Tag Archives: amherstburg

A Look Back – Candidate Aldo DiCarlo on Mr. Marion Hired To Run Election

Posted on by

From a reader in 2014:

Question 37. Has anyone received their voting sheet from the town in the mail yet? It is only weeks away and no one has? The Town after hiring another bureaucrat under contract, one Mr. Marion to run our election as far as administration responsibilities is now blaming Canada Post for this screw up. The Town simply forgot to mail them out! This is just another example of our administration doing what they want with no council awareness or approval and costing us more money. How will you end such blatant incompetence and get the new council back to running this town?

2014 then-candidate Aldo DiCarlo

This question begs many answers. I have not received my voter registration card yet. Perhaps Town Hall doesn’t want me to vote for change? I have been told that Mr. Marion has a lot of past experience and is quite competent as a Clerk. The question I have is, “Why did we have to hire another Clerk to do the Clerk’s job?” Perhaps I should ask why the full time Town Clerk wasn’t capable of running the election? The answer is clear job descriptions, policies, procedures and hiring practices. I’m sure there’s more that can be done, but I stand by what I’m campaigning on. It’s time to create some policies and procedures that will actually provide transparency and accountability, not pretend they already exist. If they do exist, why is no one following them? If they are following them, why do the citizens continue to receive no answers or progress?

Amherstburg Vote 2022

Six Weeks And Still Awaiting Answers On Amherst Namesake From Councillor Simone

Posted on by

Follow up emails have been sent to Councillor Simone, who has still not answered questions from March 16 as she said she would.

Following several media interviews about Amherstburg Councillor Simone’s Notice of Motion To Redefine Town Name, I sent questions on March 16, 2022, a phone message was left and another email was sent asking if there was a good time to call.

As of March 28, she “will review the questions and respond as soon as possible.”

Questions:

what prompted you to bring forward the notice of motion?

why is changing the town’s name “not feasible?” Specifically?

how is it possible that “Amherstburg is an inclusive community that recognizes the inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of all persons to live in a climate of understanding and mutual respect for the worth of each person, allowing them to contribute fully to the development and well-being of the community” if the town creates barriers to persons with disabilities? excludes persons with disabilities from decision-making?

did you consult any Indigenous people about your intention to denounce the town’s namesake?

did you consult any legislation about your intention to denounce the town’s namesake?

did you consider your terminology might be perceived to be downplayed?

why did you choose ‘controversial nature of this individual’ and ‘Amherst’s legacy is controversial’ when what actually occurred was atrocities and crime against humanity?

A Look Back – Candidate Aldo DiCarlo on Developer Special Deals

Posted on by

From a reader in 2014:

Question 36. Yes we need to move this town forward! We need also to find out who has benefited financially with secret or special deals while the Town continued to pile on debt. Did anyone or developer get a special deal, or have fee’s waved? How did Season’s (developer) attain a different classification to avoid over 3/4 million dollars? Did the developers of the geared to income apartments on Simcoe get some special deal or avoid development fee’s? Developers have also passed on to the residents, the expense of final layers of pavement on their projects. These are only few of the stories being heard around our town. If these and others are true? Someone should pay? Not the taxpayers anymore!

2014 then-candidate Aldo DiCarlo

This question seems more like statements of frustration than a question. I can relate. Without being elected or currently on council, I can’t properly address any of the statements. I do, like others, wonder why no one else on council can address these issues. If the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and councillors can’t confirm or deny these issues, why can’t they tell us why they can’t? This information should all be readily available to the public. If I am elected Mayor, it will be.

Amherstburg Vote 2022

A Look Back – Candidate Aldo DiCarlo on Developer Fees

Posted on by

From a reader in 2014:

Question 35. On the issue of local developers and development in itself, how can you assure the residents that these developers will pay the current development fee’s and live up to their obligations through out the entire project until it is completely finished? An example of this is the future of Boblo Island. Mr. Amicone is proposing an additional 200 or more homes. How can you assure us that all future capital costs associated with this project are his responsibility? Who will pay for a projected fire hall and staff (current fire chief is already making his Christmas list) and equipment? Police station (same Christmas List) and staff? Sewage line? Additional ferries? These are all costs which should be born by the developer and passed on to his projected buyers? Examples of this abuse are the fee’s waived already costing this town over a million dollars.

