Tag Archives: amherstburg

Misguided Support for Segregated Sports

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Commentary by Linda Saxon

The River Town Times reports that the Town of Amherstburg has given the go-ahead for Miracle League billboards, awaiting final OK from the county and ERCA.

The article includes comments from Mayor Aldo DiCarlo and Councillors Diane Pouget, Joan Courtney and Rick Fryer praising the work of the Miracle League and its volunteers, all misguided in my opinion.

The Ontarians with Disabilities Act 2001 (ODA), the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act 2005 (AODA), The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, signed by Canada, the Canadian Charter of Rights and the Ontario Human Rights Code all promote integration, not segregation.

Mandatory training of Essex County Council included presentations by the Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee that specifically addressed the full and equal participation of every member of society and attitudinal barriers that interfere with the human right to do so.

Has anyone wondered why there was only one Miracle League in Canada? Has anyone wondered if negative stereotypes were being perpetuated?

As an accessibility advocate, I have often criticized the Town of Amherstburg for its lack of commitment to removing barriers in the community, including attitudinal barriers. As a few examples: for the past thirteen years I have advocated for an accessible town website, for accessible voting stations, for an accessible front entrance to the town hall – would any other minority group tolerate an enter at the back sign? No progress regarding these items was made to this day.

In my opinion, the approval of these billboards indicates to me that council needs to learn how to provide a more inclusive community in terms of full and equal access to recreation, festivals, communications, facilities and more.

Kathie Snow, of Disability is Natural, and a previous keynote speaker at the Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee Accessibility Workshop has published several informative articles on her site, including Separate And Unequal, about segregated sports, which I highly recommend.

All the information is readily available in legislation and resources; those should be guiding council’s actions, not emotions and misguided intentions.

Amherstburg chief wants all front-line police to wear body cameras

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If Chief Timothy Berthiaume has “always been committed to openness and transparency” why are the costs of data storage and court transcription not disclosed?
The pilot program began in April 2013, not January 1, 2014.
Given the $46 million debt Amherstburg is dealing with, (about half of Windsors’s debt) how can wish list items like these cameras be justified?
Windsor Police Chief Al Frederick says the costs are prohibitive and other police services feel the same way.

Ward System Needed?

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During the 2014 municipal election campaign, the burg watch invited readers to submit questions to the candidates, one of which was Question 28: Amherstburg seems to have an unusually high amount of staff for its size and population; do you think the town has grown to the point that a ward system would better serve the residents?

Although Deputy Mayor Bart DiPasquale did not answer the question, the River Town Times now reports that DiPasquale is once again trying to see what the level of interest is in bringing in a ward system to Amherstburg; his notice of motion will be brought forth to council as a motion during the March 23 meeting.

What do you think?

reminder: this and any other polls are for entertainment purposes

Trustee’s Response To General Amherst And Barrier Free Access

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This is a follow up to the previous post, Reader Asks About General Amherst And Barrier Free Access.

In an email to the PARC and school board trustee Ron Le Clair, I pointed out four references to the outdated “handicap” in the Review and that there is no mention of cost to ensure that GAHS is made barrier-free; I inquired if cost estimates would be obtained prior to a decision on the status of the school.

Trustee Ron Le Clair responded: “I agree with you that the terminology is outdated and should be amended to reflect more relevant terminology. I will forward your email to superintendent Awender, so he is aware of this issue.

As far as updating the accessibility of General Amherst, I am not aware of any estimates on this issue. I would expect any recommendations to maintain the school would include accessibility improvements in the total cost.

Should you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me.”

Reader Asks About General Amherst And Barrier Free Access

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Sarah asked, “Do you think we should be fighting to keep the current building that houses Amherst open? Would we be able to make it barrier-free and accessible (not sure of the cost)? Or should we be looking at requesting a new school that could be built from the ground up, accessible and barrier-free? I am interested in your perspective and thoughts on this matter.”

hi sarah,

thanks for your question! i think the community should fight to keep GAHS in its current location. generally, it is less expensive to renovate than to build new. i reviewed the PARC School Information Profile, which includes references to no accessible washrooms and amenities for students and staff, no lift/elevator and no to the question if the entire building is wheelchair accessible. the three accessible parking spaces at the back are the result of my human rights complaint settlement with the town.

i did not see any mention that the building is in such disrepair that it should be abandoned, so i see no reason why renovations could not be undertaken to ensure the building is barrier-free. i emailed the PARC and school board trustee Ron Le Clair that there is no mention of cost to ensure that GAHS is made barrier-free and inquired if cost estimates would be obtained prior to a decision on the status of the school.

i will post any response i receive.

linda

Fraserville Mosquito Problem Included In Budget

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Ron Giofu, River Town Times, reported that “town council has agreed to commit $49,972 in the 2015 budget on a nuisance control program to help combat the ongoing mosquito problem in the Fraserville neighbourhood. The nuisance program is over and above the larviciding program offered in conjunction with the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit.

Brenda Kokko, a Fraserville resident, told town council it is a quality of life issue for residents there and that residents are “held hostage” by the insects.”

This was a question for the candidates to the burg watch during the 2014 election campaign; of those elected, Mayor Aldo DiCarlo, Deputy Mayor DiPasquale and Councillor Pouget responded that they supported the program.

Councillor Leo Meloche’s Comment on $12,000.00 Poll

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Members of Amherstburg Town Council were advised of the Poll results that indicated 75% felt council should not have spent $12,000.00 on the law firm.

Additionally, I offered my personal opinion: “has council established a precedent whereby it acts on someone’s suggestion and/or offer? an RFP should have been issued. regardless, if we can afford to spend $12,000.00 on what might prove to be a duplicate process, then there is money to spend on improved accessibility at the town hall, truly making the town’s website accessible, and offering increased accessibility through internet voting.”

Councillor Leo Meloche did not comment on accessibility improvements, but responded: “Polling questions can be formulated to achieve a desired result. The question should have been … Are you agreeable with a Council’s decision to mount an opposition against the proposal that involves the potential closing of the high school in our town. I will make no further comment on the issue. I stand by my decision.”

I replied to Meloche: “your question could have been asked prior to council’s decision and maybe if the town’s website becomes accessible after my asking for it for 12 years, council could post its own polls.

since i asked for input after council’s decision, your question is moot.”

Commentary by Linda Saxon

Revised Budget Meeting Dates For Public Input

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Revised dates, as posted on the town’s website, which is still difficult to navigate and still has accessibility issues, are set out below.

• Saturday, March 7, 2015, 10:00am – 12:00pm
St. Peter’s ACHS College School – 6101 County Road # 20, Harrow (former St. Theresa’s Elementary School)

• Thursday, March 12, 2015, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Libro Credit Union Complex, 3295 Meloche Road, Amherstburg

• Tuesday, March 24, 2015, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Verdi Club, 689 Texas Road

• Saturday, March 28, 2015, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Knights of Columbus, 9560 Walker Road, McGregor

The 2015 Budget deliberation will be held

At a Special Council Meeting on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 

At Town Hall, Council Chambers from 6:00pm – 8:00 pm