Tag Archives: amherstburg

We Already Pay For Policing

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Heidi Baillargeon recommends ‘That Council APPROVE an over expenditure in the amount of $20,000 from the General Reserve Fund in order to cover the cost of this service’ in her report on today’s council meeting agenda: Subject: Safety at Admiral Hockey Games.

The town’s obligations regarding the provision of adequate and effective police services in accordance with its needs is set out in provincial legislation and the 20-year contract between the town of Amherstburg and Windsor.

(3) Every chief of police shall establish procedures and processes on community patrol which address when and where directed patrol is considered necessary or appropriate, based on such factors as crime, call and public disorder analysis, criminal intelligence and road safety.  O. Reg. 3/99, s. 4 (3)

If safety issues are affecting the community and amenities as mentioned in Baillargeon’s report to council, “This behavior has continued to escalate since last season with damage not only at the Libro but other Town facilities as well such as King Navy Yard Park and Toddy Jones Park washrooms where cameras were recently installed this spring,” should public consultations be held to determine if the community’s policing needs are being met?

The report mentions consultations with Windsor Police generally, but how many incidents were there? were charges laid? what was the result? what is included in the memorandum of understanding to be attached to paid duties? Did Windsor Police publish a report with its recommended actions after it conducted a site assessment, based on principles of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design like it did for the safety concerns at the skateboard park in October 2021? 

Mayor Aldo DiCarlo was quoted in a Windsor Star article, “Our goal was to try to ensure residents felt no difference … For those who were concerned about a drop in service level — That just didn’t happen. I would say that it appears we have improved service levels.” “The feedback I’ve been getting from residents is that it seems our officers are everywhere,” DiCarlo said.

One or more of the current council candidates has mentioned community safety. Maybe we do need meaningful public consultation.

Candidates Address Rumours

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There are so many active discussions online about the candidates, in addition to the coffee shops, compared to 2014 when I first facilitated questions from residents to candidates.

Lately, I’ve spent more time online than I care to in an attempt to be better informed and the same rumours keep popping up.

I reached out to two candidates; I specifically asked Mayoral Candidate John Laframboise if he would provide his phone number for people to call regarding questions and/or rumours. I specifically asked Deputy Mayoral Candidate Chris Gibb if he would address rumours appearing online.

I won’t duplicate the rumours here but I provided screen shots and or mentioned the online location of them and both candidates were happy to grant me permission to post their responses.

Mayoral Candidate John Laframboise

I served as ”the Volunteer President of the Assumption Heritage Trust Foundation“ appointed by the Foundation Board. I resigned June 2012 along with ALL FOUNDATION BOARD MEMBERS …after Bishop Fabbro CANCELLED more than 2 MILLION DOLLARS in Pledges to the Campaign.

We were actively soliciting 12 Million Dollars of ASKS at the time.

The Windsor Community Foundation pledged $135,000, The City of Windsor Heritage Fund pledged $250,000, Assumption Parish pledged $567,000, The Baker Foundation $ 100,000, Riverview Steel $100,000, to name a few.

Jeff Baker was the Lawyer for the Foundation and Jerome Brannigan, Deputy Police Chief City of Windsor was the Treasurer …very easy to VERIFY what I am saying is true!

Unfortunately the Windsor Star buried the truth in the Paper months later.

I would be pleased to SHOW the Final Report and audit by Price Waterhouse to anyone.

John Laframboise 519 259-3636

Deputy Mayoral Candidate Chris Gibb

I was asked by the Town to sit on a committee, with many others, to review the resumes of the people who applied to be Amherstburg’s CAO back at that time. The committee reviewed the applicants and then presented John Miceli as the most qualified applicant at the time. He was eventually hired by Town Council. I have attached a copy of the Council meeting minutes showing which councillors voted for and against his hiring.

As far as the rumours regarding the police bill, for those saying that I owe the town money, that is a lie. I do not, nor have I ever owed the town any money. I was part of a group of volunteers that were asked by the Town to run a festival. We were then presented with, what we felt, was an unjustified bill from the Amherstburg Police. We disputed the bill with the police board and with the town. It is actually quite an interesting story for anyone who has had dealings with the former Amherstburg Police Services Board.

