Author Archives: theburgwatch

About theburgwatch

Amherstburg's first local blogger since 2011, writing about town council and issues.

Council Should Honour OPP Costing Motions For Cost Savings

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The two #Amherstburg Council motions pertaining to OPP costing that were never rescinded and stand then-Mayor DiCarlo advised, and council’s February 8, 2023 discussion of Policing, compelled me to write my letter to the editor, River Town Times.

December 2014 motion:
“Administration BE DIRECTED to contact the OPP to obtain police costing for our municipality and
Administration BE DIRECTED to send correspondence to the surrounding municipalities to see if there is interest in shared police services.

January 19, 2017 motion:
Develop an RFP for costing for Windsor and LaSalle to respond to
Explore and analyze possibility of amalgamation with LaSalle and/or Windsor
Work with the OPP on the OPP costing
Report back to Council with the Joint Police AdvisoryCommittee findings and recommendations.

Maybe no delegates were at the meeting because it was not widely advertised, notification emails weren’t received, and it was held at 5 pm on a Wednesday.

I requested council to honour the December 5, 2022 motion to extend the renewal deadline to March 31, 2023; Mayor Prue’s explanation to the public gallery for the extension was so public consultations could be held between December 5 and March.

I pictured public consultations like the original Windsor Police proposal or like those for short-term rentals, Co-An Park, budget, ATV use, Howard Industrial Park District, Warren Mickle Eco Park Project, and Economic Development Community Improvement Plan.

Between December 5 and March 31, council will have had about 25 meetings, but the December 5 motion was only to extend, not schedule public meetings.

Without public consultations no one should claim, as Councillor McArthur has, ‘it’s an indication people are fine with the status quo.’ The survey results were only 1% of 90% of the residents.

As for the savings, the contract renewal is as much a disservice to Amherstburg ratepayers as the original was.

The reported 2023 savings is a paltry $348,441.00, compared to the 2017 suggested annual average savings of $567,802.00 or, as Deputy Mayor Gibb mentioned, around $2 million a year savings with the OPP.

Savings of $1,742,205. over 5 years with Windsor or around $10 million with the OPP – that’s significant savings. Imagine a pool, an accessible town hall, better roads, winterized park washrooms, etc., rather than fundraising for parks, welcoming sponsors or approving over expenditures.

In ten years with Windsor, expected savings of $3,484,410., compared to $20,000,000. with OPP.

While the previous council could have set aside more for police reserves, this current council could have honoured public consultation commitments instead of renewing a contract just because it ran out of time.

It is this council that will need to obtain the promised OPP costing during this term to avoid missing any further deadlines and funding for amenities.

Commentary by Linda Saxon

Some Amherstburg Chamber of Commerce Businesses Want Open Air

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Dan Gemus, president of the Amherstburg Chamber of Commerce and Anne Creery, General Manager of the Chamber presented during February 21, 2023 special council meeting. Gemus mentioned the chamber celebrated its 50th anniversary last year and are at 105 members.

The point was a membership survey about what was important to their needs, and in running their shops.

Anne Creery

Members were asked what they need from the town to be more successful in their business:

  • there was very strong support for an active tourism department that supports festivals all year long, particularly in the winter season and beyond the downtown core.
  • majority support for continuing Open Air weekends in the current format of Friday, Saturday, Sunday.
  • There was zero support for discontinuing them entirely. We asked all of those options. Do you support it in the same format and then in various Friday, Saturday, only, biweekly, monthly, or stop it all together? There was zero support for discontinuing them entirely.

Members were also asked about parking:

  • divided perception on whether parking is an issue or not.
  • As a person that has just relocated back into this area after being in Toronto she thought it becomes an issue of how far are you willing to walk.
  • support for hosting some kind of employee parking lot, particularly during festivals, and there was support for that.
  • open up spaces by having employees park elsewhere, it’s potentially a solution.

Gemus reiterated the survey results showed there is a large support for Open Air to continue in its current Friday, Saturday Sunday.

Councillor Allaire asked how many members answered the survey.

Gemus 105 members and it was over a third response rate.

Allaire asked if these were just businesses in Amherstburg.

Gemus said not necessarily. They do have members that are outside of Amherstburg.

Councillor Crain asked if employee parking during Open Air was feasible?

