Author Archives: theburgwatch

About theburgwatch

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

Mayor Aldo DiCarlo Lone Decision-maker of River Lights Extension

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January 29, 2022: Mayor Aldo DiCarlo answered the questions asked of all members of council; Councillor Prue answered in the previous post.

Since we would not have a meeting until after the original end date, and in response to residents who contacted myself and council, I asked administration to extend the duration of River Lights.  The announcement was well received and I did not receive any negative responses.

I cannot speak for all of council but I was aware that the date to pass a by-law regarding the voting method was May 1, 2022.  I believe the Clerk addressed the error in the report with you.

As with past elections, the town will ensure that any form of voting will be fully accessible.

questions to all members of council January 28, 2022:

i haven’t received a response from the interim CAO, so i’m writing to inquire what the decision making process was to extend the river lights display through January 2022. i can’t locate any minutes of meeting where this decision was made.

vote 2022 – were you aware that the date to pass a by-law regarding the voting method was May 1, 2022, not May 1, 2021 as mentioned in the Report to council by the interim clerk?

Mayor DiCarlo hasn’t responded to my question regarding the basis for media comments, so i’m writing to inquire why you voted in favour of in-person voting when it’s the costliest, most labour intensive and least safe method during a pandemic? Despite being shielded at council chambers, you hold virtual meetings and the town still is in a state of emergency due to the pandemic, is it not? will you ensure all polling stations and the voting process are accessible to persons with disabilities?

This original post is protected by copyright owner, Linda Saxon, the burg watch, and is not to be reproduced without permission.

Councillor Prue Answers Questions

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January 28, 2022 to members of council:

  1. i haven’t received a response from the interim CAO, so i’m writing to inquire what the decision making process was to extend the river lights display through January 2022. i can’t locate any minutes of meeting where this decision was made.
  2. vote 2022 – were you aware that the date to pass a by-law regarding the voting method was May 1, 2022, not May 1, 2021 as mentioned in the Report to council by the interim clerk?
  3. Mayor DiCarlo hasn’t responded to my question regarding the basis for media comments, so i’m writing to inquire why you voted in favour of in-person voting when it’s the costliest, most labour intensive and least safe method during a pandemic? Despite being shielded at council chambers, you hold virtual meetings and the town still is in a state of emergency due to the pandemic, is it not? will you ensure all polling stations and the voting process are accessible to persons with disabilities?

Councillor Prue’s answers:

  1. The decision was made by the Mayor . 2.No . 3.Due to the time constraints as we understood them it was the best option . I asked that on-line voting be considered for all future votes , and yes, all stations and processes will be fully accessible .

No Response From Mayor DiCarlo Re In-person Voting Comments

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January 3, 2022 to Mayor Aldo DiCarlo: you stated residents have made it clear they prefer to cast their ballot in-person. how were you informed of this? when were public consultations held? you also said mail-in and internet voting are not as secure as people coming in and submitting a ballot right there. can you cite the authority you relied on to make this statement?

January 5, 2022 from Mayor Aldo DiCarlo: You didn’t mention where my comments were made.  I would need to know what you are referencing, in regards to my comments, so that I can provide the appropriate context.

January 5, 2022 to Mayor Aldo DiCarlo Your comments were made during an interview with am800 regarding town council’s decision to conduct in-person voting for the 2022 municipal election.

EDIT: January 29 – Mayor DiCarlo emailed, “I did indeed respond to you regarding comments in the media, requesting information for the article you were referencing.  Since you did not provide that information, I could not respond further.”

Response to Mayor, “you are incorrect that i did not provide you with the information referenced. you may not have received it, but i have a copy of it in my sent and inbox folders. i’m resending it below for you to answer.”

Do You Know What A Ward System Is?

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Duh. One of the questions asked in the town’s ad regarding the mandatory public meeting. Fingers crossed the information will be accurate. A bit confusing that you can ask a question in-person but cannot attend in-person due to ongoing public health restrictions. But we can vote in person.

from the town’s website:

Monday, January 31, 2022 at 6pm

WATCH via amherstburg.ca/livestream

QUESTIONS to clerk@amherstburg.ca. Questions will be read out loud anonymously during the public meeting and can be sent prior to the meeting and during the meeting. If you would like to ask your question in-person, complete the Public Meeting Registration. Deadline for this in-person registration is January 31st at noon.

Unable to attend the Virtual LIVE Public Meeting? The meeting will be recorded and made available for the public afterwards.

For accessibility accommodation for this public meeting, please contact the Clerk at accessibility@amherstburg.ca or 519-736-0012 ext 2238.

Members of the public will not be permitted to attend in person due to ongoing public health restrictions.

Local Voting Methods 2022

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Municipality Council voted Administration Recommended
Amherstburg in-person traditional voting
Essex TBA TBA
Kingsville mail-in and in-person only mail-in voting
Lakeshore in-person e-voting: internet and telephone
LaSalle e-voting internet and telephone e-voting
Leamington mail-in mail-in
Tecumseh e-voting internet and telephone Internet and Telephone voting
178 municipalities offered e-voting to its electors in 2018.

AMHERSTBURG LOSES ANOTHER SENIOR STAFF MEMBER

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am800 reports another senior staff member leaves Amherstburg.

Mayor Aldo DiCarlo has confirmed the town’s Manager of Planning Services Frank Garardo has resigned and has accepted a position with another municipality in the region.

“These things happen and you kind of roll with it and get on with the hiring process,” says DiCarlo.

Since last summer, roughly 10 staff members have departed from Amherstburg.

It Was The Week Before Budget

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This original post is protected by copyright owner, Linda Saxon, the burg watch, and is not to be reproduced without permission.

It was the week before budget when all through the town,
No one was laughing, not even one clown.
The numbers were crunched, with precision and flair
But it was fruitless; the savings weren’t there.

The budget was presented, in a positive way,
Feedback was sought, in the form of a survey,
Who would listen? Who would care?
Surely cuts could be made somewhere.

Are rain barrels needed for the environment?
Of course, they are, says the government,
What about policing? What about that?
No, it’s too late; we’ve a 20-year contract.

The residents readied for impending doom
And waited for the meeting to begin on zoom,
There were no surprises, no good quotes
Taxpayers will react when they cast their votes.