If you ever want to get together to discuss these issues further I would be glad to sit down with you.

Chris Gibb

Miceli hiring_1

Copyright – this information is protected by Canada’s Copyright Act. Request written permission from the burg watch at gmail dot com.

Amherstburg Candidates And Accessibility: Chamber of Commerce

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I appreciated Mayoral Candidate John Laframboise holding his meet and greet at the K of C Hall in Amherstburg, while several other candidates held meet and greets in locations with barriers.

I was just as disappointed that the Chamber of Commerce used the stage, with its stairs, for the Mayoral and Deputy Mayoral Candidates’ Night on October 12, 2022.

stairs leading up to stage in hall for municipal candidate night in Amherstburg, Ontario 2022

Chamber Council Candidates – Missed the Show?

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The link to last night’s candidate event is available on the Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page.

It felt awkward, candidates having to switch seats, only some questions to some candidates and time wasted on candidates having to repeat lengthy questions, not to mention audio cutting out and the show being delayed.

Chamber of Commerce Councillor Candidates’ Event

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Well that was interesting. The chamber erroneously advertised it as a councillor debate. Technical difficulties delayed the live feed so I missed a lot of the candidates’ opening addresses. The ‘community standards’ warning popped up about bullying and hate speech in the chat. FOR WHAT?!!

All I asked was, kids play in the streets because they can’t play in the parks? Two very hot topics, not hate speech or bullying, that the candidates were discussing.

The warning popped up again and I ignored it. Maybe it was meant for some other vocal viewers exercising their free speech.

Of course the audio cut out for a question about accessibility, which I missed but I already know what a lot of the candidates think about that.

Amherstburg Candidates And Accessibility: E scooters

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I asked; none of the twenty-five Amherstburg candidates for council would make the “No E–scooters Pledge.”

The AODA Alliance wanted electors to ask candidates for City Council or mayor anywhere in Ontario to pledge not to allow e-scooters. They endanger safety and accessibility for people with disabilities, seniors & others!

Amherstburg Candidates And Accessibility: Facebook

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The following candidates use Facebook, that I’m aware of, but may have issues that prevent some people with disabilities from accessing their information:

Mayoral candidates:

Michael Prue
Bob Rozankovic

Deputy Mayoral candidate:

Nancy Atkinson
Chris Gibb
Gregory Moore
Dennis Sanson

Councillor candidates:

Molly Allaire
Andrew Argoselo
Linden Crain
Tara Kearsey
Donald McArthur
Marc Renaud
Patricia Simone
Gerry Theriault
Lori Wightman

The town was to provide candidates with accessibility information.

Amherstburg Candidates And Accessibility: Twitter

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Some of the candidates use twitter but can everyone access the information?

Deputy Mayoral candidate Chris Gibb’s account is used for Gibb Insurance but some town events are promoted.

The following Councillor candidates may have issues that prevent some people with disabilities from accessing information:

Linden Crain
Tara Kearsey
Holger Kretschman
Donald McArthur
Marc Renaud
Patricia Simone
Lori Wightman

Amherstburg Candidates And Accessibility: Websites

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Candidates have increasingly relied on websites to generate their campaign platforms and promises of representing everyone, but can everyone access the information?

2014: only three candidates created websites – all had accessibility issues.

2018: I mentioned website accessibility issues generally.

2022: twelve candidates created websites that I’m aware of.

I found no issues with Deputy Mayoral candidate Joe Shaw’s site.

The following may have issues that prevent people with disabilities from accessing information.

Mayoral candidates:

Michael Prue
Frank Cerasa

Deputy Mayoral candidate:

Chris Gibb
Dennis Sanson

Councillor candidates:

Molly Allaire
Linden Crain
Tara Kearsey
Donald McArthur
Patricia Simone
Gerry Theriault
Lori Wightman (c 2018)

Edited: to include Dennis Sanson’s site