Park House Museum Accessibility Barriers

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Continuing with photos from my downtown tour, the Park House Museum walk and ramp could use an update.

When asked about accessibility, Park House Curator advised they are currently fundraising to replace the current ramps and walkways and to add a push-button door.

As for the website, ‘we have changed the colour from black to white to enhance visibility and recently launched a user survey to see where our visitors would like changes to be made.’ I couldn’t locate an Accessibility Policy on the website, but the Curator provided me with a blanket policy including a link to training that will be provided, as outlined by the documentation at www.mto.gov.on.ca. i’m not sure how useful the Ministry of Transportation site will be.

In March 2022, the town granted the museum’s request for $8500. and provided an additional $6500. for a total of $15,000.

In March 2022, it was also announced that the museum received a $19700. grant from Ontario’s Community Building Fund Operating stream.

The August 8, 2022 town council agenda includes a memo: $15,000 for the precommitment of the 2022 Park House Grant

Sooner, rather than later, funding will need to be allocated to imrproving accessibility at the Park House and other buildings in town.

park house museum rotting wooden walk and ramp in amherstburg, ontario

Where Are The Candidates? Two Weeks To Nomination Deadline

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Candidates for the October 24, 2022 municipal election have two weeks to file nomination papers as candidates. Maybe people are waiting until the last day.

In 2018 the number of candidates were:

Mayor – 2
Deputy Mayor – 4
Councillor 14 for 5 positions

So far, 2022:

Mayor – 4
Deputy Mayor – 1
Councillor 5 for 5 positions

Ask The Candidates 2022

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The Burg Watch created an historic first in 2014 when readers submitted questions to the candidates.

Is there something you would like the council candidates to answer to in 2022?

A feedback form has been added to submit questions for the candidates which will be sent to the candidates following Nomination Day August 19, 2022.

Responses will be posted if and when they are received.

Concurrent Committee Members

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Amherstburg’s Boards and Committees Appointment Policy, enacted September 26, 2011, could use an update but also adherence to the policy.

“PURPOSE OF POLICY

The purpose of the Town of Amherstburg Boards and Committees Appointment Policy is to ensure a fair and equitable appointment process to Town Boards and Committees where:

  • The most qualified applicants are appointed as Members; and
  • Applicants are representative of Amherstburg’s diverse community with a broad wealth of experience and skills.”

Section 3.4. states Members will not be appointed to more than two (2) Boards or Committees in a Term of Council.

Are Committees representative of a diverse community if concurrent members are appointed and rules are waived?  

Chris Drew:

  • Accessibility Advisory Committee
  • Dangerous Dog Appeal
  • Property Standards
  • Livestock Evaluator 2015
  • Fence Viewer 2015

Tony Pietrangelo:

  • Accessibility Advisory Committee
  • Fence Viewer
  • Seniors Advisory

Shirley Curson-Prue: Councillor Prue removed himself from discussion and voting due to his declared conflict of interest re her appointment to the Accessibility Advisory Committee

  • Accessibility Advisory Committee
  • Heritage
  • Parks and Recreation

Murray Sellars:

  • Co-An Park
  • Fene Viewer
  • Livestock Evaluator

Anthony Campigotto:

  • Committee of Adjustment
  • Drainage
  • Property Standards

Jennie Lajoie:

  • Co-An Park
  • Heritage

Christine Easterbrook:

  • Accessibility Advisory Committee
  • Inclusive Community Program Advisory Steering Committee

Kathy DiBartolomeo:

  • Seniors
  • Inclusive Community Program Advisory Steering Committee

Amherstburg’s Open Air 2022 Barriers Part Three – Maps

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Amherstburg is not Bogota.

Populations:
Amherstburg 21,936
Bogota 11, 167,000

Amherstburg’s Open Air event where, for the third year, barriers prevent the almost 5,000 persons with disabilities from equally participating in their community: barriers to the post office, banks, hair salons and parking to allow for games, patios, entertainment to occupy the streets.

Visit Amherstburg website includes two links to the same map:

“To assist you we have this map to help you best decide where to park your vehicle. You’ll see we have added additional accessible parking spots at the Open Air thresholds as well as additional bike racks to help encourage active transportation.

Click here to see additional bicycle, vehicle and accessible parking areas.”

The first map:downtown Amherstburg map closed streets during spring to fall weekends

The second map:downtown Amherstburg map closed streets during spring to fall weekends accessible parking

Who decided it was a good idea to have two links to one map on the same page?

Amherstburg’s Open Air 2022 Barriers To Inclusion Part Two

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Amherstburg is not Bogota.

This is a continuation of photos showing the barriers to Amherstburg’s downtown due to its ‘Open Air’ event where open streets are closed to vehicular traffic on the weekends from May to September.

barriers to Murray Street in Amherstburg, Ontario during the weekends of summer months

Amherstburg’s Open Air event where, for the third year, barriers prevent the almost 5,000 persons with disabilities from equally participating in their community: barriers to the post office, banks, hair salons and parking to allow for games, patios, entertainment to occupy the streets.

Further Details About Ombudsman Report July 2022

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The Ombudsman found that the Town did not contravene the Act’s open meeting requirements in closing these meetings to the public. However, the Town contravened section 239(4)(a) of the Act on September 13 and November 16, 2021 by failing to state by resolution the general nature of the matters to be considered in camera. The Town also contravened the requirements of section 239(7) of the Act by failing to keep a record of what occurred in camera on November 8 and November 16, 2021.

Read the full report here.

Then-Clerk Valerie Critchley’s response to concerns about in camera minutes were posted on March 4, 2022 in this post: Lack of In-camera Information = Lack of Transparency?

Also read:

Posted on June 29, 2018 Ombudsman: Council And Joint Police Advisory Committee Wrong To Discuss RFP In Camera

Posted on January 6, 2012 Ombudsman Posts ‘Behind Closed Doors’ Report