Tag Archives: Amherstburg Election 2022

Election Barriers 2022

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From Administration report to council, ‘After the election is complete, the Clerk shall report to Council on election related accessibility issues that were identified and how each issue was addressed during the election period. The Clerk’s report will also be provided to the Municipality’s Accessibility Advisory Committee for information and comment.’

I submitted my list of barriers, including the canddiates’ I encountered and encourage everyone to submit to:

Valerie Critchley
Chief Administrative Officer
Town of Amherstburg
519-736-0012 ext.2238

email: vcritchley@amherstburg.ca

Councillor Candidates: My Opinions, The Incumbents

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My opinions are based on a variety of sources, my interactions, my own fact checking and my perspective as a person with disabilities and advocate.

THE INCUMBENTS: newcomers in 2018

With all the discussion about fiscal responsibility, debt control, strategic plan, KPMG Report, wasteful spending, over expenditures, lack of amenities, community safety, trust, transparency, Ombudsman Report, lack of decorum, sidewalks, road maintenance, fire hall, town hall, studies, design plans, , etc., do the incumbents deserve another chance? for 4 more years?

Peter Courtney is the only incumbent I would like to be re-elected. He has the courage of his convictions and asks tough questions that he acknowledges taxpayers relayed to him. Addressing issues is more important to me than spinning positivity for the sake of avoiding negativity and I trust he’ll do that.

Donald McArthur’s commitment to active transportation and trails, dog park, skate park and Open Air is obvious. He moved to waive the procurement policy and felt the kids were owed an apology and suggested the traffic by-law should be changed because of the distance to the Libro.

McArthur felt there’s a cry for help and he wanted to give more money to the Park House museum than was requested, an additional $6500. He mentioned their fundraiser, music off the back porch, which he has participated in so he’s aware of the museum’s accessibility barriers.

His self evaluation includes ‘hardworking and responsive.’ He angrily argued with a delegate and he hasn’t answered many of my emails. After his speech calling for no reference to Jeffrey Amherst in the new high school name, I asked him if it wasn’t hypocritical to promote ‘a step towards reconciliation’ for the new high school, when council has no jurisdiction to do so, yet dismiss the idea of a name change for the town?

McArthur vociferously promotes Open Air while I equally object to it because of its impact on businesses that are opposed, because its COVID related rationale for existence has ended and because taxpayer money should never be used to sponsor an event that may be contrary to the legislated principles and protection of equal rights.

Marc Renaud is not as vocal as some and also hasn’t answered many of my emails. After nudging and fact checking, he answered my blog reader’s question about removing Open Air barriers. He has minimized concerns about Open Air barriers and remained silent on my delegation about other barriers, including bureaucratic barriers, to the Accessibility Advisory Committee where he was Council’s representative.

Patricia Simone would be my nominee for a ‘mum’s the word award’ because for 7 months she has avoided answering my questions regarding her Notice of Motion and the town’s namesake, Amherst. Without discussion or a motion, Mayor DiCarlo pulled it from the agenda when it was to be discussed. She also hasn’t answered many of my emails or my blog’s questions. Her interest in not for profits is obvious, as is her dedication to heritage, but her promise to engage with residents, in my case, has not been kept.

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.

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:

Hi Linda,

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.

All the best,
Lori

Candidate Question Open Air Barriers – Frank DiPasquale

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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 fifth candidate to respond:

Thank you Ms Saxon for your email. I have supported open air weekends in Amherstburg but accessibility is first and foremost important. Special considerations must be given people with mobility issues and the town and downtown businesses must accommodate anyone who wants access to do their banking by providing assisted wheelchair accessible transportation   For example if someone should park in Richmond outside of the barrier an individual can transport to the bank and back to their vehicle.
Regards Frank

Candidate Question Open Air Barriers – Gerry Theriault

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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 third candidate to respond:

Linda as per your question

In my opinion the open air weekends should not run as they are Every Friday starting at 3pm till Sunday 9pm the streets of Downtown this is not fair to anyone who may have limitations or disabilities to get downtown for banking, of simply to enjoy some of this service businesses that are down in the blocked off areas.

Having spoke to some of the service industry businesses in the area they feel the same way, and feel that their concerns have fallen of deaf ears.  I do believe that a compromise can be reached and perhaps do it simply Saturday maybe starting at 3, and even perhaps Canada day weekend and labour day weekend can be an exception and make it a weekend event.  I hope this answers your question, and if you would like to speak to me further to this or any other issue  please feel free to reach out to me.

Thank you

Gerry Theriault

Candidate Question Open Air Barriers – Diane Pouget

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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 second candidate to respond:

Yes Linda, I am definitely in favor of removing barriers for people with disabilities during Open Air.  The fact that 51% of the businesses in the downtown core want the closure of streets for 3 days on weekends and 4 days on long weekends from May to September is unreasonable and unfair.  This is especially true, since 49% claim that Open Air hurts their business, especially their clients with disability issues.  Further to that, the taxpayers are footing the bill to hurt our most vulnerable residents.  It was disappointing to learn that only one person with a disability was consulted. This is unfair and must be revisited.