2014 then-candidate Aldo DiCarlo

Not to offend, but this question seems trivial. The answer is bona fide contracts. The issue seems not to be whether or not there are different development fees but that some builders aren’t obligated to pay them. If these accusations are indeed correct, there will be a very different policy if I am elected mayor. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. POLICIES AND PROCEDURES. If the Town has any, they sure don’t seem to be followed. Frankly, some other candidates insist they exist, while the CAO insists they don’t, at least in his response to certain citizens. I WILL help council, administration and the public develop NEW policies and procedures that apply to all developers consistently. It is hard to address every circumstance that may occur, but for the ones suggested in the question, I don’t see why the developer was exempted from fees that the Town desperately needs.

Amherstburg Vote 2022

$166,000. Amherstburg Dog Park

Posted on by
Sent to members of council prior to yesterday’s council meeting.
I am shocked, and disheartened, to see the $160,000. Dog park recommendation on tonight’s council meeting agenda.
How could anyone justify such an expenditure that hardly improves the well-being and interests of the municipality or maintains the financial integrity of the municipality?
Council could ill afford a rainbow crosswalk; wasn’t it only approved because of sponsorship?
For how long has accessibility to the Gordon House and town hall been delayed? How many narrow sidewalks need to be replaced with new ones that meet code requirements? Both the building code and the AODA?
For how long will residents have to wait for new, accessible playground equipment to be installed?
It’s now been over two years since former CAO Miceli advised me that the town was working on a Routine Disclosure Policy, which is within council’s mandate. The item, although discussed at council meetings, is not even included in the unfinished business list.
Given all the accessible items money has not been allocated for, I have to object to spending taxpayer dollars on something that, in my opinion, is frivolous. People can walk their dogs anywhere but people with disabilities being denied access remain marginalized. When will you prioritize full inclusion?
Lastly, by what authority will you address the Miracle League at a council meeting? You should know that segregated activities are not viewed as inclusion by everyone.

A Look Back – Candidate Aldo DiCarlo on Two CAOs’ Pay

Posted on by

From a reader in 2014:

Question 34. Sometime in October, not quite sure of the actual day? Amherstburg will have their new CAO (another of a long line) while at the same time paying Mr. Phipps $80-$90 per hour for his consulting. How long will you let this double salary, or paying two CAO’s go on? In our current contract with Mr. Phipps, there is a 30 day walkaway clause from either party. Do you allow Mr. Phipps to remain on the payroll while at the same time paying our new CAO his salary? His salary is also unknown since Sutton, Pillon, Davies and Hurst voted against Dianne Pouget’s motion to make his salary public? Also would you let mr. Phipps stay on under some other title? (This is rumored)

2014 then-candidate Aldo DiCarlo

I do not believe that Mr. Phipps needs to stay any longer than what we are contractually obligated to pay for. In other words, 30 days after exercising the Town’s right to walk away, he needs to walk away. Mr. Miceli developed his experience in a city far bigger than Amherstburg. Although he may need a familiarization period, I don’t believe he needs any direction from Mr. Phipps. As a matter of fact, I’d prefer he doesn’t receive any direction from Mr. Phipps, as I don’t believe Mr. Phipps has operated in the best interests of the Town, nor has he communicated with the citizens in a respectful and accountable manner. I have researched Mr. Miceli and spoke with people who worked with him at the city of Windsor. They were of the opinion that Mr. Miceli was experienced and capable of moving the Town forward. I have addressed this in a previous answer as well. Mr. Miceli will be paid even if we were to hire someone else. I have no interest in paying any more people to do the job of one CAO.

Amherstburg Vote 2022

A Look Back – Candidate Aldo DiCarlo on Kingsbridge Amenities

Posted on by

From a reader in 2014:

Question 32. Kingsbridge lacks walkable destinations and sidewalks. If elected, will you vote to fund the preparation of a Secondary Plan and/or Community Improvement Plan for Kingsbridge so that all residents have an accessible and walkable community with neighbourhood commercial and neighbourhood institutional scale destinations? Kingsbridge needs walkable small scale retail, medical and professional offices, and perhaps a new elementary school in this part of Amherstburg and a few small neighbourhood parkettes. Tell us how you will make Kingsbridge a community that is complete safe, vibrant and accessible for people of all ages and abilities.

