It only took two weeks! I notified CAO Critchley that the town’s website changes made it difficult to read. The calendar page had a serif typeface with slashed zeros and she asked if I could provide a screenshot, below.

On April 15 I emailed Deputy Mayor Gibb regarding the April 11 meeting discussion about the proposed hotel at 256 Dalhousie.

I requested a comment because he asked if the delegate could expand on that and tell us what you would lose as far as accessibility goes?

I also asked if he had been advised by the integrity commissioner that he should declare a conflict of interest regarding this proposed ZBA application?

I further stated, it appears you have an interest in accessibility for the proposed hotel, as you did for your in-laws and open air. do you have any answers for me in response to my accessibility questions to members of council?

On April 24 I reminded Deputy Mayor Gibb that it’s been over a week and he’s not answered my April 15 questions. I also asked if he was concerned about the stairs at the back of the proposed hotel.

It was only a week ago that I posted about the need for more decorum at meetings – ‘less speeches, personal anecdotes and repetitive comments and my pet peeve – staff appreciation.’

Exactly six months into the term and things seem to be steadily deteriorating. During the Deputy Mayoral candidate night, Chris Gibb said, leaders don’t stand there and point out what everyone else did wrong. Maybe he should share that wisdom with Councillors Crain and McArthur. He also said the petty bickering, the constant battles need to stop and we need to all start rowing in the same direction.

Well, then why not call a point of order when it happens during a meeting?

Things to add to my wish list of good behaviour after having viewed the April 24 meeting:

• curtail irrelevant information; an approximate 41 minute presentation by Fire Chief Montone when the report was attached to the agenda? was a history back to the 40s necessary?
• have Mayor Prue use the gavel to maintain order instead of to speak; there’s a big difference between debating a motion and objecting in an offensive or harshly critical manner and it should stop.
• dispense with informalities; abide by rules of order.
• set a time limit for speeches; learn best practice.
• set a time limit for questions to staff; again, best practice.
• stop staff on either side of the mayor from whispering in his ears; is he seeking their input?
• stop acknowledging staff as speakers wanting to provide input just to make a point.
• stop asking staff if they can meet deadlines for reports; if council deems it necessary to make informed decisions by a certain date, staff should comply.
• reduce the amount of staff to speak to an issue; CAO, Deputy CAO, Dr. Planner, and a few unknown speakers because, unfortunately, they don’t identify themselves.
• stop using acronyms; these aren’t staff meetings.
• start consistently and fairly enforcing and/or waiving rules to hear from the public.
• consider whether it’s a discriminatory practice to not implement a policy that recognizes the viewing public from home might want to speak but are not afforded the same opportunity as members attending in person.
• Realize there have been complaints about one-sided staff reports and communications not being included in the agenda.

And, just to satisfy people who want to view things from a purely positive perspective, the election is only three and half years away.

I don’t usually post meeting previews because the full agendas are available on the town’s site and anyone can subscribe to receive them via email by filling in the online form. But there are a few hot topics worth mentioning.

There are still links from minutes to ‘This item has no attachments.’

Minutes to be approved: one Regular Meeting on December 12, 2022 and eight in-camera meetings:
December 12
January 23
February 8
February 13
February 22 – could not find calendar listing
March 27
April 11 – no calendar listing; moved during the meeting
April 17 and:
March 8 Co-An Park
April 12 Co-An Park

There are a few reports and recommendations on:

• tender results for Mill and Pave Program
• tree maintenance
• by-law not to be lands of subdivision
• Subdivision agreement
• Zoning By-law Amendments for 38 Victoria Street and 639 Front Road N.
• Special Events approval
• South Fire Station – Consolidated Build verses Renovation Options (original typo)

Anyone wishing to leave comments on the burg watch blog are now being asked to read this blog’s comments policy prior to commenting (below). While comments are welcome, they are moderated and will not be deleted or censored unless they have content that:

• contains personal attacks or content that could be deemed offensive
• promotes hate of any kind
• uses profanity
• is off topic
• is blatantly spam

It’s now been two weeks since I asked for comments so I sent a new email to Mayor Prue, who is the town’s official spokesperson.

For the burg watch, regarding emails to council read by Administration. about the history of this: For how long has this practice been occurring? When and why was it initiated and by whom?

Also, has Windsor Police Service provided the answers to questions to WPS Chief Bellaire from members of council when it approved the contract renewal?