Mayor Prue provided history of employee parking at General Amherst High School.

Councillor McArthur noted there was 312 public parking spaces within a three minute walking radius of Richmond and Dalhousie and additional 237 parking spaces within six minutes. The employees’ spaces of the downtown businesses at General Amherst weren’t used.

Pouget asked if it was correct that there are 105 members but only 12 members in the downtown core; 27 businesses not members.

Gemus said 30% of the 105 members responded.

Pouget asked if there were only approximately 12 members in the downtown core.

Creery answered that she’d have to go back; she didn’t do the number count that way.

Pouget said of those 27 businesses, overwhelmingly, they responded and sent her emails and phone calls and said the Open Air hurts their business.

Gemus asked of the 27 which businesses?

Pouget answered businesses that are not Chamber members.

Gemus mentioned they were just there to represent Chamber members.

Pouget stated that 27 that are in the downtown core that are not Chamber members have reached out with problems regarding Open Air. That’ was just a small fraction of the number of emails and phone calls that she received that are opposed to the three days being closed for 20 weeks and this is right across Amherstburg: people with disabilities, people that just want to go downtown and enjoy the parks and the restaurants. They don’t feel Open Air is needed and the businesses out in McGregor, on Sandwich Street and in Malden Centre, they don’t benefit from it at all.

Creery mentioned there were businesses outside of the downtown core that said that they would support Open Air and they also asked about having tourism programming that was outside of the downtown core too and consider looking at festivals outside of the downtown core. But there was support from outside of the core for downtown or for Open Air from our members.

Pouget stated she didn’t receive any of those; she only received the complaints.

McArthur He just didn’t think that now was the time for speeches on Open Air; there was no motion on the floor but for the record he wanted to say that he’s clearly talking to different people than Councillor Pouget because everybody he talked to loves Open Air the way it is.

Allaire moved to receive. Carried.

Deputy Mayor Gibb’s Perspective: Open Air Makes Downtown More Accessible

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Deputy Mayor Gibb’s comments during today’s budget deliberations:

He’s heard a lot over the last couple days about accessibility of Open Air. He’s personally pushed a wheelchair downtown, and cannot believe the relief to be able to get off of uneven sidewalks with trees growing out of them and all kinds of obstacles; they’re not wide enough. To him, Open Air makes the downtown more accessible for people at least in wheelchairs because try and push a wheelchair down one of those downtown sidewalks and see exactly what he means. With Open Air there’s no worrying about trying to maneuver the wheelchair on a narrow uneven sidewalk so that was his two cents.

I guess the town could fix the sidewalks to remove all the barriers Deputy Mayor Gibb mentioned, but the solution is to close the streets and place barriers there instead for 20 weekends?

 

No Decision Yet On Open Air/Closed Streets

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A group of three delegates spoke in favour of Open Air, or as many people call it, Closed Streets but the delegates were received so no decision was made tonight as of writing.

I’ve summarized the delegates’ presentation; disclaimer – this is not a verbatim report. It is merely provided for your information and possible entertainment.

To summarize Jodi McLean, owner of Terra Green on Dalhousie Street:

Without open air. she just didn’t think they would be able to maintain their operations. Last year’s footprint was very successful and it was very well received not only by residents, but visitors too.

To Summarize the second delegate, Richard Peddie, River Bookshop co-owner:

A group go business is offering $20,000. for additional programming and to work with the Tourism Department. We have a park in the downtown and it’s an extension of what exists along the water.

Councillor Pouget asked some serious questions: Are you aware of the AODA 2005? And the Act uses the same definition as the Human Rights Code. that aims to identify, remove and prevent barriers for people with disabilities? Every person has the right to equal treatment with respect to services, goods and facilities without discrimination because of disability? After providing statistics, she asked do we honestly believe it is fair for the town of Amherstburg to erect barriers and closed streets in contravention of the AODA and Human Rights Code three to four times a week for five months? Do we honestly believe that we are being fair to all people with disabilities? Do we honestly believe our taxpayers should shoulder the expense for a small group of businesses while it hurts other businesses in the same area? And how does it help the businesses on Sandwich Street, McGregor and Malden Center?

Peddie: Well, I think on the matter of accessibility, that’s not for this group to address that’s a policy of the town. So I really have no comment on that. He went on to talk about statistics of sales and how quickly the town embraced the idea and he noted two who voted for that are on the council right now.

