Monthly Archives: April 2009

Designing downtowns to avoid lemons

April 12, 2009 – 10:23 pm

(originally published in the Toronto Sun)
If they put Lululemon in your downtown, would you visit?
City planners and business associations are asking questions like that, namely what mix of shops and services will entice people downtown.
I found it heartening to learn that my own city, in conjunction with the local business association, is in the final [...]

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By Marianne Meed Ward | Posted in Downtown | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Water you waiting for? Run out and tap some

April 6, 2009 – 10:18 pm

(originally published in the Toronto Sun)
As teenager, I wouldn’t have dreamed of spending my limited cash on something so mundane as bottled water.
I could get water free, from fountains, taps, and restaurants. It never made sense to pay for it. Plus, forgoing bottled water left more money in my pocket for really important things, like [...]

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By marianne | Posted in Environment | Tagged , | Comments (0)

Citizens increasingly feel left out

April 5, 2009 – 10:28 pm

(originally published in the Toronto Sun)
Last week’s column on how community members often feel shut out of political decision-making hit a nerve. Many of you are telling me: “Been there; seen that.”
Heck, even some politicians are feeling shut out — witness the “raucous caucus” Premier Dalton McGuinty faced over his plans to harmonize the provincial [...]

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By Marianne Meed Ward | Posted in Community Engagement | Tagged , , , , | Comments (1)