Category Archives: Accountability

Hear Deputy Mayor Gibb On Dalhousie Street No Parking Sign

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Nancy Atkinson requested delegate status at the June 12 town council meeting, although she was not listed on the agenda. However, she was allowed to speak once council waived the rules, as it had already done for a pickle ball rep.

Ms. Atkinson, representing the Amherstburg Residents Forum mentioned three concerns, Deputy Mayor Gibb responded regarding the new no parking sign on Dalhousie Street.

Listen to part of the audio from the June 12, 2023 town council meeting.

Unofficial transcript:

Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb  Thank you worship. I’m going to be angry at myself if I don’t say this. So later on I’m I’m as the deputant said, I can look in the mirror. I have a lot less faith in the fact that people are trying to suggest this is a parking issue. And I want council to know, I suspect this has everything to do with a hotel that was recently approved, and that’s why people want to get rid of that parking spot, or they want to make it physically impossible. I listened to you when you spoke.

Mayor Michael Prue  Please, please, please. 

Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb  There’s your deputant. 

Mayor Michael Prue  Okay, no, no, please, please.

Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb  I just want council to know that’s what I suspect this is all about. And council needs to know that before they ask for more staff time on a report for later on.

Mayor Michael Prue  No, no, no, I’m not. No, I’m sorry. I’m not. No, you made your deputation. This is now the prerogative of Council. We have a motion on the floor. After after the motion was put on the floor. I can’t I can’t allow that. It belongs it belongs to council. Okay. Councillor Allaire.

Comparing Amherstburg To Other Municipalities: Inclusive Communities Grants

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The Town of Amherstburg applied for, and received $60,000. from the provincial Inclusive Communities Grants Program that helps communities become more inclusive and accessible for people of all ages and abilities.

Ontario.ca:

“The Inclusive Community Grants Program helps ensure local governments and community organizations consider Ontarians of all ages and abilities at every stage of community planning and development. Inclusive communities respond to both the opportunities and challenges of an aging population by:

  • creating physical and social environments that support independent and active living
  • enabling older adults and people with disabilities to continue contributing to all aspects of community life

Ontario’s Inclusive Community Grants Program supports community projects that:

  • benefit local communities
  • promote accessibility, safety and active living for people of all ages and abilities
  • meet the needs of seniors and people with disabilities.”

In a report to council, then-Clerk Paula Parker stated, the primary purpose of this initiative is to help Amherstburg to become an age-friendly community by ensuring that the needs of the residents of all ages and abilities are considered in every stage of community planning and development. The Town will engage a consultant to complete a Needs Assessment and Action Plan which will involve obtaining direct input from those most affected, seniors 55+, older adults 65+ and persons with disabilities and disenfranchised populations in the immediate region, community stakeholders, including municipal officials, local businesses, and providers in the recreational and health sectors.

At the Regular Council Meeting Monday, April 12, 2021, Councillor McArthur congratulated town staff for getting up to $60,000 from the province to be spent on seniors’ initiatives and asked what are we going to spend the money on?

Then-CAO Miceli explained we are going to be spending money basically developing a Seniors Master Plan showing the services and the needs of seniors in our community, a more inclusive and welcoming community for our seniors. The work plan will develop a significant amount of public consultation with our seniors groups, throughout various locations in Amherstburg. At the end of it all we’re going to have a plan that’s going to be a guiding document for council on what our seniors would like to see in our community of Amherstburg.

McArthur said we’ve been after this seniors master plan for a while and asked what the timelines was. Miceli said the timeframe to complete the project would be spring 2022. 

A committee was formed, a consultant was hired and the Inclusive Community Program (ICP) Final Report and the 2022 03 23 ICP Needs Assessment and Action Plan were presented to council on March 28, 2022. At the same meeting, it was recommended that: The Seniors Advisory Committee composition BE REDUCED by one lay member.

OTHER MUNICIPALITIES USED THE GRANT for a variety of projects, including accessible kayak launch, beach access mats, inclusive picnic tables, accessible pathway,  several accessible washrooms, upgrade accessible trails to meet AODA standards, making outdoor spaces and public buildings more accessible, accessible charging stations in local parks, accessible (CNIB) approved signage and resting benches,

Read the full listing: A total of 55 projects received an Inclusive Community Grant.

Amherstburg An Inclusive Community? Says Who?

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I think different people have different definitions of what an ‘inclusive community’ is. How does a crosswalk, sponsored by a family, reinforce what an inclusive community is all about any more than raising a flag? Might these gestures be seen as minimal efforts?

Mayor Prue broke the tie vote in favour of Open Air, despite objections that it created barriers that excluded people with disabilities. Councillor Crain stated yes, he would remove Open Air barriers and then voted in favour of it. How does that make #Amherstburg an inclusive community?

CTV News Windsor reports Amherstburg reveals first-ever rainbow crosswalk representing inclusivity and included the following quotes:

‘WE ARE AN INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY. GET USED TO IT’

“It helps to reinforce what an inclusive community is all about,” said Amherstburg Mayor Michael Prue. “I’m very proud of this town and foresight and the inclusivity that people have shown.”

‘INCLUSIVITY AND ACCEPTANCE’

On Twitter, Amherstburg Coun. Linden Crain also voiced his support for the new crosswalk.

