Tag Archives: amherstburg

What are the candidates’ position on Open Air? Dhaval Prajapati

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Sometimes they play favourites and don’t answer my questions. But I’m continuing the 2014 tradition. For now, I’m only asking about Open Air and will set aside a page just for their Open Air answers – IF they answer.

the burg watch: As you know, Open Air remains a contentious issue, especially because of Councillor Crain’s motion to not revisit it until the end of this term. Will you remove barriers that deny people with disabilities equal access to the community when streets are closed during Open Air weekends?

Dhaval Prajapati: Open Air is clearly an issue that many residents care about. In speaking with people throughout the community, I’ve heard both sides. Some enjoy the atmosphere and activity it brings downtown, while others have concerns that they feel need to be addressed.

As someone running for council, I think it’s important to listen to the people affected, understand the different perspectives, and take the time to review the facts before forming a position.

One of the reasons I am running is because I believe residents want to feel heard and involved in decisions that affect their community. My approach would be to keep those conversations open, listen carefully, and make informed decisions based on what I hear and learn.

What are the candidates’ position on Open Air? Tony Pietrangelo

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Sometimes they play favourites and don’t answer my questions. But I’m continuing the tradition I started in 2014. For now, I’m only asking about Open Air and will set aside a page just for their Open Air answers – IF they answer.

the burg watch: As you know, Open Air remains a contentious issue, especially because of Councillor Crain’s motion to not revisit it until the end of this term. Will you remove barriers that deny people with disabilities equal access to the community when streets are closed during Open Air weekends?

Tony Pietrangelo: As you know I am on AAAC and want nothing more than to help people living with disabilities in Amherstburg.
I have registered to run for town council in our next election. That will be my way of getting things accomplished in a way that is beneficial to all. My insights into accessibility will help me help others. 

the burg watch: You didn’t answer the question. And what, specifically, will accomplish?

Tony Pietrangelo: If I get elected I will help you in any way I can.

the burg watch: You’re not answering the question: Will you remove barriers that deny people with disabilities equal access to the community when streets are closed during Open Air weekends? 

2 weeks later, June 10.

the burg watch: You haven’t answered my original question so maybe you can answer this one: did the Accessibility Committee identify any barriers at Open Air? It’s a simple yes or no question.

What are the candidates’ position on Open Air? Chris Gibb

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Sometimes they play favourites and don’t answer my questions. But I’m continuing the tradition I started in 2014. For now, I’m only asking about Open Air and will set aside a page just for their Open Air answers – IF they answer.

the burg watch: As you know, Open Air remains a contentious issue, especially because of Councillor Crain’s motion to not revisit it until the end of this term. Will you remove barriers that deny people with disabilities equal access to the community when streets are closed during Open Air weekends?

Chris Gibb: As the town’s Accessibility Committee has not identified any barriers, I would need you to be more specific and advise me as to which barriers you have identified. I would then be able to address your concerns.

note: I delegated to council on Open Air barriers; I’ve submitted over a dozen emails to council members and I’ve written several letters to the editor about the exclusion.

the burg watch: Would you direct me to the minutes of Accessibility committee meetings where the committee did not identify any barriers to open air?

Chris Gibb: Sorry but I do not recall the exact date of the particular meeting. Perhaps one of the committee members would be able to help.

the burg watch: I asked Tony Pietrangelo, candidate and accessibility committee member, did the Accessibility Committee identify any barriers at Open Air? It’s a simple yes or no question. 

Pietrangelo did not respond.

NOTE: Gibb answered his wife’s 2022 question about Open Air:

“Personally, I am a huge fan of the Open Air program and I hope to see it continue. I see Open Air as a unique way for the whole “Amherstburg Family” to get together and strengthen our connections with each other, and also develop new connections with new people. If we are going to maintain our small town sense of community as we grow, we have to find ways to gather together and celebrate our fantastic town. We will be seeing a tidal wave of new growth in the next 5 to 10 years with many residents who are new to Amherstburg, if we want to keep our small town charm, we need to have opportunities for those new people to be welcomed into the “Amherstburg Family”, Open Streets is one of those opportunities.”

Open Air barrier follow up with Botsford

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TJ Botsford’s answer to my question about removing Open Air barriers was, “The town of Amherstburg relies on an excellent Accessibility Advisory Committee to look into these matters. It is my understanding that the Accessibility Advisory Committee ensures all events including Open Air are accessible for residents in Amherstburg. If you have concerns, I would suggest that you contact the Accessibility Advisory Committee.”

