Open Sources Show Notes for Thursday September 29, 2016

This past Monday night, two big political events vied for the time of local politicos, and this week on Open Sources Guelph, we’ll talk about them both. In one corner, there’s the epic premiere debate event of the season: Donald “The Best” Trump versus “Crooked” Hillary Clinton! In the other corner was the showdown at City Hall, 13 city councillors against hundreds of eager environmentalists. Only one of these was kind of solved by the end of Monday night, and we’ll talk about which one and where it goes from here. Also on the show this week, a special guest in the former of Guelph’s business ambassador.

This Thursday, September 29, at 5 pm, Scotty Hertz and Adam A. Donaldson will discuss:

1) The Pit and the Podium. After months of announcements and insults – some veiled, some not-so-veiled – Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton were finally face-to-face for the first time (as presidential candidates) in debate number one of three for this election season. The good news is that it was the most watched presidential debate in TV history, but the bad news is that it more or less went the way everyone thought it was going to. Trump tried to put on his best presidential, but it seemed to fall apart somewhere after the first 30 minutes. Clinton, meanwhile, tried her best not to look too smug and satisfied with her clear mastery over policy and current affairs. Did we learn anything new from this showdown, and is it likely to sway any of those vaunted undecideds?

2) Waterworld. A massive crowd turned out to support Ward 2 Councillor James Gordon and his motion to send a message to the province that the groundwater in Guelph and area is not for sale… Anymore. The message inside the council chambers Monday was encouraging, but the message at other levels has been mixed. After Nestle seemingly bought a well out from under the municipality of Centre Wellington, Premier Kathleen Wynne finally commented on the issue saying that it might be time for Ontario to rethink how much we sell our water for. With growing concerns over drought and the growing commodification of water by companies like Nestle, is the mere acknowledgement of the problem enough anymore? Is Wynne’s admission a sign she understands the problem or understands politics?

3) Converse on Commerce. When it comes to supporting, networking, and growing the local economy on behalf of Guelph businesses, the Chamber of Commerce has a very important function, and if we’re to believe the stats, then business is presently very good in Guelph. On Open Sources this week to talk about all things business with Kithio Mwanzia, President and CEO of the Guelph Chamber of Commerce. Mwanzia is a recent Guelph transplant from the Niagara Region, and he came in to the Guelph Chamber to fill the very big shoes of now-current MP Lloyd Longfield. Having done the job for almost two years now, we’ll ask Mwanzia the important question concerning Guelph’s economy: How’s business? We’ll also talk to Mwanzia about Guelph’s low unemployment, the effect it has on people looking to fill positions, the question of attracting new industry to the Royal City, and we’ll ask him to weigh in on the coming budget discussion. Plus, we’ll have your questions too.