Today’s breakfast with Santa, and the mayor, cost more than neighbouring municipalities.
| Municipality | Fee | Mayor included |
| Amherstburg | $15.00 | yes |
| Essex | $10.00 | no |
| Kingsville | $10.00 | |
| LaSalle | $11.00 | yes |
| Lakeshore | $6.00 | |
| Leamington | no info available | |
| Tecumseh | $5.00 | no |
| Windsor Chamber of Commerce | $15.00 |
By comparison, the November 26 Economic Development Committee meeting is a good example of preferential treatment of delegates and how well received input is if it aligns with interests like heritage, Open Air (also known as closed streets) and the potential Murray Street closure.
Patricia Simone, chair, advised delegate Kurt Reffle his five minute speaking limit was up after he spoke for 11 minutes and 12 seconds at the meeting.
“Sorry to interrupt just because we have hit the five minute mark, just hoping that you can just wrap up in the next 30 seconds. So apologies for that. We just, unfortunately, this committee cannot extend the time of delegations, so you’ve already hit that, but I’m going to add another 30 seconds if possible to that,” said Simone.
Reffle continued speaking for another 1 minute and 6 seconds.
Council chair usually strictly enforces the 5 minute rule and council typically votes to extend delegates’ time for another 5 minutes.
Reffle also made comments without being asked a question, something council delegates were told is not allowed.
Reffle’s delegation request form stated the item was not on the agenda, also something that council delegates are not allowed to do according to the controversial procedural by-law.
Reffle delegated because ‘after the heritage district was created and you were looking for ideas I said, well, I’m coming.’
He said his idea already has good community support. However, he mentioned only ‘a coalition of partners that have already said yes to this’ including:
The committee members embraced Reffle’s ideas, judging by comments:
Council and committee members should treat all residents equally when they delegate and when they provide input, not just when interests align. Otherwise, there is the perception of favouritism.
The town of Amherstburg installed a plaque in the library lobby crediting others with my accomplishment.
The town remained silent during the ten years I requested equal access to the library, as documented in the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s Investigative Report.
Throughout the decade, the town pursued funding for other projects like a marina and arena, despite accessibility being the number one priority stipulated in the government grants.
Then-Mayor Tony DiBartolomeo said publicly if someone filed a human rights complaint they would be forced to do it.
I filed a human rights complaint and the town was forced to take the action it should have taken more than a decade earlier.
An elevator was installed and accessible parking spaces were designated.
The Ontario Human Rights Commission highlighted some significant cases in its 2004 Annual Report, including:
Linda Saxon v. Corporation of Town of Amherstburg (Settlement, H.R.T.O.)
A settlement was reached between the Commission, the complainant and the respondent Town. The complainant made an initial complaint, on the basis of disability, because she was unable to access the Town’s library, which could only be entered via a number of stairs. The library has been renovated since the complainant filed her complaint. The Town has created a lobby at ground level with an elevator and automated doors. It also attempted to make modifications to a washroom to make it accessible. The Commission’s barrier-free design expert reviewed the renovations and found some remaining barriers, but approved of the elevator itself. The Town has agreed to implement a number of the Commission’s expert’s recommendations to improve accessibility at the Town library, namely:
In 2011, right after the 2010 election, I became Amherstburg’s first local blogger. Having a record to review to make more informed decisions about future candidates was my goal.
I was also the first one to facilitate questions to the candidates, for which I endured threat of legal action and harassment.
Some candidates ignored me while others were happy to answer. Even though I allowed for generous deadlines, one claimed she couldn’t meet it. Funny how she posted about 45 tweets in the same time frame; I discovered just how nasty some people are.
Another candidate was nasty when I shared my observations of what appeared to be a slate. (I’m sure there will be more commonalities among candidates in 2026. The facts are not my opinion).
As a person with disabilities, and an advocate, I let candidates know about their inaccessible campaigns. Anyone excluding a marginalized community, while hypocritically campaigning to represent everyone, wouldn’t get my vote. Attitudinal barriers are obvious.
In 2014, the three candidates who created websites had accessibility issues. In 2022 more candidates used social media yet didn’t provide accessible information, even after I pointed it out to them and after they received information about conducting accessible campaigns. Lori Wightman’s website had accessibility issues in 2018 and 2022.
Noteworthy about the 2022-2026 council:
Unchanged Common Themes:
Thank you to those who continue to follow, stay connected and share my vision of a more inclusive community.
The accessibility committee will discuss a report in favour of in-person voting that council already approved last month, review my 3 year old voting barriers submission to council that was to go to committee before council’s decision (as per council’s motion) and receive a communications plan for next May’s National AccessAbility Week with key messages. I have a few too, in blue below the town’s.
