Tag Archives: amherstburg

A Look Back – Candidate Aldo DiCarlo on Regional Transit

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From a reader in 2014:

Question 10. What will you do to help establish regional transit within walking distance of all Amherstburg communities so that residents do not have to rely on car travel to commute to work or get to appointments in Windsor?

2014 then-candidate Aldo DiCarlo

I will continue to work with the other municipalities to try and achieve this goal. This is a large project that cannot be achieved without the support, both financial and otherwise, from the rest of Essex County. The cost of doing this without government subsidies is unlikely due to population gaps throughout the County. Nonetheless, I would work towards a common goal that could help the entire region. Amherstburg does, however, have various alternative transportation methods for individuals without means like the Amherstburg Care A Van. While we work to find a way to establish regional transit, we can look at expanding what we already do well. Even if there were a nominal ‘ride’ fee for people who required transportation (ie; post secondary school students et al.) we may be able to achieve a temporary solution. The town could also look into busing for major events in other parts of Essex County, much like we do for the SOE Wine Festival. Public consultation is key.

Amherstburg Vote 2022

Awaiting Answers On Amherst Namesake From Councillor Simone

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Following several media interviews about Amherstburg Councillor Simone’s Notice of Motion To Redefine Town Name, I expected Councillor Patricia Simone to readily answer questions on the topic, but she “will review the questions and respond as soon as possible.”

This was her answer after questions were sent on March 16, 2022, a phone message was left and another email was sent asking if there was a good time to call.

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 Parks, Sidewalks and Walkable Neighbourhoods

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From a reader in 2014:

Question 9. What will you do if elected to ensure that all communities in Amherstburg such as Kingsbridge, Pointe West, Golfview, McGregor and Malden have parks, sidewalks and walkable neighbourhood commercial and institutional destinations

2014 then-candidate Aldo DiCarlo

I believe, as I’m sure most do, that safety is something that has to be addressed, even it has a cost. Similar to the answer to question 8, some debts have to be owned. Sidewalks, for example, aren’t just cosmetically pleasing, they’re necessary for safety. Not every neighbourhood needs a park, although we may want them to, but every neighbourhood needs a safe way for people to walk, run and bike. There are less expensive ways to achieve safety while acquiring funds to do it the way we would prefer. The walk/bike lane on Simcoe/Pike, for example, was a cost effective way to provide a path to the Libro Centre at a reduced cost to concrete sidewalks. I believe this is the bridging answer for Texas Road. The Texas Road discussion started because the need for a sidewalk became a safety issue once Kingsbridge joined Texas Road. Many residents now walk either the short path thru Kingsbridge or all the way around using Concession 2. That entire walkway can be done with a paved lane and a rumble strip on one side of the street. I honestly couldn’t tell you where the grandiose dream of curbs, concrete sidewalks, decorative light posts, etc. came from. Having a lot of family and friends in that area, they’ve expressed their distaste with the plans as it would add a ‘bump’ in to their driveway, where now it is a smooth transition. Regardless, for those that ‘need’ a sidewalk now, it can be done inexpensively while repaving the road, which could hardly be disagreed is overdue. This is just one example of finding ways to give communities what they want, and pay for, without huge debt. Consultation with all the affected residents is obviously where to start. It doesn’t matter so much what council thinks, it’s what the citizens need.

Amherstburg Vote 2022

A Look Back – Candidate Aldo DiCarlo on Spending and Debt

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From a reader in 2014:

Question 8. How will you curtail spending and pay down the debt? Would you eliminate jobs? Would you reduce each department’s budget?

2014 then-candidate Aldo DiCarlo

This is a difficult question to answer as an ‘outsider’. There is no doubt that the Town Hall structure and spending needs to be analyzed. What I can say is that I would not be opposed to any difficult decisions that need to be made to move the Town in a positive financial direction. That said, some debt is necessary or beneficial. An example is the Libro Centre. There is often talk about the operating deficit. There should always be investigation to see if there is a way to operate with a balanced budget or a surplus. Some debt needs to be ‘owned’ however. I believe the Libro Centre provides numerous services and facilities for everyone, young and old, and if taxes are required to maintain such a positive service for the Town, we should pay that. Any time I was at the Libro Centre, it was always bustling with people using the facilities. If you compare costs, I believe we are currently paying for the Libro Centre what we were paying to keep up the old arena. When you compare the two, how can you argue it isn’t money well spent? An overall review needs to be done to determine efficiencies and deficiencies, and fees required.

