am800 THE SHIFT WITH PATTY HANDYSIDES’ interviews:
Listen to Frank Cerasa interview from
Listen to Michael Prue interview from Wednesday, September 21, 2022 – 3:37 pm
Listen to Joe Laframboise interview from Thursday, September 22, 2022 – 3:43 pm
Category Archives: Accountability
CBC: Municipal election candidates need to make accessibility part of their platforms
In this CBC News Opinion, Kevin McShan writes, The city of Windsor is at an inflection point, and there’s one fundamental question left for the candidates to answer in the upcoming municipal election: who’ll make accessibility a cornerstone of their platform?
The burgwatch’s candidate questionnaire included, what does accessible mean to you?Of the twenty five Amherstburg candidates, two answered.
If ‘those’ campaigning to represent everyone will be responsible for preventing and removing barriers but will not commit to doing so, no votes from me.
35 Days To Election Day
Are you getting to know the candidates? Patterns are emerging.
Now Six Months Awaiting Answers From Councillor Simone
It’s been 6 months! While I still wait for answers, Simone is campaigning, making appearances, and posting pledges like, “I will continue to speak with residents to understand their concerns.”
She also is not answering questions to the candidates from the burg watch. No obligation, of course, but what will people conclude?
Councillor Patricia Simone promised to answer questions when she campaigned in 2018, and she registered to run for re-election in 2022 but she 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.
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.
As mentioned in Mayor DiCarlo Responds for Councillor Simone, questions were not answered.
Buying A Bus Pass
Patricia Simone’s video buying a bus pass at Amherstburg town hall.
This week’s River Town Times ad referring to ‘mobile device.’
Several emails were sent to Transit Windsor and the City of Windsor trying to obtain clarification. The closest answer was, “I am not exactly sure what you are asking me. If you are referring to what type of mobility devices are allowed on the bus, than that is an easy question to answer.”
Maybe more training is needed to prevent town employees from using outdated language like ‘handicap accessible’ and generating information that should inform people, not confuse them.
Welcome Back
After some much needed maintenance, I’m back online.
the burg watch questionnaire – Lori Wightman
“I would increase communication between administration and the public and council and the public. I find much of the dissatisfaction from residents stems from misinformation or no information. Council/Administration need to let residents know what is being decided and why, how and when.” Continue reading Candidate Lori Wightman’s answers.
the burg watch questionnaire – Molly Allaire
“I think one of my best qualities is access. I have been nothing but open and approachable. I have provided several outlets for residents to reach me. I will listen to the residents and try and choose the pathway that the majority chooses along with the one that is also cost effective for the town.” Continue reading Candidate Molly Allaire’s answers.
Candidate Marc Renaud – Open Air
As in the post, Candidate Linden Crain – Open Air, Candidate Marc Renaud’s position regarding Open Air has been public so I reached out to him too by email today:
In the Wednesday, July 27, 2022 River Town Times, your profile includes, Renaud supports Open Air Weekends in Amherstburg, believing that is an attraction for people to visit and a benefit to businesses.
On August 23, I emailed you, Will you remove barriers during Open Air weekends that block people with disabilities from driving to the bank, local stores, bars, and generally driving through town?
Your RTT profile also contains, Being accessible to residents is something Renaud stated he always tries to be. “I pride myself on getting answers for residents who call or e-mail as soon as I can,” he said. “No need to wait for the next council meeting to get answers.”
Renaud added he has been proud to serve the residents and looks forward to hearing concerns and questions.
Why not be transparent and answer the question?
Renaud’s unedited response:
Linda
Theres access to parking at precision jewelry parking lot 
Canada Post lots.Are open to driving into. Allows walking to area businesses.. There’s access to the Legion lot.àn strèet parking.
The Navy yard parking is accessible to turn around spots and regular ,àcceble spots. All walking distance to areas business. So hopefully this èxplains what’s happening during the open air week end
Marc Renaud
Confusing Or Credible Content
Voters like to make informed choices. ‘Do we trust the politicians’ changed to ‘do we trust the source?’ Is it misinformation? disinformation? copycats?
There were two Amherstburg Taxpayers Association Facebook pages – only one was official.
The town’s name is included in a number of sources but it is official?
There are a couple of Facebook pages with names that include Amherstburg election and Amherstburg votes but their identities are not publicly available.
One who is referred to as ‘Amherstburg’s local blogger’ does not publicly display any information about its identity.
Town Hall Blog and its associated Town Hall newsletter, written by Donald McArthur, is not an official town site.
There are only two social media accounts affiliated with the Town of Amherstburg listed on the official Amherstburg website.
I hope you like homework. Study the politicians, but question the source too.
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