I reached out on Facebook and followed up with an email:

I asked on your Facebook post about Open Air: what specifically led to your opinion that there is an excellent accessibility committee? Is it your understanding or a fact that the committee ensures all events are accessible?

Botsford: “Residents who wish to serve on the Accessibility Advisory Committee must meet specific eligibility criteria, as required by mandate. It is, therefore, my understanding that those selected possess the knowledge and experience necessary to effectively advise the Town on accessibility barriers and related concerns. I trust that the individuals currently serving on this committee carefully consider the needs of residents and take the time to regularly review and reassess accessibility issues as circumstances and community needs change over time.”

What are the candidates’ position on Open Air? Lena Lazanja

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Sometimes they play favourites and don’t answer my questions. But I’m continuing the tradition I started in 2014. For now, I’m only asking about Open Air and will set aside a page just for their Open Air answers – IF they answer.

the burg watch: As you know, Open Air remains a contentious issue, especially because of Councillor Crain’s motion to not revisit it until the end of this term. Will you remove barriers that deny people with disabilities equal access to the community when streets are closed during Open Air weekends?

Lena Lazanja: In the planning/application stages of public events in Amherstburg, accessibility concerns are addressed by the Accessibility Advisory Committee to ensure that all events (including Open Air) are made accessible for residents/public.

To be clear, to provide “accessibility” (for Open Air) the event organizers should focus on the proactive design and/or modification of products, devices, services, or environments to ensure they can be used equitably by everyone, including people with disabilities.

The purpose of providing an  equitable environment is to remove physical, technological, and systemic barriers, allowing all individuals independent and equal access.
Sometimes, such barriers are not immediately recognized by event planners. For example, socio-ecomomic barriers are often overlooked, due to it being “invisible”.

Many times, barriers are only fully recognized once an event is underway, through lived experience. 

For this reason, it is critical that organizers and committees frequently re-evaluate event plans. refer to the public’s feedback, to fully understand accessibility issues and address them properly, as they come to light.

As a Councillor, I would assume that the Accessibility Advisory Committee was adept at ensuring all events including Open Air are accessible in Amherstburg, because that is their job. However, should new concerns arise, based on evidence and public input, it would be negligent of me if I did not look into the matter further.

Creating and maintaining accessible environments is a team effort, so that everyone is able to enjoy what Amherstburg has to offer.

Linda, I hope this answers your question. 
Also, I would be willing to continue to participate in your blog postings by answering any questions you might have throughout the campaign months ahead. However, I would appreciate you removing my/other candidates names from a “did not respond” section. Campaign time is a very busy time, and sometimes candidates are so inundated with information and requests, that some things slip through the cracks. We are not required to answer blog requests for public posting. Since it is voluntary, I know that we would appreciate not being singled out…as in my case, it makes me appear as though I refuse to reply, rather than a simple oversight.
I appreciate your support on this.
Also, for future reference, my last name is Lazanja (you have misspelled my name on your blog)

the burg watch: I did not include you, as you state, in a “did not respond” section. 

I will not remove your name or other candidates’ names because I reported factually, the “candidates that haven’t answered to date.”

You may not be familiar with my blog but in a 2014 post I acknowledged, “While the candidates have never been obliged to answer, by doing so allows for scrutiny beyond the campaign marketing materials. Some candidates’ answers are thorough, well thought out and responsive; others have ignored requests for specificity and others are misinformed.” 

I will always continue the tradition of naming candidates that aren’t responsive. Readers have a right to know if their concerns will ‘slip through the cracks,’ regardless of the excuse.

I’m sure you can appreciate people not coming to your facebook page and telling you what content you should or should not be sharing with your readers.

I have corrected the misspelling of your name, but I left your misspelling in place – another tradition to record verbatim responses.Answers and questions back from other candidates will be posted in future posts.Candidates that haven’t answered to date:
Frank Cerasa

Windsor Police Negotiations: Councillor Pouget’s Inquiry

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Councillor Pouget emailed questions pertaining to a River Town Times article about Councillor Crain’s and Deputy Mayor Gibb’s meeting with Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens to Mayor Prue, CAO Critchley and council on June 11.

Critchley provided information to which she is privy, set out below Pouget’s questions.