Amherstburg Vote 2022

A Look Back – Candidate Aldo DiCarlo on Tourism

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From a reader in 2014:

Question 7. What do you believe is the Town’s role in Tourism? Is Tourism an essential service which benefits all taxpayers? We have a tourism and cultural department that has ballooned to an annual budget of over one million dollars. This department was started with a $60,000 Trillium grant from the Provincial government to help the Town promote itself. Where are we today?

2014 then-candidate Aldo DiCarlo

I believe Tourism is essential and benefits all taxpayers. I can’t say much to answer this question, except to say I would definitely look into it. Perhaps some of this money was related to the 1812 funding from the government? I am interested to see what the actual ‘regular’ budget is for Tourism. If it is $1M, I definitely want to know what it’s being used for and what we’re getting for our money. When I say part of my platform is accountability, I don’t say it as an election buzzword. If you know me, you know I follow through with accountability. If you don’t know me, ask someone who does. Budgets are budgets. If we need $1M to properly support Tourism in Amherstburg, I wouldn’t want to change the amount. Services cost money, I would just want to make sure we’re getting something for the money we pay in taxes.

Amherstburg Vote 2022

A Look Back – Candidate Aldo DiCarlo on OPP Costing

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From a reader in 2014:

Question 6. If elected, will you commit to council obtaining an OPP costing and if appointed to the police services board, will you commit to removing the OPP takeover clause in the police contract? If running for re- election, why did you not consider doing the above?

2014 then-candidate Aldo DiCarlo

With my labour background, and expertise in contract negotiations, this question is not difficult. For the record, I have negotiated 4 major contracts and facilitate workshops, related to bargaining preparation and successfully negotiating contracts. That said, I spoke with the major stakeholders related to this issue. The information I received was both confusing and frustrating. The current board has had 4 years, at least related to this contract, to request and obtain a costing to switch to OPP services. To my knowledge, no such costing has been requested to this date. Further, such costing has been free of charge to the municipality, but may actually require costs in the future. As a tax paying citizen, this particular point downright infuriates me. Why would the board not acquire something free that could help the Town decide what’s in their best interests. They might tell you that doing so could cause morale problems. However, I now know that they never bothered to even ask the Police Association, so this is just a speculative position. Now the final logic. For those who look at the current demographics of our current Police Force, they’ll notice that the average age is on the young side. Since there is a grandfather date in the contract, this clause wouldn’t apply to most of them. If you see where I’m going, now is the time to successfully remove the takeover clause. I’m sure there would be a minimal cost compared to the cost of implementing the clause, but that’s why it’s called negotiations. There has to be give and take. I can’t honestly say which I’d prefer, municipal or provincial policing. What I can say, what I know, is that the current board didn’t do their due diligence in acquiring the information for us to make an educated decision on what would be best for the town…information that would have been ‘free’. I would definitely acquire this information, if given the chance, and then work with the appropriate parties to achieve what’s best for the Town, or more importantly, what the Town feels is best for them.

Amherstburg Vote 2022

Commentary on Councillor Simone’s Notice of Motion On Town’s Name

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Commentary by Linda Saxon RE Amherstburg Councillor Simone’s Notice of Motion To Redefine Town Name.

As published in the River Town Times:

The proposal is problematic for a couple of reasons.

Councillor Simone references, without citation, the etymological root of Amherst is “a place amongst the woods.”

Simone states the namesake’s ‘controversial nature’ and ‘Amherst’s legacy is controversial.’ Translated from Latin, controversy means disputed which downplays Amherst’s correspondence indicating a genocidal intent.

Does council favour actions that require very little effort and no cost but create the illusion of an ‘inclusive community?’ Two recent examples of wishes granted with little, or no cost come to mind.

One day after a resident tweeted in favour of extending the River Lights, and offered financial aid, Mayor Aldo DiCarlo made the lone decision to extend the lights display.

Nine months after the proposal for a rainbow crosswalk, with financial support, Councillor Donald McArthur said he was sorry it took so long.

