Category Archives: Accountability

Deputy Mayor Gibb Comments On Windsor Police Activities Report

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Two Windsor Police reports were on the June 26 agenda:

15.1 WPS 2022 Amherstburg Annual Activities Report
15.2 WPS Q1 Amherstburg Annual Activities Report

Deputy Mayor Gibb asked if anyone from Windsor Police Service Amherstburg detachment was there. He mentioned the average number of tickets increased in 2023 and wondered if there’s more enforcement and asked or has everyone started speeding three times as much?

Staff Sergeant Caffarena stated that since around October they are enforcing more.

Gibb said that was fantastic to see and that it’s much appreciated because that was one of the biggest things knocking on doors – everybody’s speeding on everyone’s street so hopefully the illustrious reporters in the room get the word out that Amherstburg detachment is on the prowl, so Drive Safe. Listen to the audio.

During the February 8 WPS contract renewal discussion, Gibb said, in part, he felt the Windsor Police Amherstburg detachment does a great job protecting Amherstburg and every indication he sees is that the people of Amherstburg are happy with it. So he personally felt that they’re going to have to vote to go with the recommendation. Listen to the audio.

Gibb made the motion to receive the report and go forward with renewing the Windsor Police contract for the next five years.

The December 5, 2022 recommendation, and subsequent council motion, was to extend the deadline to renew to March 31, 2023 so public consultations could be held.

If public consultations had been held prior to contract renewal, Gibb could have shared road safety concerns he heard from residents; and those residents would have had an opportunity to do the same. And maybe before the next contract renewal term, an OPP costing will be obtained, as it was supposed to be, so Amherstburg taxpayers could save $2 million annually for all the amenities we currently go without.

Sign By-law – Wait For What?

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June 27 email to council members regarding a June 26 council meeting new business discussion.

Once again, thank you Councillor Pouget for taking an interest in and representing constituents’ concerns and the disability community regarding signs obstructing sidewalks.

You may recall that on May 5 I requested a sign by-law review be undertaken, along with a report on the enforcement of it. I mentioned signs, furniture and retail displays impede pedestrian rights of way and the removal of barriers needs to be more of a priority.

I followed up in a June 23 email.

I understand from the June 26 council meeting that a review may be underway. Councillor Pouget said she would prefer that we not wait until fall for a report and wondered why they just can’t go into a business and ask them to remove the obstructions on the sidewalks.

I wonder how accessibility and inclusivity can be a priority if we must wait until fall and be concerned with negative impacts on businesses?

After having read the Sign By-law, I would like an explanation for the wait when sections of the by-law already allow for the Chief Building Official to remove a sign without notice if it obstructs a sidewalk.

As for enforcement, the Sign By-law stipulates that Police Officers of the Town of Amherstburg Police Services and By-law Enforcement Officers of the Corporation shall have the duty of enforcing the provisions of this by-law. The Windsor Police Agreement continued with this practice of by-law enforcement.

New Policy Will Comply With Legislation

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This is almost funny. In another report to council for the June 26 council meeting, titled New Policy – Electronic Monitoring of Employees, under Discussion: The Town of Amherstburg values trust, discretion and transparency and believes employees deserve to know when, how and for what purposes their work is being monitored.

Financial Matters states, ‘Failure to approve the Electronic Monitoring of Employees Policy may expose the Town to fines and other legal penalties under the Employment Standards Act, (2000).’ Shouldn’t that have been listed as a risk?

Risks If Two Events Are Not Approved – Real Or Speculative?

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In a report to council by Bill Tetler for the June 26 council meeting, the recommendation is that two events be approved:

  1. Super Santa Walk/Run – November 18th, 2023
  2. The Server Shuffle – August 12th, 2023.

The RISK ANALYSIS section includes:

It should be noted, that should these events not be approved, it might have the following detrimental effects on the community:

  • Less awareness and exposure for the Town to attract visitors which could result in economic loss for the Town and its businesses;
  • A lack of support from Council may discourage long standing volunteer associations from providing social and economic opportunities. This would result in a perception of non-worth for their volunteer efforts;
  • Less exposure for the Town reducing its tourism market share;
  • Less exposure for the Town reducing its ability to attract new residents;
  • Less exposure for the Town reducing its value to potential investors;
  • Tourism is a primary industry for the Town of Amherstburg, reducing events will directly impact employment opportunities;
  • Event experiences are learning opportunities for our guests, which promote repeat visits, the deep history Amherstburg has to offer and showcases our local museums, attractions, and historical sites;
  • Events financially support not-for-profit organizations, to ensure sustainability within our community.

Offensive Terminology

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copy of email sent to members of council and CAO Critchley today:

i was appalled to hear one Amherstburg Accessibility Advisory Committee member use “wheelchair bound” and another use “bound” during the June 22 committee meeting; this language is outdated and offensive.

i was equally shocked to see the term “crazy” used in three images on the town’s facebook page in reference to woofaroo. i’ve attached screenshots for your information.

i’m also including a link to an article, Are You Still Using The Word Crazy in 2022, even though it’s 2023.

i suggest there is a need for more training given the language used by a member of a committee that should be more aware of preferred terminology and the number of times i’ve encountered ableist attitudes.

Interested In Accessibility?

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Watch the Amherstburg Accessibility Advisory Committee in action. Today’s 5 pm meeting agenda has a few items but the meetings seem to take longer than necessary for the same reasons as the council meetings. Can’t people refrain from providing unnecessary speeches, sharing personal anecdotes, and straying off topic?

