Amherstburg’s charm, history and vicious politics

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Worth reading again. Anne Jarvis, the Windsor Star, wrote Amherstburg’s charm, history and vicious politics in June 2019:

“This issue has cost Amherstburg not only two investigations and more than $16,400. It has torn the town apart for 10 months. The election was ugly. The meetings on the issue were hostile. And social media has been vicious.

People in Amherstburg are engaged, to say the least. Council meetings are often packed. People comment aloud and applaud. There are several local bloggers. But the vicious politics — “it does seem to be endless,” admitted DiCarlo.

Candidate Question Open Air Barriers – Molly Allaire

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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?

The ninth candidate to answer:

Hey Linda,

I love Open Air Weekends, my family partakes every weekend for sure. I will be honest after going door to door my eyes have been opened up to a great deal of problems in our town that I was unaware of. Open air has many positives and negatives. I think the blockades that they created this year allow better parking for the majority. We could make it more accessible for people with disabilities by blocking off the waterfront parking area specifically for them allowing closer access to amenities. I also believe that open air is wonderful but should only be one day instead of 3. Many residents say that it is more of a nuisance trying to get to their bank, business, home etc. Business owners have stated that their business has actually done worse during these hours because lack of access to the area. I think having it one day would be a fair compromise and make it still an event for people to come and enjoy.

Election Signs Confiscated By By-law Officer

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Some of the candidates have complained that their elections signs are being confiscated and they will have to pay to retrieve them.

In an email, Mayor Aldo DiCarlo advised, “To the best of my knowledge, there has been a total of 40 campaign signs removed.

All candidates were given a copy of the Sign By-law in their nomination packages and a reminder email went out to them on August 23, 2022 as well.”

Candidate Question Open Air Barriers – Nancy Atkinson

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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?

The ninth candidate to respond:

Hi Linda

I am not in favour of there being barriers on any of our streets that would hinder any resident from enjoying their community to it’s fullest.

While Open Air is certainly enjoyed by some, it was proposed as a ONE TIME expense to the taxpayers to help businesses during Covid when indoor dining was not available at a cost of $50,000. It has remained in place and the cost has grown. We have a beautiful waterfront and it is in my opinion closed off to all out for a weekend drive. It is a favourite thing for many to do in the summer….

Perhaps Open Air on a Saturday night from 4 – midnight would suffice and the expense should not be born by the taxpayers.

Nancy Atkinson

Candidate Question Open Air Barriers – Donald McArthur

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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?

The eighth candidate to respond:

Hi Linda,

Thanks for the opportunity to connect with the residents of Amherstburg!

Open Air Weekends has provided our youth a safe place to gather. I’ve been astounded this year to see how many more teens and younger kids are playing street chess, ping pong and corn hole instead of sitting at home staring into their phone. They come to Open Air on their feet, their scooters and their bikes and they get fresh air and exercise in the open and in the community, away from isolation and away from trouble.

Open Air Weekends has become a family-friendly attraction in a Town with so few things for our youth to do. I think we need to embrace that energy and that momentum and build on it, creating even more programming for our kids and young families. Open Air has improved every year and it still hasn’t reached its potential.

The Town has taken in feedback each year and made improvements. The footprint was made smaller this year, creating an intensified experience and more parking. The revised footprint added 21 additional spots, including two new accessible spots. There are accessible parking spaces in the King’s Navy Yard Parking lot and at the different entrances to Open Air. All told, there are 549 parking spaces within a six-minute walking radius of Richmond and Dalhousie and 312 within three minutes, according to an administrative report.

If there are persisting issues with accessibility, let’s work collaboratively to address them in consultation with the Town’s Accessibility Advisory Committee. Let’s not give up on something that engages our youth while promoting economic development, something that sets our Town apart in a positive way and creates the sort of bustling environment where a hotel cannot only open but flourish.

Thanks,

Don

Candidate Question Open Air Barriers – Lori Wightman

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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?

The seventh candidate to respond:

Thanks for your question and for doing this for the residents of Amherstburg.

I see Open Air Amherstburg as a living, evolving event that can be tweaked and adjusted in an ongoing manner. It’s a tricky situation as half the businesses feel that it is a great benefit to them and half feel it reduces their business. I know that this year the footprint was adjusted in order to allow some businesses to be outside the closed streets and I know the town did add additional handicap-designated parking spots at the corner of Richmond and Ramsay and the corner of Murray and Ramsay. As well, the parking lot at Richmond and Dalhousie is open for accessible parking.  But as I said before – it can always be assessed and modified to accommodate differing needs and circumstances and I am open to hearing ideas and proposals.