• Accessibility is a shared responsibility—together, residents, businesses, and community partners can help make Amherstburg more inclusive for everyone.
But some residents’ concerns have been dismissed and council took no meaningful action on the number one complaint of accessibility in the residents’ Open Air survey. My repeated requests for consultations with the disability community have also been dismissed. My emails to council members have been disregarded, except for Councillor Pouget and she’s not even an accessibility committee member. Councillor McArthur volunteered to be on the committee and he actively champions trails and Open Air, although I have encouraged him to equally champion accessibility. The town has approved, and welcomed, inaccessible businesses.
• Throughout the week, the Town will showcase local accessibility features in municipal parks, trails, and facilities, and share supports available to persons with disabilities.
The minimally accessible yet not inclusive parks that still exclude some children with disabilities? the trails that need more rest areas? lack shade? lack washrooms? lack drinking fountains? Facilities like the town hall that has accessibility barriers? the Gordon House that is inaccessible? Which supports? The Aphasia Friendly initiative where some businesses might become Aphasia friendly yet remain inaccessible?
• The flag raising ceremony will serve as a symbol of our continued commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and community collaboration.
A flag raising, or symbolic gesture, requires minimal effort. There can be no community collaboration if the disability community is ignored. Continued commitment? Dictionary meaning: existing firm decision. When barriers at Closed Streets are embraced, the least accessible voting method is endorsed, parks are not inclusive, and other barriers continue to exist or are created, the decision is that accessibility is not a priority. I have been requesting a stronger commitment to accessibility for over 3 decades.
Have you heard the term “performative allyship?” It’s used to describe when someone claims to be an ally to a marginalized group, but their actions don’t match their words. Performative allyship can be harmful because it can lead to tokenism, exploitation, and a false sense of progress. Read the full article.
Last but not least, the town used grant funding on this segregated accessible swing at Jack Purdie Park. Shameful.
The first edition of Barriers In The Burg was created in protest of this event meant to celebrate accessibility and inclusion but Amherstburg is not an inclusive community.
Barriers create exclusion and isolation and requests to remove them continue to be ignored, dismissed and minimized.
Segregation is shameful. It’s 2025 but people with disabilities, the largest minority, still face marginalization, tokenism, ableism, attitudinal barriers and euphemisms like ‘people of all abilities.’
Rich Donovan, 4th AODA reviewer, hand picked by the provincial government, said, “I think the root of this problem is decades of discrimination, starting with eugenics, which was a state-supported approach to eliminate disability in some countries. We can’t forget that reality and that’s what’s at the base of these issues.”
Amherstburg contacted Essex County to host the 2025 event. What will the town showcase? An inclusive playground where there’s a trip hazard to get to it? An outdated, segregated wheelchair swing under lock and key without any signage to indicate how to access it? Any inclusive recreation aside from the Miracle League?
Is that the extent of Amherstburg’s display?
As Mayor Prue declared, ‘this town has not been compliant.’
If I could give out awards for last night’s council dumpster fire, Deputy Mayor Gibb would be the recipient but there would be some runner ups. It would be so refreshing to listen to council members who would demonstrate they’ve conducted independent research. Instead, ableism was on full display, along with the race to ‘support the recommendation of administration.’
Gibb said he wanted to stick with in-person voting, “you can’t get more accessible than that.” Because two dozen people used in home voting? He said accessibility options have been addressed. And I have strongly encouraged him to take more training in accessibility and human rights.
Councillor Crain mentioned cybersecurity and believed the in-person method should be continued. Okay, then stop being on social media and meet all the constituents in person. Oh, and get rid of the town’s Talk the Burg online surveys.
Councillor Allaire said in-person voting gave residents at Seasons a sense of independence. She doesn’t get it and has a lot to learn. Her statement that online voters could be influenced if others are looking over their shoulders was what convinced me.
Councillor Courtney said it was a hybrid option already with the in-home option for people with accessibility needs. I don’t think he gets it either.
Councillor Pouget thought the decision could be deferred pending more consultation. The clerk said a bylaw needs to be passed prior to May 1, 2026, but resources need to be secured as quickly as possible. But admin is to blame for not bringing the report back by mid-term as the CAO mentioned. (Shhh; no kudos for admin). Like the policing renewal contract that was delayed until there was no choice but to stay with Windsor, oh, time ran out to consult the public so stick with the same old and stay comfortable with that.
Councillor Don McArthur agreed with Pouget. He said voting at the polls is “democracy in action” but acknowledged it is harder for some to get to the polling stations than others. I think democracy in action is the voting process, not the voting method.
Mayor Prue said “I’m a little nervous about going with the computer system until I get a little more safeguards than I saw in the report.” But I mentioned the accredited standard that wasn’t mentioned in the report. Did he not catch that when I spoke?