McLean: didn’t feel like open air is not inclusive. She acknowledge they put up some barriers in order to protect the pedestrians and the families that are participating in the activities or just enjoying the streets there. She didn’t really feel like that comes down to restricting people with disabilities or anything to participate. Everything is available for everyone to come there; it’s a very inclusive environment.

To summarize Taelor Brouyette, the third delegate of the group:

She talked about what she showcases and what people do downtown.

Peddie spoke again about his bookshop and two of the people in the room were celebrities for storytime.

Councillor Crain asked Have you seen a spike in sales for your businesses because of Open Air being in place?

Brouyette said her sales have gone astronomically high with Open Air every weekend.

McLean said if we don’t get people to come here, nobody’s going to their salon to support the hairstylist and you know, nobody’s going to the law firm.

Councillor Allaire said she received a lot of emails about reducing the Open Air timeframe and asked, Would you still be willing to put forth this $20,000 if it was changed from the three days to a tour one day program?

Peddie said the 18 members would discuss that as a group.

Councillor McArthur started off by telling Taelor that Pisces is his daughter’s favourite store. He asked if the $20,000 is to help offset those $35,000 in costs? Or is it to address what many people think is a bit of a weakness in open air right now, which is a lack of street programming?

Peddie admitted the streets are sometimes empty due to programming. And they’re stepping up with $20,000 and providing 12 more days to make the experience much better.

Allaire then asked Peddie about his am800 comments that if council approves open air or not will be one of the major factors for opening up the hotel.

Peddie responded that it’s a business decision he and his wife would make and it’s a private business decision. It’s multimillion dollars and we’ll make the best decision that we think will help the town.

Pouget asked McLean to repeat what she said about hairdressers and law firm.

McLean said she thought that if we don’t bring in new people to town, like new people to live and invest then eventually there won’t be people to support any type of business.

Courtney and Peddie had an exchange about the end goal and the presentation was received.

Community Grant Applications Not On Agenda

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The 2023 Operating Budget Request lists names and dollar amounts, but not grant applications that were previously available for inspection.

Grants to Community Organizations
There were seven (7) community grant requests in 2023, totaling $62,703.

1. Amherstburg Community Services $10,000.
2. Amherstburg Food and Fellowship $20,000.
3. Amherstburg Freedom Museum $8500.
4. Amherstburg Historic Sites Association (ParkHouseMuseum) $15,000.
5. Affordable Housing Agreement–182PickeringInc. $8453.
6. Christ Church Anglican Amherstburg $750.
7. FortMaldenGoldenAgeCentre $0.

Total Requested:
Proposed Base Budget: $40,074 Increase Requested: $22,629

At the, August 08, 2022 council meeting, one of the recommendations was

  1. That 2022 over-expenditures and reserve transfers BE APPROVED as follows: $15,000 for the precommitment of the 2022 Park House Grant.

Compare 2021 Grants to Community Groups and Organizations:

It is recommended that:

1. The requested funding for Grants to Community Groups and Organizations BE CONSIDERED during 2021 Budget deliberations in accordance with Policy F-10 – Grants to Community Groups and Organizations.

1. 2021 Grants to Community Groups and Organizations.pdf
2. 2021 Grant Application – Amherstburg Freedom Museum_Redacted.pdf
3. 2021 Grant Application – SNAP for Cats (Spay Neuter Assist Program)_Redacted.pdf
4. 2021 Grant Application – Christ Anglicant Church_Redacted.pdf
5. 2021 Grant Application – Amherstburg Historic Sites Association_Redacted.pdf
6. 2021 Grant Application – Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission_Redacted.pdf
7. 2021 Grant Application – Amherstburg Community Services_Redacted.pdf
8. 2021 Grant Application – Fort Malden Golden Age Centre_Redacted.pdf

Nancy Atkinson Interview – Windsor Police Contract Renewal

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Nancy Atkinson answers questions about her presentation at the February 8, 2023 council meeting regarding the Windsor Police Contract Renewal.

the burg watch: Did you expect public consultations would be held prior to the decision to renew the Windsor Police Contract?

