The 2022 notice included in a council member’s email response is more specific.

2022: the information in this e-mail is confidential, privileged and is subject to copyright. It is intended solely for the addressee(s) named. Access to this email by anyone else is unauthorized. If you are not the intended recipient, any dissemination, disclosure, copying, distribution or any action taken or omitted to be taken in reliance on it is prohibited and may be unlawful and we ask that you notify us immediately by reply e-mail to the sender.

2023: the information in this e-mail is confidential, privileged and is subject to copyright and authorized solely for the addressee(s) named. The Town of Amherstburg is not responsible for any loss or damage arising from the use of this email or attachments.

As reported in the River Town Times, by Ron Giofu.

Councillor Diane Pouget issued a letter of apology late last week, with it being made known at a public planning meeting earlier in the week that e-mails sent to the council e-mail group are also sent to the CAO and clerk. Pouget opposed the practice at the meeting, believing residents were sending the e-mails thinking they were for council only, and sent a letter of apology later in the week.

The letter reads: “Dear residents of the Town of Amherstburg, Please be advised, that on Monday, March 27th I became aware that emails, that you sent or might have sent to the elected members of Amherstburg Town Council via Council Email Group were being read and/or monitored by administration. Please know, that I was unaware of this action and I do not condone this practice.

I sincerely apologize and I give you my word, that I will do everything in my power to change this situation. Respectfully submitted, Diane Pouget”

Although the document lacks some specific information that other municipalities include, like links to the actual declaration forms and agenda items, the spreadsheet has been updated and is available to view and download at the town’s website.

If you wish to complain that a government institution has breached your privacy, the Information and Privacy Commissioner Ontario now has an online form to complete with options: submit immediately online, or print and email it, or print and mail it in. Documents up to a maximum of 10 mb can be attached and submitted with the form.

During the March 27 Special Council Meeting, questions and comments were raised about emails to members of council being shared with administration.

Councillor McArthur acknowledged emails from residents in opposition to a project and asked have those emails been sent to administration?

Deputy CAO Melissa Osborne answered that provided the email went to all of council then the clerk is included in those and he ensures that they make it over to them and they review those concerns.

Councillor Pouget asked for clarification of Councillor McArthur’s question; are our emails being sent to us, the elected officials at the council email group, being monitored by administration?

CAO Critchley answered no, however, the clerk is included on that email group as is she so if anything comes in on a planning matter, it goes over to the planning department.

Councillor Pouget stated she was never informed of that and the public is not informed. They believe that when they’re sending emails to council, it’s private; it’s to the elected officials. And further to that whenever she wants to share something with administration, she always get permission from the person that sent it to her. She finds this completely unrealistic and it’s deplorable as far as she’s concerned.

Councillor Pouget finds that very objectionable and from now on, she’s going to ask people to send it to her individually.

Mayor Prue said she should because everybody should know when you send an email to the council email group and want a response back it could be any one of seven or staff who responds to it.

Councillor @Linden Crain blocked me on twitter.

Diversity on council is needed, but it will take more than a mix of young and old.

The Windsor Star opinion by professor emeritus Brown-John notes, “The point is municipal councils are richer by virtue of a blend of experience and more youthful verve.”

When candidate Linden Crain ran for council at age 21, I had questions. Would academic skills translate to the real world? Would he relate to seniors? What about people with disabilities? How knowledgeable was he about the disability community? What was his attitude? Would he have divided loyalties, as a member of some organizations? Was he emulating politicians?

As a THRIVE team member that created its Open Air White Paper that embraced Open Air, Councillor Crain voted in favour of continuing Open Air.

As candidate Linden Crain, he campaigned to remove barriers at Open Air. I don’t recall a council meeting where he agreed that barriers needed to be removed. So, he flip-flopped.

In my opinion, despite the effort, all the youthful enthusiasm one can have, does not translate to relatable life experience, although a polished politician might give the appearance that it does.

A more diverse council would include gender equality and consist of representation of marginalized communities.

THRIVE Heritage White Paper states, the most important heritage action Council needs to do is create and approve a Heritage Conservation District in 2022.

Mayor Prue, in his inauguration speech said, we need a heritage district and we need urban design guidelines which have been promised for a long time and might finally come to fruition.

THRIVE Amherstburg’s Heritage White Paper included, We understand that the town has budgeted $25,000 for an RFP on the subject. We encourage administration to reconsider the need for an RFP and instead repurpose the monies for initiatives that the Heritage Planner can recommend. The Ontario government has all the information required regarding the Heritage Act available online, so an expensive RFP is not required.

In a Report to Council, administration is recommending MHBC Planning Aecom Canada Ltd. for consulting services for $120,924.90.

Could council have saved taxpayers some money? Maybe money that could have been spent on other priorities?

The intent of constructive criticism is improvement and focuses on an issue; like when I suggest removing barriers so persons with disabilities can equally participate in the community, or pointing out potholes to fix roads, or a lack of community pool for fitness – all things that help make a community better. Who would object to that?

Some people, based on their perspective, may perceive constructive criticism as negative feedback and dismiss it, ignore it, minimize it, defend it or argue against it for whatever reason.

Constructive criticism is not about focusing on any personal attributes, demeaning a person, finding fault, insults and public humiliation once or even repeatedly; destructive criticism harms and doesn’t help.