ORDER OF BUSINESS includes:
2023 Public Consultation Objectives
Multiyear Accessibility Plan
Survey Responses Report – Public Consultation 2022

Site Plan Review – 580 Middle Side Road
580 Middle Sdrd – Site Plan
That the Site Plan for 580 Middle Side Rd. BE ENDORSED by the Amherstburg Accessibility Advisory Committee.

Site Plan Review – 527 Sandwich Street South
01 May 09 2022 Amherstburg SP Metric SP 2.1 Rev
That the Site Plan for 527 Sandwich Street South BE ENDORSED by the Amherstburg Accessibility Advisory Committee.

Watch online.

Town Website Advertised 3 LIBRO Amenities, Celebrated 2

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In addition to media articles, the Town of Amherstburg website advertised the LIBRO Celebration Day: “Join us in celebration of 3 NEW AMENITIES!’

screenshot of town’s advertising:

Town of Amherstburg website advertising 3 NEW amenities at LIBRO CENTRE

Clicking the ‘LEARN MORE’ links to the itinerary for two amenities:

Also read: Libro Walking Trail Not Celebrated On June 10

Amherstburg Residents Forum

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The River Town Times reports the Amherstburg Residents Forum brought three concerns to Amherstburg town council on June 12. Read the article.

Nancy Atkinson’s request to delegate, on behalf of the group, was unsuccessful. Hear Delegate Request Discussion June 12, 2023 Council Meeting.

Council waived rules to allow Nancy Atkinson to speak regarding:

  1. the new no parking sign in front of the Navy Yard Park at Richmond and Dalhousie
  2. a Routine Disclosuure and Dissemination of Information Pollicy
  3. the Senior Centre on Victoria Street.

Atkinson thanked Deputy Mayor Gibb and Councillor Crain for attending the Residents Forum May 25 meeting.

Hear Deputy Mayor Gibb On Dalhousie Street No Parking Sign comments in response to Atkinson’s June 12 council meeting presentation.

Strategic Planning Presentation Request Answered

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You might remember that I requested a copy of the April 18 Strategy Corp. slide presentation to Amherstburg town council and CAO Critchley advised, As the slides used by Strategy Corp are proprietary information, should you wish a copy of the presentation, please submit an MFIPPA request.

In an email to council and Critchley, I strongly urged council to enact a Routine Disclosure Policy, but no responses were received.

The May 17 Essex County Council Strategy Corp. slide presentation was attached to the agenda.

On May 18, I emailed Strategy Corp. and mentioned how the slides were not on Amherstburg town council’s April 18 agenda. I requested a copy of the Amherstburg presentation and requested permission to post it to my blog for my readers.

On May 18, my email was acknowledged and it would be looked at.

On June 9 I followed up to find out if the public can access the Amherstburg presentation the same way the public accessed the county presentation.

On June 17 I followed up again. And, upon completing the Strategic plan survey, I added, ‘there is no mention of accommodating people with disabilities if pop up events pose barriers, as does the online survey. it was disappointing to see accessibility as an item separated from the DEI, but a number of the disability community know too well that accessibility is not usually a part of DEI.’

On June 20, Strategy Corp. emailed: In response to your more recent comment, we have been directing folks who require accommodation to reach out to the town directly at 519-736-0012 or accessibility@amherstburg.ca. This had been included in promotional material but was missing from the webpage. I have updated the webpage to include those instructions, so thank you for bringing that to our attention!

While I do understand that accessibility is considered a key part of DEI, our previous engagement up to the survey development has indicated that accessibility, in particular, is a concern and priority for the Town. We therefore thought it appropriate to include it as a distinct option for residents to prioritize. As you rightly point out, not everyone realizes accessibility is a key part DEI efforts.

Finally, I do apologize again about the delay on the presentation. This type of material has historically been considered proprietary, and that is why it was not attached to the Council agenda for April 18. However, the presentation itself was recorded in an attempt to maximize transparency for residents interested the process being undertaken. I will follow up with my colleagues about what we are able to share with you directly, and get back to you this week.  

On June 20, within an hour, Strategy Corp. emailed, these slides are considered proprietary and I was asked to direct my readers to watch the full presentation to Council on the Town’s website here: April 18th Special Council Meeting Video. I’ll note we had some brief technical difficulties during the presentation and so the presentation gets going around the 6-minute mark.

Related: Strategic Planning Presentation – File an FOI Request

How Many Members Of Council Can Attend An Event?

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No, it’s not a joke. When I emailed CAO Critchley about the June 10 Libro Celebration of only two amenities, instead of the three advertised, I also commented: I noticed that 5 members of council attended on June 10. where would i find guidelines? at monday’s council meeting when counclllor pouget asked about touring the seniors’ centre, didn’t you say only three could attend?

CAO Critchley: With respect to the attendance of the 5 members, that is fine at an event such as this if the business of the municipality is not discussed or furthered  in any way –ie. policy or decisions are not being debated or made.  The Senior Center is not yet complete and so, it is possible that discussions of this nature could happen and so out of an abundance of caution we like to organize them in groups of 2 and 3.

the burg watch: thanks. i would hope that members of council are trained and fully aware of when they can and cannot discuss the business without constant and/or guidance.

CAO Critchley: Thanks for your further email.

Certainly members of Council do receive all of that training but we have found that it’s the “perception” of the situation that is the key and, as we have received Closed Meetings Complaints in the past due to such perceptions, we like to err on the side of caution.