In 2011, right after the 2010 election, I became Amherstburg’s first blogger, sharing my observations about municipal governance in the ‘burg. I wanted to create a record of elected officials’ decisions and actions so I could make informed decisions about who to vote for. I facilitated questions to the candidates for three municipal elections and I endured threat of legal action and trolls. Some candidates chose not to respond at all while others were happy to share their platforms.

As a person with disabilities, and an advocate, I let candidates know if their campaign advertising was inaccessible. I wouldn’t vote for someone who excluded a marginalized community if they were campaigning to represent everyone. 

In 2014, only three candidates created websites and all three had accessibility issues. In 2022, an increased number of candidates used social media but didn’t provide accessible information, even after I pointed it out to them and after they received accessibility information from the town. Candidate Lori Wightman’s website had accessibility issues in 2018 and 2022. 

The most noteworthy item about the 2022-2026 council is the more restrictive procedural by-law that limits citizen participation; residents can no longer raise issues with council for their information and decision. Delegates can only speak to an issue that’s listed on the agenda if it’s accompanied by an admin report or a by-law. Residents can also no longer speak from the gallery unless a unanimous vote is carried. So far, Councillor Crain and Deputy Mayor Gibb have voted a couple of times in opposition. Their reasoning seems based on inequities of people not in attendance not having the same opportunity. As I pointed out, residents should have a variety of methods to provide input as delegates. To me, that would be a more logical and inclusive way to increase civil participation instead of blocking it.

Some council members constantly promote themselves on social media while they ignore communications from residents or even block them; another noteworthy inconsistency.

My past lists of common themes remain unchanged:

• Ombudsman Reports regarding in camera meetings in 2011, 2018, 2022
• lack of decorum
• incivility
• inconsistencies
• flip-flops
• lack of accountability and transparency
• preferential treatment
• over expenditures
• police costs
• privacy breaches
• council divisions, usually 4-3
• conflicts of interest
• ableism
• lack of commitment to accessibility
• inaccessible town hall and Gordon House

Thank you to those who continue to follow and stay connected.