The River Bookshop stairs blocked me from the art windsor essex Group of Seven exhibit.
I raised awareness about the Barrier to Accessibility.
Bookshop Co-owner Richard Peddie blocked me on twitter.
Twenty stairs up to second level at River Bookshop
One of KPMG’s recommendations is similar to mine from months ago:
KPMG:
MINE: The town’s Procurement Policy should be updated to reflect provincial legislation.
To view the full KPMG report, click on this link from the agenda.
As published in the Windsor Star July 23, 2022.
Re: Amherstburg gets a closer look at Group of Seven artwork, by Dave Battagello, July 2
Not everyone will get a closer look.
The exhibition was being hosted in a downtown bookstore owned by Richard Peddie.
Victoria Little, chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Art Windsor-Essex, stated recently, “AWE regrets hosting this exhibition in a space that is not accessible in Amherstburg.”
In her letter, Ms. Little explained: “AWE also undertakes partnerships when our overarching goals for a program align with those of community visionaries, such as Richard Peddie.”
But if the goal was to bring this exhibit to Amherstburg, AWE could have selected accessible locations like the downtown Gibson Gallery or the Libro Centre.
The livability of communities cannot be improved if persons with disabilities continue to experience discrimination because of attitudinal and physical barriers.
AWE needs to adopt an accessibility policy and align its goals with legislation that ensures every person has a right to equal treatment with respect to services, goods and facilities without discrimination.
Ms. Little asked for my “patience and understanding that the organization operates within the broader systems of obligations that may conflict with our overarching accessible vision.”
I have been more than patient as I have advocated for improved accessibility for over 30 years. There’s the Ontarians with Disabilities Act 2001, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act 2005, the Human Rights Code, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, along with the goal of a fully accessible province in 2025.
Yet, a public art organization decided it was okay to exclude persons with disabilities with this recent exhibition. Linda Saxon, Amherstburg
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world: indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead
VOTE on Monday, October 24, 2022.
KPMG states, ‘our report may not be disclosed, copied, quoted or referred to in whole or in part, for any purpose, without our prior written consent in each specific instance.’
To view the full report, click on this link from the agenda for the 3 pm July 25 meeting.
Councillor Courtney’s Notice of Motion to be debated at December 13, 2021 meeting:
NOTICE OF MOTION OF COUNCILLOR COURTNEY TO BE DEBATED DECEMBER 13, 2021
WHEREAS section 224 of the Municipal Act clearly defines the role of Council and includes the following:
It is the role of council,
(a) To represent the public and to consider the well-being and interests of the municipality;
(d) To ensure that administrative policies, practices and procedures and controllership policies, practices and procedures are in place to implement the decisions of Council;
(d.1) To ensure the accountability and transparency of the operations of the municipality, including the activities of the senior management of the municipality; and
(e) To maintain the financial integrity of the municipality;
AND WHEREAS it is a best practice to periodically review the internal controls, budgetary variances and management of capital projects in order to ensure Council is carrying out its role pursuant to section 224 of the Municipal Act;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
1. That Council AUTHORIZE the Town’s audit services provider, KPMG, to UNDERTAKE an audit review of the following items:
2. That Council AUTHORIZE the CAO to sign all the necessary documents required to undertake the noted work;
Instead of the usual 6 pm meeting, this ‘special council meeting’ will start at 3 pm; view the full agenda on the town’s website.
Kings Navy Yard Park Extension – Phase 1 Shoreline Improvements an upset limit of $2,000,000; two options include
Malden Park Shelter – Award of Tender an amount of $129,985.13 plus HST;
Skate Park – Contract Award an upset limit of $240,000 plus HST
Libro Trail Tender No. 2022- 031 amount of $543,552.60
Potential candidates have until Friday, August, 19, 2022 at 2:00 pm. to register; details on how to become a candidate on the town’s website.
Vote October 24, 2022
Richard Peddie co-owns River Bookshop in Amherstburg, built in 1885 and restored to honour the building’s heritage. Peddie requested and received heritage designation in 2021.
The website states, “Our second-floor event space is a very important part of our ambition to create a powerful and popular “Third Place” in our community. Consistent with our River Bookshop our values are to educate, inspire, engage and entertain.”
Twenty stairs that Peddie says you just walk up poses a barrier to people with disabilities. Shameful. There is also a raised threshold that I got stuck on and issues with the website.
Councillor Patricia Simone has 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.
The main t-intersection in downtown Amherstburg on Saturday July 9, 2022 closed to vehicular traffic restricts access to two main banks and other stores for persons with disabilities. Is almost $90,000. taxpayer money worth it?
the burg watch 