Council Chickens Out

In Mississippi Mills, it is easier to build a subdivision on prime agricultural land than to erect a chicken coop in an urban backyard.

In 2006, Mississippi Mills extended the urban boundary onto top quality farmland to allow a subdivision (Riverside Estates). In April 2012, Mississippi Mills Council turned down a proposal to allow people in urban areas to keep up to six hens for home-grown eggs.

Budget 2012 Final

Council passed the 2012 MM budget last week. I didn't support it. Not only is the 7.8% local tax increase too high, the budget widely misses the goals set out in our long-range financial plans.

Septage: The White Elephant Awakens

Nearly two years ago, I wrote that the proposed septage treatment component of the new sewage plant was a white elephant—an expensive, best-of-intentions facility that would never meet its financial or environmental goals. Nothing has happened since to change my mind.

No Fat Cats Here Despite Raise

Every time I've seen Parliament, Queen's Park or a big city council vote members a fat raise, I have denounced the inequity of it. So, I was mindful of the whiff of self-hypocrisy when I recently voted with the majority to give Mississippi Mills councillors a modest raise. The justification for voting for the raise among councillors varied. (Some residents may think there is no adequate justification.)