If the town creates barriers to persons with disabilities, excludes persons with disabilities from decision-making processes, and delays compliance, can it claim 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?”

Likewise, and paradoxically, the town reads a land acknowledgement at every meeting, which cost nothing, but if it creates an appearance of inclusivity is that as far as it will act? Substituting a new definition is no different than the town of Russell replacing the namesake with a new “Russell.”

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada called upon municipal governments to fully adopt and implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as the framework for reconciliation.

Council should do its homework before it decides. I refer to Article 19: States shall consult and cooperate in good faith with the indigenous peoples concerned through their own representative institutions in order to obtain their free, prior and informed consent before adopting and implementing legislative or administrative measures that may affect them.

Amherstburg Councillor Simone’s Notice of Motion To Redefine Town Name

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The Windsor Star reports: Instead of referencing Amherst, Simone said she hopes council will endorse a new meaning — “place amongst the woods” based on the etymological Old English roots of “Amherst” — which Simone says indicates “a place or settlement amounts the woods” and “burg” which denotes a “walled or defensive settlement.”

Councillor Patricia Simone’s Full Notice of Motion to Town of Amherstburg Council: Re Town of Amherstburg Name.

A Look Back – Candidate Aldo DiCarlo on Heritage District

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From a reader of the burg watch 2014:

Question 5. Towns need to differentiate themselves in order to compete for potential residents and businesses to relocate to their locale. Studies show that tourists who visit areas for History Tourism spend twice as much as an average tourist. Heritage Districts have popped up all over the country bringing much needed jobs and tourists. The current town council has stalled the implementation of a ready to go Heritage District in Town. Will you work with Town Administration and Heritage Committee to bring a much needed Heritage District to Amherstburg.

2014 then-candidate Aldo DiCarlo

I have always felt that Amherstburg’s heritage has been understated. I would look forward to working with the Administration and Heritage Committee. My research has shown me that most of the problems with heritage buildings are related to excessive repair costs due to neglect and lack of planning. The first thing that I think should be done is to designate which buildings are heritage, their current conditions and expected costs of maintenance and/or repair. Something like a 10 year plan should be established to address the known issues. For areas that require extensive repair, hard decisions will have to be made. Ideally, repairing buildings and then setting out a long term maintenance schedule should keep the Heritage District a viable option for the Town. All of this, of course, is just my ideas and I would definitely need ideas and input from those who understand the Heritage District better than I. Solutions that work are generally developed from multiple ideas, not just one. The current approach seems to be ineffective, otherwise, I don’t believe this question would be here.

Amherstburg Vote 2022

A Look Back – Candidate Aldo DiCarlo on Agenda Preparation

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From a reader in 2014:

Question 4.  Council members currently receive their notes on the Friday before the council meeting, just days before to digest a large amount of information. In other municipalities council receives much more time to digest and are actually briefed on the several pages of documents they are responsible to read. Is it any wonder that there were several disagreements on partially understood information? How will you change the process at Town Hall to bring them in alignment with other municipalities? How will you design the process so it is less of a speed read and more of a conversation based on information that is well understood?

2014 then-candidate Aldo DiCarlo

This is a pretty easy question to answer, as it was also an issue with the members of the University Of Windsor Board Of Governors when I was a member. Everyone digests and understands at different rates and levels. I don’t believe that there is any concrete timeframe that applies to everyone. The next council should discuss and agree on what a ‘reasonable’ amount of time is. Then, they should stick to it. If information is not available within the prescribed time, post pone the meeting. I know there are those who might argue the inconvenience to those who have planned for the date posted, but then I ask, “Would you rather have a meeting with councillors who aren’t prepared to properly address issues now, or would you rather they deal with the issues when they fully understand the agenda, and have had time for proper consultation with any citizens necessary?” As a final thought, a mayor and council who are abreast of issues, and stay informed with ongoing issues, won’t likely be presented with much they don’t already understand. This is not to say that I, nor anyone else, can know everything or anything all of the time, but part of the job of council is know their municipality’s issues, citizens, concerns and needs. No one person can know the whole town, but if everyone on council knows something, collectively they can know quite a lot. This would include what they don’t know, and need to find out. I’m not someone who is afraid, or opposed, to admit when they need more information.

Amherstburg Vote 2022