Considering the health issues I’m struggling with, I’m calling this one “The Lazarus show”. Not because I feel like I’ve turned the corner but because, like Lazarus, I’m determined to get my life back.
Appropriately we started off with “Dig, Lazarus, Dig” from the wonderful new Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds album of the same name.
In the first half of the show Oxanna Adams, from Guelph Environmental Network (left) joined us to talk about Guelph’s new pesticide bylaw.
A lot of people have worked hard to develop a bylaw that protects the community. Hopefully it won’t be derailed by a weaker provincial law because of intense lobbying by lawn care companies. As pesticide products have started to disappear off the shelves at major retailers its hard to imagine that the clock will be turned back again.
Oxanna indicated it is very important that people send comments in to the Environmental Registry to ensure that the legislation and regulations will most effectively protect human and environmental health. The form can be completed online here. For more information on what to write, read this post.
We also had a short interview with the mayor, Karen Farbridge, that I recorded at the youth charette put on by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal this past Saturday in downtown Guelph. Fifteen Guelph high school students have been involved in the urban design exercise over the past three months. It was great to see our young people so thoughtfully engaged in planning for community. For more information on the charette, take a look at this post. I have interviews with students and ministry personnel that I’ll play on a future show.
Which reminds me, what a great name for a ministry; “The Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal”? In honour of the Lazarus show, I’m going to kick off the “Jan Hall Personal Infrastructure Renewal Project”!
Brian Holstein joined us in the second half for his monthly review of goings on around City Hall finding time to cover the pesticide bylaw, overnight street parking, the success of both Doors-Open Guelph and Jane’s Walk, the controversial proposed improvements to the Hanlon expressway and Storytelling at the Boathouse with Tom King.
Brian delivered one of his trademark rants but sounded curiously mellow this time around, focusing on Spring flowers, trash, car alarms and, oh yes, corporate bullies at the Ontario Municipal Board. He even accepted that the municipal election is finally over now we have a responsible and community oriented council in place. Well, that is, until the next time!
What will next month’s rant bring? More ranting about jay-walking in the downtown, people who drive Hummers, and those who wear white before Victoria Day? You can’t keep a good man down. Tune in next month to find out
Music:
Nick Cave: “Dig, Lazarus, Dig” from “Dig, Lazurus, Dig”
Ryan Adams: “To be young (is to be sad, is to be high)” from “Heartbreaker”
The Seekers: “One step forward, two steps back” from “The Best of the Seekers Today”
The audio for this show is no longer available on the website. If however you wish to hear it again, please contact us at info@royalcityrag.ca. Thank You.
[…] 10, 2008 by Jan Hall This dish arrived at the studio for last Wednesday evening’s show when we were chatting with Oxanna Adams about […]