Tag Archives: amherstburg

Reader letter: Artwork should have been on display at accessible site

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As published in the Windsor Star July 23, 2022.

Re: Amherstburg gets a closer look at Group of Seven artwork, by Dave Battagello, July 2

Not everyone will get a closer look.

The exhibition was being hosted in a downtown bookstore owned by Richard Peddie.

Victoria Little, chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Art Windsor-Essex, stated recently, “AWE regrets hosting this exhibition in a space that is not accessible in Amherstburg.”

In her letter, Ms. Little explained: “AWE also undertakes partnerships when our overarching goals for a program align with those of community visionaries, such as Richard Peddie.”

But if the goal was to bring this exhibit to Amherstburg, AWE could have selected accessible locations like the downtown Gibson Gallery or the Libro Centre.

The livability of communities cannot be improved if persons with disabilities continue to experience discrimination because of attitudinal and physical barriers.

AWE needs to adopt an accessibility policy and align its goals with legislation that ensures every person has a right to equal treatment with respect to services, goods and facilities without discrimination.

Ms. Little asked for my “patience and understanding that the organization operates within the broader systems of obligations that may conflict with our overarching accessible vision.”

I have been more than patient as I have advocated for improved accessibility for over 30 years. There’s the Ontarians with Disabilities Act 2001, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act 2005, the Human Rights Code, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, along with the goal of a fully accessible province in 2025.

Yet, a public art organization decided it was okay to exclude persons with disabilities with this recent exhibition. Linda Saxon, Amherstburg

KPMG Report For 3 pm Council Meeting July 25

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KPMG states, ‘our report may not be disclosed, copied, quoted or referred to in whole or in part, for any purpose, without our prior written consent in each specific instance.’

To view the full report, click on this link from the agenda for the 3 pm July 25 meeting.

Councillor Courtney’s Notice of Motion to be debated at December 13, 2021 meeting:

NOTICE OF MOTION OF COUNCILLOR COURTNEY TO BE DEBATED DECEMBER 13, 2021

WHEREAS section 224 of the Municipal Act clearly defines the role of Council and includes the following:

It is the role of council,

(a) To represent the public and to consider the well-being and interests of the municipality;

(d) To ensure that administrative policies, practices and procedures and controllership policies, practices and procedures are in place to implement the decisions of Council;

(d.1) To ensure the accountability and transparency of the operations of the municipality, including the activities of the senior management of the municipality; and

(e) To maintain the financial integrity of the municipality;

AND WHEREAS it is a best practice to periodically review the internal controls, budgetary variances and management of capital projects in order to ensure Council is carrying out its role pursuant to section 224 of the Municipal Act;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

1. That Council AUTHORIZE the Town’s audit services provider, KPMG, to UNDERTAKE an audit review of the following items:

  1. a)  Internal Controls in place at the Town;
  2. b)  Operating Budget Variances that have occurred for the fiscal years 2018-2021; and
  3. c)  Capital Projects completed and/or underway for fiscal years 2018-2021with a project value greater than $300,000, including the development of the 320 Richmond Street Hub Project;

2. That Council AUTHORIZE the CAO to sign all the necessary documents required to undertake the noted work;

  1. That KPMG’s findings resulting from this engagement BE REPORTED to Council in accordance with the Municipal Act;
  2. That, should the work done by KPMG as authorized by this resolution result in the need for further investigation, that KPMG report on the same to Council for its consideration; and
  3. That the cost of this engagement be charged to CAO’s Office – Professional Services.

Big Ticket Items For 3 pm Council Meeting July 25

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Instead of the usual 6 pm meeting, this ‘special council meeting’ will start at 3 pm; view the full agenda on the town’s website.

Kings Navy Yard Park Extension – Phase 1 Shoreline Improvements an upset limit of $2,000,000; two options include

  1. WAIVE the Purchasing By-law to execute an agreement with AMICO
  2. Council DIRECT Administration to proceed with a standard RFP for the preparation of full construction tender documents.

Malden Park Shelter – Award of Tender an amount of $129,985.13 plus HST;

Skate Park – Contract Award an upset limit of $240,000 plus HST

Libro Trail Tender No. 2022- 031 amount of $543,552.60

River Bookshop Barriers

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Richard Peddie co-owns River Bookshop in Amherstburg, built in 1885 and restored to honour the building’s heritage. Peddie requested and received heritage designation in 2021.

The website states, “Our second-floor event space is a very important part of our ambition to create a powerful and popular “Third Place” in our community. Consistent with our River Bookshop our values are to educate, inspire, engage and entertain.”

Twenty stairs that Peddie says you just walk up poses a barrier to people with disabilities. Shameful. There is also a raised threshold that I got stuck on and issues with the website.

twenty stairs to second floor river bookshop in amherstburg, ontario a barrier to persons with disabilities.

Now Four Months Awaiting Answers From Councillor Simone

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Councillor Patricia Simone has still not answered questions from March 16; on March 28, she said she would review the questions and respond as soon as possible about Simone’s Notice of Motion To Redefine Town Name.

Councillor Simone promised ‘to be available to answer any questions you may have’ during her 2018 campaign to become a councillor, repeated in A Look Back – Candidate Patricia Simone.

As mentioned in Mayor DiCarlo Responds for Councillor Simone, questions were not answered.

Peddie’s Pop Up – am800 Interview

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Dan Macdonald, am800, interviewed Richard Peddie, River Bookshop owner and Jennifer Matotek, Executive Director Art Windsor Essex (AWE), formerly Art Gallery Windsor about the Group of Seven Pop Up Exhibit. Read the article or listen to the interview.

Peddie mentions the event is free and you just walk upstairs because the event is on the second floor, called a hole in the wall. He explains that it’s an 1887 building and they weren’t accessible in those days.

Yes, but it’s 2022.

Meanwhile, Matotek is ‘looping in some’ team members and asking if they can work on some language for the show around access, ‘so we can be transparent with the public about the lack of access for this space.’

Being transparent about a lack of access is not the same as equal access.

Art Windsor Essex Confirms Exhibit Not Accessible Space

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Jennifer Matotek, Executive Director Art Windsor Essex (AWE) acknowledges, ‘Unfortunately, the Hole in the Wall venue which houses ‘Group of Seven: Not Formed in a Day’ is not an accessible space.’

The River Bookshop hosts the July 1 to 10 art event at its Hole in the Wall on the second floor. The AWE acknowledges on its website that This project and events are made possible with generous support from Richard and Colleen Peddie.

I inquired whether AWE had an accessibility policy. Matotek advised, ‘We are in the process of developing an accessibility plan and policy. This will be published on a dedicated ‘access’ page on our new website, which launches in Fall 2022.’

One more barrier in the Town of Amherstburg.

Now Three Months Awaiting Answers From Councillor Simone

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Councillor Simone promised ‘to be available to answer any questions you may have’ during her 2018 campaign to become a councillor, repeated in A Look Back – Candidate Patricia Simone.

Simone has still not answered questions from March 16; on March 28, she said she would review the questions and respond as soon as possible about Simone’s Notice of Motion To Redefine Town Name.

As mentioned in Mayor DiCarlo Responds for Councillor Simone, questions were not answered.