Nancy Atkinson: Yes and the fact that public consultation was to take place per initial agreement is stated in the report dated February 8, 2023 authored by CAO Valerie Critchley on page 4

the burg watch: What prompted you to attend the February 8 Council meeting?

Nancy Atkinson: I prefer to hear with my own ears the discussions leading up to very important decisions with regards to where our taxes are spent. Interpretations are not always fact.

the burg watch: You said you had lots of questions but you only asked one. Why?

Nancy Atkinson: As I was under the impression I was attending a Special Council meeting and not a public meeting as we had become accustomed to. Nowhere was it indicated that this was THE public meeting for input from the residents but rather just a Special Council Meeting. Since I had not submitted a deputation I limited my question to one. I also felt the decision had already been made and no matter what questions I would ask there was only one option open to us at this point in time. Surprisingly Councillor McArthur asked many of the questions on my list which should have at least led to a deferral until the March 31, 2023 expiry date with more pertinent questions asked to residents. They accepted a survey of a mere 300 residents as proof that residents were as Councillor McArthur put it satisfied with the status quo. Did they ask each of those 300 residents Have you had personal contact with the Windsor Police, Amherstburg Detachment before asking any other question? A minimum of double that number of residents weighed in at the original Public Meetings, the OPC hearing and in emails stating they were not in favour of the move.

the burg watch: During your presentation, you recalled the emphasis on Windsor Police Service’s specialized unit and wanted an explanation for the high statistics in one year.
Chief Bellaire acknowledged that you were correct in that the first year the Designated traffic officers in Amherstburg would have triggered that statistic to increase every time they put themselves out on a call. Were you satisfied with the Chief’s answer?

Nancy Atkinson: NO. They knew their statistics were wrong and used them anyway. WHY? We did not have 380 accidents requiring special investigation in 2019 in the town of Amherstburg. Nor did we have 375 incidents requiring the Investigative branch which covers fraud, arson, youth crime, auto theft in one year 2022 either. Anyone not knowing this and simply looking at this report at face value would presume these special units are necessary when in fact the lower more plausible stats prove otherwise. These numbers if used to prepare a new RFP COULD HAVE been costly to Amherstburg in looking at other policing options.

the burg watch: Are you impressed with the average annual savings of $348,000 highlighted during the meeting?

Nancy Atkinson: NO. Those pushing the Windsor Contract were adamant the savings would be $586,000 equivalent they said to $62.00 per household. Many offered to give them the $62.00 and keep the Amherstburg force a very strong indication they Did not want the change…. Mayor DiCarlo ignored them. So, NO 384,000 is not anywhere near adequate for what we lost. I BELIEVE an inventory of what was sent to Windsor should be made public, the true cost to switch to Windsor should have been in the current report and the cost to stay with Windsor should also have been in the report before any decision was made. If I hire someone to build me a house I don’t ask the price after I tell him to go ahead…..pretty simple.

the burg watch:: Were you surprised by the decision to renew the police contract?

Nancy Atkinson: Absolutely not. Residents who take the time to speak out in this town are not heard. Promises are not kept and decisions are not based on anything near common sense.

the burg watch: What would you like council to do before the June 30,2027 deadline to renew the second 5-year contract term?

Nancy Atkinson: Live up to the proposal and promise to the people of Amherstburg to put the savings from this move in the Police Reserves and not necessarily for our own Police Force 5 years from now when so much is needed now. But these funds belong in the police reserve and we do have current policing expenses such as benefits we cover, radios we are responsible for replacing, a building we own as well as the property it sits on that must be maintained at our expense. It would also remove our backs from against the proverbial wall where all our important decisions appear to be made.Under NO circumstance should it be used for the Fire Department.

the burg watch: Any other comments?

Nancy Atkinson: If we are to believe we can’t afford something as important as a community police model that goes into our schools, that worked with kids in the gym, that patrolled our Navy Yard Park on foot we CANNOT AFFORD nor should we be asking for 11 NEW HIRES no matter how sugar coated or rationalized it is especially since they are not actual workers in a department with the exception of a few labourers…. just more empire building.

The purpose of TAXES IS to provide services to a municipality. We have lost our Police Service, our Pool, ball diamonds, tennis courts, affordable sports for kids and YET NOT ONCE have our taxes gone down.

