Megan Stacey is the city hall reporter at The London Free Press. When not live-tweeting political debates or covering local government decisions, she also writes about social issues. She’s picked up Ontario Newspaper Awards for reporting on healthcare serial killer Elizabeth Wettlaufer, as well as the explosion that rocked London’s Old East Village. She lives in London and loves to explore the best of the Forest City, including new restaurants and the beautiful Thames Valley Parkway.
Teaser
You can listen to the full episode here on Thursday at 7pm!
The first half of the show is standardized (more or less) with each guest talking through these themes.
- The first part begins with you, as we introduce you as the guest. Who are you? What was your journey to becoming City hall reporter for the London Free Press
- Describe London from a reporters point of view. What are some of the community stories that people don’t hear about unless they are from there or know where to look? Paint a picture for someone who has not been to your town or community before or has only seen it as a sign on the side of a road.
- What is working, and what is not, what are you building towards?
- What is your region, how does the relationship look like with Middlesex County? What does the county think about London?
- Finally, how does London and Middlesex County fit into SW Ontario as a whole?
The second part of the show we dig into more specific discussions.
- You are one of the only City hall reporters in SW Ontario to my knowledge. What is that like?
- How has/did COVID change your reporting?
- What would you say are the issues around the Council Table right now and where is Council landing on them?
- We are less than a year away from the municipal elections. What issues are going to be top of mind do you think?
- There are two vacant seats on London City Council they will be filled before the election next. How will those seats being filled change council dynamics?
- Additionally two Councilors – Helmer and Salih have announced they aren’t running. This means open seats, and different voices is there something to watch there?
- What about the provincial election? You have high profile candidates like Kate Graham/Monte Mcnaughton in your region? How do you see the provincial race shaping up 8 months out? What issues are you hearing will be important?
- If you had to think about the next decade for Middlesex Centre, what are the biggest opportunities and challenges for your region?
- If you could wave a policy magic wand to solve a problem that you are hearing in London what would you change?
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