The main t-intersection in downtown Amherstburg on Saturday July 9, 2022 closed to vehicular traffic restricts access to two main banks and other stores for persons with disabilities. Is almost $90,000. taxpayer money worth it?
Author Archives: theburgwatch
Second Councillor Candidate for 2022
Gerry Theriault, a former town councillor 22 years ago is the second councillor candidate. Deadline to register is August 19 at 2 pm.
As per my request, the candidate contact information is now available on the town’s website.
VOTE on Monday, October 24, 2022.
Town of Amherstburg Tweets About Unique Experience
Art Windsor Essex Board of Directors Ask For Patience Re Inaccessible Exhibit
The letter from the Chair of Art Windsor Essex, formerly Art Gallery Windsor, is below:
June 30, 2022
Dear Linda Saxon,
We received your request, sent on June 28 to Executive Director Jennifer Matotek, to have the Board respond to your concern around the ‘Group of Seven: Not Formed in a Day’ ten-day pop-up exhibition, being displayed in a space that is not wheelchair accessible. AWE regrets hosting this exhibition in a space that is not accessible in Amherstburg. AWE will host ‘Group of Seven: Not Formed in a Day’ and the accompanying programs in our accessible exhibition spaces at 401 Riverside Drive West in Fall of 2022.
Art Windsor-Essex takes several factors into consideration when making decisions around programs. AWE’s strategic plan for 2021-25 notes that the gallery will seek to be “an accessible home for contemporary culture and critical conversations”. It also notes that we will work to strengthen our relationships with stakeholders, and conduct work throughout Windsor-Essex. Presenting programs in partnership with community members is a key part of AWE’s plan to become more community-driven. AWE’s exhibition, education and public programs policy also endorses AWE to undertake offsite partnerships for the purposes of audience engagement, and to support the achievement of artistic objectives. AWE also undertakes partnerships when our overarching goals for a program align with those of community visionaries, such as Richard Peddie.
AWE presents hundreds of programs a year. AWE strives to present programs in accessible spaces, either physically or online. As AWE remains committed to fostering an inclusive and contemporary home for exhibitions and community programing, we ask for your patience and understanding that the organization operates within the broader systems of obligations that may conflict with our overarching accessible vision. As we move forward in operationalizing our new Strategic Plan in a meaningful way, we continue to learn from community members, advocates, and leaders.
We value the perspective you have brought forward. As we continue to live our values and undertake the objectives of our strategic plan, your feedback will be meaningfully addressed as we move forward and continue to consider what it means for the gallery to be an “accessible home”. AWE is in the process of drafting an accessibility policy and access plan. Feedback from community members like you will be important as we draft our policy and plan with support from our external accessibility consultation group, and industry experts.
Thank you for interest in the programs Art Windsor-Essex presents. In line with our dedication to becoming a welcoming person-centred, community-driven, organization, we welcome your advocacy and encourage you to become a member of AWE’s accessibility consultation group. We would value your input on the work we are undertaking around accessibility and access.
Best regards,
Victoria Little, Chair Board of Directors Art Windsor-Essex
Peddie’s Pop Up – am800 Interview
Dan Macdonald, am800, interviewed Richard Peddie, River Bookshop owner and Jennifer Matotek, Executive Director Art Windsor Essex (AWE), formerly Art Gallery Windsor about the Group of Seven Pop Up Exhibit. Read the article or listen to the interview.
Peddie mentions the event is free and you just walk upstairs because the event is on the second floor, called a hole in the wall. He explains that it’s an 1887 building and they weren’t accessible in those days.
Yes, but it’s 2022.
Meanwhile, Matotek is ‘looping in some’ team members and asking if they can work on some language for the show around access, ‘so we can be transparent with the public about the lack of access for this space.’
Being transparent about a lack of access is not the same as equal access.
Art Windsor Essex Confirms Exhibit Not Accessible Space
Jennifer Matotek, Executive Director Art Windsor Essex (AWE) acknowledges, ‘Unfortunately, the Hole in the Wall venue which houses ‘Group of Seven: Not Formed in a Day’ is not an accessible space.’
The River Bookshop hosts the July 1 to 10 art event at its Hole in the Wall on the second floor. The AWE acknowledges on its website that This project and events are made possible with generous support from Richard and Colleen Peddie.
I inquired whether AWE had an accessibility policy. Matotek advised, ‘We are in the process of developing an accessibility plan and policy. This will be published on a dedicated ‘access’ page on our new website, which launches in Fall 2022.’
One more barrier in the Town of Amherstburg.
Now Three Months Awaiting Answers From Councillor Simone
Councillor Simone promised ‘to be available to answer any questions you may have’ during her 2018 campaign to become a councillor, repeated in A Look Back – Candidate Patricia Simone.
Simone has still not answered questions from March 16; on March 28, she said she would review the questions and respond as soon as possible about Simone’s Notice of Motion To Redefine Town Name.
As mentioned in Mayor DiCarlo Responds for Councillor Simone, questions were not answered.
4 Months to Municipal Elections 2022
“Voting isn’t the most we can do. But it is the least.” Gloria Steinem
VOTE on Monday, October 24, 2022.
A Look Back – Candidate Patricia Simone
We had ‘A Look Back’ at Aldo DiCarlo, who is not seeking re-election; now let’s take a look back at candidate Patricia Simone and her SimoneforAburg site.
My Pledge to Amherstburg included:
- Elected official must direct town employees and administration toward the objectives of the residents. As your elected official, I promise that the taxpayers’ agenda will govern my decisions and I will stand up for the community at town hall.
- Discussion with elected representatives is important. As your elected official, I promise to be available to answer any questions you may have.
- Transparency:
- I believe in open government that communicates with its residents.
- Information should be readily available.
- Notice of meetings and proceedings at town hall should be better advertised.
- We need live streaming of council meetings for those who cannot attend at town hall.
- I will conduct a complete review of our communication processes to ensure our residents are getting the information they need.
Simone’s other page, My Platform includes:
Consultation
Resident consultation committees have been eliminated. This is the wrong way to go. We need more consultation with residents, not less. I will support the creation of consultation committees that invite input from residents, while maintaining that the final decision-making authority remain in the hands of the elected Council.
Amherstburg Vote 2022
New Clerk Becomes New CAO
Amherstburg’s town clerk, Valerie Critchley, hired in October of 2021 has become the town’s new CAO, following the sudden departure of CAO Peter Simmons.
Mayor Aldo DiCarlo is quoted in the town’s media release, “We are fortunate to have this exceptionally talented CAO on our team and convinced Valerie will successfully lead the way during these exciting times of growth and development.”
Mayor Aldo DiCarlo is quoted in the town’s media release on the hiring of CAO Peter Simmons, “Council has agreed that Mr. Simmons has everything needed to lead Amherstburg into its next exciting chapter and made a unanimous decision to appoint him in this role.”
What happened?
the burg watch 