A post-election survey was mentioned, along with the 73% in favour of in person voting. I support taxes being put toward calculators for members of council. A man was asking voters at the Libro how they liked to vote and used tally marks. When I asked him when the survey was decided he said that day he was given pen and paper.
As I advised council, the 73% represents only about 16% of eligible voters in town. Using 2022 eligible voters’ data, about 9000 residents have a disability or have a family member with a disability. Remember how council members voted before you vote in 2026.
Residents on 6th Concession N have resorted to a petition at change.org that states, in part, “Despite these significant challenges, the town council continues to prioritize excessive spending on festivals and parks within the town, disregarding the fundamental need to maintain basic infrastructure on the amalgamated portions of the township, like 6th Concession N. They claim they have no money and the road isn’t slated for reconstruction for 6 years!”
Listen to Mayor Prue address the concession conditions; unofficial transcript below.
If you walk along the concession roads, people will tell you look at this lousy road especially six and eight. I walked up and down every one of those roads to every one of those houses. Not me individually, but with Nolan and some of the team who are here tonight. We walked through all of those streets and they are in pretty sad shape. And I promised them that we will give the same opportunities to the people who live in the concessions as we do to the downtown and that we will start rebuilding their roads as soon as practicable.
Why hasn’t it been practicable? Money has been spent on pickleball, walking trails in parks, new town vehicles and a list of wants.
The meeting started a few minutes late. Chair Shirley Prue called the meeting to order and asked for a minute of silence ‘to commemorate a member of our committee who is no longer with us, who passed recently.’
Before the silence ended, Mayor Michael Prue walked in, waited, and then spoke to his wife from across the room. So, technically, isn’t the mayor out of order? I can’t imagine that behaviour being tolerated at a council meeting.
For whatever reason Shirley Prue asked the clerk to do the roll call; she usually asks the clerk to do the land acknowledgement also but this time she read it.
On to pecuniary interest where a discussion was held because of Tony Pietrangelo’s wish to abstain from item 6.1 site plan review since he used to own that property at one time (McDonald’s). Shirley Prue thought he didn’t have a conflict. Councillor McArthur just wanted to acknowledge, regarding item 6.4 the fest-for-all progress update, that he works for the organizer, County of Essex, in communications and would promote the event on social media.
Site Plan Review for 151 Sandwich Street South
Kings Navy Yard Park Extension Phase 1B
H Murray Smith, Centennial Park Revised Concept
Fest for All Event Update
Unfinished Business and Future Plans
New Business Accessible Parking and Streetscape Improvements
David Hammond, of Amherstburg, is a provincial appointee to the Windsor Police Service Board as of January 16, 2025 and will serve until January 15, 2027.
Mayor Prue might not be happy that his role is to be an Advisor on the Windsor Police Service Board, without a vote, but the terms of the contract were known when town council renewed the contract on February 8, 2023.
I reached out to Mayor Dilkens, who responded by email:
The City of Windsor has a contract to provide policing to the Town of Amherstburg. Windsor City Council was agreeable to providing their one seat to the Mayor of Amherstburg for the first term of the agreement. After the first term, the contract specifically allows City Council to choose any other member of the public. The contract also provides that if the mayor of Amherstburg is not selected, then the mayor can sit as a non-voting advisor to the Board, which Mayor Prue has done since assuming his office. The City of Windsor is simply a service provider to Amherstburg. We aren’t jointly governing the Windsor Police Service. David Hammond is a provincial appointee to the Windsor Police Service Board. The City has no control over who the Province of Ontario appoints as their representatives. The City of Windsor can only appoint a single public member to the Board. The remaining appointments controlled by City Council must be members of Windsor city council.
The initial Agreement between the Town of Amherstburg and the City of Windsor, signed on October 12, 2018 stipulated:
The following shall determine the role of the Town with respect to the Board:
14. l (a) The City shall appoint the Mayor or his or her designate to the Board for the remaining term of Council until November 14, 2022, starting with the commencement of this Agreement on January 1, 2019.
(b) The City may consider the appointment of the Mayor or his or her designate for subsequent terms of Council provided that the City is providing police services to the Town.
(c) If at any time during the Initial Term or any Renewal Term, the Mayor or his or her designate is not appointed to the Board, the City agrees to allow the Mayor or his or her designate to become an advisor to the Board, as contemplated by the Act with the full ability to attend all meetings of the Board.
For further clarification regarding 14.1 (c), ‘all meetings of the Board’ shall include in-camera meetings and the advisor shall also receive all reports and correspondence as a full member of the Board would receive, subject to the advisor signing a confidentiality and non-disclosure agreement.
the burg watch 