The misguided fear surrounding Proportional Representation
A recent opinion piece, titled “What history can teach us about proportional representation,” published on September 9 in The Toronto Star, concludes that Proportional Representation (PR) was to blame for the 15 European democracies that fell into dictatorship in history. The basis of this argument was “governments often lacked effectiveness,… READ MORE
What is this municipal election all about – part 1 (South Frontenac)
I spent the better part of the last week talking to candidates for mayor and council in South Frontenac. The profiles that resulted from those conversations start on page 6 of this edition. I woud first like to thank all of the people I talked to. They were honest and… READ MORE
'Cannabis free' is not a viable option for townships
The Ontario government has given a bit more time for the incoming municipal councils to think about whether they will permit cannabis retailers to set up shop within their jurisdiction. At first, they were faced with a decision in December, at their first or second meeting, but that has been… READ MORE
Tay Valley debacle colours election
Disagreements and personality conflicts among members of municipal councils tend to remain in the background, coming out more often through innuendo and off the cuff remarks, delivered under people’s breaths or away from public view at all. The same is true for disagreements or personality conflicts between members of municipal… READ MORE
Is Sydenham on the wane as the centre of the South Frontenac universe?
There was a 100% increase in the number of stoplights in Frontenac County when the new light was switched on at Road 38 and the Wilton Road in Harrowsmith a couple of weeks ago. Both of the stoplights are located in South Frontenac. There is one on Perth Road in… READ MORE
The Limestone School Board trustee election just got a lot more interesting
(The following has been edited since being published in the print version of the Frontenac News on September 13, to include statements from PaulaMurray, the chair of the Board of Trustess with the Limestone Board) Eleven candidates for Limestone School Board Trustee, including one in South Frontenac, have signed on… READ MORE
One frivolous concern about the Ford government, and a more ominous one.
The last time beer cost a dollar in Ontario, the price of beer was higher than it is today. Doug Ford’s “buck-a-beer” promise from the election campaign last spring had nothing to do with the beer market, fairness, or anything like that, but it had everything to do with promoting… READ MORE
There will be another Option for Brian, if he wants one
Brian Lipsin is surprised by the outpouring of community support after his record store was flooded last Saturday, ruining much of his stock of records, cd’s, tapes and posters. No one else is. Lipsin, who lives on a farm property near Harrowsmith, has been Brian of Brian’s Record Option to… READ MORE
Programming, the rural challenge and the Basic Income Guarantee
I’m a programmer. I love the challenge, and I especially love how a few lines of code can save hours of monotonous labour. So much human potential is wasted carrying out mind-numbing tasks, and it’s my hope that one day technology will free us up to focus on the things… READ MORE
Gone Fishin’?
Not if you are up at White Lake, just north of 7! On the south shore of this unique body of water sits the White Lake Fish Culture Station. Central Frontenac is fortunate to be home to one of only nine such facilities operated by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources… READ MORE
Toronto has too many Politicians? What about Frontenac
I have no way of knowing why the Government of Ontario decided to institute electoral reform in the City of Toronto a couple of days before the close of nominations for an election that is 21/2 months away. It does appear to be some kind of a personal agenda of… READ MORE
Three way partnership on the table for an admin building in Frontenac County
Frontenac County Chief Administrative Officer Kelly Pender came to Council two years ago with a concern and a proposal about how to approach it. He said that the Frontenac County Administrative Office, which is located in what is known as the ‘Old House’ at the Fairmount Home, the county owned… READ MORE
About that little problem with the trail
As reported last week, construction on the K&P trail has cost more and taken longer than anyone thought it would and will require a new infusion of cash, and some careful engineering as well. And once it is done, the section that is currently flooded out will require a long-term… READ MORE
Saved from the Socialist Hordes
There was a moment in the Ontario election campaign when voters were telling pollsters they were seriously concerned about supporting Doug Ford for Premier. Ford has been a polarizing figure in Toronto City politics and has no history on the provincial scene, and is connected in many people’s mind with… READ MORE
Where is Ontario headed now?
We have known about the June 7, 2018 voting date for four long years, and for at least two it has been the date everyone expects that the long reign of the Ontario Liberals will come to a quiet end. Just like Stephen Harper before her, on June 7 Kathleen… READ MORE
If we build a home, it needs to be at home
Sooner or later, the Frontenac County office needs to be renovated or replaced. The office is located in a grand old house, but there is wasted space, a lack of accessibility, and other issues that will be expensive or impractical to deal with through a renovation. Also, as the result… READ MORE