“Amherstburg has taken a colourful step forward towards inclusivity & acceptance. We are thrilled to announce the installation of the town’s first-ever rainbow crosswalk! A huge thank you to the Goggin Family for making this happen. Happy #PrideMonth!”

Comparing Amherstburg To Other Municipalities: Ontario Land Tribunal Cases

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Amherstburg currently has six cases listed at the OLT website:

  • Consent – Proposing to sever a new lot 69 North Street
  • Extension of the ICBL development of Howard Industrial Park District 7809 Howard
  • ZBA – six-storey, 28-unit condominium 639 Front Road N
  • Minor Variance – Construction of a Single Detached Dwelling 490 Dalhousie
  • Seminary of Sacred Knowledge, student residence 6101 County Road 20 W
  • ZBA – Dog breeding and boarding facility 6136 Concession Road N

Other local municipalities’ cases at the OLT:

Essex 0
Kingsville 0
Lakeshore 0
LaSalle 0
Leamington 0

    Strong Leadership Needed

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    As published in the RTT in response to May 31 Flag Raising article.

    The week that initially was National Access Awareness Week in 1988 became National AccessAbility Week in 2017, not Accessibility as stated in the article.

    Deputy Mayor Gibb is quoted as saying, “it is also an opportunity to reflect on ongoing efforts to become a better, more accessible and more inclusive Canada.”

    I reflected and concluded that a flag raising might be seen as tokenism. 

    The J. S. HELD 2021 facilities condition assessment of the town hall noted, “The building is non AODA compliant” and “the cost to convert the town hall to AODA compliant is $291,117.78.” If, as Deputy Mayor Gibb stated, “we strive to improve our infrastructure and services,” why has an AODA compliant town hall not been a priority? The $165,000 dog park and the $170,000 Libro Trail over expenditure would have paid for an AODA compliant town hall.

    Mayor Prue noted the Gordon House was not accessible and campaigned to ensure all town buildings are accessible to facilitate an open and inclusive municipality. Last month, Mayor Prue referenced the AODA and said in this town, we have not brought it into force. Why not?

    What about the narrow, uneven sidewalks with trees growing out of them and all kinds of obstacles Deputy Mayor Gibb mentioned during budget deliberations? 

    As this week ends it’s ironic that Open Air and its barriers begin, despite any denial. People with disabilities may be excluded, physically and socially, from equally participating in the community, a preventable barrier. While there will be those who claim the 16 weekends of closed streets increase accessibility for people using wheelchairs, such positive attributes overshadow the need to commit to fixing sidewalks for year-round use and eliminating barriers.

    Inclusive communities welcome ALL marginalized communities, not just some and only during festivals.

    We need strong leaders to commit to the identification, prevention, and removal of barriers. When that is accomplished, and all barriers in Amherstburg are removed then there will be cause for celebration, but not until then. 

    Persons With Disabilities Enter At Back Or Front Of Town Hall?

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    The Government of Canada says National AccessAbility Week in Canada is here! How are you marking this important week? Share a photo or a video! #NAAW2023, #frompossibilitiestopractice, #AccessibleCanada. 

    On March 22, I posted this photo and asked, what marginalized community would like to encounter this sign? Does it indicate an attitude?

    international wheelchair access symbol sign at front entrance to Amherstburg Town Hall.

    On May 30, I noticed this new sign at the Amherstburg town hall:

    So what was the back is still the back, and the new sign at the front advertises the main entrance is at the back and no one knows where the accessible entrance is?

    An FOI Request For This?!

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    Absurd. Why did this information require an FOI request? Especially when two of the three documents are publicly available policies on the town’s website? And other municipalities live stream their workshop meetings?

    CAO Critchley advised council members received training in accessibility on November 29, 2022; the Council Workshop Agenda did not mention Accessibility training.

    Following this post, What Accessibility Training Did Council Receive? File An FOI Request, I submitted an FOI request and today received full disclosure of the following three documents:

    Windsor Police Comments – 256 Dalhousie ZBA Update

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    As mentioned in this post, Barry Horrobin, Windsor Police Service, was notified of the April 11 meeting on March 15, 2023 at 3:06 PM, was requested to provide any comments by March 22 and emailed his comments on March 17, 2023 at 9:32 AM. Read the emails.

    I requested a copy of the Windsor Police report by Barry Horrobin that formed the basis for his comments. Horrobin previously provided two reports following site assessments based on principles of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design:

    I requested all notes, measurements, photos and documents that Barry Horrobin relied on and referenced as the basis for his March 17 comments.

    On May 25, Windsor Police FOI Coordinator advised, “Responsive records were located, however, the disclosure of the records may affect the economic interests of a third party. The third party whose interests may be affected is being given the opportunity to make representations about the release of the record. A decision on whether or not the record will be disclosed will be made by June 27 2023 in accordance with section 27 of the Act.“

    We may just have to undergo another Appeal.

    AODA Alliance Call to Email MPs RE Bill C-22 (the Canada Disability Benefit Act)

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    The AODA Alliance issues a call to email as many MPs as possible and an example of what to say is included as a starring point to let MPs know why this matters to you:

    Please vote to ratify the amendments to Bill C-22 (the Canada Disability Benefit Act) that the Senate passed. Hundreds of thousands of people with disabilities living in poverty need the Bill C-22 to be passed right now. The Senate’s amendments read the post, May 19, 2023 AODA Alliance Update.

    Essex MP Chris.Lewis@parl.gc.ca