years. This is the kind of thing: four reviews.