Pouget: I am corresponding with you this morning, regarding an article that appeared in the River Town Times on June 10, 2026, written by Ron Giofu.

As you are aware, I was in a Conflict of Interest, regarding policing, due to a close family member working for the Windsor Police Service.  I publicly declared this conflict each and every time, that policing was discussed.  When Amherstburg announced, that we were no longer negotiating with Windsor Police, I was no longer in a conflict.

However, on March 9, 2026, I discovered at an In-camera Meeting, that I was once again in a conflict, regarding Item E – Negotiations associated with policing services in the Town of Amherstburg, and I declared accordingly.  I did not know the outcome of that meeting, nor should I.

Since then, my close family member has retired effective May 1, 2026 from Windsor Police/Amherstburg and I am no longer in conflict.

I am only aware of police negotiations through the media.  I was surprised and very concerned to learn, that 2 members of Council met with Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens to discuss policing, even though it states, that our Council voted twice to discontinue talks with Windsor Policing.

With all due respect, I am requesting the following information regarding said article:

  1. Who gave permission to Councillor Crain and Deputy Mayor Gibb to meet with Mayor Dilkens, on behalf of the Town of Amherstburg, if Council had already rejected negotiating with Windsor Police on 2 occasions?

    Critchley: I do not have any information on this question.
  2. If either person requests a reconsideration regarding policing, will I be provided all pertinent information, so that I may speak and vote on all policing issues? Gibb’s statement: “We will just have to wait and see what Council decides.  I am looking forward to having the discussion publicly.”

    Critchley: Yes, as you no longer have a conflict, you will be provided with all information on the matter.
  1. I find Deputy Mayor Gibb’s statement demoralizing for the Mayor: “Why the mayor (Prue) didn’t talk to Mayor Dilkens, you’ll have to ask him.”  There is no mention of former dialogue exchanged between our 2 municipalities, that led to this conflict.

    Critchley: I do not have any information on this item.
  2. Crain and Gibb refer to a an Amherstburg resident on board, that makes a debate worth happening.  When time permits, will you please advise, who the resident is and how many times he or she has corresponded with the Town of Amherstburg, regarding our mutual agreement with Windsor Policing?  What information has he or she supplied, if any?

    Critchley: There is a Provincial Appointee on the Board named David Hammond whom I believe lives in Amherstburg. I have never received any correspondence from him.

    related: Amherstburg Resident On Windsor Police Service Board

Inconsistencies: Deputy Mayor Gibb On Committees

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Deputy Mayor Gibb’s inconsistent approach to committees’ involvement: committees are ‘experts’ but they shouldn’t determine service level.

May 13, 2024 Council meeting

Big Creek watershed email from resident and discussion.

“I’m not going to oppose this motion. I mean, it is what it is. I just personally, I think it’s a little bit, um, I think that this should have gone through the environmental committee. I kind of feel bad that we’re cutting them out of the loop because that’s really their purview. But like I said, this is, I’m not going to oppose it on that. I just think in the future we should think about our committees because they meet and they’re the experts. I would have preferred it to go through that committee first,” said Gibb.

June 25, 2024 Council meeting

Gibb asked Councillor Pouget to clarify her motion to “make a motion to direct administration to request the audit and finance committee to perform a cost analysis study of the Libro Centre.”

“As a member of town council, I’m not comfortable with having a committee determine the level of service that we’re going to provide to our residents. That’s, I think a decision of Council. I would be glad to have that discussion during budget as far as the Libro Centre budget goes, but I can’t support having a committee make that decision for our residents.” said Gibb following clarification.

Flag raising another minimal effort

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Another ceremony. Another speech. Another photo op.

Some of Amherstburg’s politicians attended the town’s National AccessAbility Week flag raising ceremony at the Libro Wednesday morning.

Aside from Councillor Diane Pouget, the only council member who has consistently advocated on behalf of residents with disabilities, the others embraced the optics of inclusion.

Mayor Prue delivered a political speech. It sounded like he was reading from a script meant to assure the small crowd that accessibility and inclusion matter in Amherstburg.

I wasn’t convinced. Formed by my lived experience as a person with a disability, attitudinal barriers guide decisions that negatively impact Amherstburg’s disability population.

Prue recognized council members in attendance and wanted to thank the members of the Disability Committee. 