It takes $260,000 to raise taxes 1% and by the same token $260,000 to lower them. In order to have our own police department we are told it would cost us $384,000 over what we are paying now ….right since that is our savings…hmmm 1.5% increase. WHAT is the increase in asks in the current Budget????????

Copyright – this information is protected by Canada’s Copyright Act. Request written permission from the burg watch at gmail dot com.

Richard Peddie Needs Open Air

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Listen to Richard Peddie say he needs open air on am800 interview January 19, 2023; read text below at the end of the post.

Richard Peddie, a February 21 council meeting delegate, will once again voice his support for Open Air, also known as closed streets. The twist this time is that his presentation states a park in the middle of our town.

One of his pictures clearly illustrates the barriers on the sidewalk and in the streets where it would be difficult for people using mobility devices or who rely on visual cues for navigation.

I have raised awareness about barriers that exclude people with disabilities many times over decades and, during this past election campaign, wrote about encountering ableism.

This new council has to decide between closing a publicly funded highway requested by for profit businesses or adhering to public policy to provide for equal rights and opportunities without discrimination that is contrary to law?

Human Rights Code PREAMBLE

Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world and is in accord with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as proclaimed by the United Nations;

And Whereas it is public policy in Ontario to recognize the dignity and worth of every person and to provide for equal rights and opportunities without discrimination that is contrary to law, and having as its aim the creation of a climate of understanding and mutual respect for the dignity and worth of each person so that each person feels a part of the community and able to contribute fully to the development and well-being of the community and the Province;

And Whereas these principles have been confirmed in Ontario by a number of enactments of the Legislature and it is desirable to revise and extend the protection of human rights in Ontario;

Text of Richard Peddie interview:

but we do need the help of town. I mean, it’s gonna be interesting. We have a new council, how will they rule on Open Air, open air is absolutely critical of these all new shops absolutely critical. And you know what it’s going to really it’ll be one of the factors on whether we open a hotel. I need open air because the hotel hotels are tough. I mean, it’s no coincidence there are none in Amherstburg, because there’s it’s tough to build them and, you know, when we make our decision on the hotel and we hope to soon, how Council reacts to how they’re supporting local business will be a big factor.

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Comparing Amherstburg To Other Municipalities: Police Requests For Information

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The OPP answered my questions without requiring a formal request.

When I requested two documents from Windsor Police, its FOI Coordinator advised me of the $5 fee for Municipal Freedom of Information and the Protection of Privacy Act requests; she quoted section 17(1)(c).

She did respond but stated any further requests should be in accordance with the Act; to submit my request and applicable fee by mail or by attending either Police Headquarters or Windsor Police Service – Amherstburg Detachment.  

She then responded to my access request, under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, for a copy of:

i)                    The Windsor Police Services Board diversity plan
ii)                   The Windsor Police Service accessibility policy

and denied access to the Windsor Police Service Board Diversity plan as the records do not exist.

Further, access is denied to Windsor Police Service Accessibility Policy as the information is contained within their Human Rights Directive, currently available on its website www.windsorpolice.ca

I assured the Coordinator that this was a simple request for records that i assumed would be publicly available in an organization committed to transparency and accountability to the public it serves. 

OPP Answers Questions

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I asked the OPP a few questions following Deputy Mayor Gibb’s February 8 comments about the OPP.

question 1: have all the essex county detachments undertaken community/satisfaction surveys?

answer: OPP have just recently begun interviewing for the 2023 West Region Detachments Community Satisfaction Survey (CSS), which includes surveying respondents in the Essex Detachment area.  An Essex Detachment-specific results report will be created once data collection is completed and there has been an opportunity to analyze the data/draft the report.  I should be able to receive the West Region report by Summertime (pending how long the approval process takes once the results are analyzed and the reports are drafted). Prior to this, the last time we did a survey in Essex Detachment would have been in 2017.

question 2: would you provide me with the cost of OPP policing to these local communities?

question 3: would you provide me with an estimate of the timeline for an OPP costing to the town of amherstburg?

answer: In reference to the Billing Model and Costing, it may be best for you to view the following links:

Ontario Provincial Police – Billing Model (opp.ca)

Ontario Provincial Police – Contract Proposals and Amalgamations (opp.ca)

There is a manual for the contract proposal process with the below timeline in it, along with other information that will assist you.

OPP AMALGAMATION PROCESS