The following article appeared in the March 22 edition of the Guelph Tribune: Coun. Maggie Laidlaw has apologized for mouthing a derogatory comment about another council member during a city budget debate earlier this month. “I was unexpectedly ‘on camera’ when I mouthed a somewhat derogatory expression in a brief moment’s discussion” with Coun. June Hofland, Laidlaw wrote […]
Category: Transparency
Laidlaw apologizes for derogatory comment caught on camera
The following article appeared in the March 22 edition of the Guelph Mercury: Veteran city councillor Maggie Laidlaw has apologized to her colleagues after she was caught on television uttering a derogatory remark about a fellow councillor. Laidlaw on Sunday responded to an email sent by Mayor Karen Farbridge to the rest of council on March 4; one day after councillors passed the […]
Laidlaw & Budget Night
I have been out of the country for the past 10 days and wasn’t aware until I returned today that there was an issue involving me, related to budget night. The mayor’s email below, and a subsequent letter on one of our local papers (which I did not see), made me aware of my involvement. […]
Feedback
Thank you for producing the Ward 2 blog. It’s a great forum for public input, and I check it regularly. SM
City could lose $2M on asset backed commercial paper
The following article appeared in the September 28 edition of the Guelph Mercury: The city stands to lose up to $2 million, after investments in risky asset-backed commercial papers were caught in the economy’s nosedive. City councillors heard Monday night the previous council approved the issuing of $9 million in debt for the new city […]
Answers to ABCP questions
I have some questions about tonight’s audit repot that I wish to share with you in advance. Asset Backed Commercial Papers. 1. What was the maximum amount of ABCP that we owned at any one time? Approximately $9 million. It was supposed to be a short term investment. The majority of the investment was redeemed […]
2010 budget on guelph.ca
As Guelph gets ready for the municipal election, and we gear up for another budget season, you may receive requests for financial information and the City of Guelph’s 2010 budget. This is a reminder that Guelph’s Capital, Operating and Water and Wastewater budget documents are available at www.guelph.ca/finance Staff
Assessing Councillors time requirements
Councillors have been asked to submit a time sheet logging the numbers of hours associated with performing their duties as public officials. In summary for 2009, in addition to regular monthly Council meetings and planning meetings I attend; 2 standing committees of Council, 11 board and committee appointments, 6 town hall meetings and host the Ward 2 […]
Museum Tender
In addition to the follow up from staff on this matter, I would draw your attention to a recent lawsuit in Brampton, Ontario. If nothing more, it highlights the potential for litigation in the tendering processes. This is the key part of the article:
Rogers TV
The City of Guelph has been contributing a weekly “City News” segment to the show First Local over the past 2 months. You can view previous segments from our newsroom on guelph.ca in the video section or by clicking here. Staff