(The correct name is the Amherstburg Accessibility Advisory Committee).

“It’s National Accessibility Week, and across all of Ontario, across many parts of Canada, people are wearing red shirts. If you’re wondering, some people, why there’s so many red shirts here today, this is the, this is the logo for today, Red Shirt Day, and people are coming together to celebrate and to acknowledge the accessibility, the importance of accessibility in all of our communities.” 

(No, red shirts are not the logo. Red Shirt Day is an Easter Seals Society initiative that is held on the Wednesday during National AccessAbility Week).

Prue acknowledged, at least on this occasion, “that many individuals continue to face barriers every day. These barriers can limit participation and independence, and it is our shared responsibility to remove them.” 

(Yet my input on barriers that prevent equal participation has been ignored, dismissed and has resulted in litigation against the town and town clerk). 

“Accessibility and inclusion go hand in hand when we design a community to be inclusive, we create a better, more welcoming place for everyone.”

(Yes, but stating a fact doesn’t make it a reality). 

Prue then stated council remains, “committed to preventing and reducing barriers in Amherstburg, and to working alongside our accessibility advisory committee, community partners, and residents to make meaningful progress. 

(oh, but my April delegation request to call for council to act and create a community engagement policy was denied).

“I just want to say on behalf of the town council, on behalf of everybody who is here, occasionally, some of you may think that we don’t do things fast enough, but I will tell you, within the budgets we have, we try our very best to make that commitment that every event, every festival, every street, every playground, everything that we do has accessibility written right into it. 

(Every street can’t have accessibility written right into it when it’s closed. Fourteen weekends of closures that prevent equal access to our own community. Street closures have nothing to do with money or timelines but I think they have everyting to do with attitudinal barriers).

“We’re very proud in the last this year to open two or three new playgrounds, all of which are hugely, hugely accessible.”

(No, they’re not hugely accessible. They’re minimally accessible according to minimal standards).

“They’re designed for children, especially to make sure that they have the same opportunities as other children to go to the playgrounds and to participate in all of the very best ways…”

(Some children with disabilities will not have the same opportunities because minimally accessible playgrounds will exclude some children).

Prue thanked the accessibility committee again, noting they meet about once a month, and they have a lot of thorny issues. 

(The committee does not meet monthly, and I don’t recall thorny issues being dealt with. The committee didn’t even discuss my list of barriers encountered when voting).

“They are the eyes and ears of our community, and they advise us as councillors what to do and how to make the community more accessible,” said Prue. 

(But Amherstburg isn’t an inclusive community. There are legislative obligations to consult with the public and people with disabilities as well as the committee. I asked for the dates of those consultations; no answer).

Before Prue read the proclamation, he explained his chain of office.

“The chain of office is worn every time there’s a big public event where something of note takes place, or when the mayor is with important people, this is this meets all three criteria. So that’s why it’s being worn today, because you are important. All of you are important to our town in making sure that we do right by the people who need just that little nudge to fully participate.” 

(And the ‘nudge’ comment convinced me this was just another speech. It confirmed my belief that attitudinal barriers are prevalent along with a disability model that should’ve faded away a long time ago).

Prue then read the proclamation.

What are the candidates’ position on Open Air? Bill Petruniak

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Sometimes they play favourites and don’t answer my questions. But I’m continuing the tradition I started in 2014. For now, I’m only asking about Open Air and will set aside a page just for their Open Air answers – IF they answer.

the burg watch: As you know, Open Air remains a contentious issue, especially because of Councillor Crain’s motion to not revisit it until the end of this term. Will you remove barriers that deny people with disabilities equal access to the community when streets are closed during Open Air weekends?

Bill Petruniak: I sent a proposal to council last year as a compromise solution. They did not respond. The reason given is that they could not discuss Open Air until 2027.

I proposed to open up Dalhousie street for one way traffic from North to South and only block off the east vehicle lane. This would allow more parking, access to at least a couple of handicap parking spaces, and make it possible for people who are physically challenged to be dropped off right at Richmond and Dalhousie. I offered to pay for all signage and to even make the sign posts. No reply. This would not satisfy all AODA requirements but at least it would be a start. I asked that a dialogue be started regarding making Richmond more accessible during Open Air but no response either. None of them seem to care. May 25.

Answers and questions back from other candidates will be posted in future posts.

Candidates that haven’t answered to date:
Frank Cerasa