Columns

It seems that there is a misconception in the community about what appears in The Citizen with people thinking Shawn or myself write about things in which we have a personal stake.

Recently, a poll in the U.S. showed that 31 per cent of those asked believe Donald Trump on the COVID-19 pandemic, despite hundreds of doctors and scientists who have contradicted him.

Weeks ago, when Jess and I were trucking back and forth to Stratford Hospital with Tallulah in tow, there were some days I'd be allowed up with the girls for their face time with the doctor, while on others I'd be turned back to the parking lot.

On the right path, When is enough enough?, Doing the right thing

How many times have you written out an e-mail only to leave it in your draft folder for a day and then subsequently delete it for one reason or another? How many times have you angrily pounded out a text only to, just as your thumb hovers over...

Earlier this year, I was supposed to take a bit of a vacation with my family. We were preparing for time off to be relegated to when my daughter Mary Jane isn't in class.

The argument behind the drive to "defund" police is that the scope of police power has continued to expand  until many of the duties we expect officers to do is beyond the scope of their original "to serve and protect" mandate

Keeping it legal, Down but not out, A clear path forward

As Jess, Tallulah and I have reaped the benefits of an overly generous group of friends, neighbours, family and community members, one thing has really hit home every time I open a gift for our daughter: there are some really talented people out there.

There are, in fact, stupid questions. That isn't to say there aren't also stupid answers, but contrary to the comments a lot of my grade school and even some high school teachers made, there are in fact stupid questions.

With Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada's Chief Public Health Officer, last week urging Canadians not to give in to pandemic fatigue, it's fascinating to read an article in Walrus magazine about just how much public health officials...

To bank or not to bank, The Buffalo Blue Jays, Working towards the good

Since having Tallulah late last month, Jess and I have been really keeping to ourselves. We haven't been out for big walks or holding court at the east end of King Street and there's a good reason for that: V.I.P. access for her grandparents.

Imagine if your neighbour won the lottery and tax officials came along and said you had to pay more taxes because of your neighbour's good luck. That's about the position the region's farmers find themselves in...

Nearly a decade ago, Ashleigh and I were considering becoming property owners. We were looking at homes in Huron County and debating whether or not we should keep renting an apartment. It was an exciting time in our lives.

A Royal plan, Trust the professionals, Bars before books

Among the things Canadians have The reason we import so much food into learned in the pandemic re-education program is a lot more about our food system.

Over the weekend, as my wife, daughter and I huddled in our trailer hoping the weekend would last longer than the rain, my daughter complained about the lack of choice in entertainment in the trailer.

Here at The Citizen, we have written extensively about voting with your wallet. While protests, social media posts and Letters to the Editor may all have their place, the one way to truly show your support or lack thereof for someone or something...

Progressive thinking, Above and beyond, One mask at a time

Clear, Honest and Fair, New Directions, We Grow 'Em Good Here

With graduation having just passed us by, I think it's time to revisit some of those tropes or cliches that are typically told to people graduating, especially those moving on from secondary school.

As I sat last week in the Stratford hospital beside my wife Jess and our new daughter Tallulah Rose, this life was all very new and strange for the three of us. In that room was where I first experienced the fear associated with being a parent.

The fun has pretty much been taken out of celebrating patriotic events like Canada Day, nowadays, by those who are sure to say the country is so flawed there's little to celebrate.