Financial Audit Converted To Review Raises Questions

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In a November 20, 2013 Windsor Star article, Julie Kotsis reported Hurst cast the deciding vote to oppose the motion to request an independent audit and called it the beginning of the “silly season” noting that an election was coming up next year.

At its January 20, 2014 town council meeting, a unanimous motion was carried to ask the ministry for an audit. According to The Windsor Star, Councillor Diane Pouget said she called the ministry as well and was told “it is council’s responsibility to request this audit.”

Phipps’ March 21, 2014 Report To Council included a recommendation that, “Council approve, in principle, moving forward with the Financial Management and Practices Review for the Town of Amherstburg with the costs of the Review being borne by the municipality. Council unanimously agreed.

According to a July 17, 2014 Windsor Star article, Pouget said, “We need an in depth investigation of what happened to that money (that was moved from reserve and other dedicated accounts) and how it got moved and who moved it. We need answers and I would have never agreed to spend $100,000 just to review policies and procedures and to tell us how to do something better.”

Hurst Will Not Run Again

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Hurst announced his plans tonight at the Verdi Club. According to Julie Kotsis’ article on The Windsor Star blog, Hurst threw a few punches at what he called a misinformed few (who are) misleading people to think the town is corrupt.

He wouldn’t be the first mayor in Amherstburg to criticize those who voice concerns about civic matters.

Who’s Beating A Dead Horse?

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Council will once again consider the horse and carriage in the Navy Yard Park issue at its June 23 meeting. The agenda can be found on an external link, despite my requesting it be placed elsewhere and in another format.

In his May 20, 2014 report to council, shamefully, Dean Collver, Director of Community Services states, “Administration is recommending that horse and carriage vendors, licensed to operate as a business in the Town of Amherstburg, be permitted to enter KNYP for the purpose of special occasions tied to the park’s gazebo facility.”

Collver provides a background, although accessibility issues are blatantly missing. I raised the issue of accessibility in this letter, which makes me wonder if, once again, my concerns were ignored. I also emailed everyone on council, “I’m writing to express my disappointment with council’s actions regarding this matter, with the exception of Councillor Pouget. It is unfathomable that the parks department widened sidewalks to accommodate a business that was in violation with the town, yet I endured a ten year battle with the town to obtain equal access to the library, which, ironically, the town takes credit for in its annual accessibility plan as an accomplishment.”

Collver lists others consulted, which did not include a public hearing for public input regarding an exemption to a town by-law nor did it include members of the Amherstburg Accessibility Advisory Committee. I let the Committee know last fall that the horses and buggy request for by-law exemption is an example of a by-law that could have been included in the plan and should have been addressed by the committee. I never received a response.

In the council approved Amherstburg multi-year accessibility plan, Mayor Hurst states, in part, “Council and Administration, along with our Amherstburg Accessibility Advisory Committee are working together to identify, remove and prevent barriers.”

So the question is: does council intend to accept administration’s recommendation, contradict this statement and defy legislation? As I have previously mentioned, both business owners and the town are subject to the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Ontarians with Disabilities Act 2001 and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act 2005.

Commentary by Linda Saxon

 

Tourist Booth Band-aid

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During 2014 budget deliberations, council considered closing the north end tourist booth and redirecting tourists to the Gordon House, an idea that had been considered in the past. However, council subsequently agreed to $8000.00 from TWEPI (Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island) to cover seasonal staffing for a one-year pilot project.

Who will step in and save the booth next year, or the following years if the next council decides taxpayers can ill afford to keep it open?

Residents watched the tourist booth transform from a utilitarian centre to one that included a new fountain, gazebo, stonework planters, trees and the ridiculous two approaches to its entrance – could universal access, or one approach, have saved $8000.00?

Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) Program

As announced on January 27, 2009 as part of the government’s Economic Action Plan, the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) is providing $1 billion across the country to help create jobs and employment opportunities in communities affected by the global recession.

According to Jeff Watson’s facebook page, “Amherstburg’s $11.265 million CAF grant was the largest in Canada and has helped the town re-invent itself after major industrial closures over the past decade. Amherstburg’s contribution was only $585,000.

We cut the ribbon on the completely reconstructed Laird Avenue in front of Wigle Park. Project components also included bus lay-by’s for General Amherst HS and new crosswalk for pedestrian and student safety, and a completely new North gateway entrance at the community’s tourism information booth.”

 

Amherstburg Police Constable Andrew Challans Not Guilty

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The Police Services Act hearing concluded today with a finding of not guilty on all counts.

The Windsor Star Dec 04, 2013 article reported that Challans’ lawyer Bradie argued testimony showed it was Const. Aaron Chambers who intervened and “applied force that caused injury to Timms-Fryer’s face” when he knocked him to the ground. 

How much will this add to the taxpayers’ burden?

Essex Power Shares Issue To Be Discussed May 6

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the controversy regarding council’s upcoming decision continues with questions about which council members will vote to sell or keep the asset. taxpayers can voice their objection to sell in this online petition. one local resident has been assured that carolyn davies will vote to keep our shares in this post.

in a february 20, 2014 email, carolyn davies’ position was, “Thank you for your concerned input. Be confident that I am not prepared to make a decision without all the facts outlining  the pros and cons that should be contained in the  public report being presented to us.  Certainly, I am in support of maintaining the ownership of our Essex power shares because they are a renewable and ongoing  asset. The report  may confirm that keeping our shares is the prudent thing to do.   With the price of electricity going up shares could also do the same. There is also the issue of keeping power public, just what owning municipal shares do. I have been receiving many positive and encouraging communications of support.”

in a february 21 email, bart dipasquale’s position was, “Thanks for your opinion on the Essex Power shares matter. I am of the same opinion as you with regard to selling these shares off. It would let down all our residents especially our future generations.”

while no one else responded, councillors pouget and sutherland have been vocal against the sale.

4-3, majority rules.