Anne Rota wanted to address the accessibility issue in response to Councillor Pouget’s accessibility concerns at Open Air. Rota mentioned there are no barriers and ‘we’ve never had one complaint. That’s the honest truth in three years.’
Rota has not responded to my February 24 email wherein I asked if she was referring to the tourism department, the town, or both.
Tell Anne Rota there are barriers; email arota@amherstburg.ca
Copy me at theburgwatch at gmail.com
The Special in-camera meeting that was held for the reason set out below is now available for viewing at the town’s website.
That Council move into an In-Camera Meeting of Council pursuant to Section 239 of the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended for the following reasons:
Item A – Asset Management Training Session
Section 239(3.1) A meeting held for the purpose of education or training of Members.
I asked if the three members of council attended the Amherstburg Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting as a member of council or as a member of the chamber. All three members emailed responses:
Mayor Prue: I received an invitation as Mayor. I am not a member of the chamber.
Deputy Mayor Gibb: My business is a member of the Chamber and I am deputy Mayor so I would have to say as both.
Councillor Crain: As a Council Member. How come?
The full picture shows all three members of council:
Then-candidate Prue mentioned his hope that some of those businesses will contribute; then-candidate McArthur mentioned conditions that are going to allow a hotel to open and flourish in downtown Amherstburg. Excerpts of their speeches are below, as well as links to the Chamber of Commerce videos.
Question from the moderator to the mayoral candidates: What are your views on partnering our tourism department with other municipalities to lower costs?
Michael Prue:
I know it’s not everybody’s cup of tea, but…We need to have a real hard look at that and see whether or not it should continue. If it continues I would hope that some of those businesses will contribute because it should not all fall on the taxpayers. If they are making money off this and they want to have it keep going then they have to shoulder some of that responsibility. But I do think that Open Air is a good thing, and I had a really good suggestion from someone the other day we put up barricades, but there are stores on both sides of the barricades that are not getting business. We should put up big posters at the end to say it doesn’t end here at the barricade. There are stores in this direction in this direction and this direction to make sure everybody has an opportunity to benefit.
Chamber of Commerce YouTube video: Prue’s comments at 2:25:58
Question from the moderator to the councillor candidates: What are your views on the future of Open Air?
Donald McArthur:
My views on this are pretty well known. I love open air weekends. I’ve been a proponent from the start.
If we send a message as council that we believe in the transformative potential of Open Air weekends those are the conditions that are going to allow a hotel to open and flourish in downtown Amherstburg. If there are issues with accessibility, we need to ensure that we have accessible parking spaces on the edge, but we need to invest in open air it needs to continue because it’s fantastic for residents and for our tourists.
Chamber of Commerce YouTube video: McArthur’s comments at 33:58
The burg watch Open Air posts’ viewing statistics have increased, particularly then-candidates’ opinions, which is worth repeating.
Will you remove barriers during Open Air weekends that block people with disabilities from driving to the bank, local stores, bars, and generally driving through town?
Councillor Donald McArthur: If there are persisting issues with accessibility, let’s work collaboratively to address them in consultation with the Town’s Accessibility Advisory Committee. Let’s not give up on something that engages our youth while promoting economic development, something that sets our Town apart in a positive way and creates the sort of bustling environment where a hotel cannot only open but flourish.
Councillor Molly Allaire: I love Open Air Weekends, my family partakes every weekend for sure. I will be honest after going door to door my eyes have been opened up to a great deal of problems in our town that I was unaware of. Open air has many positives and negatives. I think the blockades that they created this year allow better parking for the majority. We could make it more accessible for people with disabilities by blocking off the waterfront parking area specifically for them allowing closer access to amenities. I also believe that open air is wonderful but should only be one day instead of 3. Many residents say that it is more of a nuisance trying to get to their bank, business, home etc. Business owners have stated that their business has actually done worse during these hours because lack of access to the area. I think having it one day would be a fair compromise and make it still an event for people to come and enjoy.
No Answers:
Mayor Michael Prue
Deputy Mayor Gibb
No public consultations were scheduled from the December 5 motion to extend the policing contract deadline to March 31, but action has been taken on another December 5, motion, an RFP for a consultant for the Community Based Strategic Plan was issued, eleven proposals were received, reviewed and now administration is recommending Strategy Corp. Inc. for a proposed $62,625.
During the February 22 2023 budget deliberations, Anne Rota stated there are no barriers in open air and we’ve never had one complaint. I emailed to ask if she was referring to the tourism department, the town, or both.
The 2023 Amherstburg Collection Calendar (recycling, garbage & yard waste) indicates ‘Open Air Weekends – Downtown Streets May – October.’
I’ve added a red arrow to May and August in the bottom right corner to the notation about Open Air.
The town’s tourism department actively promotes events on social media after decisions are made, so is it really necessary to advertise a tourist event in the waste calendar prior to a decision on the event?
I was appalled by Councillor McArthur’s comments during the February 22 Open Air discussion.
I missed part of the meeting because the agenda and link to livestream were not posted on the town’s website but I did check in and found council was discussing the tourism budget.
McArthur’s speech lasted about 5 minutes; Open Air, programming, hotel, the February 21 delegates/ businesses wanting to give the town $20,000, the reception given to them and he was shocked.
How did anyone act like they were urinating on the rug? Listen to the audio. Weren’t members of council just asking the delegates questions?
During the February 21 meeting, Councillor McArthur said everybody he talked to loves Open Air the way it is. He also said he didn’t think that now was the time for speeches on Open Air, that there was no motion on the floor when Councillor Pouget spoke about it.
I emailed him questions: did he not give a speech about the bike trails when there was no motion on the floor? Did he not recall emails I sent to members of council in opposition because it creates barriers to persons with disabilities? Did he only consider the views of people he ‘talked to’ and not consider emails? As council’s rep on the accessibility advisory committee, how will he represent the interests of the disability community?
Councillor McArthur did not respond by the time of writing.
the burg watch 