Tell Councillor Crain There Are Barriers At Open Air

Email Councillor Crain at lcrain@amherstburg.ca to remind him that as a candidate he answered yes to the question about removing barriers:

Question: Will you remove barriers during Open Air weekends that block people with disabilities from driving to the bank, local stores, bars, and generally driving through town?

Councillor Crain’s answer: Yes. It is important that all members of the community can experience Open Air. If there are particular barriers in place, I am more than willing to investigate further and help find a solution.

Three Councillors Campaigned To Remove Barriers During Open Air

The burg watch Open Air posts’ viewing statistics have increased, particularly then-candidates’ opinions, which is worth repeating.

Will you remove barriers during Open Air weekends that block people with disabilities from driving to the bank, local stores, bars, and generally driving through town?

  1. Councillor Peter Courtney: Of course I would!
  2. Councillor Diane Pouget: Yes, I am definitely in favor of removing barriers for people with disabilities during Open Air.  The fact that 51% of the businesses in the downtown core want the closure of streets for 3 days on weekends and 4 days on long weekends from May to September is unreasonable and unfair.  This is especially true, since 49% claim that Open Air hurts their business, especially their clients with disability issues.  Further to that, the taxpayers are footing the bill to hurt our most vulnerable residents.  It was disappointing to learn that only one person with a disability was consulted. This is unfair and must be revisited.
  3. Councillor Linden Crain: Yes. It is important that all members of the community can experience Open Air. If there are particular barriers in place, I am more than willing to investigate further and help find a solution.

Councillor Donald McArthur: If there are persisting issues with accessibility, let’s work collaboratively to address them in consultation with the Town’s Accessibility Advisory Committee. Let’s not give up on something that engages our youth while promoting economic development, something that sets our Town apart in a positive way and creates the sort of bustling environment where a hotel cannot only open but flourish.

Councillor Molly Allaire: I love Open Air Weekends, my family partakes every weekend for sure. I will be honest after going door to door my eyes have been opened up to a great deal of problems in our town that I was unaware of. Open air has many positives and negatives. I think the blockades that they created this year allow better parking for the majority. We could make it more accessible for people with disabilities by blocking off the waterfront parking area specifically for them allowing closer access to amenities. I also believe that open air is wonderful but should only be one day instead of 3. Many residents say that it is more of a nuisance trying to get to their bank, business, home etc. Business owners have stated that their business has actually done worse during these hours because lack of access to the area. I think having it one day would be a fair compromise and make it still an event for people to come and enjoy.

No Answers:

Mayor Michael Prue
Deputy Mayor Gibb

Candidate Marc Renaud – Open Air

As in the post, Candidate Linden Crain – Open Air, Candidate Marc Renaud’s position regarding Open Air has been public so I reached out to him too by email today:

In the Wednesday, July 27, 2022 River Town Times, your profile includes, Renaud supports Open Air Weekends in Amherstburg, believing that is an attraction for people to visit and a benefit to businesses.

On August 23, I emailed you, Will you remove barriers during Open Air weekends that block people with disabilities from driving to the bank, local stores, bars, and generally driving through town?

Your RTT profile also contains, Being accessible to residents is something Renaud stated he always tries to be. “I pride myself on getting answers for residents who call or e-mail as soon as I can,” he said. “No need to wait for the next council meeting to get answers.”

Renaud added he has been proud to serve the residents and looks forward to hearing concerns and questions.

Why not be transparent and answer the question?

Renaud’s unedited response:
Linda
Theres access to parking at precision jewelry parking lot 🚶‍♀️ Canada Post lots.Are open to driving into.  Allows walking to area businesses.. There’s access to the Legion lot.àn strèet parking.
The Navy yard parking is accessible to turn around spots and regular ,àcceble spots. All walking distance to areas business. So hopefully this  èxplains what’s happening during the open air week end
Marc Renaud

Candidate Linden Crain – Open Air Update

Good evening Linda,

Thank you for your question and also establishing the burg watch blog. This forum, and others, allows candidates to gain a further understanding of opinions in the community. Open discussions play an important part in the democratic process!

Please find my answer to your question below:

Yes. It is important that all members of the community can experience Open Air. If there are particular barriers in place, I am more than willing to investigate further and help find a solution. For those reading, please do not hesitate to contact me at (519) 560-1254 if you have any questions or concerns throughout the ongoing election.

Best regards,

Linden Crain

Candidate Linden Crain – Open Air

While candidates are under no obligation to answer questions from me, or anyone else, their reactions do make me curious and are a good reveal:

  • why would a candidate set two deadlines to answer but then not answer?
  • why are some candidates answering questions from an unidentified source?
  • how are candidates prioritizing their time and responses?
  • if they don’t answer, is it a good indication of how they’ll respond if elected?
  • are they well informed of their and the town’s obligations re subject of question?
  • if candidates’ publicly share a position or opinion, why not be transparent?

In the last instance, I was curious enough to reach out to candidate Linden Crain. According to the THRIVE website, he was part of the team that created the Open Air White Paper:Renée D’Amore (director) Sara Palmer (director) Kory Renaud (director) Richard Peddie (director) Kurt Reffle, Linden Crain.

I assumed he was in favour of open air and asked why not be transparent? Crain apologized for the delay; he didn’t see a due date and was planning to reply later this week.

Question Repeated To Candidate Linden Crain