In 30 days voters will head to the polls and elect a new council for the next 4 years. Are you ready? Are you getting to know the candidates and their platforms? Are you comparing performance records with campaign promises if candidates are running for re-election? Notice any inconsistencies? Can you spot the rhetoric? Has anyone surprised you or impressed you?
Amherstburg Police Association Silent On Police Contract
It has been one week since Shawn McCurdy, President, Amherstburg Police Association, was advised of this blog, the readers’ questions pertaining to the OPP clause of the police contract and Berthiaume’s presentation to the Amherstburg Citizens for Responsible Government (ACRG). McCurdy was asked to comment on the Association’s position regarding the clause; i.e. maintain, remove?
Sutton On Police Contract Negotiations
It has been two weeks since Candidates and current Police Services Board Members Cleminson, Gemmell, and Sutton were asked to confirm/deny that police contract negotiations are underway and whether a consultant was hired to negotiate the new contract on behalf of the board.
Board Chair John Sutton’s written response to my correspondence to the Board is:
“An initial meeting has been schedule for negotiations for the collective agreement; and No decision has been made to hire a consultant at this time.” note: typos are not mine.
Candidates/current APSB members Cleminson, Gemmell and Sutton have not answered any questions submitted by readers pertaining to this or any other topic.
Feedback Submission And Response
The following was submitted via the feedback form on the ask the candidates page:
“One topic which hasn’t been addressed is a solution to the chronic flooding problems in town. One suggestion i would have is to have 5 or 6 topics and have the candidates prioritize them,1 through 6 or however many topics you feel are important.”
Response: Question 14 dealt with flooding issues; only Aldo DiCarlo, Scott Kendell and Glenn Swinton provided answers.
Thank you for the suggestion; however, “Ask The Candidates” was initiated, as stated on the question page, because in past municipal election campaigns when debates were organized the public had limited opportunities to ask questions. All topics submitted to date are important and if elected, candidates will be called on to address a variety of concerns to ratepayers.
The table posted earlier today indicates that some candidates are eager to answer the questions; others have not answered one; and some have not researched the issues.
The candidates are promoting their platforms and prioritizing their messages through their chosen marketing methods; this blog will remain a venue for ratepayers.
Adler Withdraws, Supports DiCarlo
CKLW reports that “at the time he entered the race, there was no alternative to the ‘status quo’. But he says that changed on the final day of nominations when Aldo DiCarlo entered the race.
Adler says he has researched DiCarlo’s campaign and believes there is now a more viable candidate for the mayor of Amherstburg.”
Question 17 For The Candidates – Infrastructure and Services For All of Amherstburg
Question 17, submitted via the feedback form, is: What will you do to ensure that citizens living outside of the historical core of Amherstburg receive the same quality municipal infrastructure and services? This means sidewalks, parks, multi-use trails, neighbourhood commercial and institutional uses.
All questions to date are on the Ask The Candidates page. If or when candidates respond, their answers will be posted on the Candidate Answers page.
The Burg Watch Domain Change
Aside
The Burg Watch has been moved to theburgwatch.com. It may take up to 72 hours for the changeover, but redirection is automatic.
Poll Updated
The poll has been updated to allow for readers to vote for the different positions of Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor; unfortunately, the results for the Mayor and Deputy Mayor categories have been overwritten and start anew at 0%.
Candidate Debates Held At Inaccessible Verdi Club
As a person with a disability who has had to have my equal rights enforced twice in this community through the provincial complaints system, shame on the Amherstburg Chamber of Commerce and the Verdi Club for holding a debate at the inaccessible Verdi Club when the Libro Centre has automated doors to its entrance, which is a necessity for me.
During this spring’s provincial election campaign, the AODA Alliance sought pledges that no candidate will agree to attend an All Candidates Debate in an inaccessible location. The Alliance reported, “There is simply no excuse for holding an inaccessible All Candidates Debate in Ontario’s 2014 election. The organizers should not have chosen such a location. The candidates should have made sure that the location was accessible before agreeing to take part in the event.”
I am seeking pledges from the local candidates and will post their responses to this blog.
Commentary by Linda Saxon
Public Meeting For Financial Review To Be Held?
Kirk Dickinson of Blackburn News reported, “following council’s review of a report on Amherstburg’s Financial Services Management Practices, Deputy Mayor Ron Sutherland says the next step should be to involve the public.”
the burg watch 