2014 then-candidate Aldo DiCarlo

As I believe in being transparent and frank, I do not see funding any development in the Kingsbridge area in the next 4 years. The Town’s debt load is far too great to embark on yet another project we can’t afford. I agree with everything mentioned, and I believe that all areas of the Town would like such development. I would not be opposed to such development for Kingsbridge once our debt load is stabilized, paid down and other promised projects are completed. Texas Road has been an issue that started as far back as 1997 I’ve been told. Projects like this must be seen through to completion before beginning new projects. Sadly, I don’t believe we have the money to spend in the near future.

Amherstburg Vote 2022

A Look Back – Candidate Aldo DiCarlo on Post Amalgamation Unequal Benefits

Posted on by

From a reader in 2014:

Question 31. Once amalgamation took place, Amherstburg as a whole ( Anderdon, Amherstburg, Malden ) received tax money from ALL the tax payers of the town. Unfortunately only downtown Amherstburg ( old Amherstburg ) seemed to receive the benefits of this amalgamation not Anderdon & Malden. If you are able to win in this election, will you make sure that all the taxpayers receive the benefits of being in amalgation and not just the downtown ( old Amherstburg )?

2014 then-candidate Aldo DiCarlo

In my discussions with voters over the past several weeks, it seems clear that the more rural areas of Amherstburg are not being serviced as they should. This seems more unreasonable when the reason for amalgamation is considered. Amalgamation was intended to improve efficiencies, lower taxes and build reserves. This seems obvious when you consider that the separate townships no longer need to pay for 3 CAO’s, 3 police departments, 3 fire departments, etc. Instead, the town of Amherstburg is in debt and the outer rural areas are not receiving the same level of service that ‘old’ Amherstburg is. I will make sure that the Town gets back on track, distributing services equally to ALL the taxpayers, not just the ones in old Amherstburg. With appropriate policies and procedures, obviously not in place as outlined by the current CAO, this issue should not be hard to develop and maintain.

Amherstburg Vote 2022

A Look Back – Candidate Aldo DiCarlo on Electronic Polling

Posted on by

From a reader in 2014:

Question 30. Would you support electronic polling (secure) on substantive matters plus immediate public release of results? One day perhaps ‘OPP versus local police’.

2014 then-candidate Aldo DiCarlo

Personally, I am all about technology and feedback. I like the idea but it would require more investigation to make sure it is feasible and affordable. Much like the ward issue, I also believe it is more an issue for the citizens as a whole. If the majority of voters would like to use electronic polling, I don’t see why it wouldn’t be implemented.

Amherstburg Vote 2022

A Look Back – Candidate Aldo DiCarlo on No Public Funds To Create Barriers To Accessibility

Posted on by

From a reader in 2014:

Question 29. Will you commit to a municipal policy that no public funds will ever be used to create or perpetuate barriers against persons with disabilities? Will you commit to specific plans to ensure fully accessible public transit and taxi services in your community? How, specifically, will you make Amherstburg more inclusive?

2014 then-candidate Aldo DiCarlo

I don’t believe we need a policy regarding the use of public funds that might create or perpetuate barriers for persons with disabilities. The Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 seems to legislate the requirements for inclusive planning appropriately. As much as I would like to see more public transit, it is an issue that has to be addressed with the other municipalities. I don’t believe that any municipality in Essex County can afford public transportation on their own. This is an issue we need to keep investigating as a County initiative. Taxis are private enterprise and it would be difficult to regulate their accessibility outside of the laws of the province. Amherstburg does currently have the Care-A-Van service, which I believe addresses the public transportation for persons with disabilities. I would work with the Province, County and the Amherstburg Accessibility Advisory Committee to ensure the Town of Amherstburg addresses and meets the needs of persons with disabilities.

Amherstburg Vote 2022